First Official Ice Out In The State

[DonkeyHodey]

The DNR has the first documented ICE OUT of the year--Lake Pepin.  (They're calling it as of 3/28/19)

Historically, Lake Pepin is usually the first major lake in MN with official ice out.

 

For context, last year lake Pepin had ice out date at 4/20/18.--most lakes in central minnesota were rock solid on 4/20/18, but ice free ~3 weeks later.  (for further context, Lake Pepin was ice-out on 3/7 in 2017...  2017 was very early, 2018 was pretty late--2019 will probably be right in the middle)

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ice_out/index.html

 

Time to re-line your casting reels( or taking the boat out of storage) because open water will likely come fast and furious on the surrounding lakes over the next few weeks.  YAY!

[BobT]

Yes, considering the kind of winter we had, the lakes seem to be changing fast. I'm ready!

[Wanderer]

And further up the river - sitting back with a barley pop watching breakup now.  Pretty cool

[Mike89]

13 hours ago, Wanderer said:

And further up the river - sitting back with a barley pop watching breakup now.  Pretty cool

you on the river???  if so cool!!!!

[Mike89]

I'd love a place like that!!!   darn nice area too!!!!   you guys did well I'd say!!!

[Wanderer]

When the sheet moves it’s pretty amazing the sheer power behind it.  It sheered of one of the neighbors 4” diameter trees like it was nothing.  Digging up dirt and sod as it slides into the bank.

 

The floes of 2+ foot thick chunks barge into the stationary sheet and get tugged down by the current and tumble underneath or stand up on edge and drive the ice sheet low enough for water to start running over the top.  Then the thick chunks stack up on it till it can flex back up or get pushed back up from the larger sheets that tumble underneath.

 

It all really shows you why rivers can change every year.  Not just the bank either.  When those thick plates that are 20+ feet across get sucked down and tumble through the 10 - 15 foot depths they scour the bottom just as sure as they do the banks.

 

Started typing this post almost an hour ago but stopped so I could witness the last of the major sheet blow out.  I don’t usually get to witness breakup like this since it sometimes happens at night or when I’m at work.  24 hours ago I could’ve walked across the river here.  Now she’s open and flowing fast.