We had a nice day with sun and 50 degrees. I sat outside for a while today just to obsorb some sun. I took this photo of Clearwater Lake from the public access yesterday. It shows the ice pulling away from the edge of the lake. 
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Clearwater Lake
We had a nice day with sun and 50 degrees. I sat outside for a while today just to obsorb some sun. I took this photo of Clearwater Lake from the public access yesterday. It shows the ice pulling away from the edge of the lake. 
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
How Lake Ice Melts
In the late fall, the lake loses heat to the atmosphere, and then on a day or night when the wind is not blowing, ice forms. The ice gets thicker as long as the lake can continue to lose heat.
In most Januaries and Februaries, snow both reflects sunlight and insulates the lake. With a thick snow layer, the lake neither gains nor loses heat. The bottom sediment is actually heating the lake water slightly over the winter from stored summer heat.
Around March, as the air warms and the sun gets more intense, the snow melts, allowing light to penetrate the ice. Because the ice acts like the glass in a greenhouse , the water beneath it begins to warm, and the ice begins to melt from the bottom.
When the ice thickness erodes to between 4 and 12 inches, it transforms into long vertical crystals called "candles". These conduct light even better so the ice starts to look black because it is not reflecting much sunlight.
Warming continues because the light energy is being transferred to the water below the ice. Melt water fills in between the ice crystals which begin breaking apart. The surface appears grayish as the ice reflects a bit more light than before.
The wind comes up and breaks the surface apart. The candles will often be blown to one side of the lake, making a tinkling sound as they knock against one another and piling up on the shore. In hours, a sparkling clear lake once again!
In most Januaries and Februaries, snow both reflects sunlight and insulates the lake. With a thick snow layer, the lake neither gains nor loses heat. The bottom sediment is actually heating the lake water slightly over the winter from stored summer heat.
Around March, as the air warms and the sun gets more intense, the snow melts, allowing light to penetrate the ice. Because the ice acts like the glass in a greenhouse , the water beneath it begins to warm, and the ice begins to melt from the bottom.
When the ice thickness erodes to between 4 and 12 inches, it transforms into long vertical crystals called "candles". These conduct light even better so the ice starts to look black because it is not reflecting much sunlight.
Warming continues because the light energy is being transferred to the water below the ice. Melt water fills in between the ice crystals which begin breaking apart. The surface appears grayish as the ice reflects a bit more light than before.
The wind comes up and breaks the surface apart. The candles will often be blown to one side of the lake, making a tinkling sound as they knock against one another and piling up on the shore. In hours, a sparkling clear lake once again!
Monday, April 27, 2009
The snow is melting but when will the ice be gone?
This is the time of the year when I get a lot of calls asking when the ice will be off the lakes. Hopefully by Fishing Opener is all I can tell you right now. I do know that North and South Brule rivers, which cross the Gunflint Trail are both running. This picture is from South Brule. I'll keep you posted at the ice melts.
Lynn
Friday, April 24, 2009
The fox
I was woken up the other morning by the screech of angry birds and chattering of disturbed squirrels. I recognize that sound! I rolled out of bed and thought, what animal is outside my window and in the bird seed because it surely was not the birds! Yep, the fox was back.
Lynn
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