When can I expect ice out-

[50littlebirds]

On Fulton Chain of Lakes?

[Kalmia]

That’s a good question! Nobody knows, hence the fun of ‘Ice Out’ contests as fundraisers for North Country fire departments and social organizations. It’s been a cold winter, and one with less snow than typical. Both those tend to predict later ice-free dates, but a lot depends on the weather between now and April and May. If I were making book I might say you would have 5% chance of not being stopped by lake ice if you launched April 15th this year, and you would have a 95% chance if you launched May 15th…

Generally speaking lake ice is thicker this winter than it has been in several years. Lake Champlain is frozen over, the first time it has iced over since 2007. As Spring arrives the Adirondack Paddlers Forum (http://www.adkforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=62) is a good resource for local eyes-on reports about ice conditions.

Here are a few links of possible use or interest on the subject…
http://www.lakeplacidnews.com/page/content.detail/id/510351/Time-to-get-ready-for-annual-ice-out.html?nav=5059
http://me.water.usgs.gov/reports/OFR02-34.pdf
http://www.uvm.edu/giee/pubpdfs/Beier_2012_Climactic_Change.pdf (the long version)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120507164334.htm (the short version)
http://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/page/content.detail/id/541822/Saranac-Lake-chamber-of-commerce-springs-its-annual-ice-out-contest.html?nav=5008
http://www.ajes.org/v15n2/stager2009.php

[50littlebirds]

Thank you. I’ll be keeping an eye out!

[paddler.nl]

As we are starting in june, I am more interested in what effects your cold winter with little snow will have on
a) water levels in rivers like the Saranac?
b) mosquito and black fly populations?
I guess the water will be pretty cold or does it warm up fast in june?

[Chris Gill]

a) A good guess would be that you will have plenty of water on the Saranac, perhaps too much. The 2 feet of snow predicted for tomorrow won’t help. I would plan on maybe having to do some long carrys if the water is too high, bring good wheels. The Saranac is generaly pretty high into June, last spring we had snow over memorial day (last weekend in May)and had to cancel our trip on the lower river. There is the possibility you will have perfect levels, I doubt it will be to low. I can give you more detail on what sections you can still paddle in high water if you want them.
b) The odds of having lots of bugs in mid June is about 98%
c) The water will be cold in June, dress appropriately, hopefully you will have warm weather.
Bugs will happen about 4 weeks after ice-out depending on the weather. When you get to Saranac lake stop at Rauette River Outfitters and ask about current conditions on the river, they are very knowledgable and friendly.

[kdaanen]

@Chris Gill 301 wrote:

a) A good guess would be that you will have plenty of water on the Saranac, perhaps too much. The 2 feet of snow predicted for tomorrow won’t help. I would plan on maybe having to do some long carrys if the water is too high, bring good wheels. The Saranac is generaly pretty high into June, last spring we had snow over memorial day (last weekend in May)and had to cancel our trip on the lower river. There is the possibility you will have perfect levels, I doubt it will be to low. I can give you more detail on what sections you can still paddle in high water if you want them.
b) The odds of having lots of bugs in mid June is about 98%
c) The water will be cold in June, dress appropriately, hopefully you will have warm weather.
Bugs will happen about 4 weeks after ice-out depending on the weather. When you get to Saranac lake stop at Rauette River Outfitters and ask about current conditions on the river, they are very knowledgable and friendly.

Or St. Regis Outfitters. They are right along the river. They also have a shower you can use as a Through-Paddler, and will stash your boat and gear while you are in town.

[50littlebirds]

I made it up last week to pick up my boat and to explore. My daughter and I had a great time….but it was definitely still winter. The Adirondacks are beautiful in any season. Can’t wait to be back up in June!

[Kalmia]

The ice has gone out from long sections of Vermont’s Missisquoi River this week, but Lake Champlain is still iced over, and the snow is still many feet deep on the mountains in Northern Vermont. Anyone else seeing running water along the NFCT yet?

[Kalmia]

Looking around at reports on a few fishing forums and facebook pages it appears the ice has gone out from the Fulton Chain, Long Lake, and the Saranac Lakes.

[Author]

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