There is no way to really even give an approximate date at this stage in North Dakota if you want to have much accuracy at all. Most, if not all of the lakes still have good solid ice and until we see a consistent, steady warming trend that won't change much. We could certainly begin to guess when break up might be but I wouldn't plan a trip around it.
Don't practice until you get it right, practice until you can't get it wrong.
This is as of midday yesterday since today's pic is covered in clouds. Looks like west of the hook is all open and Beaver bay, Hazen and Beulah bays look to be well into opening up as does the south side of mallard island. Today's wind will likely do a number on it and undoubtedly she will be fully open in a couple days.
4/8/17--5pm: just back from Riverdale/Pick City. Gov"nment Bay has small area open from shore. Hwy 200 E of Pick City has some open water around the intake....rest has black ice--should go out real soon.
There is no way to really even give an approximate date at this stage in North Dakota if you want to have much accuracy at all. Most, if not all of the lakes still have good solid ice and until we see a consistent, steady warming trend that won't change much. We could certainly begin to guess when break up might be but I wouldn't plan a trip around it.
Don't practice until you get it right, practice until you can't get it wrong.
Earliest ice-free date on record was March 25, 2003. Latest ice-free on record was May 17, 1979. So it can be anywhere in between.
Earliest freeze-up on record was November 30, 1985 and latest freeze-up on record was January 18, 2012.
In 2012, the lake was declared frozen on January 18 and ice-free on March 27 for only 69 days of ice, which is the record.
Does anyone know the status of the ice breaking on Lake Sakakawea?
bhs67
Some western portions of the lake are already open, Van Hook should be soon.
This is as of midday yesterday since today's pic is covered in clouds. Looks like west of the hook is all open and Beaver bay, Hazen and Beulah bays look to be well into opening up as does the south side of mallard island. Today's wind will likely do a number on it and undoubtedly she will be fully open in a couple days.
Couple shots from today. Definitely in full breakup at both the four bears bridge and down at the dam.
4/8/17--5pm: just back from Riverdale/Pick City. Gov"nment Bay has small area open from shore. Hwy 200 E of Pick City has some open water around the intake....rest has black ice--should go out real soon.