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Old 09-20-2010, 03:42 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Calgary Perchdance
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fishingnutter View Post
Yes, think of perforated paper. Whereabouts is the Lake (i.e, Prairies, Foothills, Pond, etc...)?

The two posts above are great info for learning ice type, also learn the lake/reservoir characteristics,,, a windswept lake tends to have the blacker/thicker/consistent ice,, whereas a mountain lake can vary considerably. We no longer drive on the ice but if you do, open your doors past the click (enough to kick open) and drive slow (you can actually force a small wave below the surface towards a weaker spot).

Be Safe, Have Fun, post pics of your catch.

Oh, if your ice is 5 inches, look for puddling, that's the slushy looking ice which is really open water, don't go exploring too much.
Where most people run into problems is making assumptions on ice thickness. Areas without snow have thicker ice, areas with snow have thinner ice (snow insulates), also are there freshwater springs, inflow streams, rotting vegetation, also when driving on the ice you still create a bow wave just like if you were in a boat...and if waves hit other waves or weak parts at the wrong time and place...disaster can happen...and last but not least...pressure ridges. I see lots of problems in the past with people driving over pressure ridges. When the the weather temperature fluctuates...ice expands and contracts. This can lead to open water on a minus 35 degree day.
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