Who is excited for snow season? Not us! We're depressed due to lack of snow.

[MossRoad]

Water cannot be colder then 32 degrees F

Yes it can. Not real common, but it's been proven.

At What Temperature Does Water Freeze?

The answer is far more complicated than it first appears—water doesn't always turn to ice at 32 degrees Fahrenheit

www.smithsonianmag.com

 

[ArlyA]

Water cannot be colder then 32 degrees F

Why don't they find bodies in Lake Superior's cool water?
-------------------------------------------

Normally, bacteria decaying a sunken body will bloat it with gas, causing it to float to the surface after a few days. But Lake Superior's water is cold enough year-round to inhibit bacterial growth, and bodies tend to sink and never resurface.

 

[Rockbadchild]

There's no such thing as safe ice.

There's a reasonable assumption that it's safe. But it can change faster than a lot of folks realize, or they become complacent.

This was a local lake January 31, 2022. Good solid ice everywhere. 30' of water. Spring bubbling up! Had there been snow cover, I never would have seen it. I've been around spring-fed lakes all my life. I've never seen one bubbling in 30' of water that far from a high bank. Gave me the shivers.

Of course their is, safe ice is ice proven to be safe at a specific location and time... if you walk in and check as you go and there is adequate thickness that ice has been proven to be safe along that checked path. Now if you go back the next day, the ice was safe you can ''probably'' assume it is still safe depending on conditions but like you said it doesn't mean it is still safe.

Every lake has these spring fed or not, one need to be aware of the signs usually uneven/depreciation in the snow. The snow weight or water level changes will cause the ice to cracks then water flow through these cracks and erode the ice... That's why I've never been a fan on wheels on ice and if walking on ice a walking pole for ice sound check is paramount. Its a lot safer on a sled has it has a large surface area but still need to be vigilant for these open water holes.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

What don't they find bodies in Lake Superior's cool water?
-------------------------------------------

Normally, bacteria decaying a sunken body will bloat it with gas, causing it to float to the surface after a few days. But Lake Superior's water is cold enough year-round to inhibit bacterial growth, and bodies tend to sink and never resurface.

Experience?

 

[Rockbadchild]

Yes it can. Not real common, but it's been proven.

At What Temperature Does Water Freeze?

The answer is far more complicated than it first appears—water doesn't always turn to ice at 32 degrees Fahrenheit

www.smithsonianmag.com

yes it is dependent on atmospheric pressure and salinity. but fresh water at see level freeze at 32 degrees

 

[bigtiller]

When my point-man retired and moved to Arizona, I missed the early season bite when ice fishing. My point-man led the way and I always walked in his tracks.

After he moved away, the only time I would get to ice fish was when there were lots of trucks on the ice and I would walk in their tracks.

I don't gamble.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Bees bringing in pollen today in Indiana.

 

[CalG]

Hung a handful of sap buckets today.
Steady drip . Supposed to be good weather for a week.

Last year we made over 5 gallons of syrup. We will need to see what this year brings.

It sure seems early, I usually wait till town meeting....

 

[Thomas]

Hung a handful of sap buckets today.
Steady drip . Supposed to be good weather for a week.

Last year we made over 5 gallons of syrup. We will need to see what this year brings.

It sure seems early, I usually wait till town meeting....

What the ratio of sap to syrup?

 

[Rockbadchild]

What the ratio of sap to syrup?

more then one would think …CalG will confirm but if I remember correctly it’s something like 40 or 50:1 so 40 gallon of sap for one gallon of syrup