Topic: Ice Update in Southern RI

[Curt - NC]

Drove by Chapman Pond this afternoon. It's still iced in all the way around, but there is a section in the middle that has stayed open for whatever reason.

With the winds we're having, it seemed like it might have gotten slightly larger during the past day or two. I'm not too hopeful about it opening up very soon, but the forecast for the next week or so is looking better, with highs up past 40 all week next week!

Maybe by the middle of March I can get out there and wet a line. We'll see 

[Joe P]

There was a picture of a guy ice fishing on Barber Pond in today's ProJo

I am ready for spring, it's been a long cold winter!

[Curt - NC]

I am ready for spring, it's been a long cold winter!

Ditto

[Joe P]

Ice is close to a foot thick now!  Going to be a while for open water

[Curt - NC]

Ice is close to a foot thick now!  Going to be a while for open water

Dislike!

I saw some ATVs on Chapman's Pond yesterday. That in itself told me that the ice is at least 6+ inches thick. Hard to believe it's a foot now 

One positive thing from this is that the weeds will definitely be laying flat on the bottom when the ice melts, after having ice cover for this long. And, honestly, Chapman's needed this in a bad way.

Maybe we can actually fish for the first month or two without having to worry about a weed problem 

[Curt - NC]

Had 3 degrees this morning at 5 AM. Should add even more thickness to the ice 

[Curt - NC]

Well, there is hope!

I saw some small open areas in one of the local swamps when I was out today. I know they might freeze back over later this week, but at least it's a glimmer of hope to hang on to!

[Joe P]

The next week or so getting real cold, single numbers for lows!  Gonna be a late start for sure this year

[Curt - NC]

There was skim ice on those open areas this afternoon. And I think you're right. Unless there is a drastic change in the weather during the first week of March or so (which isn't being predicted), we probably won't have open water until the end of March   

[Joe P]

Chapmans still has 10 inches as of yesterday, gonna be a while yet

[Curt - NC]

Chapmans still has 10 inches as of yesterday, gonna be a while yet

Boo!!   

[Curt - NC]

Ran out this afternoon to get some errands done.

Drove through a local marsh area and noticed that the shallow water that had thawed out earlier in the week was now frozen over again. I shook my head in disgust and kept on driving.

A short distance down the road, I drove past Chapman Pond and glanced over, expecting to see it still locked in with ice. I had to do a double take when I saw waves rolling across the water 

Yep! That's right... about 40% of the lake is open in the middle! The rain a Wednesday night must have destroyed the ice in the middle.

The launch area is still locked in with ice, as are most shoreline areas. But at least it's starting to melt now.

This put a little smile on my face today 

[Joe P]

Good news

Going to be 50 and sunny this afternoon, even more melting!

[Curt - NC]

Sounds good to me, Joe!

[Joe P]

Just came back from the landfill and Chapmans is 99% ice free

Also heard Wordens is opening up as well!