Steve Lamb reports that Norton Reservoir and a few other local ponds have an inch and a half of black ice. He anticipates they will be worth investigating this weekend. Call him for more details.

Lee Spiller ventured out on Lake Winnipeasukee this afternoon from Ellacoya to find a uniform 4″ plate. It extends at least from Rattlesnake Island north into the islands. Below is a photo looking north; I believe that’s Welch Island on the right. He thought there were some open holes further out, but we’re waiting for confirmation if he ever comes back! Even if the full extent of the plate isn’t known, he says what he scouted is plenty big for sailing.

Anyone interested in finding out more this weekend? Forecast looks grand. We are working on getting the access at Ellacoya plowed out, but another option is the Belknap Point Motel. We stayed there during the epic ice of 2010 and were able to launch and moor the boats right there. Am still waiting on confirmation on that. Ames Beach is also not well plowed and the ice in there isn’t so great anyway, according to Lee.