We live one block from the shore of Lake Winnebago. It is the largest lake located entirely within the US borders. (locally known tidbit). It is awesome. I brushed up on my facts on the state DNR (Department of Natural Resources) site and the lake is huge. Approximately 30 miles by 10 miles. 88 miles of shoreline. With a precious few feet on public land one block from home.
The winter cycle from the entie lake freezing into solid ice to spring thaw is hard to comprehend. First, it is that cold for that long to create from 12 to 18 inches of ice. Solid enough to driv e on. And we do. Well, not me. Nope. That in itself is mind blowing.
After a tradition of road and bridge building, they navigate the ice to tow fishing shanties and various other out building type structures out for ice fishing (beer drinking) expiditions. Looks like a city out there in the middle of the lake. Again, mind blowing.
Anyway, when weather warms the cycle begins to reverse. But it is a long thaw. Starts with slushy during the day and re-freezing at night. Weakening the ice. Fishermen begin to take more pre-cautions and shanties begin to disappear. Foot traffic is still safe.
When temperatures become steadily warmer the shorelines thaw. And cracks begin. And the water fowl love it. This was last weekend.
Notice in the background....the darker 'water' I will speak to that below.
Next, it becomes what is called black ice. It is soft and porous and absorbs the water. Turning it black. The ice cracks, which we can hear even a block away. Definitely no longer safe for auto or even foot traffic.
But it doesn't all just evaporate or melt into the water. Way too much ice. The spring winds stir and push the ice breaking it into huge blocks and shoves it towards which ever way the wind blows. Thus, ice shoves. They are spectacular. Can be damaging as well.
Then these little gems that spilled over just to sparkle and be pretty.
I still wonder at the natural course of the season. It is a process, a nature show, beauty. To be appreciated. And proof it is too darn cold around here!
Wow those ice shoves are intriguing. I can imagine the damage they could cause. Thanks for sharing about the winter cycle of the lake, I enjoyed reading :)
Hi. Thank you for reading and commenting.
They do some property damage and often piers, docks and boathouses. I have seen shoves as high as 10-12 feert and inches from shoreline homes.
Yet, the beauty is there.
You're welcome ;)
Wow that’s high. Yes, they are a sight to see.
And thank you again so much for getting my post some visibilty. It has done well!
You are so welcome! That’s awesome to hear because it deserved some ;D
Yike I always wondered what it looked like in the winter. I love to go camping up in Wisconsin.
Bring a heated tent. Even in July night temps can give you a chill!
Thank you for your comment. Wisconsin has tons of camping choices. I understand the state parks are especially nice. Where do you come from?
I'm from Chicago but I've camped all over the place in Wisconsin. Pike Lake, Mirror Lake, Wildcat Mountain, the northwoods, the Upper Peninsula near Sturgeon Bay and of course the Dells.
Geez. You have been more places than us! We are in the Oshkosh area. We frequent High Cliff .
Someday I want to go to camping near Washington Island. I've been to High Cliff on my way up to Sturgeon Bay, gotta love those sandstone cliff formations, a bit too many people were there kind of like devil's lake. I highly recommend Wildcat Mountain for camping and kayaking on kickapoo creek.
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Oh so cool. Working hard at this.
"Hats aff tae ye sailur fur yer stellar support fur th' toor!" 😉 -Keptin
It would be very interesting to visit that place.
dalgalar ve buz. muhteşem fotoğraflar. tebrikler.