Slow but steady progress

While we are exited about the potential for early ice-out this season, it's important to realize that most lakes in Algonquin are still ice-filled and not yet navigable. Opeongo Lake is a good example. As of this morning, there is open water in Sproule Bay and the black ice seen in yesterday's picture is gone. That's the good news. The bad news is that solid white ice can be seen on the horizon at the far end of Sproule Bay. This means that the rest of the lake is still frozen over and has a ways to go. It is safe to extrapolate that big interior lakes like Lavielle, Dickson and Hogan are still completely iced over. If you are really interested in tracking signs of spring, check out the Journey North.

All pictures by Jerry Schmanda, taken with a Fuji FinePix S9000

Sproule Bay at the south end of Opeongo Lake, April 18. White ice on the horizon!

The island on Lake of Two Rivers, April 18. East end of the lake is open, west end filled with ice.

Source Lake on April 18, taken from the landing.