4/11/14 – The first measurement on the countdown to ice-out on Sawbill Lake was taken yesterday. 33″ of ice was the official reading.

Sawbill crew member Leif Gilsvik puts his back into it for the first daily ice measurement leading to the open water season. Photo by Nils John Anderson.
That said, we’ve lost at least half our snow pack in the last few days. A high sun, warm winds and temps near 50 have all taken a toll. I estimate an average snow depth of about 18″, down form nearly 40″ at the beginning of the week. – Bill