5/12/14 – The ice is so soft now that it doesn’t make sense to drill a hole. We’ll just be posting pictures from here on out. After two days of very warm and pleasant weather, it has turned cooler, but very windy and rainy.

The water is even higher than normal for this time of year. Usually, the high water peak is a day or two after the ice goes out.

Jessica inspects a chunk of honeycombed ice. Although we often think she can walk on water, she is actually standing on the canoe landing.
Here is an interesting bit of history from the Duluth News Tribune with two Sawbill connections.
The SAGE building was built in 1956. Frank and Mary Alice Hansen, Sawbill Canoe Outfitters founders, bought some of the used cement form lumber from the SAGE project and used it to build their first three buildings, including the core of the current store building.
Ray Klosowski, who is featured in the article, is a frequent Sawbill canoeist. – Bill

5/11/14 – Today’s Sawbill Lake ice measurement is 13″. Yesterday was 16″.

Opening day of fishing 2014. Leif and Nils are getting their lines wet, but no fish were harmed in the taking of this picture.

The thickness of the ice is less important now than its overall condition. It will turn black for a day or so just before it goes out.

Sun and wind are taking a toll on 2014’s stubborn ice sheet. Although this looks like a beach, it’s actually the Sawbill canoe landing flooded by the very high water level.

5/9/14 – Progress was made overnight in the ice melting department! A steady rain seeped into the ice causing our 17″ of remaining ice to consist of mostly slush with a pesky solid layer hanging on for dear life. – Jessica

The snow is melting fast along the road leading to the landing.

The ice is starting to look a little darker and very slushy on top.

View over Sawbill Creek a few days ago. All photos taken by Nils John Anderson.

5/7/14 – Sunny conditions and a warm breeze are really fueling our spirits and the ice melt today. The test hole was drilled in record time through only 17 inches of ice, most of it very slushy. – Jessica

After contemplating walking the plank across the ever widening gap of open water we decided to play it safe and bring in the ever trusty Grumman.

We saw our first butterfly of the season soaking in the rays.

5/5/14 – The ice on Sawbill Lake remained at 22″ this morning. Yesterday didn’t turn as warm as predicted. When the sun came up this morning, it revealed the woods covered with a fresh layer of snow. It was just enough to cover the ground and trees, but discouraging, none the less. – Bill

Fresh snow covers ice that is still quite safe for walking.

It still takes significant effort to drill a hole.

Careful measurement is made by our resident scientists, Jessica and Carla.

(PHotos by Nils John Anderson)

Here is a screenshot of ice-out dates this year from the Minnesota DNR. It’s interesting how the ice departs in a northwesterly direction.

5/4/14 – Today’s ice measurement on Sawbill Lake is 22″. That is big progress and the forecast is for warmer temperatures. – Bill

You can see how the ice sheet is now floating and detached from shore. (Photo by Nils John Anderson)

(Photo by Nils John Anderson)

The water will be high when the ice finally goes out. (Photo by Nils John Anderson)

5/3/14 – Good news! Today’s ice measurement on Sawbill Lake went down to 24″. The ice sheet floated up yesterday. That means that the ice has detached from shore and the ice is becoming less dense. Both are good signs that summer is approaching. In my experience, the ice usually goes out about a week after floating up.

The ice measuring crew now has to use a plank to get out on the ice sheet. Soon, they will need a canoe to access the ice. (Photo by Nils John Anderson)

Phoebe, Chief of Outfitter Security, walks the plank. (Photo by Nils John Anderson)

Ace photographer Nils John Anderson documents an island in the fog.
Here is this week’s edition of the Cook County West End News from WTIP-FM, North Shore Community Radio.

5/2/14 – Today’s ice measurement is 27″. The sun has been peeking out today and the roofs are dripping hard. Next week is supposed to be substantially warmer. – Bill

Nils spotted this otter yesterday. It was taking advantage of open leads of water around the island in front of the Sawbill Lake canoe landing.

Another view, showing the context.

One of the many test holes drilled in Sawbill Lake this spring.

4/28/14 – Today’s ice measurement on Sawbill Lake increased to 30″. It looks like a few inches of slush on top refroze overnight. The ice crew was too depressed to even take a picture. – Bill

4/27/14 – Another day at 27″ of Sawbill Lake ice cover. There is a weak spot near shore that Jessica found last night. It’s right next to shore and just deep enough to fill her boots with icy water. – Bill

Nils takes his turn at the auger this morning.

Leif taking a careful measurement, although if it doesn’t warm up soon, we can pretty easily guess what the ice depth will be.