Despite above-normal temperatures and recent rain, “ice-out” hasn’t yet occurred on the North Arm of Rainy Lake, Rusty Myers Flying Service here reported this morning.
“Red Gut Bay’s open, Hopkin’s Bay’s open, and so is Commissioner Bay,” said base manager Mike Dick.
“The North Arm usually is the last to go. I’ll give it another week,” he added. “But for those who work out on the lake, she’s looking good.”
The ice officially was “out” on Rainy Lake last year as of April 30. That’s six days earlier than in 2003—when it was declared “out” on May 6.
In 2002, the “ice-out” date was May 8. It was May 3 in 2001 and April 22 in 2000.
A look at the past 15 years shows the date of “ice-out” has varied within a 35-day window.
The earliest was in 1998 (April 13) while the latest was in 1996 (May 18).
Only six other times since 1990 was the ice out in April (1990, 1991, 1993, 1999, 2000, and 2004).
The latest “ice-out” date over the past 70 years was May 22 in 1950.
Since 1930, the ice has been declared “out” of Rainy Lake in the month of May 57 times. The most common date for ice-out has been May 6 (nine times).
According to Einarson Bros. Flying Service in International Falls, the U.S. side hasn’t declared “ice-out” yet.
“Ice-out” on that side means it is possible to travel by boat from Island View to Kettle Falls unimpeded by ice.
Last year it was declared “out” on May 1.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
