The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol, in partnership with the Freshwater Society, has declared Ice Out for Lake Minnetonka, marking the unofficial start of the boating season.
The announcement was made at 5:53 p.m. on Wednesday March 13th, 2024, two days past the previous record set in 1878 for earliest ice out.
“This long-standing tradition of declaring Ice Out is the unofficial start of the boating season,” the sheriff tweeted.
This announcement comes amidst a notably warm winter driven by El Niño conditions and climate change, resulting in unprecedented ice conditions across various lakes in the state.
Throughout history, Lake Minnetonka’s ice-out has been determined by various means, including incidents such as cars sinking through the ice or the successful passage of boats from Excelsior to Wayzata.
Accompanying the water patrol in this annual observation were representatives from Freshwater, an organization founded by Dick Gray in the 1960s, who developed a system for tracking ice-out on Lake Minnetonka.
With ice-out records dating back to 1855, Lake Minnetonka serves as a crucial indicator of long-term climate trends.
While methodologies for determining ice-out vary from lake to lake, consistency in observations is paramount for researchers and agencies like the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The DNR maintains a comprehensive record of ice-out dates for lakes across the state on its website.
With the official declaration of ice-out on Lake Minnetonka, heralding the onset of spring, boating enthusiasts eagerly prepare to embark on the water, marking the commencement of the boating season.
As the lake navigates into a new season, the community anticipates embracing the joys of recreational boating, fishing, and enjoying the picturesque beauty that Lake Minnetonka offers.
