Minnetonka Ice Out Facts & One Year of Posting!

Last year I incorrectly posted the Minnetonka Ice Out date. Of course, since my blog was only one month old no one noticed. Now, nearing Minnetonkascenes One Year Anniversary, with a growing readership, I must assure you of my quality standards.

The following is from the official Minnetonka Web Site:

"On Lake Minnetonka, the ice is designated as "out" when it is possible to make way by small boat from any one shore to any other shore through any passage on the lake.  Ice-out dates have been determined by using this method since 1968.
Previous methods included:  When ice was 90% gone, when a boat could circle Big Island, when a boat could travel between Wayzata and Excelsior, when a car fell through the ice, or by visual observations from limited lake locations."
 
Freshwater Society Website, "Freshwater Society" Lake Minnetonka Ice-Out Dates: 1855-2003. 
 
NEAT FACTS   
Average Ice-Out: April 15
Earliest Ice-Out: March 11, 1878
Latest Ice-Out:May 8, 1856
Most Common Ice-Out: April 17 & 18 (9 times)

By looking at the Lake, we're going to be very close to the average date.