Dick Combs, senior mechanic for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, drove out Thursday to an overlook near Pick City. He pulled up a pair of powerful binoculars like he does daily this time of year and made a thorough visual inspection across the lake. I see open water, I sure do. Just until Sunday will do it. It's his call, but even he is hedging his bets.
Several factors come into play.
Mild temperatures expected today will make a difference. Combs was cheered by the fact that the open water wasn't steaming Thursday, meaning the temperature differential wasn't enough to make the water cool down further. Wind is a big player, too. Right now, Combs said, the ice is still so thin that wind could undo a lot of ice in a big hurry. A fist-sized rock plunked right though the glaze.