Vermont officials: Send us your ice-out observations

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — With spring around the corner, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation is asking the public to report when the state’s lakes and ponds lose ice cover. 

The “ice-out” date marks when lakes or ponds become ice-free from shore to shore.

“By reporting ice-out dates, Vermonters can help us better understand how climate change impacts our lakes and ponds,” said DEC Commissioner John Beling in a press release. “Using long-term records of lake ice, our scientists can learn about and track statewide and regional climate trends.”

Since beginning the reporting in 1977, DEC has seen trends of earlier ice-out dates across Vermont. 

Members of the public can report lake ice observations at the following link: https://dec.vermont.gov/content/vermont-dec-lake-ice-out-reporting-form