Ice-out on Upper Saranac Lake officially occurred on April 9, 2025. Ice-in was recorded on December 22, 2024, making the total ice cover duration 109 days—10 days shorter than the long-term average of 119 days.
Since the Upper Saranac Foundation began tracking records in 1998, the earliest ice-out occurred on March 24 (2012), and the latest on May 2 (2018). The longest recorded ice cover was 147 days in 2013–14, and the shortest was 83 days in 2023.
This year’s earlier ice-out continues a long-term trend consistent with regional data. Nearby Mirror Lake, which has records dating back to 1903, shows an average loss of 26 days of ice cover over time. Mirror Lake’s historical mean is 140 days, compared to 124 days since 2000.
Monitoring ice-in and ice-out dates is an important tool for understanding water quality, aquatic ecosystem health, and the impacts of climate change. Warming water temperatures can affect native species, such as trout, and may increase vulnerability to invasive species.
For a full history of ice records, visit: https://usfoundation.net/programs/ice-in-ice-out/