Brainerd Lake skating?

[Curious]

Has anyone heard anything? It seems like it's been pretty cold.

[Guest]

[Guest]

And snow, if it wasn't thick enough prior to the first snowfall, it won't open for skating. The best we could hope for is for the snow to melt and the lake to refreeze. I've also heard they're calling for another 4 - 8" Thursday into Friday, so It won't be happening soon.

[Guest]

You will know when it time to skate when the township raises a green flag above the sidewalk facing the lake on Main St. They also fence off the section around the overflow drain where the ice gets thin because of the moving water.

[Guest]

At this point bring a snorkel with you for when you fall in.
I do not see the lake ever being skated on again as the liability is too great for the Town.

[Guest]

[Guest]

The TC stated at a meeting a month or so ago that they supported skating when the lake was a sufficient thickness according to what the insurance policy says it should be. They never said no skating on the lake.

However, with snow on the lake it makes it hard for the lake to freeze to a safe thickness.

[Guest]

Some cold facts about ice

New ice is usually stronger than old ice. Four inches of clear, newly‑formed ice may support one person on foot, while a foot or more of old, partially‑thawed ice may not.

Ice seldom freezes uniformly. It may be a foot thick in one location and only an inch or two just a few feet away.

Ice formed over flowing water and currents is often dangerous. This is especially true near streams, bridges and culverts. Also, the ice on outside river bends is usually weaker due to the undermining effects of the faster current.

The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process. The extra weight also reduces how much weight the ice sheet can support. Also, ice near shore can be weaker than ice that is farther out.

Booming and cracking ice isn’t necessarily dangerous. It only means that the ice is expanding and contracting as the temperature changes.

Schools of fish or flocks of waterfowl can also adversely affect the relative safety of ice. The movement of fish can bring warm water up from the bottom of the lake. In the past, this has opened holes in the ice causing snowmobiles and cars to break through.

[Guest]

Any info if the lake is going to open soon?? looks like they have a sign up and a gate up!

[Guest]

LAKE IS OPEN

[Guest]

Township of Cranbury New Jersey


NOTICE TO ALL CRANBURY RESIDENTS
The Green Flag is up for skating on Brainerd Lake - Enjoy! Please be respectful of private property along the lake.

(www.CranburyTownship.org)

[neighbor]

Anyone have size 6 women's skates and/or size 1 kids skates they'd be willing to sell?

[Dan Mulligan]

It was a great day to be on the lake today and it really seemed like everyone from the little kids on up to the adults really had a lot of fun.

A special thanks to the Cranbury Township Public works department for doing a great job of getting things up and running for today.

Hopefully the weather will cooperate in the near term so we can all continue to enjoy the skating.

Fingers crossed for continued green flags.

-Dan