When will ice leave?

Talk about it

With spring now officially “sprung” – it began on the calendar March 20 – now is the time to think of another rite of the season:

When will the ice leave the lakes?

It’s time for the Echo Press’ annual Ice Out Contest. The person who guesses when the ice will melt away on Lake L’Homme Dieu will win a $50 gift certificate from Pete’s County Market in Alexandria.

This year’s contest is free to enter. An entry form is printed on page —- in today’s issue and will also be available in this weekend’s Lakeland Shopping Guide.

Only one entry per person is allowed.

All entries must be received at the newspaper office by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 2.

Official ice-spotters from the Echo Press will determine when the ice has left the lake. If two or more people guess the correct date, a drawing will be held to determine the winner.

The Echo Press has been keeping track of the ice-out times dating back to 1867. Lake Osakis was originally the official lake but the site was changed to Lake L’Homme Dieu in 1965.

The earliest ice-out happened in 2000, when the lake was clear of ice on March 25.

The ice’s most stubborn year was 1878 when it finally retreated on May 15.

Last year’s ice out was April 21. Two years ago, the ice didn’t leave until May 2, the latest ice out in 29 years.

In the 141 years the newspaper has recorded ice-outs, the ice has stayed on the lake later than May 2 only 13 times.

In last year’s contest, seven entrants nailed the exact date and a drawing gave the prize to Brayden Amundson of Alexandria.

Tags: local news, ice out, douglas county, news, lakes, alexandria, ice