The high and low temperature extremes have resulted in large cracks in the ice refreezing at night. The resulting expansion of the ice surface area on the big lake is having a destructive effect on all structures that are frozen in the ice. All around the lake, structures are being pushed into the shore by the power of tons of shifting ice. Many of the residents pull their docks out of the lake for the winter and they have little to worry about. Free-floating docks tied to the shore are normally safe from destructive ice, but this year, many of these docks are being pushed so hard into the shore, the wood is splintering on top and/or the plastic floats are being crushed by the pressure. Gangways are also susceptible to significant damage if they are not able to move freely, either by sliding on the dock or sliding on the shore. One gangway attached securely to the shore at one end and hooked into the dock at the other, bent a little each day during the entire last week of February until the pressure finally snapped its 2×10 side boards. With so much ice frozen around the structures, there is little that can be done to mitigate further damage however residents have been able to move several small stored boats out of harms way in time to prevent damage to equipment.
