History of Ice Freezing and Thawing on Lake Mendota

View the ice-over and ice-out dates, and duration of ice cover, for Lake Mendota dating back to 1852.

Annual Duration of Ice Cover

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Longest Duration

161 days
(1880-81)

Shortest Duration

21 days
(2001-02)

Average Duration

102 days

Five-Year Running Average

74 days

Freeze and Thaw Dates