On Thick Ice

On Thick Ice

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center - Earthshots

The maximum depth of this large lake is only 40 feet. The entire surface freezes all the way across each winter, with ice reaching 2–4 feet thick.

That’s thick enough to drive cars and pickups on. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, clear ice 16 inches thick can support a heavy-duty pickup.

Some years look a little busier. In some images, the lake looks smudgy with snow or wind. So the view depends on local conditions on the day of Landsat overpass.

Imagery

Jan. 9, 2001, Landsat 5 (path/row 28/28) — southeastern Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, USA
Feb. 5, 2005, Landsat 5 (path/row 28/28) — southeastern Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, USA
Jan. 24, 2009, Landsat 5 (path/row 27/28) — southeastern Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, USA
Jan. 11, 2010, Landsat 5 (path/row 27/28) — southeastern Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, USA
Jan. 17, 2018, Landsat 8 (path/row 27/28) — southeastern Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, USA
Jan. 20, 2019, Landsat 8 (path/row 27/28) — southeastern Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, USA
Feb. 24, 2020, Landsat 8 (path/row 27/28) — southeastern Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, USA
Feb. 10, 2021, Landsat 8 (path/row 27/28) — southeastern Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, USA
Jan. 20, 2022, Landsat 9 (path/row 27/28) — southeastern Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, USA
Feb. 8, 2023, Landsat 9 (path/row 27/28) — southeastern Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, USA
Downloads

Related Content

Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, USA
Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota, USA

What looks from above like a temporary geoglyph on the ice or a series...

Ice Breakup
Ice Breakup

The Mille Lacs Lake ice roads are short-lived. Ice houses need to be o...

Ice Fishing
Ice Fishing

The number of ice houses on Mille Lacs Lake can exceed 5,500. Ice fish...

On Thick Ice
On Thick Ice

The maximum depth of this large lake is only 40 feet. The entire surfa...