NORTH BAY, Ont. — The odd winter weather we've had the past couple of months has allowed Mother Nature to create an unusual and beautiful view of Trout Lake and its pressure cracks.
Local Flight Instructor Andy Smith was returning to the North Bay airport this week from the local practice area. He wanted to share the aerial photo with BayToday readers.
"While overflying Trout Lake I took a picture of the lake from the south side looking towards the North Shore where you can see Highway 63," Smith told us. "It was an unusual sight. I’ve been flying over this lake for 25 years and don’t recall seeing ice fractures as interesting as this."
Pressure cracks appear when ice contracts when the temperature falls, and expands and forms ridges when its temperature rises.
Fluctuations in recent temperatures led to the cracks, and the lack of snow made them visible. The cracks usually originate from a weak spot on the ice cover.