The Paupack Plunge Charity Event, which benefits the Tafton and Ledgedale Dive/Rescue teams, is approaching fast. However, in order to plunge into the icy waters of Lake Wallenpaupack, there needs to be ice!
Fortunately, there is a thin layer of ice forming over the lake this morning. Lakes freeze starting at the top and going down. Ice floats because it’s less dense than water. Waters density is determined by temperature and at 40° F is at its most dense. Losing energy to the atmosphere as winter sets in makes the surface water cool, which in turn makes it denser, causing it to sink. Warmer water rises to take the place of the surface water and like the water before it, cools, becomes denser, and sinks as well. When the whole lake reaches 40° F the surface water continues to cool and is less dense, causing it to remain on top where it will freeze at 32° F. The ice thickens as the water on top starts to freeze and freezes downward. There is still water under the ice which remains around 40° F which is habitable for fish.
For last year’s Paupack Plunge the ice was about 20in. thick on Lake Wallenpaupack! This year’s Paupack Plunge will be held on Saturday, February 14th, 2014 at Lighthouse Harbor Marina.
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