As temperatures start heating up, Summit County residents are paying close attention to the ice melting at Dillon Reservoir. Every year, the Rotary Club meets with the Summit County Sheriff's office to setup the annual Dillon Ice Melt competition. The Sheriff's office places a clock in a specially made drum in the center of the lake using a hovercraft. They decorate the drum with Christmas lights so spotters can locate it at night. Bets are placed for the exact date and time of when the drum will actually drop into the lake down to the second. The first place winner takes home $4,000, second place gets $2,000 and third place gets $1,000. April 19th will be the last day to place a bet if the barrel is still resting on the ice.
Available ticket packages for purchase:
1 guess for $5
5 guesses for $20
30 guesses for $100
Click here to place your best guess!
Typically between 5,000 - 6,000 tickets are purchased each year. The remaining fundraising proceeds go to the Rotary Club of Summit County in support of ongoing service projects. Projects include the community dinner held weekly at Elk Lodge, the 'Reading Buddies' program, post secondary education scholarships, youth leadership and ethics trainings, clear water programs, literacy programs and many other programs that contribute to the community.
Choose your bet wisely! Many take into account weather patterns, previous years ice melt times and general superstitions to place the right guess. Here is a list of the previous years times. Good luck!
Previous Years Ice Melt Times:
- 2014: May 7, 1:32
- 2013: May 20, 17:52
- 2012: April 11, 18:09
- 2011: May 23, 13:13
- 2010: May 16, 19:03
- 2009: May 5, 17:18
- 2008: May 20, 20:57
- 2007: May 3, 20:00
- 2006: May 2, 12:27
- 2005: May 11, 14:40
- 2004: April 29, 23:07
- 2003: May 15, 22:18
- 2002: April 28, 11:45
- 2001: May 9, 10:23
- 2000: May 11, 1:03