February 15, 2002

This is the fourth of a series of summary reports of ice conditions on the Lower Platte River System. The Lower Platte River system encompasses the Loup, Elkhorn, and Platte rivers in north-central and eastern Nebraska.

This summary is based on voluntary reports received from local trained observers. This report is based on the reports received February 14, 2002.

On the Loup River near Palmer, reporting small amount of frazil slush flowing otherwise river is free of ice.

On the Elkhorn River at the Hwy 30 bridge there is evidence of decay and melting ice with open channels and then followed by total ice cover and some snow cover. At the Hwy 36 bridge the channel is 100% open, but there is still some ice around the sandbars with some remaining snow cover. At the Hwy 92 bridge the channel is 100% open with approximately 3% of frazil slush flowing. At the confluence of the Elkhorn and Platte Rivers at Capehart Road the channel of the Platte is 100% open with approximately only 1% of frazil slush flowing. The Elkhorn is also completely open with no visible frazil slush.

On the Platte River at Hwy 79 the river is basically open, ice and snow in the very shallow water and sandbars. At Hwy 77 and the Burlington Northern Railroad bridge the river is totally open with only snow and ice on the sandbars. At the Union Dike a quarter mile east of Hwy 275 there is 100% open channel upstream. The open channel varies from 50-100% downstream and there is still some ice on the sandbars and along the east bank. At the Hwy 92 bridge wide open channels both up and downstream. Ice is still present around the sandbars and banks with some snow cover left. At Fairview Road 3.5 miles upstream of Hwy 6 the channel is 100% open with approximately 1% of frazil slush flowing. At the Interstate 80 bridge it is reported very rotten dirty ice remaining on sandbars on the Sarpy County side of the river. There is no local ice in the river. The river channels are clear and unobstructed. At Hwy 50 at the Louisville bridge and downstream at the South Bend railroad trestle there is no local ice in the river with clear and unobstructed channels. At Cedar Creek Dike a small amount of fragmented sheet ice is in the flowing channel. At the Hwy 75 bridge at Plattsmouth there is no ice in the river.

In light of these reports this will conclude our river ice summary for the season, unless freezeup conditions occur and follow-up is necessary.