January 30, 2004 – 4th Report

Summary Lower Platte River Ice Report

Loup River – At the bridge two miles North of Palmer it is reported a 60 foot channel remains open with frazil pan and slush. A total of four inches of snow was reported at this location. There is evidence of border ice growth increasing everyday.

Elkhorn River

At the Hwy 30 bridge it is reported 100% snow and ice cover. A total of eight inches of snow was reported at this location. At the Hwy 36 bridge there is a small open channel about 300 feet upstream of the bridge near the West bank that is one to four feet wide and 100 feet long. About 800 feet downstream of the bridge there is an open channel near the West bank that is two to four feet wide and 60 feet long. A total of eight inches of snow was reported. At Hwy 64 bridge there is a small open channel about 200 feet upstream of the bridge that is one to three feet wide and 150 feet long. A total of twelve inches of snow was reported at this location. At the Hwy 92 bridge there is a small open channel upstream of the bridge by the West bank that is approximately one to eight feet wide and 50 feet long. A total of twelve inches of snow is reported here.

Platte River

At Hwy 79 the only open water is on the North bank for approximately 1,000 feet. The rest of the river is frozen and the ice is relatively smooth with some snow cover. At Hwy 77 all previous open channels are now frozen. All ice is relatively smooth with some snow cover. At a quarter mile east of Hwy 275 it is reported 100% ice and snow covered; with six inches of snow received. At Hwy 92 there are small open channels about five to ten feet wide and 100 to 300 feet long in the West channel along both banks and both upstream and downstream of the bridge. There are a couple of small open channels in the East channel both up and downstream of the bridge that are one to four feet wide and 30 to 200 feet long. A total of twelve and a half inches of snow was reported at this location. At the confluence of the Platte and Elkhorn rivers at Capehart Road there is an open channel in the Elkhorn by the West bank that is 10 to 80 feet wide, carrying 80% frazil slush, and continues as far upstream as can be seen. There is an open channel in the Platte near the east bank that is 10 to 120 feet wide and 1500 feet long. This channel then angles across the river near Capehart Road and ends; it has about 20% frazil slush. At a quarter mile North of Fairview Road it is reported that a small open channel appears at the North bank that is about five to 30 feet wide and 800 feet long. At the Interstate 80 bridge it is reported a total of 14 inches of snow was received. The situation is largely unchanged from last week with good channels of about 45 feet on both banks above and below the bridge. No secondary channels mid river probably due to the drop in water levels. All ice is snow covered. At Hwy 50 at Louisville there are no open channels remaining at this location or visible to limits of vision above or below the bridge. There are a few open leads remaining both above and below. All ice is snow covered with twelve inches of snow reported to have fallen since last week’s report. At the Cedar Creek Dike the channels remain the same last week with a good channel moving from the right side of the river at the upper end of the dike, crossing the river at mid dike and continuing along the left bank on downstream. No visible secondary channels but there are still a few open leads on the downstream end of the dike. All intact ice is snow covered with a total of 14 inches reported here. At Hwy 75 bridge at Plattsmouth there is still a good 60 foot channel along the right bank and a 15 foot secondary channel along the left bank above the bridge. The channels mingle and meander from the bridge to the mouth but are still open. Intact ice is all snow covered with 14 inches of snow reported.