January 7, 2005-3rd Report

For the week of January 3-7, 2005

Summary Lower Platte River Ice Report

Loup River – At the Loup River bridge North of Palmer it is reported that 30 to 60 feet of the channel is open. Frazil pans and slush cover 30% of the open channel. This observer reports five inches of snowfall.

Elkhorn River – At Hwy 81 at Norfolk the river is still open with frazil pans along 40% of the edge; approximately 4 inches of snow is reported. At Hwy 30 at Arlington there is a small open channel downstream of the bridge near the East bank that is only 3’ wide and 250’ long; this observer reports 14” of snow. At Hwy 36 there is a small open channel downstream of the bridge in the middle of the river and along the West bank that is approximately 10’ wide and 250’ long; snowfall of 14” is reported at this location. At Hwy 64 the observer again has reported 14” of snow, with no signs of decay on the intact ice cover. At Hwy 92 there is an open channel downstream of the bridge about 150’ near the West bank that angles across the river toward the East bank and is approximately 10’ wide and 1000’ long. There is also a small open channel upstream of the bridge that is about 5 to 15’ wide and 70’ long. At the Confluence of the Elkhorn and Platte Rivers the observer reports 14” of snow.

Platte River – 3.1 miles North of Hwy 64 the river shows no evidence of decay, with approximately 14” of snowfall. At Hwy 92 the West channel has 30% flowing water with frazil pans. The rest has 14” of new snow cover. The East channel has 25% flowing water with no ice. The rest of the channel is sand bars with sheet ice and 14” of new snow cover. The sheet ice is estimated to be 4” thick. At the Confluence of the Elkhorn and Platte Rivers the observer reports 14” of new snow. At 0.25 miles North of Fairview Road the observer reports 14” of snow with no evidence of decay in the intact ice cover. At Hwy 6 near Ashland the river is 80% ice covered in this stretch. Ice is 90% snow covered to a depth of 3 inches. Open channel is 30% frazil and small frazil pans. Open channel is mostly near the Saunders County shore North of the BNRR bridge until it swings to the Sarpy County shore immediately North of the BNRR bridge. The online photo shows this well. Ice surface is irregular with a few ice piles up to 12” deep, possibly associated with thawing late last week. At Hwy 31 at 204^th Street the river is 80% ice covered. Intact ice is 90% snow-covered up to three inches in depth. Flowing water is 40% frazil slush and very small frazil pans. Surface is irregular to 6” in height due to scattered small ice piles. At Interstate 80 bridge there are good open channels on both sides above the bridge and in mid river below the bridge. Intact ice is snow covered with minimal floating ice. At Hwy 50 at Louisville there are good open channels along both banks above the bridge to limits of vision and at mid channel below the bridge to limits of vision; unimpeded flow with snow on intact ice. At the Cedar Creek Dike there is good open channel along the right bank and crossing towards the left at mid dike. Ice on sandbars and in shallow areas all snow covered. At Hwy 75 bridge at Plattsmouth above the bridge and to the limits of vision upstream the main channel along right bank, secondary channels mid river and along left bank. Below the bridge the channels converge along the left side to the mouth. Good flow with considerable frazil ice.