The Lower Loup River near Monroe has shore ice on both banks. Large broken ice cakes, 6-8" thick were moving in the channel. South of Columbus, the Loup River near the Highway 81 bridge is open with floating ice. Water is pooled over the shore ice and cracks are visible. In the Schuyler area at the highway 15 bridge about half of the Lower Platte River channel was reported open with 5% moving ice. The intact ice had some water flowing on top. At North Bend near the Highway 79 bridge, water with some floating ice cakes was moving well in two channels. The intact ice showed some signs of decay to include some fracturing along the banks. River levels in the Fremont area were reported to be higher probably as a result of recent melting. About 60% of the channel was open with some moving ice. Along the Union Dike upstrean from the Highway 64 bridge the Lower Platte River has about 5% of the channel open. Shore ice is snow covered and intact with no signs of fracturing or decay. At the Highway 92 bridge the east channel is ice covered and the west channel is 20% open with some floating ice. At the Highway 15 bridge in Stanton county the Elkhorn River was reported to be covered with ice 3 to 8" thick. All tributaries are also ice covered. Apparently the water is flowing under the ice. Near West Point at the Highway 32 bridge, there is an open channel. The intact shore ice appears to be clear in color and about 6" thick. There was no moving ice reported. Downstream the Elkhorn River below Waterloo at the highway 64 bridge about 2% of the channel was reported open. The ice was intact with no signs of decay. The Elkhorn river near the Highways 92 and 30 bridges was 5% open. Above the Highwa y 30 bridge no channel was observed to be open. The ice was smooth with no signs of decay. Below the confluence of the Elkhorn the Lower Platte River near the highway 6 bridge had no open channel. Apparently large pieces of sheet ice about 8" thick had fractured from the shoreline. Some water was flowing over the sheet ice in the center of the channel. Similar conditions were reported at the I-80 bridge. Signs of decay of the ice were evident. Also water was pooling and flowing on top of the ice. Downstream at the Highway 50 bridge near Louisville there was a good open channel into the center of the river with very little floating ice, intact ice had started to decay. Below this point the river was open to the mouth. In summary no problems due to ice action were reported. Decay of shore ice probably due to recent moderating weather is evident. LOWER PLATTE RIVER BASIN
Week 1-Summary Ice Report January 12, 1996