Freeze-thaw action early in the week loosened much of the ice along the Lower Platte and tributaries. A large ice bridge formed just below Fremont early on January 16. This caused a sharp rise and some lowland flooding in the Fremont area. Over 20 families had to be evacuated. Continued moderate weather caused the ice bridge to break loose late on January 16. At this time the Lower Platte was generally open from Columbus to the mouth. Much ice remained on sandbars coupled with slush ice near the bridges for Highways 64, 92, and 6. Below the I-80 bridge the river was open and running free. The weather completely changed late on January 17. A major cold front moved across the central and eastern parts of the State bringing near-blizzard conditions, high winds and very cold temperatures. The extremely frigid temperatures and winds were expected to continue through the weekend. Once again river ice action would have to be closely watched. This morning the Loup River in the Columbus area was completely covered with floating ice cakes and slush ice. Downstream at Schuyler floating ice was present in a small open channel. In the Fremont area the five-mile ice bridge had returned with no open channel. On January 17 the river rose three feet and water was flowing over the ice. Upstream from the Highway 64 bridge near Valley the river was about 25% open with about 10% of the open channel filled with floating ice. Shore ice was present. Water level had gone down and was no longer against the Union Dike. In the Two Rivers area near the Highway 92 bridge the East channel was ice covered, while the West channel was about 70% frozen. The open channel had quite a bit of floating and slush ice. Along the Elkhorn in Stanton County there was a 10% open channel which was obviously re-freezing. Ice was estimated to be 6"-8" thick. Same conditions were present in the West Point area. On the Elkhorn near the Highway 30 bridge there was a small (2%) open channel with much floating ice. Upstream from the Highway 36 bridge the Elkhorn was ice covered. A small channel was open (5%) downstream from the bridge. Similar conditions were reported at the Highway 64 and 92 bridges. On the lower Platte mainstem just above the Highway 6 bridge, there was a small (15%) open channel with much floating ice. Below the Highway 6 bridge there was a good channel (40%) open with much floating and slush ice. A much larger channel (95%) with floating ice was present below the I-80 bridge. This was on the Cass County side. Below the bridge there was another channel open on the Sarpy County side. Below this area the Lower Platte River was open to the mouth. This morning minor lowland flooding was reported in the Beaconview area in Sarpy County. One family was evacuated and water surrounded five homes. The condition appeared to have stabilized, but flood waters remained. LOWER PLATTE RIVER BASIN
Week 2-Summary Ice Report January 19, 1996