On February 6, 1997, the Loup River north of Palmer in Merrick County had a small open channel. The intact ice showed signs of decay to include ice slabs forced on top of the flat ice. There was about 3" of snow cover. At the Hwy. 14 bridge near Fullerton there was about 5% open water. Up and downstream the Loup River was ice and snow covered. Signs of decay were reported. Below in the Genoa area the Loup Power Canal was taking about 2,000 cfs and was bypassing about 800 cfs. At the Hwy. 81 bridge at Columbus, the river was 100% ice covered with much snow cover. Signs of decay were reported to include fracturing along the banks.

The Lower Platte River below Columbus was all ice covered with considerable snow drifts on top of the ice. Some water was flowing over the ice. Below Columbus at the Hwy. 79 bridge in the North Bend area the river had a small open channel on the north bank. There was considerable snow cover as well as standing water on top of the ice. In the Fremont area at the Hwy. 77 bridge the river was ice and snow covered with some standing water. Decay of the ice is very evident along the north bank but there is no open channel. Below Fremont and above the Hwy. 64 bridge, the Lower Platte River there was a good open channel along the east bank. Ice thickness was 4-8" and some ice had moved. At the Hwy. 92 bridge the east channel was ice covered with some standing water on top of the ice. The west channel had two good open leads. Intact ice was snow covered.

The Elkhorn River above Hooper the river is all ice covered with about 8" of snow on top of the ice. In the Winslow area at the Hwy. 77 bridge there is a 10' wide open channel along the north bank. Some open pools and fractured ice was present on the south bank. The center of the Elkhorn was ice covered with some water on top of the ice. Downstream at the county road bridge there were two open channels. Intact ice showed signs of decay. Below at the Hwy. 30 bridge near Arlington a good open channel was reported. Intact ice had fallen about .5' along both shores. Some ice had moved. Some water was on top of the ice. At the Hwy. 36 bridge similar conditions were reported, but the ice had fallen about 1' along both banks. Below at the Hwy. 64 bridge there was a small open channel. Ice had also fallen about 1', much debris was still in place around bridge piers. Below at the Hwy. 92 bridge small open channels were reported. Shore ice had fallen about 1'. Some ice had moved downstream of the bridge at the confluence with the Lower Platte, the Elkhorn River open channel was much wider. Water was reported on top of the ice and there was some ice slabs piled-up at the confluence. The Lower Platte River at this point had a good open channel along the east bank. Some slab ice was piled along the edges. Upstream of the Hwy. 6 bridge much more open channel was reported. Some ice had moved. Ice appeared to be 8-12" thick. Downstream at the Interstate 80 bridge there was a good open channel on the Cass County side. The Sarpy County side was still ice covered with some water on top of the ice. Ice appeared to be 8-12" thick. In the South Bend area two good channels were open. Intact ice had new snow cover. Below in the Cedar Creek area there was much more open channel with much fracturing and decay noted. Similar conditions were reported for the Hwy. 75 bridge area. Open channels (2) had greatly increased. Ice appeared to be 8-12" thick.

NOTE: Next week, please have your ice reports submitted by close of business on Thursday, February 13, 1997. We must issue the next ice report earlier on Friday morning. Thank you all for your fine cooperation. This important program is moving much smoother than last year.