The warmer weather has caused very few problems so far probably because cooler temperatures in the evening have retarded progress of the ice melting. On February 1 the US Geological Survey measured the ice cover on the Lower Loup River near Genoa to be an average of 1.8' thick. The Loup River at Columbus is still ice covered but the partial thaw has caused much pooled wa ter on top of the ice and cracking is evident. Below Columbus on the Lower Platte River mainstem there is a small open channel with water running over the ice. The ice cover at the Highway 15 bridge was reported to be 2/3 sheet ice and 1/3 rough broken ice. In the North Bend area near the Highway 79 bridge the river is 100% ice covered with some water pools on top of the ice. Much of the snow has melted exposing cracks and other signs of melting. Downstream in the Fremont area, conditions are pretty much the same. It appears a small channel is starting to develop on the north bank near the Highway 77 bridge. Water is running over the ice. Lower Platte River south of Fremont appears to have risen somewhat. Below Fremont along the Union Dike above the Highway 64 bridge there is a small (20%) open channel visible upstream. Downstream there is total ice cover. On February 8 the Papio Missouri NRD measure an average ice thickness of 18 1/2" at this location. At the Highway 92 bridge the east channel is totally ice covered while the west channel has a good open area above and below the bridge. Along the Elkhorn River in Stanton County some pools of open water are opening-up and cracking is evident. Snow cover has melted from the top of the ice. Below at West Point the ice appears to be dirty and decayed. There is an open channel, about 20% of the river with some floating slush ice. Water is running over the remaining ice cover. In Dodge County above Nickerson, the mouth of Maple Creek is choked with thick slabbed ice. Maple Creek is flowing under the ice. The blockage extends into the Elkhorn. No problems were noted but this is a chronic trouble spot which will be watched closely by local government. At the Highway 30 bridge near Arlington the Elkhorn is ice covered but there is water flowing over the ice. Similar conditions were reported at the Highway 36 bridge. At the Highway 64 bridge there is a small open pool but the Elkhorn is totally ice covered below near the Highway 92 bridge. No signs of breakup were reported but the ice has visibly deteriorated. At the confluence with the Lower Platte conditions are unchanged from previous report but the ice has visibly deteriorated with some water running over the ice. Below the Elkhorn confluence the Lower Platte River above the Highway 6 bridge is ice covered with some open pools. On February 6 the Papio Missouri NRD measured an average ice thickness of 14 1/2" about two miles upstream from the Highway 6 bridge. At the I-80 bridge there is a wide open channel on the Cass County side. Ice on the Sarpy County side appears to be rotten. There is a good current with almost no floating ice. Similar condition s were reported at the Highway 50 bridge near Louisville. Conditions are much improved. Downstream to the mouth the 50-60' open channel was continuous with some floating ice cakes. Shore ice still in place was now brown and had decayed quite a bit. LOWER PLATTE RIVER BASIN
Week 5 - Summary Ice Report February 9, 1996