February 1, 2002

This is the second of a series of summary reports of ice conditions on the Lower Platte River System. The Lower Platte River system encompasses the Loup, Elkhorn, and Platte rivers in north-central and eastern Nebraska.

This summary is based on voluntary reports received from local trained observers. This report is based on the reports received from 17 locations that were reported Thursday, January 31, 2002, as we were receiving one of our first major snowfall events of the new year.

As reported on the Elkhorn River at the Hwy 30 bridge, four inches of snow on the ground and snowing heavy with three to five inches more were predicted. Upstream of the bridge there is an open channel along the west bank for about 400 feet then followed by 95% open channel and then total ice cover. Downstream there is a 20-50 foot wide-open channel along the east bank for about 600 feet and then there is total ice cover. At the Hwy 36 bridge there is a 50% open channel with frazil slush occupying 30% of the channel, the ice has frozen around the sandbars. At the Hwy 64 bridge it is reported that 70% of the channel remains open, with ice also frozen around the sandbars. At the Hwy 92 bridge the report is an 80% channel remaining open with frazil slush occupying 50% of the open channel, with ice froze around the sandbars. At the confluence of the Elkhorn and the Platte River there is 90% open channel with frazil slush and pans occupying 95% of the open channel here. The ice is frozen around the sandbars and four inches of snow has accumulated with three to five inches more expected.

Along the Platte River at the Union Dike it is reported a 50% open channel with frazil slush and pans occupying 95% of the channel. Ice is still piled on and frozen around the sandbars. At the Hwy 92 bridge an 80% open channel is reported with frazil slush and frazil pans occupying 95% of the open channel. The ice has frozen around the sandbars in the west channel. The far-east channel has total ice cover with the exception of small open channels downstream of the bridge. Frazil slush and pans occupy 95% of the open channel. At the confluence of the Platte and Elkhorn Rivers, one reporter notes that the rivers are beginning to freeze up. There is very little border ice and the channel is flowing with frazil slush and pans. At Hwy 31 and 204^th Street-One mile north of the abandoned Rock Island Railroad bridge it is reported frazil pans are sticking together between observation site and the abandoned railroad bridge on the Sarpy County side of the center channel. Flowing frazil and frazil pans filled over 75% of the channel at this location. At Hwy 6, the channel is 75% open, with flowing frazil and frazil pans filling over 75% of the channel. At Interstate 80 bridge 99% of the channel remain open with significant moving frazil and frazil pans. Otherwise, good open channels along both banks and mid river. At Hwy 50 Louisville bridge same conditions as last week. There is a good full open channel and unrestricted flow. At South Bend Rock Island Trestle there is considerable moving frazil and frazil pans otherwise a good open channel all across the river. At Cedar Creek Dike, this week there are significant open channels along both banks with good flows. There is an increase of open water area from last week. There is lots of moving frazil in the river. At the Hwy 75 bridge at Plattsmouth there is also moving frazil with frazil pans. Report shows three good open channels, one along each bank and one down the middle of the river. The channel along the right bank appears to be the main channel. Open water areas appear to be approximately the same as last week.