Ice measurements near the upper Mississippi River were thicker than the previous readings, the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) reported on 26 February.
The Lake Pepin ice depth results traditionally help determine when the upper Mississippi River will reopen for spring transit. The second ice measurements taken this week revealed deeper ice than the week prior. The ice along mile 770 of the lake thickened by 1in to 20in which is also thicker than the same time last year.
This measurement is 4in more than the five-year average for the period and slightly above average for overall ice thickness for this time of the year, according to the Corps.
Nevertheless, ice did melt at the ends of the Lake because of warmer temperatures this week. If high temperatures and winds continue through the coming weeks, Lake Pepin's ice will begin to dissipate, said Corps civil engineering technician Alan Vanguilder. But should temperatures fail to increase by mid March, the reopening of the upper Mississippi could be delayed.
