River Ice Break Up

Mild temperatures and heavy rains at the beginning of the week led to an early break up of ice on the river. Within a day all the ice that had built up over the past 2 months was washed out to the lake.


What a difference compared to last year ! Then the break up didn't come until mid February with dramatic build ups of ice and rushing water creating flooding all along the Kettle Creek. In man versus nature, Nature's going to win every time. Heavy rains and melting snow north of Port Stanley caused enormous amounts of water to rush downstream. However their way was blocked by solid sheets of ice covering the river -in some parts two feet thick. This caused a daming effect until the pressure was so great that the ice "snapped' and with a great roar the water surged forward another few dozen feet. This pattern was repeated over and over again until the water could disapate into the outer harbour and lake. Flooding occurs when the water, unable to break a path through the ice, goes under it raising the ice and water levels several feet at a time.



Last year after a day of watching the build up of water coming down the river it finally peaked about midnight. Just before the final explosion there was so much pressure that the water came over the end east wall of the marina with water reaching the stairs to the parking lot !



So the MNR ( Ministry of Natural Resources) was right in their predictions of where a hundred year flood line could reach ! Thankfully we complied with this when building our house a few years ago.


We've witnessed dramatic break ups several times over the past 25 years and it always leaves us awed by Mother Nature. Enjoy these photos from 2009.

Wishing You Fair Winds,
Fiona