Mississippi River ice surveys are a sign of spring
RED WING, Minn. – Bill Chelmowski, St. Paul District small boat operation and ice survey technician, prepares to drill a hole in the Mississippi River, near Lake City, Minn., Feb. 27, to measure the ice thickness within Lake Pepin. The Corps of Engineers measures the ice thickness every spring and the navigation industry uses the information to determine when to break through the ice and begin the shipping season. Lake Pepin ice is traditionally the last hurdle for the navigation industry to deal with before reaching St. Paul, because the ice is usually a lot thicker in the lake due to the slow moving current.

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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
St. Paul District
Public Affairs Office
332 Minnesota St., Suite E1500
St. Paul, MN 55101

Phone: (651) 290-5807
Fax: (651) 290-5752
cemvp-pa@usace.army.mil