Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations The dynamics of pond ice

Ice is pretty crazy stuff...just remember 39* water is the most dense and ice thickens downward.

Some quick thoughts - Ice with snow on top will always "grow" slower than ice without snow on top. Cold windy air will produce more ice growth in the absence of snow. A good snow storm over cold water can trigger a fast freeze. Warm, windy air will deplete ice fairly quickly...warm rain is never good for ice to maintain thickness. Water fowl, current, and wave action can keep ponds open fairly long despite cold temperatures.


Oddly enough I've ice fished some great ground water fed ponds where the water temp 6" below the ice can reach 38 degrees...its an odd feeling knowing that water is warmer than the air, and the ice, yet you're safely ice fishing haha