Minnesota winters can produce a phenomenon called "ice jacking". This powerful natural force forms a feature along the shoreline known as an "ice ridge." The result may include significant damage to retaining walls, docks and boat lifts, cabins, and public boat launching facilities.
The following photos offer examples of ice ridges and their impact on the shoreline.
| year: 2012 | ||||
| Lake Miltona photo #1 |
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| year: 2003 | ||||
| Lake Bemidji photo #1 photo #2 photo #3 |
Big Birch photo #1 photo #2 |
Lake Miltona photo #1 photo #2 photo #3 photo #4 photo #5 |
Mille Lacs Lake photo #1 |
Shamineau Lake photo #1 photo #2 photo #3 |
| year: 1987 | year: 1983 | |||
| Otter Tail Lake photo #1 photo #2 photo #3 photo #4 photo #5 photo #6 photo #7 |
Big Cormorant photo #1 |
Lake Lida photo #1 photo #2 photo #3 photo #4 photo #5 photo #6 photo #7 photo #8 photo #9 photo #10 photo #11 |
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Another form of ice damage occasionally occurs during the breakup of lake ice in the spring. Mounds of wind-blown ice can pile up on the shoreline, leading to damage of property. Complete melting of lake ice cover occurs first near shore. The ice sheet is free to float on the water and drift with the wind. When a wind-blown ice sheet collides with the shore, it can exert great pressure and push heaps of ice on shore. This phenomenon is most common on larger lakes.
The following photos offer examples of wind-blown ice and the impact on the shoreline.
| year: 2007 | year: 1999 | year: 1995 | ||
| Mille Lacs Lake photo #1 (northwest shore - courtesy Dave Schmidt) |
Mille Lacs Lake photo #1 |
Mille Lacs Lake photo #1 photo #2 photo #3 photo #4 |
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| year: 1985 | year: 1981 | |||
| Ottertail Lake photo #1 photo #2 photo #3 photo #4 |
Mille Lacs Lake photo #1 |
Ottertail Lake photo #1 photo #2 photo #3 |
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Do you have a photo of ice damage to share? Send digital images to gregory.spoden@state.mn.us.
