Skunk Ice - Photos by Bob Kelly

Skunk ice is my fun term for ice jams on the Skunk River that flows through Ames, Iowa.  On Wednesday of this week we had temperatures that were near 70 degrees, and the ice broke up and began to flow southward.  The ice in these photos is temporarily jammed up in the area near East 13th street and northward.  Any day now some movement will begin at the front of the pack and then a domino effect will begin and the ice flow will continue.  This should mostly likely happen this Saturday or Sunday, and would be exciting to see.  Some chunks of ice appear bluish in color due to the way light is hitting them, and also as a factor of how tightly they are compacted.  If you are in the Ames area check the East 13th Street park on the north side of the roadway, just behind the baseball diamonds.  Enjoy