Lake Pepin Ice Measurements

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District survey team was out on Lake Pepin Wednesday taking the third ice thickness measurements of the season.

The thickest ice is 18 inches at 769 between the foot of Lake Pepin and Lake City.

The ice was measured at 16 inches at river mile 768 and 15 inches at 766, 767, 770 and 772.

The thinnest area, 6 inches, at river mile 775. Ice is now gone at river mile 765, 773, 774 and south of 775.

The information will be used by the navigation industry to predict when it’s safe to break through the ice and begin the 2026 navigation season.

The Motor Vessel Joseph Patrick Eckstein was the first tow to pass Lock and Dam 2 in Hastings, last year and reach St. Paul, arriving March 17th.

The next ice measurement will be Wednesday, March 25th, if needed.