Lake Huron’s clear water conditions, coupled with sub-zero temperatures, have created a unique and amazing clear ice walk video experience on north Saginaw Bay. Gary Johnson took a walk on the ice near Greenbush, Michigan. He posted a video taken with his phone. The 2015 video went viral with over 80,000 views in three days. Today, the video has over 187,000 views.
The video shows Lake Huron frozen clear to the surface, with rocks in the sand shown. Greenbush is located north of East Tawas and about 200 miles north of Detroit in Michigan’s northern lower peninsula.
How Clear Ice Forms on the Great Lakes
A clear ice walk like this is very rare in the Great Lakes. Water must be able to freeze very slowly so that impurities and air bubbles have a chance to sink or rise to the surface. Slow freezing also allows bigger ice crystals to form, which have few surfaces to scatter light. If the water is settled with a very little slit or other impurities, then there is a chance of forming clear ice. This phenomenon is common in inland lakes.
When Taking a Clear Ice Walk – Learn to be safe
Walking, fishing, or snowmobiling on frozen lakes is hazardous even for the most knowledgeable and experienced outdoorsmen. We did a little research and found an excellent guide on ice safety and even how to survive if you ever were to fall through the ice when you are alone. See our post How to Survive Falling Through the Ice.
Related Reading
- Current Great Lakes Ice Coverage and Water Levels – Ice coverage over the Great Lakes is a huge factor in weather patterns over the region and an indicator of future lake levels. Thumbwind consolidates and summarizes the Great Lakes ice cover from US and Canadian agencies and presents it on this single page.
- 7 Easy and Creative DIY Projects to Make Your Home More Festive – Michigan winters are oftentimes ranked as the worst in the country. But despite the cold and harsh weather, Michigan winters are beautiful and magical, especially during the holidays. If you’re not up for a walk to admire the beautiful and picturesque landscapes, spend your indoor time productively with these easy and creative DIY Christmas decorations projects to make your home more festive. When you make DIY decorations, you save money, create stylish decorations, and have fun.
