Ice jams caused some concern as they moved downstream along the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids. The Ellis Boat Harbor in northwest Cedar Rapids was a main attraction Wednesday as dozens of people watched water and ice slam up against non-moving chunks of ice.
Roxanne Repstien who grew up along the harbor and now lives nearby was surprised to see the ice backing up through the harbor. “I’ve never seen it come through and jam up in the harbor like this before and I’ve come and watch the ice go since I was a little girl,” Repstein said.
The ice jam continues to move downstream and some roads, the boat ramps, and a park are closed, but Craig Hanson with the Public Works Department says it’s not unusual for those places to flood. He says rain could help further break-up the ice. Hanson cautions people to not go near the water and to follow detours. He says it’s too tough to tell how the ice jam will continue to affect the area because it’s unpredictable.