GRAND RAPIDS, OH – After a brief stretch of warmer temperatures, sunshine, and strong winds, the ice on the Maumee River finally broke free just upstream of the Grand Rapids Dam and Mary Jane Thurston State Park on the afternoon of Friday, February 28.
Earlier in the day, the river remained partially frozen in different areas. Near the dam, it appeared somewhat solid, while further west near historic Lock 43 and Turkeyfoot Creek, the river was already completely thawed. At the State Route 109 bridge, patches of ice remained, but the water showed little movement.
By Friday afternoon, the river ice dramatically gave way, sending large chunks downstream. Spectators captured the moment on video and shared it on the Heart of Grand Rapids Facebook page, where the footage quickly gained attention.
As of Saturday morning, the Maumee River is now flowing rapidly from past Grand Rapids, with visible whitecaps and no ice in sight—except for some lingering patches near the Grand Rapids sidecut. The change in river conditions serves as a sign that spring is approaching, even as winter weather may still make a return in the coming days.
