Monitoring frazil ice processes and hydrodynamics in aquatic habitats

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Winter is a particularly stressful time for fish, since cold water temperatures will slow metabolism and ice can infest habitat, limiting safe refuge and food supply. Of particular concern on small streams is anchor ice - which is comprised of small particles of ice, known as 'frazil', that form in turbulent supercooled water. Until a solid ice cover forms - water supercooling is persistent in natural streams and copious amounts of frazil can form. Supercooling also causes the frazil particles to be highly adhesive and so they can readily bond to rocks and gravel on the stream bed. If the gravel particles are heavy enough to counteract the buoyant effects of the ice (which is lighter than the water), then the ice will be 'anchored' on the bed - thus the term 'anchor ice'.