Letter: It’s not often that the River Severn freezes

Wednesday 12th January 2011, 7:00AM GMT.

The frozen River Severn at Ironbridge on Christmas Day, 2010

Letter: Something beautiful, strange and very rare occurred on Christmas Day in Ironbridge. The River Severn froze over completely.

This from my investigations has not occurred in living memory. It came close to it in 1981 with ice flows on the river, but did not happen in 1963 or 1947.

Us locals were told that the river could not freeze due to the influx of warm water from the power station. The temperature in 1981 was -25 degrees, so on Christmas Day it must have been nearer -30 degrees.

The ice built up into upright and twisted plates as it froze, and there was also a continuous groaning as the water flowed underneath. At times it cracked and groaned very loudly as one section moved over another – an ice monster was moving down the Gorge.

Despite contacting the media, no reports were carried showing pictures of this very rare occurrence. Perhaps the media are only interested in man-made events in the Gorge? As it has been proven in the past, nature still rules here and produces much more spectacular events.

Graham Hickman

Ironbridge

View more: Ironbridge news.

1
Drew Peacock

January 12, 2011 at 17:26

Very good interesting letter Graham. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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2
gb

January 12, 2011 at 20:32

i have some pictures some where of folk skating under the edward bridge also i have walked on the river in 1973 ….

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3
roadrunner

January 13, 2011 at 16:44

” i have walked on the river in 1973 …”

Really? Was it that severe in 1973, I don’t remeber it being so.
I remember ice floes in 1981/82 and that was a long cold spell.

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