The Ice Pillar

Here is a web camera picture of our ice pillar. The picture will be updated every 15 seconds. There is more information about the ice pillar under the picture.

Heights over the years
The record height so far was reached in 1999. But this year the pillar was almost as tall before we turned off the water.

Year	Height
1995	26.10 m
1996	45.07 m
1997	44.22 m
1998	45.51 m
1999	49.54 m
2000	38.61 m
2001	41.40 m
2002	27.70 m
2003	34.05 m
2004	40.42 m
2005	48.45 m
2006	32.35 m

The History of the Pillar
It was our municipal park manager, Bengt-Lennart Nordlund, who came up with the idea of a growing ice pillar. The first attempt was made in 1994, but it was not until the year after that a pillar was really achieved.
The pillar is created by means of water being pumped up from the river and hosed out on top of the pillar. As the water freezes the pillar will grow.
So far the pillar has not reached the dream height of 50 metres. This is possible, but then a more powerful pump will be needed, which would in turn cost more money.

More Ice Pillars
The Alaskan Alpine Club has published information about our ice pillar and other ice towers and walls. Read more: The Alaskan Alpine Club web site (opens in a new window).

Page contents: Harry Häggström
harry.haggstrom@lc.lycksele.se