Natural and Anthropogenic Influences on Ice Formation on Various Water Bodies of the Silesian Upland (Southern Poland)

The aim of the study was to identify patterns of ice-related phenomena on 39 selected anthropogenic water bodies in the Silesian Upland in southern Poland. The core research was conducted in the winter season of 2009/2010, between December and March. Field measurements and observations were conducted every two days during the freezing and thawing phases and every four days at the time of continuous ice cover. Data were interpolated to cover days without observations. Differences in the ice cover phenology on these water bodies were caused by natural conditions (morphometric and hydro-meteorological) and human activity (thermal pollution). Two principal groups of anthropogenic water bodies were identified in terms of the ice phenomena: lakes and ponds with a natural or quasi-natural pattern of ice phenomena and water bodies featuring various degrees of human impact. The thickness of the ice-cover was found to vary, which was a source of great danger to the users of the water bodies in the winter season.