The Rotary Clubs of Soldotna and Kenai deployed a tripod device near the Soldotna bridge of the Kenai River to test an apparatus to measure the movement of ice a designated distance on Monday, March 27th.
The purpose of the test is to develop a game similar to the Nenana Ice Classic in Nenana, AK. However, the Kenai River is very different from the Tanana River which always freezes.
If the test is successful, this spring for the movement of ice contest the Rotary Clubs will apply for a permit to have the Kenai River Ice Classic next year.
Over ten years ago the Rotary Clubs received legislative approval for such a contest. The first test mounded a camera of the Soldotna bridge to measure breakup. Subsequent years the Kenai River did not freeze and the contest did not move forward.
The idea then came forward to get approval for a game to bet on whether or not the Kenai River would freeze or not.
Legislative approval sponsored by Sen. Peter Micciche for the Kenai River Freeze-Up Classic was passed last session, signed by the Governor and goes into effect this year with tickets going on sale at the Kenai Peninsula Beer Festival in August.
The placement of the test tripod was assisted by Central Emergency Services and their cold water rescue responders.