Manistique's Kitch-iti-kipi, also known as The Big Spring, freezes over in rare phenomenon

One of Michigan's best-hidden gems just 12 miles from Manistique is covered in ice in a rare spectacle that has left tourists and geology experts shocked. 

While water freezing over is no rarity in Michigan, Kitch-iti-kipi is the state's largest freshwater spring that — due to its constant 45-degree temperature — is always flowing year-round. Regardless of the season, The Big Spring pushes more than 10,000 gallons of water a minute from narrow openings in the underlayer of limestone. 

A photo posted on Manistique's Facebook page showed the spring at a standstill, with a layer of ice preventing any movement on the surface. The surrounding land appears to be covered in snow, despite recent warmer temperature last week in the mid-40s and temperatures in the mid- to lower-30s this week.

Theories about the rare frosting of the spring have circulated since the photo was posted, some citing unusually low water levels and others say it may be because of varying density levels due to changing temperatures.

A meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Marquette was stumped as temperatures have been relatively mild and a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Michigan was just as lost for answers.

"There's no specific hydrological reason for this, hydrologically, I don't know what would cause it that would be different this year than any other year," said Tom Weaver with the USGS.

Deputy Public Information Officer John Pepin said it is not necessarily an unexpected thing for the spring to freeze over, but it is an unfamiliar sight. 

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"When there's a midwinter freeze or when spring comes around, lots of times snow melts from the cedar swamps that are around the edges of the spring and the water from that sort of seeps into the spring," Pepin said. "That's usually cold or snowmelt water coming in over the top of the waters of the spring."

David Strasler was shocked to find the spring frozen over on Wednesday, it was his first time finding it frozen still in his 61 years visiting the natural wonder. He said he visits often in the wintertime to avoid summer tourists.

"I have lived here all my life and in the winter I visit frequently and that was the first time I’ve ever seen it frozen and I could’ve walked on the ice," Strasler said Friday.

The ice that coats The Big Spring is only about a few inches thick, Pepin said. He warned that it is not safe for anyone to stand on, but the ice is thick enough to put a halt to rafting at the spring right now. 

"There's a raft that you can pull, it's on a pulley system and has glass bottom," Pepin said. "You can go from one end of the spring to the other, and people can still do that in the winter. Now, because the ice is there, it's temporarily closed until the ice melts."

The first time it was ever reported that the spring had frozen over was in April 1934, according a DNR news release.

Tucked in Palms Book State Park, the emerald green spring is crystal clear, allowing its visitors to see straight through its 45-foot-deep waters to its bottom. Tourists can get to the best views only by riding a self-operated observation raft.

The legend of Kitch-iti-kipi, which translates to "big cold stream" in Ojibwe, is about a young chieftain who sailed on the waters in the conifer swamp in his canoe, in an effort to prove his love and devotion for his girlfriend. As a test, the girl said he must catch her as she jumped from an overhanging branch. However, his canoe flipped and he drowned while she remained at the village, laughing at the ridiculous quest she sent him on.

Free Press staff writer Nour Rahal contributed to this report.

Contact Miriam Marini: mmarini@freepress.com