Muskingum River residents are assessing damage after ice jam breaks

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- The ice jam has broken up and now residents are assessing the damage. 

Chad Paxson lives on the Muskingum River. The ice jams were right in his backyard and they caused quite a mess.

“We got up this morning and I looked out and the ice was clear up through here. We had a Blazer stuck here and a couple docks over here and a boat,” said Paxson. “The only way I was able to get through here was I grabbed the dozer and come down through and made a new path for us and pulled the Blazer out.”

Paxson was lucky. None of his property was damaged by the jams, but some of his neighbors can’t say the same.

“The docks are gone. Lot of people on the river usually get their docks out in about November. This year the ice came on so quick people had their docks in and they weren’t able to get them out.”

Paxson said one of his friends boat was completely destroyed by the ice.

“My buddy’s boat was right there against the tree. It’s demolished. The motor’s stuck in the tree. So…ice takes no prisoners.”

The damage runs along the river. In his area alone, Paxson estimated there are thousands of dollars worth of damage.

“Probably around 50-60 thousand dollars worth of docks and materials and boats and that’s just down through here, from what I’ve seen.”

Paxon did say most people are covered by insurance which will help them out with the repairs.

“You can insure your…the docks are usually part of your property and then you can get insurance on your boats,” said Paxson. “If you’re on the river they generally want you to have it.”

As for when the residents will begin the cleanup process…

“We’re not going to do anything right now. It’s just too cold and too wet. Probably this spring. Hopefully mid-March when everything starts to melt.”

Despite the risk of floods and damage, Paxson said there is something that makes living on the river worthwhile.

“The water. You know, summer time and…spring, summer, and fall is the best thing. And everybody on the river, everybody’s friendly. It’s ‘bout like the Jeep thing. When everybody’s got a Jeep they always wave at each other. It’s about the same thing on the river,” said Paxson.  “It’s fun on the river. We’re river rats.”