The Nenana Ice Classic is an annual ice pool contest held in Nenana, Alaska

Nenana, Alaska

Nenana is a Home Rule City in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area of the Unorganized Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska. Nenana lies at the juncture of the Nenana River and the Tanana River. The population was 402 at the 2000 census. "Nenana" means 'a good place to camp between two rivers.'-History...

. It is a fundraising event in which individuals attempt to guess the exact time the Tanana River

Tanana River

The Tanana River is a tributary of the Yukon River in the U.S. state of Alaska. According to linguist and anthropologist William Bright, the name is from the Koyukon tene no, tenene, literally "trail river"....

 ice will break up at Nenana. Tickets are on sale from February 1 thru April 5 of each year throughout Alaska

Alaska

Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...

, with a $2.50 cost. The Nenana Ice Classic is a Non-Profit Charitable Gaming Organization. As such, the proceeds beneifit many volunteer and non-profit organizations.

Winnings

The Ice Classic was begun in 1917, when railroad engineers bet $801 on when the ice would break. In 2009, the 93rd annual prize money was $283,723. Since its beginning in 1917, over 10 million dollars in prize money has been given away.

The Tripod

The "tripod", which actually has more than three legs, is planted between the highway and railroad bridges in Nenana, 300 ft from the shore. The "tripod" is connected with a clock on shore, which stops as the ice goes out.

Ice measurements

The Tanana River at Nenana usually freezes between October and November, getting thicker and thicker reaching an average peak of 41" on April 1. The ice then melts on top due to weather and bottom due to water movement.