How does wind mixing affect the formation of ice crystals on lakes?

When a lake surface is exposed to wind, the agitation of the water prevents the formation of large, transparent ice crystals that might otherwise develop in still conditions. Instead, the wind mixes the initial ice crystals at the surface, resulting in the creation of a layer composed of many small crystals.1

This layer of small crystals acts to reduce further mixing, eventually allowing a first ice cover to form. Until this cover grows thick enough to withstand wind forces, it may repeatedly form, dissipate, and re-form. On larger lakes, wind can prevent a stable cover from forming initially, leading instead to the creation of large ice floes that may eventually freeze together into ridges and piles. In some instances, particularly before a stable cover is established, wind mixing can be strong enough to entrain ice particles and supercooled water to significant depths, which can sometimes block water intakes.1