ice edge
the boundary at any given time between open water and sea, river or lake ice of any kind, whether drifting or fast; may be termed compacted when it is clear-cut, or open when it forms the indefinite edge of an area of dispersed ice.
Image
ice_edge.jpg

Aerial view of the sea ice edge.

Todd Arbetter, National Snow and Ice Data Center
Topic(s):
sea ice
freshwater ice