How ice forms

[Steveo]

Ok, I'm bored but I was also curious...What effect does no snow have on the ice. I was always under the believe that snow covered ice is more insulated so it doesn't get as thick as no snow. But I read somewhere here that clear ice allows the sunlight through and heats up the water under the ice thus melting it.

I need to know because it has an effect on my Ice Out guess