Even here in Pennsylvania, lakes and ponds and even rivers freeze during some winters. I just saw a piece in the newspaper that Lake Erie is now iced over, which will reduce snowfall over the northwestern third of the state from lake effect snows. I've seen several farm ponds around here during the last few days that are frozen over. The last time I remember the Susquehanna River, which is right down the street from me, freezing completely was in 2001. Though I didn't do it, I know several people who walked across the frozen river.
On a railroad theme, I have been told that in years past, railroads often laid temporary track onto ponds from which ice for home ice boxes was harvested and loaded into refrigerator cars for shipment to the cities.