AbstractExperimental observations of the influence of particles at grain boundaries on the anelasticity and creep behavior of granular fresh-water ice are presented. Ice with particle contents of 0–4 wt.% was investigated under both reversed direct-stress and creep loading conditions at –12˚C. The results show that the particles decreased the grain-boundary relaxation by suppressing grain-boundary sliding at higher frequencies (10^–1 to 10¹ Hz). In addition, the modulus increased by up to 30%, and the internal friction decreased by up to 30% at a frequency of 1 Hz. Staged creep tests showed that the particles affected the creep rate substantially. The minimum creep rate of ice containing 1 wt.% particles is 40% higher than that of particle-free ice, indicating that mechanisms besides dislocation glide aid the creep deformation.