sign of spring?

That's pretty cool.  IMO, I think you had two other alternative compositions to choose from.  One would be to raise the camera slightly (and step back or zoom out to retain the water) so that the mountain in the background is not cut off at the top, thereby making this photo look like an integrate whole.  The other is to lower the camera and zoom in (walk closer or use a longer lens) and compose only the open water and a border of snow (taking special care to show the texture that's visible in the snow on the right).

I took a couple shots then came back and played around a bit with the compoosition, and took a lot more shots... one other version is in my 2011 portfolio

It's pretty similar, I think.  The water and stones amid the blanket of snow is quite striking.  I'm glad you directed me to your 2011 folder -- fantastic shots of geese (and I think I commented on one a while back).

this image is an eye-catcher. I really like it! I agree about the first comment, of changing the composition slightly. Another thing about the lighting: I know it is hard with the contrast of white and the dark stream, but it is a pity the snow is a bit overexposed. Maybe next time you can make the picture a bit underexposed and lighten up the stream afterwards...