Bubblers. do's and don'ts

[RUGMAN]

Dammed if i do and dammed if I Don't. As a recent permanent dock owner on Meredith Bay I read that having a bubbler will help protect my dock from the ice, however I also read that it is the spring Ice out that causes all the damage. My sense is that if i let the ice form around my Crib dock. it will be protected from the ice flow . Whats a new homeowner with a crib dock to do? looking for your years of experience to give me some advice.