Ice Jams, Winter 1999-2000. Ice Engineering. Number 29, September 2001

• Main Authors: Rudberg, Anna, Furman, Linnzi, White, Kate
• Other Authors: COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB HANOVER NH
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2001
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; Hydrology; Limnology and Potamology; *WATER FLOW; *ICE FORMATION; WEATHER; DAMAGE; DAMAGE ASSESSMENT; BUILDINGS; TERRAIN; ENGINEERING; ICE; ROADS; RIVERS; ACCUMULATION; LAND USE; FLOODING; BRIDGES; FLOOD CONTROL; FLOOD PLAINS; ICE PREVENTION; *ICE JAMS; Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA407411; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA407411

Ice jams are accumulations of ice that forms on rivers, often constricting water flow or flooding low-lying areas upstream from the jam. The ice jams may form during the initial ice formation period (freezeup jams), or when the ice cover begins to break tip and move downstream (breakup jams). The likelihood of an ice jam is increased by local river geometry. weather characteristics, and floodplain land-use practices. Places where the river suddenly changes from a steep to a gradual slope or where there are bends in the river. bridges. and piers all tend to be more likely to experience ice jams. Because ice jams have dramatic effects on flow, they can be accompanied by severe flooding. The sudden increase in water level during an ice jam can occur rapidly, leaving little time for state officials and engineers to react to the situation or prevent costly damage. The rapid rise of water can lead to flooding, thereby damaging buildings, cars, and personal property. destroying or weakening bridges, and closing roads. The original document contains color images.