ice jams
River flow obstructions
Ice jams are blockages that form when chunks of river ice accumulate at a narrow point or obstruction, damming the flow of water.
They typically occur during spring thaw when ice breaks up faster upstream than downstream.
Ice jams can cause sudden, severe flooding when they form or when they release: The ice jam sent floodwaters through downtown.
- floodingOverwhelming water accumulation
- flood warningAlert about rising waters
- river flowWater's downstream movement
- water levelHeight of liquid surface
- leveesEarthen flood barriers
freeze-thaw cycles · cold snap · flood forecasting · streambed · melt · hydraulic pressure · thaw · surge · emergency planning · snowfall · dam failure · chunks · floe · debris · current · frozen · torrent · glacial
- floodsflood damage, flood warning, deluge, flood warnings, flash floods
- polar scienceglaciology, Antarctic research, Arctic, glacier retreat, polar climate
- river icefreeze-up, breakup
- U.S. WatersMississippi River, Missouri, Hudson River, Delaware River, Potomac River
temperature/seasonal condition
ice jamsspring thaw
Warming that melts winter's ice
ice-out · spring melt · warm water · open season · liquid water