What is an ice jam and why can it be a problem, Jason?
Jason Lambrecht: An ice jam is a buildup of broken ice in the river systems. It can be a problem in that it causes the water to back up over top of highway bridges, roads, into cities. It can cause flooding. Rachael McLeod: How serious can that be? Jason Lambrecht: It depends on the magnitude of the ice jam. If the ice jam is a large one, it can back up the water for miles. If it’s small, it can just back it up more locally. Rachael McLeod: Can it damage infrastructure or bridges? Jason Lambrecht: The ice jam itself can damage the bridges. With the amount of water pushing on the ice jam from behind, it can force the ice to push the bridge – moving it slightly. Rachael McLeod: What kind of temperatures do you have to have, how cold does it have to be and how long in order to start seeing ice buildup and the threat of ice jams? Jason Lambrecht: Well, like ice in your freezer, ice starts to form at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and the longer the temperatures stay below 32 the more ice will buil
