River Ice and Ice Jams

Abstract

Ice cover formation and breakup is a ubiquitous characteristic of cold‐environment fluvial systems. Ice covers have important economic, geomorphic, and environmental consequences, particularly through the formation of breakup ice jams that threaten riparian communities and infrastructures. The magnitude and frequency of these phenomena are intricately linked to hydrologic and climatic conditions, and for that reason, ongoing climate change is likely to have important consequences for river ice regimes. River ice dynamics, however, remain difficult to document because of the complexity of the processes involved.