ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Despite the harsh conditions, I made my way to the Main Street Bridge in downtown Rochester. Looking south along the Genesee River, it was immediately apparent was that water levels were running high. Just as obvious was the significant amount of ice still covering portions of the river.
History reminds us that without an orderly and gradual melt down, river ice can become a serious concern as we transition into spring.
Spring typically brings increased rainfall, and that precipitation runs off into area creeks, streams, and rivers. However, rainfall is only part of the equation. Snowpack also contains a significant amount of stored water moisture that is already on the ground, simply waiting for warmer temperatures to release it across the watershed. Depending on the depth and the extend of the water content, melting alone can contribute an additional one to two inches of liquid equivalent into the watershed.
There is a third and often more complicated factor in this hydraulic setup. As temperatures rise, river ice begins to weaken and fracture. Large sheets break apart and are carried downstream by the current. When these sizable chunks encounter narrow bends, shallow areas, or structural constrictions, they can become blocked. This creates what is known as an ice jam.
An ice jam restricts the natural flow of the river, causing water to back up upstream. The result can be rapid rises in water levels and localized flooding, sometimes developing with little warning.
After a long, cold, and snowy winter, the potential for spring river flooding becomes part of the seasonal transition. While warmer weather is welcome, it also serves as a reminder that the shift from winter to spring brings its own set of hydrological challenges.
First Alert Weather In-Depth: From Main Street Bridge to the watershed, monitoring spring flood risk WHEC.com.
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