Vermont Business Magazine Each winter, Vermont prepares for potential ice jams and their impacts. Also known as “ice dams,” ice jams form when blocks of ice clump and block river flow. Ice jams can cause upstream flooding before they break up or release suddenly and cause damage downstream.
“Flooding from ice jams can be dangerous, damaging, and costly to Vermonters,” said Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Misty Sinsigalli. “As multiple or mid-winter floods become more common, we must work to reduce our flood risk – especially in the face of climate change and recent flood events.”
Rain on snow can quickly form ice jams in the steep and powerful streams of Vermont’s valleys and mountains. Ice jams are most common from January to March when river ice breaks up quickly and collects at undersized stream crossings, sharp bends, or other areas where rivers constrict.
DEC partners with local, state, and federal entities to enhance flood preparedness and support disaster response. Program staff work closely with regional planning commissions on town planning and pre-disaster initiatives, and coordinate with Vermont Emergency Management to plan and mitigate future flood risks; DEC also is the state coordinator for the federally-backed National Flood Insurance Program.
Ned Swanberg, DEC Floodplain Manager, said “with early action from communities and residents, we can build resilience, reduce future damage and costs, enhance public safety, protect clean water and habitat, and sustain economic and recreational benefits.”
Other actions to reduce damage may include close monitoring, improving emergency response, moving roads, properly sizing culverts and bridges, and placing excavators near jam-prone locations.
To protect yourself, sign up for Vermont Alert to receive ice-jam and flash-flood warnings. To learn more, find community data and planning resources at FloodReady.vt.gov or visit ANR.Vermont.Gov/Disaster.
The Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for protecting Vermont's natural resources and safeguarding human health for the benefit of this and future generations. Visit dec.vermont.gov and follow the Department of Environmental Conservation on Facebook and Instagram.
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Website.
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
