Ice Jam Backing Up Portneuf River

Pocatello

Tools

Story Published: Dec 20, 2006 at 7:22 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 20, 2006 at 7:22 PM MDT

By Sarah Schwabe

Bannock County is under a flood watch tonight. An ice jam in the Portneuf river is making water levels rise. The flood watch went into effect this morning shortly before eleven. The national weather service is keeping a close eye on those water levels. Right now right now the river measures about eight feet, just half a foot below a flood stage.

The Portneuf River is at a stand still behind Irving Middle School. A massive ice jam has developed that stretches almost a mile long.

"Ice jams are a regular thing in the winter in Eastern Idaho," says Hydrologist Sherrie Hebert.

While ice jams may be a winter-time tradition, there is some concern.
At the National Weather Service in Pocatello, hydrologist Sherrie Hebert is monitoring the river's levels.

"When rivers start freezing up you get a little bit of ice build up here while the water is still coming through, and it has a little more to work through so the levels start coming up behind the ice jam," says Hebert.

There has not been any flooding yet, but water levels are on the rise.
Hebert says, "Should the Portneuf River reach flood stage at eight and a half feet, the initial impact is the North City Park Trail."

But anyone living near or recreating on the Portneuf river should be cautious.

"People should just be aware of the changing river levels. Never go out on the ice, obviously, and just use caution and stay tuned to conditions," says Hebert.

Another concern is if the temperature rapidly rises and the ice jam breaks, which could result in flash floods. Right now, it's just the Pocatello portion of the river that's a concern. The Marsh Creek area near Inkom, which often floods, is too far downstream at this point to be affected.

Current Weather

Current Temp 40.0 °F

Partly Cloudy

Video

More Weather

Current Weather

More Weather

Upload directly from your mobile device.

Learn how

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.