Ice Blocks on the Potomac River

February 18, 2004

2_7_04_web

Provided and copyright by: Kevin Ambrose
Summary authors & editors: Kevin Ambrose

The Potomac River, north of Washington D.C., has been covered with ice during much of January and early February of this year as a result of an extended period of below normal temperatures. On February 6, heavy rain fell across the Washington D.C. area which quickly swelled the river and broke up the ice cover. The above photo, from February 7, shows that the ice blocks have broken loose and are rushing downstream. On rare occasions, ice blocks such as these will cause damage in Washington. For instance, in February 1918, the ice pushed onshore and crushed several buildings (see photo from link below).

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