ABSTRACT
Certain high-elevation watersheds can be covered partially or completely with snow or ice. This type of cover has to be taken into account when considering the factors leading to water flow. Higher temperatures in the Spring can cause snow to melt quickly, producing significant flow that adds to any flow resulting from precipitation. Likewise, the melting of glaciers or frozen rivers can lead to glaciar floods or ice runs, where the rivers are packed with chunks of ice. Ice runs can pile up and block the flow of water until these natural ice dams break up, which can cause rapid and intense flooding with catastrophic consequences.
