Thaw Triggers Ice Jams, Flood Concerns in Vermont, New York

Flood watches in place as warming weather breaks up ice on area rivers, raising risk of jams and flooding.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Flood watches are in place through Thursday for northern Vermont and New York as warming weather breaks up ice on rivers like the Missisquoi, leading to concerns about ice jams and potential flooding. Officials are monitoring the situation closely, as ice jams can form rapidly and lead to water overflowing the banks into fields and homes. Residents in the affected areas have seen ice jams before and are not overly concerned at the moment, but authorities warn the situation could escalate quickly with additional rain or snowmelt.

Why it matters

Ice jams can pose a serious threat to public safety and property in areas near rivers, as the sudden release of piled-up ice and water can cause rapid and unpredictable flooding. This is an annual issue in northern New England as winter thaws, but climate change may be increasing the frequency and severity of these events.

The details

The recent thaw has caused ice on rivers like the Missisquoi to break up and flow downstream in large blocks. With snowmelt raising river levels, officials say there is potential for jams and flooding. In Enosburgh, Vermont, residents have seen ice jams reach the top of guardrails before, but the current situation is not considered overly concerning at the moment. However, authorities warn that ice jams can form rapidly and unexpectedly, and if the ice stops water flow completely, conditions can change rapidly, pushing water out over the banks into fields and homes.

  • Flood watches are in place through Thursday for all of northern Vermont and New York.
  • The recent thaw has caused the ice jams.

The players

Chade Bartsch

An Enosburgh, Vermont resident.

Pierre Boudreau

An Enosburgh, Vermont resident.

Eric Forand

The Vermont Emergency Management Director.

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What they’re saying

“We've had ice clear up to the top of the guardrails before.”

— Chade Bartsch, Enosburgh resident (WCAX)

“Ice jams can be scary, but this one's not. It's pretty well settled. Luckily, the water's not high.”

— Pierre Boudreau, Enosburgh resident (WCAX)

“It's the unknown of where some ice might just happen to catch. It might've not caught in the last 100 years, but today it just catches.”

— Eric Forand, Vermont Emergency Management Director (WCAX)

“It pushes the water out over the banks into the fields or into homes — so that's really what we're watching for.”

— Eric Forand, Vermont Emergency Management Director (WCAX)

“That's the way nature works, you know, Mother Nature is the boss.”

— Pierre Boudreau, Enosburgh resident (WCAX)

What’s next

Dry weather on Monday helped keep the situation in Enosburgh from escalating, but officials say rain or additional snowmelt in the coming days could prompt more concern.

The takeaway

Ice jams pose a serious threat to communities near rivers, as the sudden release of piled-up ice and water can cause rapid and unpredictable flooding. This is an annual issue in northern New England, and climate change may be increasing the frequency and severity of these events, underscoring the importance of preparedness and vigilance.