Formation factors and forecast of ice dams on rivers of the north of the European territory of Russia

Regional peculiarities of ice dams’ formation process on large rivers of the north of the European territory of Russia are considered. Methodology and methods of ice-clogging floods’ forecasting at stretches with the risk of ice dams of the Northern Dvina, Sukhona, Vaga, Pechora, and Mezen’ rivers are described. Method of forecasting of the flood characteristic, which has not been forecasted before at ice dams, the duration of high water levels’ stand, is proposed. The possibility to plan ice-dam prevention activities on the base of hydrological forecasting is shown.