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Pennsylvania Officials Plan for Possible Repeat Flooding, Growing Ice Jam

The methods of ice jam removal in the document include: mechanical removal by cutting a channel along the bank, drilling holes in the ice cover to weaken it, dusting with material that absorbs solar energy and accelerates decay and blasting.

(TNS) - With temperatures on the rise and rain in the weekend forecast, officials in Meadville, Pa., and surrounding municipalities are working to be one step ahead of a possible repeat of widespread flooding that wreaked havoc just about a week ago.

Officials from the City of Meadville, West Mead, Vernon and Union townships, the Crawford County Emergency Management Agency along with State Representative Brad Roae met at noon Thursday to tackle a growing cause for concern — a three-to-four-mile ice jam that encompasses four different municipalities and has grown in length this week, according to Andy Walker, Meadville city manager.

The group reviewed the location of the jam as well as a document recently acquired from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). The seven-page document is titled "Standard Operating Procedure — Ice Jams in Pennsylvania Streams/Rivers."

In Section IV, titled Ice Jam Removal, the document addresses when removal should be considered and cautions of the possible consequences of doing so. The need to free or remove an ice jam exists when flooding is present or when the potential for flooding exists. The likelihood for the jam to move downstream must also be considered, according to the document.

In deciding a course of action, officials must weigh the benefits of removing the jam while considering the possible financial responsibility for downstream damage, or accept the possible damages caused by the jam as it exists.

The methods of ice jam removal in the document include: mechanical removal by cutting a channel along the bank, drilling holes in the ice cover to weaken it, dusting with material that absorbs solar energy and accelerates decay and blasting.

Blasting is not recommended by PEMA. It is ineffective for small streams and should only be considered as a last resort, according to PEMA. If blasting is chosen, close coordination with downstream municipalities is imperative, the document states.

PEMA cautions that at least 20 feet of water is needed under the ice before considering blasting as an option.

That said, local officials are meeting with a contractor that does blasting in order to get their take on the situation, according to Walker.

"It's still very early in the decision process," Walker said.

In the meantime, the National Weather Service in Cleveland predicts high temperatures of 35 degrees today, 40 on Saturday, 43 on Sunday and 49 on Monday. There is a chance of rain extending from Saturday night through Monday.

On Thursday, public works crews were clearing catch basins in the city that had been frozen in order to improve drainage, according to Walker. The city was also preparing notices for residents and businesses in flood-prone areas, advising them of precautions to take in the event of a repeat performance from French Creek.

Lorri Drumm can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at lorrid@meadvilletribune.com.

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