Advertisement Ice jams slam into bridge, causing flooding in Iowa Share Shares Copy Link Copy

An ice jam that gave way Monday caused major damage to the Wagon Wheel Bridge near Boone.KCCI's Vanessa Peng was at the scene Monday. Officials told her a sheet of ice damaged the 100-year-old bridge's supports.The bridge is located on the Des Moines River west of Boone and just north of the Kate Shelley High Bridge."As that ice came down, it hit the bridge. It actually tilted a couple of pilots," said Dave Morlan, emergency management coordinator for Boone County.Ice jams form in bends and shallow areas of rivers as large pieces of ice stick together, creating a dam of ice that holds back water until it breaks."Ice jams are hard to predict where they're going to be and if they're going to happen," said Morlan.Once they break free like this weekend with warmer temps, they come crashing downstream with lots of water and ice."You could have several miles of ice backed up that causes a lot of flooding," said Morlan."They're very dangerous -- got a lot of power to them."Further downstream at Ledges State Park, the ice chunks have accumulated on the river."Due to all the warm weather and the ice and snow melting, it's all funneling down the Des Moines River causing the flood at lower Ledges," said Ledges Park Ranger Klint Peterson.Park rangers closed Canyon Drive in the park and the lower half of the park itself."Don't go across the barricades make sure you stay on the side that's not flooded. We don't want people to get trapped down there," said Peterson.Ice jams have been reported on the river from Fort Dodge to Boone.Forecasters said last week that ice jams, especially over the northern counties, would be possible as rapid snow and ice melt was driven by our rapidly rising temperatures that reached highs in the 60s and now mid to upper 40s.