Answer to Question #84476 in Physical geography for Danny

Question

Explain how snowmelt may cost a river flood.

Answer 1

Snowmelt creates a large amount of water, which is formed on the surface of the soil and rivers. The soil is not able to absorb the additional water from the snowmelt. As a result, large volumes of water fall into the river, where it contributes to high water levels. Therefore, high temperatures and heavy rains can be a cause for the river flood. Moreover, rivers are covered with ice. When ice begins to melt, the surface of the ice cracks and breaks into large pieces that move down the river, creating a dam. The process causes the rise of water and flood the land upstream.