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In the span of three weeks, spring crept over the Siberian landscape surrounding the northern half of the Lena River. Many of the rivers in Earth’s temperate zones run high in the spring when melting snow and spring rain flood river basins. On the Lena River, however, spring flooding is almost inevitable for another reason: ice. Like other north-flowing rivers, the upper reaches of the Lena melt before their downstream counterparts. Because the northern mouth of the river remains frozen while the southern body of the river flows freely, water naturally builds behind the ice, forming a temporary reservoir that drains as the ice dwindles.
Published Jun 2, 2007
Standing on the ground, it is impossible to gauge the full scope of a disaster the size of the Kosi River floods in northeastern India. On August 18, 2008, the river, swollen with monsoon rains, burst through an embankment into an old channel. By September 2, the river’s course still took it over populated land that had not been prone to flooding in the past. To grasp the full extent of this flood, you need the view from space.
Published Sep 6, 2008
High water on the James River in South Dakota has persisted for more than a year.
Published Mar 31, 2020Image of the Day Land Water Floods Severe Storms Human Presence Remote Sensing
Warm temperatures and a heavy late-season snowpack led to flooding in Canada’s New Brunswick province.
Published May 9, 2018Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence Remote Sensing
Geography and a prolonged period of wet weather have made flooding common on this river in the Northern Plains.
Published Apr 21, 2020Image of the Day Land Water Floods Human Presence Remote Sensing
2013 brought record flooding to the Amur (Heilong) River.
Published Oct 27, 2013
