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The Montmorency River is known for more than its famous falls. It is also renowned for the spectacular ice jams that regularly form along its length. During a winter or spring thaw, the ice cover breaks up into blocks that are transported by the current and pile up where the river narrows. In this way, a temporary dam can form, causing the water to rise and upstream shoreline areas to flood. This hummocky ice can sometimes reach heights of 5 to 7 m, or twice that of a house. Occasionally, an ice dam breaks suddenly under the pressure of the water behind it, sending an outburst flood surging downstream to inundate the lower reaches.
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