A chunk of Kennebec River ice that washed up on shore is seen Saturday at the East Side Boat Landing in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA — The risk of river flooding in Maine is below normal this spring but at the same time the risk of ice jams, which can cause major and rapid flooding, is slightly above normal due to thick river ice including on the Kennebec River.

The Maine River Flow Advisory Commission met Thursday to review ice conditions, stream flow and snowpack levels, the spring weather outlook, and flood risks across the state. The group concluded Maine’s rivers are at below-normal risk for spring flooding due to below-average stream flow and low water content in the remaining snow.

However the commission of experts warned the risk of ice jams — which some years have caused havoc on the Kennebec River by stacking up and blocking the flow of the river, causing water to back up into flood-prone areas of Augusta, Hallowell and Gardiner — is slightly above normal due to thick river ice that built up when temperatures plummeted in February.

More ice remaining in the river means it’s more likely once it starts to break up that it could jam and back up rivers.

“In recent years, we’ve tended to have some sort of January thaw, and earlier ice out, and we didn’t really have that this year, so we’ve been building ice in some of our streams since mid-December,” said Nick Stasulis, chief of monitoring operations for United States Geological Survey’s New England Water Science Center, and co-chairman of the Maine River Flow Advisory Commission. “Just the volume of ice is a concern. More ice means there’s more of a likelihood of jamming up, especially if we get a really major rain event.”

Currently there are no plans to send U.S. Coast Guard ice cutters up the Kennebec this year, as is done some years, to help break up the ice to prevent jams.

A channel of open water flows Saturday in the middle of the mostly still ice-covered Kennebec River in front of Old Fort Western in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Spencer Roberts, outreach specialist for Maine Emergency Management Agency, said gradual warming and ice degradation and breakup is expected on the Kennebec, so there is currently no plan to break ice there. Coast Guard cutters will continue to break ice on the Penobscot River, with one 140-foot icebreaker to be joined by two 65-foot icebreaking tugs.

Stasulis also said it appears unlikely icebreakers will be needed on the Kennebec but said officials will continue to monitor conditions “and if there’s a need, have the assets (icebreakers) ready.”

The National Weather Service reported to the commission that snowfall has been below normal in most of the state, except for southern Maine, with a notably dry January.

Streamflows are below normal due to lingering drought conditions and groundwater remains low, with little to no recharge of groundwater stores since last spring, according to a news release from the River Flow Advisory Commission.

Coast Guard officials reported there are no known ice jams of concern on major rivers such as the Androscoggin and Kennebec, but some lingering risks remain on the Penobscot.

A channel of open water bisects the mostly ice-covered Kennebec River on Saturday in front of Old Fort Western in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Maine Emergency Management Agency officials urged Mainers to take steps to protect their homes, businesses and families, including: Knowing your risk by going to floodsmart.gov to see if your property is in a flood zone; consider flood insurance, as most standard home and business policies do not cover flood damage; stay informed by signing up for emergency alerts and monitoring National Weather Service forecasts; and have an emergency plan, evacuation plan, and emergency kit ready.

“Even if you are not in a high-risk flood zone, heavy rainfall events can still cause flooding in unexpected areas,” Sue Baker, state coordinator of the Floodplain Management Program, said in a news release.

The Maine River Flow Advisory Commission was formed after spring floods in 1983, to improve the exchange of hydrologic information, review data and provide information to emergency agencies and the public.

Stasulis and Roberts said ideal spring conditions for river ice to depart Maine’s rivers without causing flooding or jamming are warm, sunny days with gradual temperature changes and no rapid warming or sudden major rains.