Ice phenomena on the rivers of Russia: the role of academic expeditions

The systematic study of the ice regime of the Russian rivers began with the organization of gauges at the end of the XIX century. It was preceded by a long preparatory period of expeditionary works performed from the second half of the XVIII century. The article discusses the contribution of members of academic expeditions of the second half of the XVIII century to the study of ice phenomena on the rivers of Russia. Special attention is paid to the dangerous phenomena that often accompany opening and freezing of rivers, ice jams, floods, etc. The author summarized and systematized data and observation materials obtained during the journeys. They can be used for studying ice phenomena on the rivers.