A prolonged cold spell has created significant ice buildup in waterways in Sweden, particularly in Laxån near Lake Vänern, raising concerns about potential flooding. According to Nerikes Allehanda, the phenomenon, known as 'kravis', involves ice crystals forming at the water surface in flowing streams with temperatures below freezing, which clump together into a thick ice slurry that can harden and block flow. The municipality of Laxå reportedly has control over the situation currently due to low water flow, and is removing ice with excavators at Hemgårdsdammen.
Nya Wermlands-Tidningen reports that the ice situation is so severe that Sjöfartsverket is forced to take action, though specific details are not provided in the accessible source material. The exact extent of the ice buildup and any confirmed flooding incidents are unclear from the sources.