ABSTRACT. Danubian Ice Observation by Webcameras. In spite of the process of global warming, that can be concluded by analyzing the data of the past couple of decades, an unfortunate constellation of hydro-meteorological factors can anytime cause serious frosts, and consequently ice floods on Danube river. In 2001, based on earlier experience obtained in the 70s by conventional photography, a web-camera was installed on top of a high building at the riverbank at the town of Baja. Based on the first surveys success and their analysis 5 further cameras were mounted in 2008. The sites to be monitored in such a way are placed at 30-40 km distance from each other, so 130 km reach of the river could be observed. In January 2009 a two week long prevailing ice period was successfully recorded at the 5 sites. Coupled with morphological data as well as with the hydro-meteorological data of the observation period, even a primary analysis showed the potential to derive space-time characteristics of the floating ice, including size composition, motion and rearrangement due to secondary currents and occasional packing or release at places. Efforts are been done on quantifying the above mentioned features, furthermore, improving the recording quality.
Key words: Ice, Floe, Webcamera, Monitoring.