Past studies analyzing ice jam release events have been unable to capture surge propagation behaviour. Also, these studies have been inconclusive as to the effects of an ice cover on surge propagation. This research compiled all historical data (1977 to 1990) of ice jam release events documented along the Athabasca River near Fort McMurray. Measurements for breakup events of 2001, 2002 and 2003 were obtained using a remote monitoring network, and were compared to the historical events. The best event record (2002) was then modeled using River1-D. The celerity of the surge, and to a lesser degree, the peak magnitude attenuation were successfully modeled. Ice within the ice jam and in the downstream channel played a significant role in surge propagation. Additional studies of the ice processes associated with river ice breakup would further our knowledge of ice jam release