Damage resulting from a sudden river ice breakup

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 609-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Sharp Increase ◽  
Private Property ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
Flood Damage ◽  
River Ice ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Ice Jams ◽  
Melting Snow ◽  
Ice Breakup

On January 4, 1984, the Nicola River and its two main tributaries broke up suddenly due to a sharp increase in discharge from a rain-on-melting-snow event while the ice cover was still thick and strong. The resulting ice run and attendant jamming caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to public and private property, including the destruction of a bridge and several riprapped banks. Four ice jams remained in place for up to a week after the ice drive. All the damage was due either to the severe ice run within the channel or to flow forced out over the floodplain by ice jams. Key words: flood damage, ice run, ice breakup, ice jams, riprap.

Ice jam mitigation

1990 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 675-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold S. Belore ◽  
Brian C. Burrell ◽  
Spyros Beltaos
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Flood Control ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
River Ice ◽  
Ice Jams ◽  
Ice Jam ◽  
Ice Breakup

In Canada, flooding due to the rise in water levels upstream of an ice jam, or the temporary exceedance of the flow and ice-carrying capacity of a channel upon release of an ice jam, has resulted in the loss of human life and extensive economic losses. Ice jam mitigation is a component of river ice management which includes all activities carried out to prevent or remove ice jams, or to reduce the damages that may result from an ice jam event. This paper presents a brief overview of measures to mitigate the damaging effects of ice jams and contains a discussion on their application to Canadian rivers. Key words: controlled ice breakup, flood control, ice jams, ice management, river ice.

scholarly journals Analysis of river ice motion near a breaking front

1992 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Ferrick ◽  
P. B. Weyrick ◽  
S. T. Hunnewell
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
River Ice ◽  
Quantitative Theory ◽  
Ice Breakup ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
River Reach ◽  
Ice Velocity

Dynamic river ice breakup displays different behaviors depending on the physical characteristics of the river, the flow, and the ice cover. Although a quantitative theory of dynamic breakup is not yet available, one of the essential components of such a theory will be a description of the ice motion near the breaking front. In this paper we develop an analysis of this motion for a specific case. The analysis is generalized by allowing the speed of the breaking front to vary, and the parameters of the ice motion that are obtained represent different dynamic breakup behaviors that have been previously described. The results of the analysis include (i) the ice velocity, ice acceleration, and bank resistance at each point in a river reach as functions of time, (ii) the equilibrium ice velocity as a function of bank resistance and the ice velocity as a function of time for several initial and bank resistance conditions, and (iii) the time of ice motion, ice velocity, ice acceleration, and the convergence of the moving ice with distance from the breaking front. The measure of ice convergence quantifies the loss of surface area by the sheet required for ice continuity, and distinguishes the basic types of dynamic breakup. Key words: breaking front, dynamic ice breakup, ice continuity, ice convergence, ice motion, river ice.

scholarly journals Impact of Climate Change on the Frequency of Dynamic Breakup Events and on the Risk of Ice-Jam Floods in Quebec, Canada

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Turcotte ◽  
Brian Morse ◽  
Gabriel Pelchat
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Financial Risk ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Flood Damage ◽  
River Ice ◽  
Climate Projections ◽  
Cold Regions ◽  
Ice Jams ◽  
Ice Jam ◽  
Ice Breakup

In cold regions, every year, river-ice jams generate sudden, surprising, intense flooding that challenges the capacity of public security services. This type of flood is commonly unpredictable and often appears chaotic because its occurrence depends on multiple, interacting weather, hydrological, ice and morphological parameters. This paper presents the findings of a research project assessing how climate change impacts dynamic river-ice breakup and associated floods along seven rivers of the province of Quebec, Canada. A combination of empirical river-ice breakup models, state-of-the-art hydrological simulations and standardized climate projections was used to estimate the historical (1972–2000) and future (2042–2070) frequencies of dynamic breakup events. Ice jam flood damage reimbursement data were used to predict changes to financial risk associated with dynamic breakup events. Results show that, overall, ice-jam floods will generate more damage in the future, which justifies watershed-based flood adaptation plans that take into account cold regions hydrological processes. The success of the methodology also sets the table for a comparable project that would include more rivers from different regions of Northeastern America.

A conceptual model of river ice breakup

1984 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 516-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Beltaos
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Water Surface ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
River Ice ◽  
Meandering Channel ◽  
Transverse Cracking ◽  
Ice Breakup ◽  
Pertinent Data ◽  
Short Term Forecasting

A conceptual model of ice breakup is formulated and used to analyze and compare data from four river gauge sites. Emphasis is on the development of generalized short-term forecasting methods, which to date have been site specific. The features to be forecast are the onset and flooding potential of breakup. These are related to the water surface width available for passage of the large sheets of ice that form by transverse cracking of the ice cover. Thus it is possible to study the effects of parameters such as ice cover dimensions and channel geometry. Owing to a lack of pertinent data, other parameters such as ice mechanical properties and flow characteristics are only considered indirectly. The mechanism of transverse cracking is examined in the light of recent field observations. Bending on planes parallel to the water surface, caused by stream curvature, could account for the observed crack spacing but more data are needed for positive conclusions. The present model does not apply in cases of “overmature” breakup, proximity of stage controls, and river planforms different from the single meandering channel type. Key words: breakup, cracks, field data, forecasting, gauge records, ice, ice clearing, ice sheets, model, onset, river ice, rivers.

Analyse hydro-météorologique des débâcles de glaces de la rivière Nashwaak (Nouveau-Brunswick)

1992 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-354
Author(s):  
S. Hebabi ◽  
N. El-Jabi ◽  
S. Sarraf
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Predictive Model ◽  
Dimensional Analysis ◽  
Predictive Models ◽  
Meteorological Factors ◽  
Ice Jams ◽  
Ice Jam ◽  
Ice Breakup ◽  
Meteorological Analysis

The problems associated with ice cover formation, development, and breakup are numerous. In fact, every year ice breakup and ice jams cause damage throughout Canada. In New Brunswick, ice breakup is responsible for 35% of floods and 70% of damage to bridges. This paper describes a hydro-meteorological analysis of ice breakup along the Nashwaak River in New Brunswick. Thirteen events that occur between 1969 and 1982 were studied. First, river records were used to determine a breakup initiation index. A dimensional analysis was then performed integrating the index with meteorological variables and river flows. Although there was no resemblance between variations of meteorological factors from one event to the next, the results suggest that the index formulated has potential as a tool for development of predictive models for ice breakup. Key words: ice breakup, ice jam, floods, meteorology, flow, predictive model, damages, bridges, Nashwaak River.

Midwinter breakup and jamming on the upper Saint John River: a case study

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spyros Beltaos ◽  
Sayed Ismail ◽  
Brian C Burrell
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Flood Damage ◽  
River Ice ◽  
Ice Thickness ◽  
Ice Jams ◽  
Damage Reduction ◽  
Saint John

Changing climates will likely result in more frequent midwinter ice jams along many Canadian rivers, thereby increasing the likelihood of flood damage and environmental changes. Therefore, the possibility of more frequent ice jams has to be considered during the planning of flood damage reduction measures, the design of waterway structures, and the enactment of measures to protect the environment. As a case study of midwinter jamming, four winter breakup and jamming events that occurred along an upper stretch of the Saint John River during the 1990s are described and the implications of similar midwinter jamming are discussed.Key words: breakup, river ice, climate change, ice jamming, ice thickness, winter, winter thaw.

River ice breakup processes: recent advances and future directions

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 703-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spyros Beltaos
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
Aquatic Life ◽  
Ice Jams ◽  
Ice Jam ◽  
Ice Breakup ◽  
Extreme Flood ◽  
Mitigation Methods

The breakup of the winter ice cover is a brief but seminal event in the regime of northern rivers, and in the life cycle of river and basin ecosystems. Breakup ice jams can cause extreme flood events, with major impacts on riverside communities, aquatic life, infrastructure, navigation, and hydropower generation. Related concerns are underscored by the issue of climate change and the faster warming that is predicted for northern parts of the globe. Advances in knowledge of breakup processes and related topics, achieved over the past 15 years or so, are outlined. They pertain to breakup initiation and ice-jam formation, ice-jam properties and numerical modelling of ice jams, waves generated by ice-jam releases, forecasting and mitigation methods, sediment transport, ecological aspects, and climate-change impacts. Major knowledge gaps are associated with the dynamic interaction of moving ice with the flow and with the stationary ice cover. Increasing computing capacity and remote sensing sophistication are expected to provide effective means for bridging these gaps. Key words: climate, ecology, forecasting, ice jam, modelling, onset, sediment, wave.

Longitudinal floating structures – new concepts in river ice control

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 933-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darryl J. Calkins
Keyword(s):  
Patent Application ◽  
Ice Cover ◽  
River Ice ◽  
Army Corps ◽  
Army Corps Of Engineers ◽  
Ice Jams ◽  
Control Structures ◽  
Ice Jam ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
Ice Control

Ice control structures placed in the streamwise direction of a river were analyzed to determine the effectiveness in reducing ice jam thicknesses. The theory describing the thickness for “wide” river ice jams was modified to analyze these longitudinal types, providing the computational verification that ice jam thicknesses could be reduced where the mode of ice cover thickening is internal collapse. These longitudinal structures appear to provide a new tool for modifying the river ice regime at freeze-up and possibly at breakup. By decreasing the ice jam thicknesses, which leads to lower stages, the structures have the potential for decreasing ice jam flood levels. The structures' ability to function is independent of the flow velocity and these structures should perform in rivers with velocities greater than the usual limitation of roughly 1 m/s associated with conventional cross-channel ice booms. Other possible applications include controlling ice movement at outlets from lakes, enhancing river ice cover progression, or even restraining the ice cover at breakup. A U.S. patent application has been filed jointly by the author and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Key words: river ice, ice jams, ice control, hydraulic structures, ice booms.

scholarly journals Effects of River-Ice Breakup on Sediment Transport and Implications to Stream Environments: A Review

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 2541
Author(s):  
Spyros Beltaos ◽  
Brian C. Burrell
Keyword(s):  
Suspended Sediment ◽  
Sediment Supply ◽  
River Ice ◽  
Sediment Erosion ◽  
Ice Jams ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Ice Breakup ◽  
Sharp Waves ◽  
Suspended Sediment Concentrations ◽  
And Function

During the breakup of river ice covers, a greater potential for erosion occurs due to rising discharge and moving ice and the highly dynamic waves that form upon ice-jam release. Consequently, suspended-sediment concentrations can increase sharply and peak before the arrival of the peak flow. Large spikes in sediment concentrations occasionally occur during the passage of sharp waves resulting from releases of upstream ice jams and the ensuing ice runs. This is important, as river form and function (both geomorphologic and ecological) depend upon sediment erosion and deposition. Yet, sediment monitoring programs often overlook the higher suspended-sediment concentrations and loads that occur during the breakup period owing to data-collection difficulties in the presence of moving ice and ice jams. In this review paper, we introduce basics of river sediment erosion and transport and of relevant phenomena that occur during the breakup of river ice. Datasets of varying volume and detail on measured and inferred suspended-sediment concentrations during the breakup period on different rivers are reviewed and compared. Possible effects of river characteristics on seasonal sediment supply are discussed, and the implications of increased sediment supply are reviewed based on seasonal comparisons. The paper also reviews the environmental significance of increased sediment supply both on water quality and ecosystem functionality.

scholarly journals River predisposition to ice jams: a simplified geospatial model

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 1033-1045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane De Munck ◽  
Yves Gauthier ◽  
Monique Bernier ◽  
Karem Chokmani ◽  
Serge Légaré
Keyword(s):  
False Negative ◽  
Channel Morphology ◽  
River Channel ◽  
Geospatial Data ◽  
River Ice ◽  
Main Question ◽  
Ice Jams ◽  
Ice Jam ◽  
Ice Breakup ◽  
Broken Ice

Abstract. Floods resulting from river ice jams pose a great risk to many riverside municipalities in Canada. The location of an ice jam is mainly influenced by channel morphology. The goal of this work was therefore to develop a simplified geospatial model to estimate the predisposition of a river channel to ice jams. Rather than predicting the timing of river ice breakup, the main question here was to predict where the broken ice is susceptible to jam based on the river's geomorphological characteristics. Thus, six parameters referred to potential causes for ice jams in the literature were initially selected: presence of an island, narrowing of the channel, high sinuosity, presence of a bridge, confluence of rivers, and slope break. A GIS-based tool was used to generate the aforementioned factors over regular-spaced segments along the entire channel using available geospatial data. An ice jam predisposition index (IJPI) was calculated by combining the weighted optimal factors. Three Canadian rivers (province of Québec) were chosen as test sites. The resulting maps were assessed from historical observations and local knowledge. Results show that 77 % of the observed ice jam sites on record occurred in river sections that the model considered as having high or medium predisposition. This leaves 23 % of false negative errors (missed occurrence). Between 7 and 11 % of the highly predisposed river sections did not have an ice jam on record (false-positive cases). Results, limitations, and potential improvements are discussed.

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