Author(s): Wendkudni Jude Benin; Tadros Ghobrial; Hanif Pourshahbaz; Amandine Pierre
Linked Author(s): Tadros Ghobrial
Keywords: Ice control structure; Breakup; Ice jams; Ice mobilization events; Cord length
Abstract:
Ice Control Structures (ICS) are instream structures that were built to reduce breakup ice jams flooding by intercepting ice blocks upstream of riverine communities. With the imposing effects of climate change, some of these ICSs were found to be less efficient and sometimes more problematic, showcasing the necessity of rebuilding or optimization of existing configuration. Among these two options, optimization is likely the most common due to the expensive costs related to a new ICS. To optimize the performance of an existing ICS, first the interaction between the ICS and ice blocks (current performance and ice pieces physical aspect) should be documented and analyzed. For this project, a camera-based system was employed on Sartigan dam, an ICS in Chaudiere River during the 2023 breakup season to understand and characterize the retention of ice upstream of the structure. A total of 18 ice breakup events were identified. The results show that during 11 events (61% of the time) the structure was able to hold the ice run in place. Ice blocks interacting with the ICS had an average cord length of 1.13 m, and moving toward the structure with an average speed of 0.41 m/s. During the event with holding time, ice blocks were moving in the accumulation with an average consolidation speed of 0.023 m/s.
Year: 2024