Author(s): Ian M. Knack; Hung Tao Shen
Linked Author(s): Hung Tao Shen
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Ice jam floods are frequent occurrences along the St. John River, especially during the spring breakup period. Severe ice jams cause extensive flooding, loss of hydropower production, and socioeconomic losses. With the unusual early onset of spring freshet due to abnormally high temperatures and rapid snowmelt, river flows peaked in late March 2012. These conditions resulted in earlier than usual ice movement and ice jam flooding. An ice jam flood occurred on March 22 nd on the Saint John River at Perth-Andover, with a record high flood of 80.25m, almost one meter higher than the record high-water mark reached in 1987. A computer model study is conducted to simulate the processes of the evolution of this breakup event in the 64 km long reach of the river between Grand Falls and Beechwood. The study provided a better understanding on the breakup and ice jam processes in the river.
Year: 2014