Author(s): Jim Schooley; Shiqiang Ye; Richard Malier
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: River Ice; Ice Formation; Growth and Dynamics
Abstract: I Ice has been an issue in the Niagara River for centuries, mainly ice jam and ice jam flooding. Implementation of the Lake Erie-Niagara River Ice Boom in 1964, which was re-engineered to be a steel pontoon boom in 1997 has been alleviating lake ice jam/flood occurrences in the Niagara River. However, ice is still a problem for US and Canada hydroelectric power production. Variations of ice in the Upper Niagara River can impact hydroelectric production: frazil ice, anchor ice, river ice and lake ice. Anchor ice can reduce the river flow up to 20% of its averaged value, which increases the risk of ice stoppage at hydropower station’s intakes, and reduces the flow available for power productions. This paper will address Upper Niagara River anchor ice formation/release, relevant factors, and impact on hydropower productions based on observations in recent ice seasons. We look to propose a method to identify its formation and release based on flow variations and discuss future works on anchor ice and other ice topics in the Upper Niagara River.
Year: 2022