Abstract In this proposed research, the team will collect and use sophisticated uncrewed aerial system (UAS or drone) measurements to develop a model to predict motion of ice flows, formation of ice jams, and conditions that lead to ice jam formation. The model, based on an existing hydraulics platform, will include the effects of interlocking ice and interactions between floating ice, the flow, and the bed.
Objective Our specific objectives are (1) to measure geometries and dynamic behavior of deposited ice and ice flows, including geometries of deposited ice (shape, size, thickness, and embedment angle), flow velocities and rotation of drift ice, and other properties of ice jams and ice flows; (2) to map spatial distributions of ice jams and ice flows in regions where ice is known to be a hazard; and (3) to model dynamics of ice flows and ice jam formation using a hydraulics model tuned to include the effects of floating ice and shallow water.
Impacts/Benefits This project will provide: (1) guidance for UAS ice jam data collection and (2) an improved model of ice jam behavior in shallow alluvial rivers. The long-term goal of our team is to develop methods of mitigating ice jams and ice flow damage. To this end, both high-fidelity ice jam data and improved hydraulics models are required. The immediate benefit of the research will be enhanced prediction of ice jam development, while reduction of ice damage to infrastructure and improved safety in locations with ice jam risk are both potential long-term benefits.
Deliverables
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