1. Numerical model study on ice impact on Lake Superior outflow limit.
- Author
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Knack, Ian, Hung Tao Shen, and Fengbin Huang
- Subjects
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ICE on rivers, lakes, etc. , *ICE jams (Geology) , *FRAZIL ice , *HYDRAULICS , *SIMULATION methods & models - Abstract
Improved regulation of the wintertime flow from Lake Superior is needed to improve the balance of water levels of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron to decrease the frequency of extreme levels without unduly affecting Lake Superior interest. The wintertime outflow limit is set as 2410 m³/s by Lake Superior Regulation Plan 1977-A as a result of ice jam flooding during the 1916-1917 winter. This paper presents a numerical model study on the ice conditions in the St. Marys River to assess the maximum allowable Lake Superior wintertime outflow. Freeze-up, frazil transport and accumulation, and breakup were simulated with a thermal-ice dynamic model. The highest potential for flooding exists during ice breakup and simulations were run to determine a safe discharge limit for the breakup period. Simulations indicated the winter flow limit may be increased to 2690 m³/s if flow regulation is managed with care to prevent premature ice cover breakup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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