Reduction of Ice Thickness on Northern Water Reservoirs

Abstract

Many northern communities rely on open reservoirs as a water source during winter. In the north, open reservoirs can experience ice thicknesses of over 2 m, which can result in a loss in usable storage of up to 60% of the total reservoir volume. This loss increases the required total size of the reservoir and cost. This paper evaluates available methods of reducing the loss of storage to ice. Methods considered included the geometrical optimization of the design, reducing ice thickness, and shortening the period that storage is required. To allow evaluation of many different options, the study concentrated on theoretical aspects, with many options being evaluated with a numerical ice growth model. It is recommended that field tests be conducted on the most promising options. Results indicated that of the geometric factors considered, depth was the most important. To reduce ice thickness, many methods were considered. However only accumulating snow on the surface and the placement of insulation on the ice surface proved to be feasible. The study also found the time period of storage could be slightly reduced by accelerating ice decay in the spring.