Ice Jamming in Upper Niagara River: Processes and Plan of Study

Abstract

This paper is intended to be the first of a series of papers presenting the results of a comprehensive study aimed at evaluating the influences of two large hydropower generation stations on ice transport and jamming in the upper Niagara River. It provides the background to subsequent papers on the topic. Described herein are the main features of the river, the hydropower facilities, and nine characteristic stages of ice-jam development in the river. The main components of a plan developed to address the questions related to ice transport and jamming in the river are described in general terms. They include the strategy formulated for the study, possible schemes to mitigate jamming, and the evaluation methods used to investigate the efficacy of the schemes. The details of the individual studies prescribed in the plan are intended for presentation in subsequent papers submitted to this journal.