Dusting Procedures for Advance Ice-Jam Mitigation Measures

Abstract

In areas where damaging spring breakup ice jams are recurring events, advance mitigation measures should be considered. One mitigation measure that might be used in advance of ice breakup is aerial dusting of the ice, which enhances the natural weakening process. Because there may be limited time in which to organize and implement advance measures for ice jams, dusting operations should be planned beforehand. This paper provides a brief overview of the physical processes involved in ice dusting and discusses important aspects of a dusting plan. Experiences from two dusting programs in Nebraska were used as the basis for developing a set of guidelines for planning dusting operations. A spreadsheet for estimating dusting costs was also developed, and is presented with actual data from a 1994 dusting operation.