Monitoring River Ice Conditions Using Web-Based Cameras

Abstract

It is necessary to monitor river ice conditions at many northern locations where river ice can pose a risk. Web cameras have been used to monitor real-time ice conditions at hydropower plants, navigation reaches, or locations of ice-related flooding. This study demonstrates how Web cameras can also be used to investigate river ice processes. Hourly images taken over three winters at the confluence of the Allegheny River and Oil Creek in Oil City, Pa. were analyzed. Each image was manually reviewed and classified according to surface ice conditions: stationary ice cover, frazil ice, brash ice, or open lead formation in an ice cover. The percentage of the channel width in the image covered by each ice condition was recorded. The time series of ice data are presented along with the concurrent hydrological and meteorological data. The Web cameras were operational during the 2000–2001, 2001–2002, and 2002–2003 winter seasons and provided an effective and relatively inexpensive means of monitoring and analyzing the river ice conditions.