Analysis of freeze-up ice jams on the Peace River near Taylor, British Columbia
Since the construction of the Bennett Dam on the Peace River in British Columbia, the temperature of flow releases from G.M. Shrum Generation Station, located at the dam, has been 0.5 °C or higher during the winter months. As a result, the progression of ice cover below the dam is inhibited and a lo...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering |
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| Main Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
1982
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/l82-021 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/l82-021 |
| Summary: | Since the construction of the Bennett Dam on the Peace River in British Columbia, the temperature of flow releases from G.M. Shrum Generation Station, located at the dam, has been 0.5 °C or higher during the winter months. As a result, the progression of ice cover below the dam is inhibited and a long reach of ice-free river persists throughout the winter. During February, 1979 below normal air temperatures persisted in the area and the cover progressed to a point 103 km downstream of the dam, or 19 km upstream of the Water Survey of Canada (WSC) stream gauge at Taylor. This was only the second occurrence of ice cover at the town of Taylor since 1972, when an increase in generating capacity at the G.M. Shrum Station raised maximum powerhouse releases to 1580 m 3 /s.A series of ice jams at the leading edge of the ice cover formed as the cover advanced, producing water levels within Taylor that approached the maximum historic summer flood levels. The ice movement, including ice cover advance and retreat, ice levels, and jam formation were monitored and documented. The data provided an opportunity to examine various river ice simulation models and assess their applicability to the Peace River. |
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