Evaluation of Ice Management Problems Associated with Operation of a Mechanical Ice Cutter on the Mississippi River.

• Main Author: Ashton,George D.
• Other Authors: COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB HANOVER N H
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1974
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; Civil Engineering; *ICEBREAKERS; *INLAND WATERWAYS; *ICE OPENINGS; WATER TRAFFIC; PERIODIC VARIATIONS; CUTTING; ICE PENETRATION; SAWS; Mississippi River; *Ice navigation; Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA002058; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA002058

Ice management problems associated with operation of a mechanical ice cutter for use in icebreaking as an aid to winter navigation are examined. The study concentrates on effects occurring after the cutting operation. Included in the evaluation are assessments of refreezing rates, movement and disposition of the slabs produced by the cutting, and an examination of effects related to ice jams. The evaluation is specific to the upper Mississippi River, in particular Pool 19 above Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk, Iowa. It was found that most ice production during a winter occurs during a small fraction of the period of ice cover; hence removal after these short periods may allow navigation to proceed for significant wintertime periods.