1974 Ice Breakup on the Chena River.

• Main Authors: McFadden,Terry, Stallion,Mike
• Other Authors: COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB HANOVER N H
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1975
• Subjects: Hydrology; Limnology and Potamology; Snow; Ice and Permafrost; *Ice; *Fracture(Mechanics); *Rivers; *Alaska; Spring season; Melting; Cold weather tests; Sizes(Dimensions); Thickness; Debris; Trees; Damage; Dams; Temperature; Velocity; Field conditions; Field tests; Aerial reconnaissance; Sampling; Methodology; *Ice breakup; Ice jams; Chena river(Alaska); Ice; permafrost; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA018352; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA018352

The Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, requested USA CRREL to observe and document the ice breakup of the Chena River in the spring of 1974. The purpose was to determine the potential for ice and debris damage to the outlet structure of the proposed Chena River Flood Control Dam. Accordingly, the Alaskan Projects Office of USA CRREL made a detailed study of the ice breakup, ice jams, and ice thicknesses on the Chena River prior to and during the actual breakup. Ice thicknesses were measured at specific locations on the Chena River, from its confluence with the Tanana River upstream to the first bridge on the Chena Hot Springs Road. Average ice thicknesses were computed, as well as average ice volumes per mile of river length. Water temperatures and velocities were measured at different locations on the river. Aerial and ground reconnaissance was maintained on the river during the breakup period, and ground parties were dispatched to almost all ice jams observed on the river. Comparisons to other years' breakups were made, and it was concluded that the 1974 breakup was extremely mild. (Author)