Ice Jam Flooding and Mitigation: Lower Platte River Basin, Nebraska

• Main Authors: White, Kathleen D., Kay, Roger L.
• Other Authors: COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB HANOVER NH
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1996
• Subjects: Hydrology; Limnology and Potamology; Snow; Ice and Permafrost; Civil Engineering; *ICE FORMATION; *FLOODING; *FLOOD CONTROL; DATA BASES; AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE; METEOROLOGICAL DATA; FREEZING; DATA ACQUISITION; RECORDING SYSTEMS; RIVERS; WATERSHEDS; CHANNEL FLOW; BASINS(GEOGRAPHIC); ICE FORECASTING; NEBRASKA; *ICE JAMS; RIVER ICE; PLATTE RIVER; Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA305756; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA305756

This report presents the results of the Corps of Engineers' Section 22 study of ice jam flooding in the Lower Platte River basin. The purpose of the study was to gather and analyze historical data relating to ice jams, with the intent of developing guidance that can be used to alleviate ice jam flooding at seven sites within the study area. Ice event and related information is summarized for each site. Ice event characteristics for the study area are identified and analyzed. A model for predicting the occurrence of ice jams or other ice events within the study area was developed based on data for the Platte River at North Bend, Nebraska. The model provides the minimum discharge associated with ice events for a given date, assuming a threshold value of accumulated freezing degree-days has been reached. A data collection program for future field observations was developed and placed in operation during the winter of 1993-94. General information on ice jam mitigation measures, as well as specific information on such operations as dusting and blasting, is provided. Specific recommendations include increased monitoring of ice conditions, installation of ice motion detectors and water stage recorders, and further study of nonstructural and structural mitigation measures. The use of dusting and blasting as mitigation measures is also presented. The study was divided into six phases. Phase 1 involved collection of historical information from all available data sources, published and oral. Site visits were made to each identified site. Phase 2 entailed analysis and assessment of the collected hydrological, hydraulical, meteorological and ice data.