Patterns of River Breakup Timing and Sequencing, Hay River, NWT

• Author / Creator

  Kovachis, Nadia

• River ice breakup and associated flooding are realities for many northern communities. This is certainly the case in Hay River, NWT, which is located at the junction of the Hay River and Great Slave Lake. Hay River experiences a wide range of spring river ice scenarios; from docile thermal melt outs, to severe ice jams resulting in life-threatening, disastrous flooding.

  This study involved the analysis of five seasons of aerial and time-lapse photographs, water level measurements and hydrometeorologic data. This work also compiled an extended historical record of breakup in the Hay River delta, which was compared against the field data gathered for this study; combining local, experiential knowledge with scientific observation into a cohesive description of breakup. This will be used to advise the non-technical flood watch community on the patterns of timing and sequencing of breakup, which is critical for evacuation planning.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Hay River
  • Flood forecasting
  • Ice jam
  • River ice breakup

• Graduation date

  Spring 2011

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3NS3T

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.