2-D modeling of freeze-up processes on the Athabasca River downstream of Fort McMurray, Alberta

• Author / Creator

  Wojtowicz, Agata

• This study is part of a three year project aimed to assess the effects of industrial water withdrawals on the ice regime of the Athabasca River. A 2-D numerical model was used to provide quantitative data for this effort. Freeze-up monitoring was carried out over two years along 80-km of the river from Fort McMurray to Bitumount. Summer bathymetric and winter ice surveys were conducted along with discharge measurements on a 5-km long detailed study reach that exhibited the full range of ice cover initiation processes. The data collected was used to build a CRISSP2D river ice process model for the simulation of freeze-up processes. An extensive parametric assessment was carried out to evaluate the capabilities of the model. Although it was not possible to simulate bridging, the simulated border ice agreed very well with field observations. Limitations of the model are addressed and future research recommendations are included.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • River2D
  • Freeze-up
  • Athabasca River
  • Ice regime
  • CRISSP2D
  • Ice cover
  • Fort McMurray
  • Bridging
  • 2-D model
  • Border ice

• Graduation date

  Spring 2010

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R31H23

• 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.