Design relations for predicting surface-ice clearing capacity of open channels

Numerical simulations are performed to evaluate the impact of various hydra ulic and environmental parameters on the ice clearing capacity of a Lac St- Pierre navigation channel. The Lagrangian particle-dynamics (Pdyn) model is used to simulate a wide range of "operating" conditions that are represent ative of conditions observed on Lac St-Pierre. Simple relationships are dev eloped that express both ice velocity and flux as functions of the geometry of the channel (width and plan-form shape) and ambient conditions (ice con centration, thickness, water current, wind magnitude and direction). These relationships reflect the importance of wind characteristics and areal ice concentration in regard to predicting both surface ice velocities and flux.