PHYSICAL EXPERIMENTS IN RIVER ICE DYNAMICS

In temperate regions with significant seasonality, like the upper Midwest, spring is a dynamic time for fluvial change. As snow and ice melt in the spring, river flows may rise rapidly while ice is actively being transported. As climate change occurs, the dynamics of these systems may change, altering the timing and magnitude of peak flows, as well as the form of ice break up. While many research efforts are focused on the effects of changing flows, less attention has been put on the effects of ice movement on erosion. One problem with field studies is examining erosion during the concurrent processes of flooding and ice transport. Through the use of a physical experiments and GIS analysis, we are simplifying the natural system and examining the potential impact of river ice on fluvial erosion. Preliminary studies show that mobile river ice may contribute to river migration through erosion on the outer bend. Research is ongoing to examine the force of impact and how different types of river ice impacts may contribute to bank erosion. As climate changes, the spring dynamics are likely to shift how river ice breaks up and moves though rivers in the future. Knowing how these shifting dynamics will alter expected erosion is critical for protecting sensitive ecosystems and infrastructure throughout ice effected regions.