Journal of Cold Regions Engineering

This paper presents a new vertical 1D finite-element model to simulate the growth and decay of an ice cover (columnar ice, snow ice, slush, and snow cover consolidation) over a winter season in a partially mixed mesotidal estuary. In this study, we present, discuss, and validate boundary conditions as well as test and optimize the numerical model. Predictions from the model were assessed against field observations of ice thicknesses and internal temperatures taken over $3\text{years}$ . This paper explains why ice in the estuary is almost completely composed of freshwater. We demonstrate how a columnar ice sheet grows over the first half of the winter season and is then melted from underneath during the second half of winter, especially where currents are strong. We also demonstrate that significant snow ice may form over the second half of winter if the ice cover survives long enough by resisting mechanical breakup of spring tides in March.

In this article, we quantify the effects of a standing ice cover on the hydrodynamics of a mesotidal estuary. The Portneuf Estuary, Québec, is $5.9\mathrm{km}$ in length and has a $3\text{-}\mathrm{m}$ -deep thalweg. According to our numerical model simulations (using an adapted version of Environment Canada’s ONE-D model) and field measurements, the midwinter $50\text{-}\mathrm{cm}$ -thick ice cover produced an attenuation of the neap tidal range $\left(1.9\mathrm{m}\right)$ and spring tidal range $\left(4.0\mathrm{m}\right)$ of 17 and 37%, respectively, near the upstream end of the estuary. The arrival of low water was also delayed by about $90\min$ at this location. At the mouth, the cover attenuated peak ebb tide flow $(200{\mathrm{m}}^3∕\mathrm{s})$ and flood tide flow ( $500{\mathrm{m}}^3∕\mathrm{s})$ by approximately 18 and 13%, respectively. Here the peak flood flow was normally delayed by $41\min$ , while the ebb tide was usually advanced by $8\min$ . In general, the ice cover attenuated peak velocities by 12 to 20%, although at certain times and locations the ice cover could induce higher velocities than would be present under open water conditions. The ice cover also retarded and diminished the salt wedge intrusion and is expected to dramatically reduce the sediment transport processes, although its presence could cause some sporadic local increases in erosion.