Investigation and modelling of ice processes in the Nelson River’s Outlet Lakes Area

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dc.contributor.authorLees, Kevin
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteeStadnyk, Tricia (Civil Engineering)en_US
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteeTachie, Mark (Mechanical Engineering)en_US
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteeLindenschmidt, Karl-Erich (University of Saskatchewan)en_US
dc.contributor.supervisorClark, Shawn P.
dc.contributor.supervisorMalenchak, Jarrod
dc.date.accessioned2022-06-17T19:45:45Z
dc.date.available2022-06-17T19:45:45Z
dc.date.copyright2022-06-09
dc.date.issued2022-06-09
dc.date.submitted2022-06-10T15:12:40Zen_US
dc.degree.disciplineCivil Engineeringen_US
dc.degree.levelDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)en_US
dc.description.abstractIce is a prominent characteristic of water bodies in cold regions. For rivers regulated for hydropower operations, the production of ice particles can result in obstructions and subsequent performance issues during energy production. Rough and thickened ice covers resulting from high flow conditions can also lead to substantial hydraulic losses. While ice formations impact hydropower operations, a river’s flow hydrograph also influences ice processes from freeze-up through break-up. Research investigations into the influence of regulation on ice processes benefits not only hydropower practioners, but also those who are impacted by hydropower operations. Further, understanding these cause-and-affect relationships supports design of innovative tools to quantify the impact of ice on river hydraulics. In this study, a detailed characterization of ice processes is presented for the regulated Upper Nelson River region located at the outlet of Lake Winnipeg in Northern Manitoba, Canada. With a focus on freeze-up and mid-winter processes, this characterization informed design of a 2D numerical modelling methodology to simulate ice-affected winter hydraulics. Model development included simulation of both thermal and dynamic ice phenomenon, which relied on derivation of numerous site-specific hydraulic functions. The presence of significant skim ice runs in this region inspired development of a novel treatment to simulate freeze-up jamming of skim ice floes on very mild-sloped rivers. The modelling methodology shows strong performance in simulating both freeze-up and mid-winter hydraulics, which is a signficiant contribution considering the complexity of this lake-outlet system. A quantitative evaluation of the effects of climate change on river ice hydraulics is included, with future projection of shorter and warmer winters leading to greater cumulative discharge from Lake Winnipeg. While discharge increases may lead to increased power production in future years, concurrent projections of increased inter-annual variability may present new operational challenges. Findings from this original research can be applied not only to the Nelson River, but also other regulated regions that are impacted by river ice.en_US
dc.description.noteOctober 2022en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipManitoba Hydro, Research Manitoba, Northern Scientific Training Programen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1993/36548
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsopen accessen_US
dc.subjectNelson Riveren_US
dc.subjectLake Winnipegen_US
dc.subjectRiver Ice Engineeringen_US
dc.subjectJenpeg Generating Stationen_US
dc.subjectCross Lakeen_US
dc.subjectCRISSP2Den_US
dc.subjectNumerical Modellingen_US
dc.subjectClimate Changeen_US
dc.subjectLake-Outlet Systemen_US
dc.subjectRiver Hydraulicsen_US
dc.titleInvestigation and modelling of ice processes in the Nelson River’s Outlet Lakes Areaen_US
dc.typedoctoral thesisen_US
local.subject.manitobayesen_US
oaire.awardNumber517849en_US
oaire.awardTitlePostgraduate Scholarship - Doctoral (PGS D)en_US
oaire.awardURIhttps://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=657087en_US
project.funder.identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000038,"Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada"en_US
project.funder.nameNatural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canadaen_US
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