Ice Considerations in the Design of River Restoration Structures
Abstract
Modern river restoration and streambank stabilization projects constructed of natural materials are gaining favor over traditional materials such as riprap and concrete. These new structure types provide a more aesthetic and lower-cost means of controlling bed and bank erosion, while improving flow diversity and habitat. Little design guidance exists for these structures on ice-affected rivers, however. This report provides basic design guidelines for these in-stream structures in the ice environment. Critical design questions are whether the structure or project will cause ice jams where none occurred before and also how well the structures will survive ice processes. For the freezeup period, simple water velocity and ice arching theory may be adequate to predict whether an in-stream structure will retain or pass ice. Predicting the structures effect on breakup ice jam formation is much more difficult and, because of this uncertainty, it is recommended that designers avoid locating these types of in-stream structures in sections of river known for destructive breakup ice jams and ice jam flooding.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA484149
Entities
People
- Andrew M. Tuthill
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center