Simulations of ice jam thickness distribution in the transverse direction

River ice often forms in the cold regions of northern hemisphere which can lead to ice jams (or ice dams). Water level can be significantly raised due to ice jams. As a consequence, disastrous ice flooding may be resulted, such as the ice jam flooding in the Nechako River in Prince George in winter 2007–2008. In the present study, the equations describing the ice jam thickness in the transverse direction are derived. The impact of the secondary vortex is considered while the cohesive force within ice cubes is neglected in the model. The relationship between the parameter β and the total water depth is established based on the assumption that all other variables except the velocities are kept constant on the same cross section. By using the parameter β and the developed equations, the ice jam thickness in the transverse direction can be predicted. The developed model is used to simulate the ice jam thickness in the transverse direction at the Hequ Reach of the Yellow River in China. The simulated ice jam thicknesses agree well with the field measurements on different cross sections.