Charbonneau et al. (2026) Ice jam formation at river confluences: comprehensive field investigation and comparison to laboratory-derived predictive equations

Identification

• Journal: Natural hazards and earth system sciences
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-01
• Authors: Laurence Charbonneau, Tadros R. Ghobrial, Jennifer Nafziger, Catherine Blouin, Gabriel Pelchat
• DOI: 10.5194/nhess-26-4201-2026

Research Groups

• Department of Civil & Water Engineering, Università Laval, Quàbec City, G1V 0A6, Canada
• Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 2R3, Canada

Short Summary

This study investigates ice jam formation at river confluences through a comprehensive field investigation and comparison to laboratory-derived predictive equations. The research characterizes the interaction between tributary and main river ice during breakup, quantifies hydro-environmental factors controlling breakup sequences and jam formation, and evaluates the applicability of laboratory-derived ice jam prediction equations.

Objective

• Characterize the interaction between tributary and main river ice during breakup
• Quantify hydro-environmental factors controlling breakup sequences and jam formation at confluences
• Evaluate the applicability of laboratory-derived ice jam prediction equations

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Field investigation conducted at four river confluences across two watersheds in Quàbec, Canada
• Temporal Scale: Four consecutive winters (2021 to 2024)

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Laboratory-derived predictive equations for ice jam formation at confluences established by Ettema and Muste (2001)
• Data sources: Field measurements of hydraulic, meteorological, and surface ice conditions at several locations along each confluence

Main Results

• Distinct ice jam formation mechanisms were identified at each confluence
• Laboratory-derived equations could be used to predict jam formation at the confluence on the Sainte-Anne River
• At Chaudière and Famine confluence, the jam formation was also correctly predicted, though with a significant discrepancy in ice thickness estimates

Contributions

• This study provides new insights into the complex processes governing ice jam formation at river confluences
• The research contributes to the development of predictive models for ice jam flooding at confluences
• The findings have implications for flood risk management and mitigation strategies in regions prone to ice jam flooding

Funding

• Not specified

Citation

@article{Charbonneau2026Ice,
  author = {Charbonneau, Laurence and Ghobrial, Tadros R. and Nafziger, Jennifer and Blouin, Catherine and Pelchat, Gabriel},
  title = {Ice jam formation at river confluences: comprehensive field investigation and comparison to laboratory-derived predictive equations},
  journal = {Natural hazards and earth system sciences},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.5194/nhess-26-4201-2026},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-26-4201-2026}
}