Introduction to River Ice Engineering
Fee: $1,295 / Online / Dec 1 - 2, 2026 / Course Code: 17-1206-ONL26
OVERVIEW
Please note, This instructor-led course has specific dates and times:
This course is held online over 2 days on the following schedule (All times in Eastern Time Zone): 9:30 am to 5:30 pm Eastern (Will include the usual breaks)
After participating in this course, you will be able to:
- Understand river ice processes and river ice engineering applications
- Discover the tools and methods used in river science and engineering
- Develop a fundamental understanding of river ice characteristics and behavior
- Appreciate the challenges confronted in managing river ice
- Apply the theory of river ice processes to practical applications associated with river ice management
Description
River ice causes prevalent problems in Canada and will be addressed in this course. Breakup and subsequent ice jams cause significant damage in some areas. This course will provide an introduction to river ice engineering and is tailored to an audience of non-specialist professionals.
From the formation of ice covers to breakup and ice jams, this course will illustrate the river ice processes and identify common problems associated with these processes through case studies.
Who Should Attend
Professionals involved in the management of river ice engineering projects, including Water Resource Engineers & Specialists • River Engineers • Environmental Specialists • Project Managers • Civil Engineers • Technologists & Technicians • Engineering Consultants
SYLLABUS
Day I
Welcome, Introduction, Course Preview, Learning Outcomes
General Overview
- Importance of river ice engineering to water resources management
- Some case studies showing the diversity of river ice management
River Ice Properties
- Ice core profiles
- Ice strength
Freeze-Up Processes
- Thermal regime
- Hydraulic regime
Freeze-Up Time (Numerical Exercise Using Excel)
- River ice cover type
- Time required for the formation of river ice cover
Numerical Modelling
- Overview of numerical river ice modelling
- Numerical modelling examples using RIVICE
Day II
Monitoring River Ice Covers
- Field surveys
- Air-borne remote sensing
- Space-borne remote sensing
Ice Thickness Predictions (Numerical Exercise Using Excel)
- Cumulative degree days of freezing
- Stefan equation to predict ice thicknesses
Ice Jam Processes
- Ice-cover breakup and conditions leading to ice jamming
- Ice-jam mitigation techniques
Ice jam flood hazard and risk
- Ice-jam flood hazard assessment and mapping
- Ice-jam flood risk assessment and mitigation
Questions and Answers and Feedback to Participants on Achievement of Learning Outcomes
INSTRUCTOR
Karl is an associate professor at the University of Saskatchewan and a member of APEGS.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manitoba, a Master of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the Technical University of Berlin. Before his appointment at the University of Saskatchewan, Karl was with the Manitoba Water Stewardship as a hydrologic modelling research engineer, where one of his research topics involved monitoring and modelling river ice processes along the Red, Assiniboine and Dauphin Rivers.
His knowledge on river ice processes aided Red River Floodway operations, the Ice Jam Mitigation Program along the lower Red River and flood risk management of the Lake St. Martin/Dauphin River System. He has also extended his portfolio of river ice work and research to include the Slave River in the Northwest Territories, the Peace and Athabasca Rivers in Alberta, and the South Saskatchewan and Qu'Appelle Rivers in Saskatchewan.
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