CHARACTERISTICS OF SLUSH ICE IN THE GREAT LAKES

The purpose of the study was to identify characteristics of slush ice and to develop techniques for their measurement. Slush ice is a mixture of fresh water ice and water. It becomes an impediment to navigation when wind and water current transport the ice fragments into a restricted channel or harbor. The characteristics of slush ice identified and measured were draft, ice to water ratio (surface aspect only), and ice particle size distribution. Draft was measured using a sonar transducer set on the bottom of a channel and echoing off the underside of the slush ice. The water to ice ratio was obtained from photographs of slush ice taken from a helicopter. The ice particle size distribution was obtained by physically measuring ice particles in the field.

• Corporate Authors:

  United States Coast Guard

  Research and Development Center, 1082 Shennecossett Road
  Groton, CT  United States  06340-6096
• Authors:
  • Welsh, J P
  • Kingsbury, B T
• Publication Date: 1974-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 20 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Ice; Ice phenomena; Obstructions (Navigation); Slush
• Old TRIS Terms: Ice characteristics; Navigation obstructions
• Subject Areas: Hydraulics and Hydrology; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00098212
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: CGR/DC-34-74 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 13 1975 12:00AM