Adaptation of a radar-based river ice mapping technology to the Nunavik context

Abstract

With increasing signs of a warming climate in the Arctic, local Inuit authorities in Nunavik are preoccupied by the potential consequences of these changes to the ice regime of lakes and rivers, and therefore to the safety of the communities. The main objective of this study is to support the Kativik Regional Government (KRG) ice monitoring program by adapting a basic radar satellite ice mapping technology for the area of the Koksoak River near the village of Kuujjuaq. The adaptation is based on a four-step process: information gathering and awareness raising, planning and design, implementation, and validation. Workshops were conducted within the community to acquire a good knowledge of the ice processes and of the client needs. The technology was adapted to this context, and ice maps were produced every week during the freezeup and breakup seasons and distributed through the Web and as printed versions. Validation was achieved through ground photographs, aerial surveys, and field measurements. Based on all validation samples, overall accuracy is estimated at 61%. When excluding the samples containing drifting frazil pans, overall accuracy increases to 76%. Improvements to the radar mapping process are necessary for conditions involving floating frazil pans and during snowmelt. Students from the local high school were involved in the entire process.