Abstract
Abstract. In cold climate regions, the formation and break-up of river ice is important for river morphology, winter water supply, and riparian and instream ecology as well as for hydraulic engineering. Data on river ice is therefore significant, both to understand river ice processes directly and to assess ice effects on other systems. Ice measurement is complicated due to difficult site access, the inherent complexity of ice formations, and the potential danger involved in carrying out on-ice measurements. Remote sensing methods are therefore highly useful, and data from satellite-based sensors and, increasingly, aerial and terrestrial imagery are currently applied. Access to low cost drone systems with quality cameras and structure from motion software opens up a new possibility for mapping complex ice formations. Through this method, a georeferenced surface model can be built and data on ice thickness, spatial distribution, and volume can be extracted without accessing the ice, and with considerably fewer measurement efforts compared to traditional surveying methods. A methodology applied to ice mapping is outlined here, and examples are shown of how to successfully derive quantitative data on ice processes.
Highlights
Access to low cost drone systems with quality cameras and structure from motion software opens up a new possibility for mapping complex ice formations
A georeferenced surface model can be built and data on ice thickness, spatial distribution, and volume can be extracted without accessing the ice, and with considerably fewer measurement efforts compared to traditional surveying methods
River ice is a critical part of the cryosphere (Brooks et al, 2013), and ice formation has implications for river geomorphology, instream and riparian ecology, winter water supplies and for hydraulic engineering in cold climates
Summary
River ice is a critical part of the cryosphere (Brooks et al, 2013), and ice formation has implications for river geomorphology, instream and riparian ecology, winter water supplies and for hydraulic engineering in cold climates. Chu and Lindenschmidt (2016) integrated optical (MODIS) and radar (RADARSAT-2) satellite data to assess freeze-up, break-up, and ice types in the Slave river, Canada. Remote sensing methods are applied to assess ice in rivers and a number of examples of this exist in literature. They used aerial- and terrestrial imagery to validate the satellite data, and found good agreement on break-up and freeze-up dates. Remote sensing methods are needed to monitor ice formation in smaller rivers. Further work is needed to move from a qualitative evaluation of ice (focussing on ice types and presence or non-presence of ice) towards a quantification of ice volumes and the spatial distribution
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
