Hydraulic Model of River Flow and Storage Effects in the Mackenzie Delta, Canada
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| Authors: | Nafziger J, Hicks F, Andrishak R, Marsh R, Lesack L |
| Year: | 2009 |
| Journal: | 17Th International Northern Research Basins Symposium and Workshop Iqaluit-Pangnirtung-Kuujjuaq, Canada, August 12 to 18, 2009 237-247 |
| Title: | Hydraulic Model of River Flow and Storage Effects in the Mackenzie Delta, Canada |
| Abstract: | This paper reports on the development and application of a hydrodynamic model of river flows and off-channel storage effects in the Mackenzie Delta, Canada, being developed in support of the Canadian International Polar Year (IPY) project entitled “Polar Terrestrial Freshwater: State and Flow to the Ocean”. This modelling effort is aimed at addressing questions related to transport of fresh water and nutrients to the Arctic Ocean under open water and ice affected conditions, and to estimate how water levels through the delta may change in response to changing river flows, reduced or increased ice jamming, increasing sea-level, and enhanced storm surges from the Beaufort coast. The Mackenzie Delta Hydrodynamic Model (MDHM) is being built upon the University of Alberta's River1D hydrodynamic and ice process model, capable of handling the highly dynamic flows associated with events such as storm surges and ice jam formation and release. With an area of more than 13,000 sq. km., and containing more than 45,000 lakes, the Mackenzie Delta is a large and complex hydrodynamic system that presents unique modelling challenges. This paper will present the details of the model application, and in particular, will focus on the unique challenges involved in establishing a hydrodynamic model of such a large and complex northern delta, in the face of limited topographic data on channel and lake geometry and flow connections, sparse flow and water level monitoring, and complex river and ocean ice effects. |
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