Numerical modeling of typical ice processes in the Inner Mongolia reach of the Yellow River

Due to the influence of human activities and climate change, features of ice conditions have changed in the Inner Mongolia reach of the Yellow River, and sudden ice disasters occurred frequently in the past ten years. The original ice simulation and prediction methods cannot meet the current requirement of ice flooding prevention in the Inner Mongolia reach. It is urgent to develop a mathematical model for simulating the dynamic processes of river ice conditions which reflects the physical characteristics of the ice condition and provides technical support for reservoir regulation and decision-making in winter. To fill such research gap, this study presents a one-dimensional ice condition mathematical model(RIVER1D) validated with field measurements. The model was used to simulate the ice development process in the Inner Mongolia reach of the Yellow River during 2012-2013 winter. The simulated water temperature, ice cover thickness, ice front process and flow were compared with the measured data. Although these measurements used for the ice condition simulation are not complete, the simulated and measured results are in good agreement. It clarifies the spatial and temporal changes of the ice conditions in the Inner Mongolia reach of the Yellow River, and solves the problems of the ice condition simulation with limited data, lack of tributary flow discharge, and provides methods to determine the position of the ice bridge. Such studies contribute to the understanding of winter ice processes in the Yellow River and other natural or artificial river channels. © 2021, China Water Power Press. All right reserved.