Ice Simulation Options

Owned by Kester Scandrett
Last updated: 23 Apr, 2018
5 min read

A robust ice sub-model is available from release of EFDC_Explorer7.3. Previous versions of EFDC had relatively limited ice modeling ability. In EE7.2 and earlier the ice conditions had to be fully specified by the user for every cell for the model simulation period. The creation of the input files was also external to EE. Now ice formation and melt is simulated by EFDC using a coupled heat model and fully handled by EFDC_Explorer.

Note that ice dynamics are not modeled at this stage. An ice dynamics sub-model would simulate the constriction of the channel by ice and the resulting bed shear caused by the transport of ice chunks. An ice dynamics sub-model is being considered for a later release of the EE modeling system.
Ice options are now available under a new Ice Options sub tab under the Temperature tab as shown in Figure 1. For all the options, ice is only enabled if the user is simulating temperature.

Figure 1  Temperature Tab: Ice Sub Model Options.

Options for the ice sub model include:

ISICE = 0 Do not use ice
ISICE = 1 Use External Ice Time Series (ISER & ICEMAP)
ISICE = 2 Use Specified ON/OFF Ice Cover (ISTAT)
ISICE = 3 Use Heat Coupled Ice Model
ISICE = 4 Use Heat Coupled Ice Model with Frazil Transport

Application and operation of each of these options is explained in the following sections.

Use External Ice Time Series (ISICE = 1)

This option is similar to the ice option available prior to EE7.3 and does not compute ice formation/melt and it is not linked to the heat balance. This option simply requires the user to provide a fraction of ice coverage and thickness of ice for every cell using formats provided in Appendix B - Data Formats. The primary impact of the ISICE =1 option is on processes that occur at the air/water interface and has no direct impact on ice melt. For those cells where ice is present the ice sub-model will:

  • Limit water surface heat exchange and moderate the layer KC temperature to the specified ice temperature.
  • Reduces or eliminates (based on fraction of ice coverage) reaeration of oxygen into the water column.
  • Reduces or eliminates the shear stress on the surface of the water due to winds.
  • Reduces or eliminates the wind speed used for all other surface exchange processes.


For the option ISICE=1, EFDC uses the ISER.INP to read time and ice thickness for externally specified ice cover, and ICEMAP.INP for the weighting coefficients of ice thickness in case of more than one time series given in ISER.INP.
ICEMAP with the NISER weightings (the number of ice series) when NISER>1 can now be read and written.


Figure 2  Temperature Tab: ISICE =1.

Use Specified ON/OFF Ice Cover (ISICE = 2)

This option is effectively a global toggle so that ice may be turned on or off over the whole domain. The time series file that populates this option lists a date and toggle on and toggle off with the input file ISTAT.INP.


Figure 3  Temperature Tab: ISICE =2.

The input file ISTAT.INP file is same as old the ICECOVER.INP, with a time stamp and a status of ice cover. The convention is quite similar to that for other time series. The header contains the number of data lines, time conversion coefficients. The remaining block includes two columns: Julian time and the status of ice cover, either 0 or 1, off or on. The ice temperature and the ice thickness are stored in EFDC.INP file in C46A.
Appendix B shows the format for this file. EFDC reads the file and applies it in the same way as ICECOVER.INP. All the other computations are the same as those for ISICE=1 except the initialization is whole model on or off rather than based on the ICEMAP.INP file. EFDC can also handle multiple ice series and weights based on different series like NISER.

Use Heat Coupled Ice Model (ISICE = 3)

The Heat Coupled Ice Model applies mass conservation during ice growth/melt. Ice is always calculated in the heat coupled ice model, similar to CEQUAL-W2 model upon which the EFDC_DSI ice sub model is based.
This option is most recommended for model simulations of lakes and reservoirs with relatively thick layers. For rivers, this option and frazil ice option are not fully representative. This is due to small layer thickness in most river models. Generally, the layers used in rivers are too thin to produce ice. Even though ice crystals form, they are not thick enough to form an ice cover.
Currently the ice submodel in EFDC_DSI is only an ice cover model and not an ice and snow cover model. The snow cover would account for snow on top of the ice and is expected to be added for an upcoming release. The ice cover model allows light to be attenuated through the ice. The solar radiation absorption is accounted for in this process. To implement this in EFDC, routines such as CALQVS and CALHEAT were modified. CALPUV was also updated so that the bed heat is handled when the elevation is below the bottom of the cell.
Figure 4 shows the default values of the ice parameters that are required to simulate ice in EFDC_DSI model. A checkbox is provided for the Use Ryan Harleman Wind Function option if desired.


Figure 4  Ice Sub model: Heat Coupled Ice Parameters (ISICE =3).

ICE.INP is the initial conditions file that is only needed for ISICE = 3 & 4. The format for this file is provided in Appendix B. Note that EFDC assumes the top of ice is equal to the water surface elevation thereby allowing for higher flows in restricted depth.

Frazil Ice Transport (ISICE = 4)

When calculating ice formation in a river, if the air temperature is less than freezing temperature (a value that may be lower than zero in salt water) generation of ice crystals takes place in the water. These crystals are called frazil flakes. As the frazil flakes are lighter than water they float and cause "ice pans" which may then become "ice floes". As the frazil ice rises, it is necessary to input a rising velocity into EE to account for this.
In addition to the modification to the EFDC subroutines outlined for ISICE =3, a new routine, CALTRANICE is created to simulate frazil ice as a concentration.


Figure 5  Ice Sub model: Frazil Ice Parameters (ISICE =4)

Visualization of Ice

Output from the ice sub model can be displayed in a number of ways in EE. A 2D plan view of the ice thickness or temperature may be viewed by selecting ViewPlan and then Viewing Options | Heat: Bed/Ice. Figure 6 shows an example of frazil ice formation in a river in Alberta, Canada. Note that initially ice forms on the river banks where depths are shallower and flow is lower.


Figure 6  Ice Sub model: ViewPlan frazil ice thickness.

The user can also visualize ice on the water column in the ViewSlice tool. This displays as a solid grey color as shown in Figure 7. The vertical exaggeration of the ice layer can be modified by the user to show it more clearly as shown in Figure 8.


Figure 7  Ice Sub model: ViewSlice ice cover and WC temperature.


Figure 8  Ice Sub model: ViewSlice Options.

Ice may also be viewed in 3D with the View3D tool as shown in Figure 9.


Figure 9  Ice Sub model: View3D ice cover and water surface elevation.