Table 8 (cont`d). Summary of instrumentation investigated.
Instrument
Application
Advantages
Disadvantages
Time Frame
Cost
Ice velocity
Multipurpose
Interpretation requires
$$-$$$
instrument potential
highly skilled personnel
Ice movement
Multipurpose
Need to eliminate
$$
instrument potential
chance for false alarms
Maximum stage gage/
Stage
Allow accurate readings Must resist ice forces
$$
crest-stage gage
after flood
Unknown reliability
Upward-looking sonar
Ice thickness
Also usable to estimate
Point measurement
$$
ice speed
Unknown reliability
Floating drogue
Ice jam thickness
Safe remote method
Speed/trajectory
$$
not controlled
Ice motion detector
Ice movement
Inexpensive
Can be installed
$
Reliable
only after ice
Around-the-clock
cover forms
monitoring
Satellite
Ice coverage
Cover very large area
Resolution of present
$$$
sensors
Timeliness of data
Clouds /darkness
impede some sensors
Cannot distinguish
some ice types
Underwater acoustics
Ice movement
Not widely tested
$$
(breakup)
Ice conditions
Shows potential for
Needs more testing
$$$
some monitoring
Convenient platform
needed
Acoustic velocity
Discharge
Being tested by USGS
Susceptible to ice
$$$
meters
Shows promise of
damage
unattended, continu-
Slush-ice run
ous discharge measure-
disrupts signal
ment
Needs more work
Could be used in
and field testing
conjunction with DCP
Electromagnetic
Ice thickness
Needs more field
$$-$$$
testing
Lasers
Multiple
Potentially low-cost
Unknown applications
$-$$
Key: Time Frame:
Already in use.
Field tested, probably could be made field-ready within five years.
Requires more research for field use, or not yet tested.
Cost:
$
Relatively low cost
$$
Moderate cost
$$$
High cost
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