Characterization of Slush Ice in the Great Lakes

The purpose of the study was to identify characteristics of slush ice and to develop techniques for their measurement. Slush ice is a mixture of fresh water ice and water. It becomes an impediment to navigation when wind and water current transport the ice fragments into a restricted channel or harbor. The characteristics of slush ice identified and measured were draft, ice to water ratio (surface aspect only), and ice particle size distribution. Draft was measured using a sonar transducer set on the bottom of a channel and echoing off the underside of the slush ice. The water to ice ratio was obtained from photographs of slush ice taken from a helicopter. The ice particle size distribution was obtained by physically measuring ice particles in the field.