Javad Souri (2024)

Project Title: Turbulent Characteristics and cross-stream Shear Stress Distribution in Ice Covered Rivers

Fellow: Javad Souri

Adviser(s): Dr. Trung Bao Le

Project summary: River ice annually alters hydrodynamics by increasing surface roughness and modifying momentum and bed shear stress. We present three RANS-based analytical models using quartic distributions of turbulent viscosity and velocity to link depth-averaged velocity to water depth and lateral momentum flux under ice cover. Field measurements on the Red River of the North (Fargo, ND, USA) in winter 2025 with ADCP and ADV validated the models, showing secondary flows significantly influence lateral momentum and ice affects flow structures. Bed shear stress predictions matched observations, with maxima 6–10 m from the outer bank, providing practical tools for velocity monitoring, discharge estimation, and bank erosion prediction.