A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Abstract: Since 1967, Peace River, a large, northward flowing, boreal river, has been regulated at W.A.C. Bennett Dam. The primary hydrological regulation has reduced mean annual flood by a factor of three at the dam, and by 40% at the downstream extremity of the basin, while winter flows have been increased by five times. The annual coefficient of variability of monthly (i.e., seasonal) flows has been reduced significantly and the competence to move bed material has been eliminated for all normal flows in the upper river. The ice regime of the river has been modified, with the occurrence of ice largely eliminated in the British Columbia reach, but farther downstream breakup water levels appear not to have been systematically changed. Most of the sediment load of the river is recruited in the Alberta Plateau, downstream of the dams. Accordingly, it appears that the suspended sediment budget of the river has not been significantly changed, so the smaller flows carry higher sediment concentrations today. Bedload transport has been eliminated in the upper river, so limited gravel volumes delivered by the principal tributaries now accumulate near their confluences. The response of the river to regulation is passive at least as far as the Town of Peace River, except near tributary confluences, where aggradation is observed, and in the vicinity of major landslides that impinge on the river.
Abstract: Since 1967, Peace River, a large, northward flowing, boreal river, has been regulated at W.A.C. Bennett Dam. The primary hydrological regulation has reduced mean annual flood by a factor of three at the dam, and by 40% at the downstream extremity of the basin, while winter flows have been increased by five times. The annual coefficient of variability of monthly (i.e., seasonal) flows has been reduced significantly and the competence to move bed material has been eliminated for all normal flows in the upper river. The ice regime of the river has been modified, with the occurrence of ice largely eliminated in the British Columbia reach, but farther downstream breakup water levels appear not to have been systematically changed. Most of the sediment load of the river is recruited in the Alberta Plateau, downstream of the dams. Accordingly, it appears that the suspended sediment budget of the river has not been significantly changed, so the smaller flows carry higher sediment concentrations today. Bedload transport has been eliminated in the upper river, so limited gravel volumes delivered by the principal tributaries now accumulate near their confluences. The response of the river to regulation is passive at least as far as the Town of Peace River, except near tributary confluences, where aggradation is observed, and in the vicinity of major landslides that impinge on the river.
The Regulation of Peace River
Church, Michael (editor)
The Regulation of Peace River ; 13-38
2014-12-03
26 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
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