Observations of Flow Distributions and River Breakup in the Mackenzie Delta, NWT

Abstract

This study was part the Canadian International Polar Year (IPY) project entitled Study of Canadian Arctic River-delta Fluxes (IPY-SCARF), aimed at quantifying fluxes from the Mackenzie Delta channels towards the Beaufort Sea. The flow and water level data collected during the study period from 2006 to 2010 are presented. In addition, river breakup observations during each year of the study are shown, including oblique photos and satellite imagery that was used to document breakup progression. In support of the development of the Mackenzie Delta Hydrodynamic Model, a one-dimensional model was used to calibrate channel geometry and, in particular, channel bed slope for the seven primary channels of the Mackenzie Delta. The result and limitations of this modeling effort and suggestions for future data collection are presented.