ShipCreek is a steep, relatively small stream that flows through Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Anchorage, Alaska. Ship Creek is a losing stream in its upper portion and a gaining stream in its lower portion, and this has significant impacts on the distribution of ice formation in the stream. Ice formation in Ship Creek is limited to the reach from roughly Vandenberg Avenue Bridge upstream to the Ship Creek Dam. This reach is steep with relatively high flow velocities. Anchor ice and ice dams form during freeze-up and raise water levels. Flooding occurs where the maximum ice-affected water level caused by anchor ice and ice dams exceeds the elevation of the top of banks of the channel. Areas outside of the channel are then inundated, with the extent determined by the elevation of the overbank areas.There are three approaches for ice control to prevent flooding that are suitable for the flood-affected reach of Ship Creek: mechanical removal, application of well water to prevent ice formation, and natural bank restoration. This report explores these approaches and provides recommendations for their effective use.

No abstract

Frost heaving is a constant burden on any facility in cold regions, causing accelerated deterioration of roadways and annual maintenance, leading to costly repairs. Insulated pavements have been demonstrated as cost effective in several civilian locations, and have shown exceptional resistance to compression and water absorption. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of insulated pavement in eliminating the impact of frost action on roadways for the purpose of reducing annual roadway maintenance and redefining the standards governing its application.An insulating layer of extruded polystyrene (XPS) was installed in a section of road at Fort McCoy, WI. The monthly temperature and moisture content gradients were compared between the insulated and non-insulated pavements. The change in elastic moduli was also compared between the two pavement sections over the 2017 -2018 winter freeze and spring thaw cycle. The insulating layer was shown to be effective in preventing frost from penetrating the subgrade. Temperatures remained above freezing in the subgrade throughout the winter. The vertical moisture gradient demonstrated minimal signs of frost penetration. The presence of a high water table beneath the test pavement sections are believed to have affected the strength of the subgrade, especially through the post spring thaw recovery period.