Determination of ice production in a natural river: a case study in the Inner Mongolia Reach of the Yellow River

Abstract In the present study, ice production in a natural river reach has been studied by means of thermodynamic theory regarding heat flux between ice, air, riverbed, and water. The transfer coefficient equivalent total were determined for different periods during winter. characteristics variation distribution Inner Mongolia Reach Yellow River (IMRYR) combination with change flux. A model describing temporal–spatial IMRYR developed. process from 2017 to 2021 was simulated using proposed model, simulation results good agreement those measurements. Results analysis showed that when Bayangaole gauging station reaches 3.18 × 107 m3, freeze-up this is likely occur. influence degree each variable on following descending order: water surface area, air temperature, radiation, flow. Particularly, 20% area will lead 11.48% final calculated result production.