Ice Chute, Frazil

a device that makes possible the passage of frazil ice through or around a hydroengineering complex, from the upper pond to the lower pond or from the canal. An ice chute usually consists of an ice receptacle installed cross-current, often in the shape of a trough, which intercepts the top layer of water containing the floating frazil ice, and an outlet, which directs the frazil ice to the lower pool or out of the canal. Frazil ice may also be removed through the spillways of a dam or the drop valves in the gates. Also used are ice-chute designs based on the use of specially created eddy craters in the hydroengineering complex’ upper pool that carry the frazil ice down to outlets at the bottom.