MOUNTAIN WATER FUTURES
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The Cryosphere

​The cryosphere (glaciers, snow, permafrost) is a central component of the water cycle throughout the alpine and sub-alpine environments. Whereas snow processes are ubiquitous in the region, glaciers and icefields are restricted to highest elevations, but these ice masses are losing area and volume. Snowpack duration has also retreated, by 1 to 2 months in much of the southern region. Decreasing glacier contributions to mountain rivers alters flow regimes for power generation; it also alters channel conditions and stream temperature negatively affecting aquatic habitats. Melting permafrost has altered runoff volumes and timing along with stream chemistry as new subsurface pathways become active. The collective changes create uncertainties in water futures for our users. The objectives of this study are to more clearly identify what the changes in the cryosphere are and will be, how these changes impact water cycling and our users, and how hydrological and land surface models can best represent the mountain cryosphere to predict runoff at daily to seasonal time
scales.
  • Home
  • Research
    • Mountain Climate and Extremes
    • The Cryosphere
    • Surface-Groundwater Interactions
    • Vegetation Change
    • Wetlands
    • Integrated Modelling
  • The Team
    • Researchers
    • Graduate Students
    • Technical Staff
  • Opportunities
  • Publications
  • Blog
  • Contact