Diagnosing Hydrological Process Controls in Streamflow Generation and Variability in a 1 Glacierized Alpine Headwater Basin
Date
2022
Authors
Aubry-Wake, Caroline
Pradhananga, Dhiraj
Pomeroy, John
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Wiley Online Library
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Abstract
Mountain glacierized headwaters are currently witnessing a transient shift in their hydrological and glaciological systems in response to rapid climate change. To characterize these changes, a robust understanding of the hydrological processes operating in the basin and their interactions is needed. Such an investigation was undertaken in the Peyto Glacier Research Basin, Canadian Rockies over 32 years (1988–2020). A distributed, physically based, uncalibrated glacier hydrology model was developed using the modular, object-oriented Cold Region Hydrological Modelling Platform to simulate both on and off-glacier high mountain processes and streamflow generation. The hydrological processes that generate streamflow from this alpine basin are characterized by substantial inter-annual variability over the 32 years. Snowmelt runoff always provided the largest fraction of annual streamflow (44% to 89%), with smaller fractional contributions occurring in higher streamflow years. Ice melt runoff provided 10% to 45% of annual streamflow volume, with higher fractions associated with higher flow years. Both rainfall and firn melt runoff contributed less than 13% of annual streamflow. Years with high streamflow were on average 1.43°C warmer than low streamflow years, and higher streamflow years had lower seasonal snow accumulation, earlier snowmelt and higher summer rainfall than years with lower streamflow. Greater ice exposure in warmer, low snowfall (high rainfall) years led to greater streamflow generation. The understanding gained here provides insight into how future climate and increased meteorological variability may impact glacier meltwater contributions to streamflow and downstream water availability as alpine glaciers continue to retreat.
Description
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Aubry-Wake, C., Pradhananga, D., Pomeroy, J. W. (2022). Diagnosing Hydrological Process Controls in Streamflow Generation and Variability in a 1 Glacierized Alpine Headwater Basin. Hydrological Processess, Volume36, Issue10. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14731, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14731. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
Keywords
Canadian Rockies, cold region hydrology, CRHM, glacio-hydrological modelling, mountain hydrology, streamflow
Citation
Aubry-Wake, C., Pradhananga, D., Pomeroy, J. W. (2022). Diagnosing Hydrological Process Controls in Streamflow Generation and Variability in a 1 Glacierized Alpine Headwater Basin. Hydrological Processess, Volume36, Issue10. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14731
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Citation
Aubry-Wake, C., Pradhananga, D., Pomeroy, J. W. (2022). Diagnosing Hydrological Process Controls in Streamflow Generation and Variability in a 1 Glacierized Alpine Headwater Basin. Hydrological Processess, Volume36, Issue10. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14731
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DOI
10.1002/hyp.14731