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The fate of Dinwoody Glacier: present state of mass balance and downstream impacts of glacier runoff

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dc.contributor.authorStamper, Brooke E., author
dc.contributor.authorBliss, Andrew K., advisor
dc.contributor.authorGrigg, Neil S., committee member
dc.contributor.authorFassnacht, Steven R., committee member
dc.date.accessioned2018-09-10T20:05:56Z
dc.date.available2018-09-10T20:05:56Z
dc.date.issued2018
dc.description.abstractThe Wind River Range in Wyoming supports many of the few remaining continental glaciers of the North American Rocky Mountains; the glacier meltwater runoff feeds four major river systems within the U.S. West. Runoff from glaciers affects downstream ecosystems by influencing the quantity, seasonality, and chemistry of the water. We describe the present state of Dinwoody Glacier, the fourth largest glacier in the Wind River Range. We utilize photogrammetry, snow depth measurements, and ablation measurements to characterize surface mass balance for summer of 2017. Localized and nearby stream gauge measurements help to quantify glacial meltwater runoff inputs to Dinwoody Creek. Both of these methods allowed us to put the changes of the Dinwoody Glacier into the broader context of the Missouri River Watershed. If melted, Dinwoody Glacier would no longer provide a reliable source of melt water for thousands of people living in the Missouri River Watershed. Understanding how shrinking glaciers and decreasing melt-water runoff will impact communities and ecosystems downstream is critical for effective environmental management. The response of the Wind River glaciers to future climate is uncertain; however, past research has shown declines in glacial mass, snow cover, snowmelt timing and stream power. The data we collected in the summer of 2017 tells the story of a quickly diminishing and critical resource despite 2017 being a uniquely wet and cold year. While glacier meltwater runoff contributions to Dinwoody Creek were above average, the Accumulation Area Ratio for Dinwoody Glacier in 2017 was 21% suggesting a glacier in severe recession.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifierStamper_colostate_0053N_15100.pdf
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/191493
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartof2000-2019
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectglacial recession
dc.subjectwater resource management
dc.subjectWind River Range
dc.subjectmass balance
dc.subjectclimate change
dc.subjectWind River Indian Reservation
dc.titleThe fate of Dinwoody Glacier: present state of mass balance and downstream impacts of glacier runoff
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineEcology
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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