CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Brewis, T.; and Menounos, B.
Date : 2011.
Title : Twentieth century glacier change and surface runoff modeling, Canoe Basin, B.C.
Publication : 2011 Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the Canadian Association of Geographers. March 10-12, 2011. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC.
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
The Columbia River is a vital freshwater resource in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. Runoff from snow and glaciers represent important sources of water, but the total contribution of glaciers to streamflow in the Columbia Basin remains uncertain. We quantify area and volume loss of glaciers in the Canoe Basin, a 300 km2 headwater basin of the Columbia River, since 1955, and examine the impacts of glacier and climate change on streamflow. Using digital photogrammetry, we extracted glacier extents from five decades of air photos (1955, 1970, 1985, 1996 and 2005), and collected mass points on a 100 m grid to estimate volume change. Many glaciers in the Canoe Basin advanced from 1955 to 1985 and then retreated. One glacier complex in the watershed showed continuous retreat from 1955 to 2005. Our next step is to use the HBV-EC semi-distributed conceptual hydrologic model to simulate streamflow and glacier melt in the Canoe River. We will calibrate the model using the Water Survey of Canada streamflow record and the change in glacier volume extracted from air photos. The reconstructed streamflow record will be analyzed in comparison to climate and glacier change, to determine how these factors affect the timing and quantity of runoff. The model will also be forced with various emission scenar¬ios for the 21st century to estimate future changes in surface runoff in the Canoe Basin
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology