Hydrological characteristics of the Dokriani Glacier in the Garhwal Himalayas

Abstract

Observations of discharge, temperature and suspended sediment made at a gauging site established near the snout of the Dokriani glacier in the western Himalayan region are presented. These observations were made during a scientific expedition to this glacier over 21 days (23.8.1992-12.9.1992). Because of harsh weather conditions, observations could not be made for a longer period. The minimum streamflow in the glacier melt stream was observed at 0700 h whereas the maximum was observed at 1800 h. The ratio of maximum to minimum flow was computed to be 1.81 from the continuous hourly observations. Based on an analysis of the recession of the hydrograph, it was found that the meltwater time lag from the accumulation zone of the glacier was more than seven times higher than that from the ablation zone. No specific relationship was observed between suspended sediment and discharge. The average values of the suspended sediment concentration and load were found to be 350 ppm and 180 t day" 1 , respectively, for the study period. Weathering processes in different zones of the glacier were also studied to find out the source of the sediment transported by the meltwater into the melt stream. A high correlation coefficient (r = 0.89) was found between the glacier specific runoff and the air temperature at the gauging site. It showed that temperature alone can represent the melting of the glacier and may be considered for the hydrological modelling of glacier melt runoff. Based on observations over three days under clear weather conditions for isolated snow blocks, the average snowmelt factor was computed to be 5.4 mm /(°C. 6 h). Caractéristiques hydrologiques du glacier Dokriani, Garhwal Himalaya Résumé Les observations de débit, de température et de matières en suspension réalisées à la station de jaugeage établie près de la langue du glacier Dokriani dans l'Ouest de la région himalayenne sont présentées ici. Ces observations ont été réalisées dans le cadre d'une expédition scientifique d'une durée de 21 jours (23.8.1992-12.9.1992). En raison de rudes conditions météorologiques, il n'a pas été possible de poursuivre les observations plus longtemps. Le débit minimum de fonte a été observé à 0700 heures, cependant que le maximum de ce débit a été observé à 1800 heures. Le rapport du maximum de débit au minimum de débit a été estimé à 1.81 à partir d'observations horaires. L'analyse des Open for discussion until I October 1995

Diurnal variations in discharge and suspended sediment concentration, including runoff-delaying characteristics, of the Gangotri Glacier in the Garhwal Himalayas

“…Gurnell et al (1994) examined the differences between proglacial suspendedsediment transport from an Arctic and an Alpine glacier through changes in the parameters of linear regression models estimated for successive periods during melt seasons. For the Himalayan region, runoff and sediment transportation studies for some glaciers have been carried out by Singh et al (1995Singh et al ( , 2003, Hasnain (1996) and Hasnain and Thayyen (1999). Large-scale basin studies suggest that the rivers that drain parts of Asia carry a major part of the world's sediment loads.…”

Hydrochemical evaluation of changing glacier meltwater contribution to stream discharge: Callejon de Huaylas, Peru / Evaluation hydrochimique de la contribution évolutive de la fonte glaciaire à l'écoulement fluvial: Callejon de Huaylas, Pérou

“…This method has been used in alpine glacier settings, utilizing the dissolved ionic species and stable isotopes (e.g. Sharp et al, 1995;Singh et al, 1995;Laudon & Slaymaker, 1997). This technique holds good promise in the context of quantifying the impact of melting Andean glaciers to water resources.…”

Snow and glacier melt in the Satluj River at Bhakra Dam in the western Himalayan region

“…The perennial nature of Himalayan rivers and the appropriate topographic setting of the region provide a substantial exploitable hydropower potential in this area. Singh et al (1995Singh et al ( , 2000 have studied the hydrological aspects of the Himalayan glacierized basins, including the relationship between discharge and meteorological parameters. These studies provide a better understanding of the generation of meltwater and its drainage from the glacierized basin.…”