scholarly journals Impact of subglacial hydrology on the release of water from temporary storage in an Alpine glacier

2005 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 67-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick J. Rutter
Keyword(s):  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Water Transfer ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Alpine Glacier ◽  
Diurnal Cycles ◽  
Borehole Water ◽  
Hydraulic Gradients ◽  
Phase Relationships

AbstractPeriods of storage and release of surface runoff that is routed englacially and subglacially are identified from a time series of cumulative water balance between 31 July and 11 September 1999 at Findelengletscher, Switzerland. The influence of subglacial hydrology on water routing within the glacier, and therefore on trends of water storage and release, is determined through comparisons of phase relationships between daily maxima, daily minima and diurnal ranges of borehole water levels, supraglacial runoff and proglacial discharge. Variations of water levels in 21 boreholes in the ablation zone suggest that although subglacial drainage is spatially dynamic, hydrologically efficient tunnel–conduit-style drainage dominates diurnal cycles of water transfer through the glacier. Over longer periods, however, storage and release of subglacially routed water is greatly influenced by the coexistence of, and temporary interconnections between, hydrologically inefficient distributed drainage and the tunnel–conduit network. Water levels in three boreholes indicate that after water storage increases in distributed drainage, hydraulic gradients between the different drainage systems may increase sufficiently to cause connections that initiate release of water when: (1) low maximum daily surface runoff causes low water pressures in the tunnel–conduit system; or (2) reorganization within distributed drainage causes spatially localized increases in water pressure.

Interaction between water pressure in the basal drainage system and discharge from an Alpine glacier before and during a rainfall-induced subglacial hydrological event

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 288-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew P. Barrett ◽  
David N. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Drainage Network ◽  
Alpine Glacier ◽  
Hydraulic Conditions ◽  
Borehole Water ◽  
Progressive Growth ◽  
Resultant Increase

Combined measurements of meltwater discharge from the portal and of water level in a borehole drilled to the bed of Findelengletscher, Switzerland, were obtained during the later part of the 1993 ablation season. A severe storm, lasting from 22 through 24 September, produced at least 130 mm of precipitation over the glacier, largely as rain. The combined hydrological records indicate periods during which the basal drainage system became constricted and water storage in the glacier increased, as well as phases of channel growth. During the storm, water pressure generally increased as water backed up in the drainage network. Abrupt, temporary falls in borehole water level were accompanied by pulses in portal discharge. On 24 September, whilst borehole water level continued to rise, water started to escape under pressure with a resultant increase in discharge. As the drainage network expanded, a large amount of debris was flushed from a wide area of the bed. Progressive growth in channel capacity as discharge increased enabled stored water to drain and borehole water level to fall rapidly. Possible relationships between observed borehole water levels and water pressures in subglacial channels are influenced by hydraulic conditions at the base of the hole, distance between the hole and a channel, and the nature of the substrate.

Interaction between water pressure in the basal drainage system and discharge from an Alpine glacier before and during a rainfall-induced subglacial hydrological event

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 288-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew P. Barrett ◽  
David N. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Drainage Network ◽  
Alpine Glacier ◽  
Hydraulic Conditions ◽  
Borehole Water ◽  
Progressive Growth ◽  
Resultant Increase

Combined measurements of meltwater discharge from the portal and of water level in a borehole drilled to the bed of Findelengletscher, Switzerland, were obtained during the later part of the 1993 ablation season. A severe storm, lasting from 22 through 24 September, produced at least 130 mm of precipitation over the glacier, largely as rain. The combined hydrological records indicate periods during which the basal drainage system became constricted and water storage in the glacier increased, as well as phases of channel growth. During the storm, water pressure generally increased as water backed up in the drainage network. Abrupt, temporary falls in borehole water level were accompanied by pulses in portal discharge. On 24 September, whilst borehole water level continued to rise, water started to escape under pressure with a resultant increase in discharge. As the drainage network expanded, a large amount of debris was flushed from a wide area of the bed. Progressive growth in channel capacity as discharge increased enabled stored water to drain and borehole water level to fall rapidly. Possible relationships between observed borehole water levels and water pressures in subglacial channels are influenced by hydraulic conditions at the base of the hole, distance between the hole and a channel, and the nature of the substrate.

scholarly journals Modelling the evolution of subglacial tunnels due to varying water input

1998 ◽  
Vol 44 (148) ◽  
pp. 485-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Cutler
Keyword(s):  
Water Pressure ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Initial Shape ◽  
Initial Area ◽  
Physically Based ◽  
Dimensional Finite Element ◽  
Borehole Water ◽  
Low Tunnels ◽  
Tunnel Cross Section

AbstractThe time evolution of a subglacial tunnel cross-section is examined usine a two-dimensional finite-element ice-flow model coupled to an idealized drainage system. Simulations are driven by physically based calculations of surface water-input variations at Slorgiaciaren, Sweden. Highlights of the model are its ability to handle unsteady conditions and irregular tunnel shapes. Agreement between modelled water pressure and borehole water levels is good. The following conclusions are reached: (i) Tunnels adapt to fluctuating inflow on time-scales of days. Storms, during which effective pressure ranges from 0 to 0.9 MPa, cause significant adjustments but daily fluctuations due solely to melt-water inflow are minor, (ii) Open-channel flow may become commonplace late in the ablation season, (iii) Initial tunnel shape influences subsequent tunnel evolution and seasonal water-pressure variation. Over the course of a summer, tunnels retain some of their initial shape, though in all experiments the width-to-height ratio increased with time, (iv) Tunnel contraction forms broad low tunnels. However, (v) given two tunnels of equal initial area, the higher narrower one expands more rapidly. Thus, more semi-circular tunnels may capture How from broader neighbours early in the summer.

scholarly journals Estimation of subglacial hydraulic properties from induced changes in basal water pressure: a theoretical framework for borehole-response tests

1993 ◽  
Vol 39 (132) ◽  
pp. 327-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan B. Stone ◽  
Garry K.C. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Skin Friction ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Turbulent Transport ◽  
Basal Layer ◽  
Coupled System ◽  
Yukon Territory ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Borehole Water

AbstractIn this paper we develop a theoretical model describing water motion in a coupled borehole-subglacial flow system. The theory applies to basal drainage systems having multiple and extensive interconnected flow paths. Within this domain it encompasses a broad range of flow regimes, from laminar Darcian flow in a thick permeable unit to turbulent sheet flow in a very thin layer. Important terms in the model are highlighted by recasting the problem in dimensionless form. The non-dimensional formulation indicates that there are four free parameters in the coupled system. These parameters characterize skin friction in the borehole, and diffusion, transmissivity and turbulent transport in the subglacial flow layer. Dimensionless results show that, under most circumstances, the effects of skin friction in the borehole are negligible. Diffusion, transmissivity and especially turbulent transport in the basal layer are found to influence subglacial water flow strongly. We use our model to predict fluctuations of borehole-water levels that result from different types of disturbances. We show how this framework can be used to estimate subglacial hydraulic properties by comparing model results with data collected during field experiments on Trapridge Glacier, Yukon Territory, Canada in 1989 and 1990.

scholarly journals Determining the evolution of an alpine glacier drainage system by solving inverse problems

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Inigo Irarrazaval ◽  
Mauro A. Werder ◽  
Matthias Huss ◽  
Frederic Herman ◽  
Gregoire Mariethoz
Keyword(s):  
Field Data ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Stochastic Approach ◽  
Channel Networks ◽  
Alpine Glacier ◽  
Transit Times ◽  
Borehole Water ◽  
State Water

Abstract Our understanding of the subglacial drainage system has improved markedly over the last decades due to field observations and numerical modelling. However, integrating data into increasingly complex numerical models remain challenging. Here we infer two-dimensional subglacial channel networks and hydraulic parameters for Gorner Glacier, Switzerland, based on available field data at five specific times (snapshots) across the melt season of 2005. The field dataset is one of the most complete available, including borehole water pressure, tracer experiments and meteorological variables. Yet, these observations are still too sparse to fully characterize the drainage system and thus, a unique solution is neither expected nor desirable. We use a geostatistical generator and a steady-state water flow model to produce a set of subglacial channel networks that are consistent with measured water pressure and tracer-transit times. Field data are used to infer hydraulic and morphological parameters of the channels under the assumption that the location of channels persists during the melt season. Results indicate that it is possible to identify locations where subglacial channels are more likely. In addition, we show that different network structures can equally satisfy the field data, which support the use of a stochastic approach to infer unobserved subglacial features.

scholarly journals Water storage and subglacial drainage conditions inferred from borehole measurements on Gornergletscher, Valais, Switzerland

1996 ◽  
Vol 42 (141) ◽  
pp. 233-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Almut Iken ◽  
Kristian Fabri ◽  
Martin Funk
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Sediment Layer ◽  
Northern Margin ◽  
Upstream Side ◽  
Different Depths ◽  
Subglacial Drainage

AbstractMeasurements of change in length of a borehole, or displacements of poles and of subglacial Water pressure were combined with drainage tests and electrode tests in boreholes, in experiments near the northern margin of Gornergletscher, Valais, Switzerland, at the upstream side of an overdeepening. The measurements suggest that the subglacial drainage system consisted of discrete conduits at that location, presumably linked cavities on “clean” bedrock. Changes in subglacial water pressure were followed by variations in subglacial water storage, together with similar variations in elevation of a pole. The variations in subglacial water storage caused changes in cross-sections of subglacial passageways and thereby changed the frequencies of slug-test oscillations. Similar experiments conducted near the center line of the glacier revealed different subglacial conditions: impeded drainage through a sediment layer, and different depths of water levels in different boreholes. These results are discussed in relation to previous studies.

scholarly journals Estimation of subglacial hydraulic properties from induced changes in basal water pressure: a theoretical framework for borehole-response tests

1993 ◽  
Vol 39 (132) ◽  
pp. 327-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan B. Stone ◽  
Garry K.C. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Skin Friction ◽  
Hydraulic Properties ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Turbulent Transport ◽  
Basal Layer ◽  
Coupled System ◽  
Yukon Territory ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Borehole Water

AbstractIn this paper we develop a theoretical model describing water motion in a coupled borehole-subglacial flow system. The theory applies to basal drainage systems having multiple and extensive interconnected flow paths. Within this domain it encompasses a broad range of flow regimes, from laminar Darcian flow in a thick permeable unit to turbulent sheet flow in a very thin layer. Important terms in the model are highlighted by recasting the problem in dimensionless form. The non-dimensional formulation indicates that there are four free parameters in the coupled system. These parameters characterize skin friction in the borehole, and diffusion, transmissivity and turbulent transport in the subglacial flow layer. Dimensionless results show that, under most circumstances, the effects of skin friction in the borehole are negligible. Diffusion, transmissivity and especially turbulent transport in the basal layer are found to influence subglacial water flow strongly. We use our model to predict fluctuations of borehole-water levels that result from different types of disturbances. We show how this framework can be used to estimate subglacial hydraulic properties by comparing model results with data collected during field experiments on Trapridge Glacier, Yukon Territory, Canada in 1989 and 1990.

scholarly journals Water storage and subglacial drainage conditions inferred from borehole measurements on Gornergletscher, Valais, Switzerland

1996 ◽  
Vol 42 (141) ◽  
pp. 233-248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Almut Iken ◽  
Kristian Fabri ◽  
Martin Funk
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Sediment Layer ◽  
Northern Margin ◽  
Upstream Side ◽  
Different Depths ◽  
Subglacial Drainage

AbstractMeasurements of change in length of a borehole, or displacements of poles and of subglacial Water pressure were combined with drainage tests and electrode tests in boreholes, in experiments near the northern margin of Gornergletscher, Valais, Switzerland, at the upstream side of an overdeepening. The measurements suggest that the subglacial drainage system consisted of discrete conduits at that location, presumably linked cavities on “clean” bedrock. Changes in subglacial water pressure were followed by variations in subglacial water storage, together with similar variations in elevation of a pole. The variations in subglacial water storage caused changes in cross-sections of subglacial passageways and thereby changed the frequencies of slug-test oscillations. Similar experiments conducted near the center line of the glacier revealed different subglacial conditions: impeded drainage through a sediment layer, and different depths of water levels in different boreholes. These results are discussed in relation to previous studies.

scholarly journals Modelling the evolution of subglacial tunnels due to varying water input

1998 ◽  
Vol 44 (148) ◽  
pp. 485-497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Cutler
Keyword(s):  
Water Pressure ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Initial Shape ◽  
Initial Area ◽  
Physically Based ◽  
Dimensional Finite Element ◽  
Borehole Water ◽  
Low Tunnels ◽  
Tunnel Cross Section

AbstractThe time evolution of a subglacial tunnel cross-section is examined usine a two-dimensional finite-element ice-flow model coupled to an idealized drainage system. Simulations are driven by physically based calculations of surface water-input variations at Slorgiaciaren, Sweden. Highlights of the model are its ability to handle unsteady conditions and irregular tunnel shapes. Agreement between modelled water pressure and borehole water levels is good. The following conclusions are reached: (i) Tunnels adapt to fluctuating inflow on time-scales of days. Storms, during which effective pressure ranges from 0 to 0.9 MPa, cause significant adjustments but daily fluctuations due solely to melt-water inflow are minor, (ii) Open-channel flow may become commonplace late in the ablation season, (iii) Initial tunnel shape influences subsequent tunnel evolution and seasonal water-pressure variation. Over the course of a summer, tunnels retain some of their initial shape, though in all experiments the width-to-height ratio increased with time, (iv) Tunnel contraction forms broad low tunnels. However, (v) given two tunnels of equal initial area, the higher narrower one expands more rapidly. Thus, more semi-circular tunnels may capture How from broader neighbours early in the summer.

scholarly journals Optimal Operation of Floodwater Resources Utilization of Lakes in South-to-North Water Transfer Eastern Route Project

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4857
Author(s):  
Zitong Yang ◽  
Xianfeng Huang ◽  
Jiao Liu ◽  
Guohua Fang
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Resource Utilization ◽  
Flood Control ◽  
Optimal Operation ◽  
Water Transfer ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Reservoir Storage ◽  
Flood Season ◽  
Hongze Lake ◽  
North Water

In order to meet the demand of emergency water supply in the northern region without affecting normal water transfer, considering the use of the existing South-to-North Water Transfer eastern route project to explore the potential of floodwater resource utilization in the flood season of Hongze Lake and Luoma Lake in Jiangsu Province, this paper carried out relevant optimal operating research. First, the hydraulic linkages between the lakes were generalized, then the water resources allocation mode and the scale of existing projects were clarified. After that, the actual available amount of flood resources in the lakes was evaluated. The average annual available floodwater resources in 2003–2017 was 1.49 billion m3, and the maximum available capacity was 30.84 billion m3. Then, using the floodwater resource utilization method of multi period flood limited water levels, the research period was divided into the main flood season (15 July to 15 August) and the later flood season (16 August to 10 September, 11 September to 30 September) by the Systematic Clustering Analysis method. After the flood control calculation, the limited water level of Hongze Lake in the later flood season can be raised from 12.5 m to 13.0 m, and the capacity of reservoir storage can increase to 696 million m3. The limited water level of Luoma Lake can be raised from 22.5 m to 23.0 m (16 August to 10 September), 23.5 m (11 September to 30 September), and the capacity of reservoir storage can increase from 150 to 300 million m3. Finally, establishing the floodwater resource optimization model of the lake group with the goals of maximizing the floodwater transfer amount and minimizing the flood control risk rate, the optimal water allocation scheme is obtained through the optimization algorithm.

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