Abstract
ABSTRACTThe retention and release of liquid water in glacierized basins was modelled with a conceptual, semi-distributed model of the water and ice balance designed for long-term averages with monthly resolution for 100 m elevation bands. Here we present the components of the liquid water balance of 86 mostly glacierized basins on either side of the main Alpine divide between 10 and 13°E in the period 1998–2006 and compare them with the records of 30 basins monitored from 1970 to 1997. Basin average of liquid water retention has maxima in excess of 100 mm per month in May, often followed by maximum release when the retaining snow matrix melts. Glacier storage peaks in August partly due to ice melt and the ensuing filling of the englacial reservoirs and partly on account of a precipitation maximum. These two components combined to a common maximum of storage in summer in the first period 1970–97 and developed two distinct maxima in the warmer period 1998–2006. A further maximum of liquid water storage that was often found in October is most likely due to a peak in precipitation in the southern part of the study region.
Highlights
In Alpine basins, liquid water may be stored in the ground, in vegetation, in snowpack and glaciers, in rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and to a negligible amount in the atmosphere
Values of liquid water storage (LWS), solid storage and cumulative w.e. of solid storage are shown in Table 2, all expressed in mm w.e
A Monte Carlo simulation of LWS in one large basin indicated a standard deviation of mm w.e. in May and less in other months
Summary
In Alpine basins, liquid water may be stored in the ground, in vegetation, in snowpack and glaciers, in rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and to a negligible amount in the atmosphere. We model the rain fraction in precipitation and the amount of meltwater produced for each month, compare them with the measured basin runoff and consider the difference to be storage or release of liquid water.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call