Water, Ice, and Meteorological Measurements at South Cascade Glacier, Washington, 1996 Balance Year

By Robert M. Krimmel

Abstract

Winter snow accumulation and summer snow, firn, and ice melt were measured at South Cascade Glacier, Washington to determine the winter and net balances for the 1996 balance year. The 1996 winter balance, averaged over the glacier, was 2.94 meters, and the net balance was 0.10 meter. The winter balance was approximately 0.6 meter greater than the 1977-95 average winter balance (2.30 meters). The net balance, which was positive for the first time since 1984, was more than a meter greater than the 1977-95 average net balance (-0.96 meter). The glacier retreated about 15 meters from its 1995 position. Runoff was measured from the glacier and an adjacent non- glacierized basin. Air temperature, precipitation, and barometric pressure were measured nearby. This report makes these data available to the glaciological and climatological community.

Krimmel, R.M., 1997, Water, ice, and meteorological measurements at South Cascade Glacier, Washington, 1996 balance year: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 97-4143, 34 p.