THE SMALL EARTH NEPAL

On 29 November 2022, The Small Earth Nepal (SEN) , with support from University Grant Commission (UGC) and in association with Center for Research on Energy, Environment and Water (CREEW), International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), Society of Hydrologists and Meteorologists (SOHAM), Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (CDHM) and United Nations Environmental, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) organized a talk program on “The rapidly retreating glaciers of Western Canada and associated changes in mountain water” by Dr. Caroline Aubrey-Wake. The program was moderated by Dr. Dhiraj Pradhananga (President, SEN; Associate Professor, Tribhuvan University) and chaired by Prof. Hari Krishna Shrestha (Chairman, SOHAM). The introduction to the presenter was given by Ms. Nicky Shree Shrestha (Project Development Coordinator, SEN).

Dr. Caroline Aubry-Wake recently defended her Ph.D. thesis at the University of Saskatchewan, looking at how different hydrological processes interact to generate streamflow in alpine glacierized basins. She is now a postdoctoral fellow at Utrecht University focusing on cryosphere-surface water-groundwater interactions in the Langtang basin.

Dr. Aubrey-Wake’s presentation discussed the Glacial retreat Scenario of the Peyto Glacier in Western Canada. She categorized her study of the Glaciation into two periods: 

• Current (2000-2015), 
• Pseudo Global Warming RCP 8.5 (~2085-2100)

Her version of the Peyto Glacier model managed to capture the seasonal mass-balance gradients and reproduced seasonal streamflow. The model predicted that the end-of-century weather in Peyto glacier would be 5˚C warmer and have 16% more precipitation. Pseudo Global Warming simulation showed a 7% decrease in annual streamflow, 93% increase in June flow with a 53% decrease in July – Aug flow, 30% decrease in peak flow, occurring one month earlier, and Winter flow events. 

A discussion session was facilitated by Ms. Barsha Lekhi (Indigenous Engagement Specialist at UNESCO). Different curiosities related to the hydrology and glaciers were elucidated by Dr. Aubrey-Wake. She explained how important it is to consider surface as well as subsurface hydrology research in mountain regions. But due to the scarcity of adequate data and the topography of the Himalayas, it is much more difficult to carry out research. Dr. Aubrey-Wake discussed the importance of the glaciers in the lowlands to carry out different activities. She also explained how the important components like permafrost and groundwater research in the mountain have not been carried out as much as they should be. With the short discussion session, the program ended with the closing remarks by Prof. Hari Krishna Shrestha.

The participants during Dr. Aubry-Wake’s Presentation

Ms. Barsha Lekhi opened the discussion floor

Dr. Caroline Aubry-Wake gave her presentation