Geodetic and Glaciological Mass Balance of Eklutna Glacier, Alaska, from 2010 to 2023

Authors: Brisbois, Caroline M. Alaska Pacific University

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Abstract

Eklutna Glacier meltwater provides drinking water and hydroelectric power generation via downstream Eklutna Lake to Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, but is rapidly thinning and retreating. Monitoring glacier mass loss is critical for water resources management and planning. Alaska Pacific University (APU) has been monitoring Eklutna Glacier since 2008 with bi-annual field studies to collect traditional glaciological mass balance measurements (e.g. ablation stakes and snow density pits/cores). While this method is necessary for seasonal measurements and general understanding of the glacier's dynamics, geodetic mass balance methods using repeat digital elevation models (DEMs) have become more common to quantify long-term mass change trends. Therefore, acquiring high resolution elevation data for Eklutna Glacier has become an important part of APU's glacier monitoring program. This study incorporates multiple remote sensing techniques to calculate geodetic mass balance from 2010 to 2023. Utilizing LiDAR, Structure from Motion (SfM) methods, and satellite stereo pairs, we compare geodetic methods with traditional glaciological methods. We will show that Eklutna Glacier mass balance is accelerating at a negative rate, on trend with other Alaskan glaciers. This research has direct implications for Eklutna Lake water utilities who rely on predictions of quantity and timing of discharge fluctuations for managing the lake's water budget, as the glacier has finite mass to lose before it can no longer sustain the same rate of melt.

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