ABSTRACT Glaciers in the western USA contribute summer meltwater to regional hydrological systems. In the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, where glaciers do not exist, rock glaciers serve that function during the summer runoff period. Most rock glaciers in Colorado are located on northern slopes in mountainous areas; however, some rock glaciers in southwest Colorado have different aspects. In this study, we asked how slope aspect and rising air temperatures influence the hydrological processes of streams sourced from rock glaciers in the San Juan Mountains. We focused on three adjacent basins, Yankee Boy basin, Blue Lakes basin, and Mill Creek basin, which share a common peak, Gilpin Peak. Using HOBO® U20-001–04 water-level loggers, streamflow data were collected in each of these basins, below each rock glacier. Air temperature significantly influenced stream discharge below the rock glacier. Discharge and air temperature patterns indicate a possible air temperature threshold during late summer when rock glacier melt increases at a greater rate. The results also suggest that the aspect of rock glacier basins influences stream discharge, but that temperature and precipitation are likely larger components of melt regimes.

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科罗拉多州圣胡安山脉岩石冰川盆地的地表水文过程

摘要 美国西部的冰川为区域水文系统贡献了夏季融水。在没有冰川的科罗拉多州圣胡安山脉，岩石冰川在夏季径流期间发挥着这一作用。科罗拉多州的大部分岩石冰川位于山区的北坡；然而，科罗拉多州西南部的一些岩石冰川有不同的方面。在这项研究中，我们询问了坡度和气温上升如何影响源自圣胡安山脉岩石冰川的溪流的水文过程。我们专注于三个相邻的盆地，扬基博伊盆地、蓝湖盆地和米尔溪盆地，它们共享一个共同的山峰吉尔平峰。使用 HOBO® U20-001-04 水位记录仪，在每个岩石冰川下方的每个盆地中收集流量数据。气温显着影响岩石冰川下方的河流流量。流量和空气温度模式表明在夏末岩石冰川融化以更大的速度增加时可能存在空气温度阈值。结果还表明，岩石冰川盆地的方面影响河流流量，但温度和降水可能是融化状态的较大组成部分。