modelling glacier melt and runoff

If there are glaciers, the runoff regimes of alpine regions is highly dominated by the glaciers melting water. Therefore it is particularly important to quantify the runoff fractions caused by glacier melt for water balance studies in (partly) glacierized basins.

WaSiM provides an integrated glacier module and is thus a suitable tool to cosider glacier melt and runoff. In long term simulations, the dynamic glacier model can even estimate retreat and advance of glaciers. Succesful model applications have been implemented for several river systems in Switzerland, e.g. the Massa basin (Aletsch glacier), the Rhone basin (Rhone glacier) or the alpine River Rhine basin (several small glaciers).