Richardson et al. (2026) Potential Warming‐Induced Changes in Stream Water Sources Between Proglacial and Non‐Glacial Streams, South‐Central Alaska

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Hydrological Processes
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-07-28
• Authors: H. K. Richardson, Anna J. Bergstrom, Joshua C. Koch, Z. A. Frederick, J. B. Shanley, E. H. Baker
• DOI: 10.1002/hyp.70654

Research Groups

• University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute
• University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Civil Engineering

Short Summary

This study investigates the shift from a glacierized to a deglaciating landscape through the lens of source water contribution in sub-watersheds of the Nellie Juan River watershed on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula.

Objective

• Investigate spatial and seasonal source water contributions across sub-watersheds of the Nellie Juan River watershed, differing in glacier cover, elevation, and land cover.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Sub-watersheds of the Nellie Juan River watershed on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula.
• Temporal Scale: Seasonal (year-round) observations.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Three-endmember mixing model to quantify contributions of rain, snow/ice-melt, and deep groundwater.
• Data sources: Field measurements and satellite data.

Main Results

• Snow/ice-melt peak later in proglacial streams compared to non-glacial streams.
• Endmember contributions in non-glacial streams generally vary with elevation and season.
• Groundwater is a major contributor to streamflow across the study area, contributing between 12% and 47% seasonally.

Contributions

• This research provides new insights into the shift from a glacierized to a deglaciating landscape through the lens of source water contribution.
• The findings highlight the importance of considering groundwater contributions in glacierized watersheds under changing climate conditions.

Funding

• National Science Foundation (NSF) grant number [insert grant number]
• University of Alaska Fairbanks Research Office

Citation

@article{Richardson2026Potential,
  author = {Richardson, H. K. and Bergstrom, Anna J. and Koch, Joshua C. and Frederick, Z. A. and Shanley, J. B. and Baker, E. H.},
  title = {Potential Warming‐Induced Changes in Stream Water Sources Between Proglacial and Non‐Glacial Streams, South‐Central Alaska},
  journal = {Hydrological Processes},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1002/hyp.70654},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.70654}
}