Abstract ID: 3.11576 | Accepted as Talk | Talk | TBA | TBA

As glaciers retreat in the Canadian subarctic, many leave behind massive ice deposits within the ground, amplifying the hydrological influence of proglacial areas. This study examines groundwater recharge dynamics in the ice-rich proglacial zone of Shár Shaw Tagà (Grizzly Creek), a glacierized catchment in the St. Elias Mountains, Yukon. Using hydrometeorological monitoring, wavelet coherence analysis, and mass balance modeling, we assess the contribution of different cryospheric components to aquifer recharge. Field observations from summer 2022 reveal that springs at the study area’s outlet exhibit spatially heterogeneous flow patterns—some maintaining perennial discharge, while others respond primarily to rainfall events. Qualitative analysis and wavelet coherence results, based on pressure transducer measurements of electrical conductivity, water temperature, and water level, suggest limited or no direct connection between the springs, glaciers, and proglacial zone. A water balance model estimating seasonal and annual contributions from ice melt and precipitation indicates a significant water budget deficit at the system’s outlet. These findings highlight the crucial role of proglacial areas in subsurface water transfer, suggesting that deglaciating catchments may experience a disconnection between glacial drainage and downstream surface and shallow groundwater flows. Understanding these hidden pathways is essential for predicting hydrological changes in rapidly evolving proglacial environments.