Mountain hydrology

The following paper is now available online:

The highlights of the paper are:

• Model and multiple source data required to unravel Himalayan hydrology
• Debris thickness can be reconstructed using UAV data and the energy balance
• Similar magnitude of modeled debris-covered and debris-free glacier mass balances
• Avalanches play a significant role in runoff generation
• Most important contributors to total runoff are snowmelt (40%) and rainfall (34%)

GlacierHub featured an item about the UAV workshop in Kathmandu and the UAV studies performed by us in Nepal.

Utrecht University together with ICIMOD, FutureWater and Kathmandu University organized a successful workshop in Kathmandu titled “Glacier monitoring in the Himalayas using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles” . In the morning a broad overview was presented of potential applications of UAVs in different fields with a particular focus on glaciological applications. In the afternoon a successful demonstration was conducted on the cricket pitch of Tribhuvan University. The workshop was attended by representatives of the Department for International Development, the army, the police, the civil aviation authority and universities.

Group photo of the workshop attendees

Raw image taken by the UAV during the demo flight (2.5 cm resolution)

Orthomosaic of the Kirtipur Cricket ground made from the images captured during the demo flight

UAV manufacturer senseFly from Switzerland uses our Lirung Glacier UAV study that was performed using their Swinglet CAM UAV as a case study to promote scientific use of their drones. Currently a glossy article is available and soon there will be an addition to their website as well.