The hydrology, glaciology and sediment transport monitoring of the glacial-river-lake system in the Miers Valley, Antarctica

A three year hydrological, glaciological and sediment transport monitoring programme was conducted in the Miers Valley. The energy and mass balances of the glacier-river-lake system was investigated and data was collected to study and quantify the seasonal variability of glacier behaviour and surface water hydrology, develop a water balance for the Miers Valley hydrologic system, determine the importance of temperature in controlling viscosity and the transformational potential of both air and water media, to quantify sediment sources, the relative importance of sediment transporting media and how these vary both spatially and temporally and to quantify the albedo properties of the various surficial material found throughout the valley. Three automated hydrometric sites were installed together with climate monitoring equipment. A 120° V notch weir was installed on the Adams Stream approximately 150m downstream of the glacier front and a 60° flume was installed on the Miers stream the same distance from the glacier snout. Another 120° V notch weir was installed on the lower Miers stream 300m below the lake outlet. Stream bed profiles were made at each hydrometric site. Three profiles were also measured. Two fully automated climate stations were established close to the hydrometric sites on the upper Miers and Adams streams. Quarter hourly data values of fourteen different variables were recorded at three sites including air temperature, water temperature, humidity, incoming solar radiation, wind direction and speed and soil temperature. A network of ablation poles were installed on the Miers and Adams glaciers. Three rows of five ablation poles were installed on each glacier. A survey of each glacier’s snouts was also conducted. The position of each pole was determined from survey control sites adjacent to and above each glacier. The sedimentary facies of the valley were mapped and the aeolian sediment transport processes were monitored. Megaripples that occur on the Miers-Adams delta were mapped and measurements were taken of their size and extent. Their orientation and the general ground slope on which the features were located were also recorded. The glacial, fluvial, lacustrine and aeolian sediments and the local basement (for sediment source) of the valley were mapped in detail. Existing survey bench marks and newly established ones were used to provide control stations for survey of the valley and glaciers. 21 photogrammetric height and planimetric control marks were established. Suitable features were observed and measured and graphically described to assist aerial photographic identification. The lake level of Lake Miers was measured at the eastern outlet and lake ice level was surveyed.