
Search

Home >> Responses to Climate Change Program >> Snow, Glacial and Ice impacts and Adaptation

Responses to Climate Change Program

Snow, Glacial and Ice impacts and Adaptation

RCC Program Home		Team Identification
Adaptation Challenges and Opportunities		Pilots and Demonstrations
Adaptation Implementation Framework		Regional Climate Impact Assessments
Climate Change Adaptation Communication		Regulatory Aspects of Climate Change and Adaptation
Coastal Storm Adaptation		Sea-Level Change Adaptation
Ecosystem Adaptation		Snow, Glacial, Ice Impacts and Adaptation
Greenhouse Gas Accounting		Vulnerability Assessments and Reporting
Hydrology to Support Adaptation		Water Management Adaptation

Significant climate change has been observed in the cryosphere, particularly in snow-dominated watersheds in the western U.S. and Pacific Northwest (Brekke et al 2009, Karl et al. 2009). Changing coastal, glacial, ice and permafrost conditions in Alaska are well documented (ACIA, 2004). Lake and river ice impacts due to climate change in the continental U.S., though less well documented, are also impacting USACE operations. This team will compile existing literature on sea-ice coastal vulnerabilities, changing glacial conditions, altered river and lake ice regimes and climate impacts to snowmelt in the context of USACE operations. The initial effort will evaluate changes in river ice regimes with respect to published USGS statistical analyses of river ice cover in the context of USACE operations and emergency management. This information will be provided in the form of processes, methods and guidance, including the Climate Change Engineer Manual, and will provide input to other teams.

revised 17 November 2011

Photo of dry cracked soil with leaves growing through