Glacier studies in British Columbia

The Water Resources Branch, Canada Department of Northern Affairs and Natural Resources has made surveys of selected glaciers since 1945 to determine the effect of glacier variation on runoff. the glaciers selected for study were the Helm, Sentinel, and Sphinx, all of which are in Garibaldi Park, and the Kokanee and Illecillewaet Glaciers in the Selkirk Mountains. These glaciers were surveyed annually through 1950 and have been surveyed biennially since that time. In each case, reference points have been established and distances of the glacier forefoot from these points have been measured, or the forefoot has been mapped in relation to the markers. Camera stations have also been established. Since 1947, surface velocities have been measured by means of markers set in the ice. Changes of thickness have been measured by cross sections. Data on frontal variations for the period 1945-58 are tabulated, a summary of early observations is included.