Glaciers in the Oregon Cascades and other Western states are rapidly disappearing due to climate change, according to a new analysis conducted by researchers at Portland State University and the U.S. Geological Survey. This finding underscores the impact of climate change not only in the polar regions but also in other parts of the world.
The melting of glaciers has serious implications for the environment and human communities. Glaciers function as natural reservoirs, providing cool water for streams during the driest and hottest periods of summer when the seasonal snowpack has already melted. They also serve as indicators of the health of snowpacks, which are crucial for supplying water systems.
One of the affected regions is the Hood River Basin in Oregon, where apple and pear orchards rely heavily on glacial meltwater from the Middle Fork of the Eliot River. However, with the disappearance of glaciers, this crucial water source is at risk of drying up.
Glacial melt has long been monitored in the polar regions but now researchers are observing its effects in the Western U.S. The study found that out of 612 federally listed glaciers in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, 50 are no longer considered glaciers due to their size and condition. Geologists define glaciers as covering at least 25 acres and consisting of ice, snow, rock, and sediment.
In Washington and Wyoming, two glaciers have already vanished completely. In the Cascade Range, which stretches through Oregon, 25 glaciers have been lost, including seven in the state. According to Professor Andrew Fountain, the lead researcher of the study, glaciers in Oregon and peaks south of Mount Hood could disappear entirely within the next 50 years.
The researchers utilized maps from the U.S. Geological Survey dating back to the 1940s and 1980s, as well as satellite imagery taken between 2013 and 2020, to identify and outline glaciers in the Western states. The inventory revealed a total of 1,331 glaciers, with a significant concentration in Washington state. Mount Rainier alone has more glacial cover than all the other states combined.
While most glaciers have been shrinking or disappearing, the only exception seems to be Crater Glacier on Mount St. Helens in Oregon, which has been growing in size since the volcano’s eruption in 1980.
The researchers plan to release another study detailing the volume and area changes of the federally listed glaciers over the past century. However, they emphasize that the loss of glaciers can only be slowed down by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, there is currently no state agency dedicated to protecting glaciers, making it a collective responsibility for individuals and communities to address this issue.
Unless urgent action is taken, the beautiful mountain landscapes of the Oregon Cascades and other Western states may soon resemble barren peaks, mirroring the impact of climate change already observed in California. The disappearance of glaciers not only affects the aesthetic appeal but also poses significant challenges for water supply and ecosystems. The study serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and protect these vital natural resources.
