Gamchi glacier: Evolution of the future glacial lakes

Legend:
- Red and green lines: Outline of the future glacial lakes. Source: Study mentioned above.
- A, B and C: The future lakes whose evolution we are documenting.
- Red dot 20 = Our location 20.
- Red dot 24 = Our location 24.
- Red dot 30 = Our location 30.
- Yellow line = angle of view of the panorama photos below
- Line in magenta = beginning/end of the angles of view

Points 20, 24 and 30 were measured with a handheld GPS device.

The screenshot from map.admin.ch was created on 5.6.2024.
The map shows the status as of approx. 2022 or 2023.

Key data of Lake A according to the study:
. - Area: 8600m2
- Greatest depth: 8.7m
. - Mean depth: 3.9m

Situation
Lake A should be formed at the foot of a ramp of rocks. At the foot of this ramp, snow, ice and boulders from the avalanches that thunder down into the valley from the direction of the Blüemlisalpsattel in winter and spring are deposited. That is why our location 20 is not accessible every year. Or if it is, then only towards the end of August, as in 2022. Ice and snow have never completely melted away in this area.

Unsere Einschätzung
For us, the chances of Lake A forming are about 50-50.

Location
Our location 20 is on a large boulder, which may be part of a rock rib.

Outlook
In the 2023 season, we will again capture the situation in pictures and subsequently update this page.

Key data of Lake B according to the study:
. - Surface area: 8500m2
- Greatest depth: 8.9m
- Mean depth: 3.9m

Situation
Since 2018, we have been walking the eastern, right-hand side of the erosion trench several times per summer/autumn. During this time, we have not been able to detect any major changes in this area. We assume that this zone no longer contains much or any ice.

Our assessment
For us, it is unlikely that Lake B will be formed.

Location
Our locations 24 and 30 are located on unsafe ground. For example, heavy rain or a similar event could cause the subsoil of locations 24 or 30 to sink and/or wash away.

Outlook
We expect to return to the site in summer 2024.

Key data of Lake B according to the study:
. - Area: 1700m2
- Greatest depth: 5.4m
- Mean depth: 2.6m

Situation
Since 2018, we have been walking the area of Lake C several times per summer/autumn. This area looks slightly different each time. This indicates that there is ice under the debris, which is gradually melting.
Since September 2020, we have observed water seeping out of the boundary wall of the stream several times, similar to a spring. This at a height of about 1.5m above the stream bed. The boundary wall consists of material similar to a moraine.

Our assessment
We think it is possible that Lake C will form.

Outlook
In summer 2023, we will document the area of Lake C with panoramic photos and publish the results on this page.