Athabasca glacier mass balance - Jasper

Glaciers are an important water source in mountainous areas and significantly influence the hydrology of the watershed. Glaciers worldwide serve as indicators of climate change and have been decreasing in size at an accelerating rate since the mid-1980s. Data are collected from the Athabasca glacier in Jasper National Park using an array of drilled poles across the glacier surface to calculate the glacier net mass balance (the net gain or loss of snow/ice in a given year) and extent in order to provide a glacier profile over time.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Last Updated April 17, 2026, 20:36 (UTC)
Created April 17, 2026, 20:36 (UTC)
contact_email brenda.shepherd@pc.gc.ca
contact_person {}
criticality_level ["educators", "nongovernmental_organizations", "scientists", "students"]
data_dictionary []
geographic_scope ["48"]
open_canada_collection primary
open_canada_date_published 2017-10-01 00:00:00
open_canada_keywords {"fr": ["Parc national Jasper", "glacier Athabasca", "bilan massique du glacier"], "en": ["Jasper National Park", "Athabasca glacier", "net mass balance"]}
open_canada_subject ["nature_and_environment"]
sensitivity_level unrestricted
title_fr Bilan massique du glacier Athabasca - Jasper
update_frequency as_needed