The longest most detailed record of Alpine meltwater quality in existence
The Alpine Glacier Project is the longest most detailed record of Alpine meltwater quality in existence.
Along with our central research objectives, we are a Charitable Company which provides the opportunity of practical experience for students taking part in field courses and for sustained periods of individual fieldwork for undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations, with students visiting the Alps each Summer.
Our research takes place in glaciated Alpine high mountain basins, primarily in Switzerland.
Our video below shows the outwash plain and terminal moraine of one of our research sites – Findelen Glacier. Since the Little Ice Age maxima, and markedly since the start of the Alpine Glacier Project’s data record, this glacier has lost significant mass and is in retreat.
You can donate to the Alpine Glacier Project to help us continue our research work by clicking here.
The Alpine Glacier Project continues to publish in internationally circulated peer-reviewed scientific journals. A complete publications list can be found here. Should you wish to access any of these articles please contact us.
Our blog posts updates to our research and opportunities available with the AGP.
Each year, the Alpine Glacier Project collects data on discharge, water temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, sediment content and pH over the summer melt season, from Findelen and Gorner Glaciers, Kanton Wallis, Switzerland. In addition to meltwater quality and quantity, the AGP has conducted research into climatic variation and glacier mass changes, the longevity of Alpine glaciers and changing hydrological regimes in high mountain basins. Over its 40 year history, AGP members have published research in many internationally circulated peer-reviewed scientific publications.
As a charity, our objectives are as follows:
To research, understand, educate, protect, conserve, rehabilitate and improve knowledge on rivers, streams and watercourses together with their related banksides and floodplains with respect to alpine, high mountain, hills, both rural and urban environments for the benefit of the public.
To advance the education of the public, or any association, company, local authority, administrative or governmental agency or public body or representative body in:
The understanding of glaciers, rivers, river corridor and catchments, including their flora and fauna and economic or social activity, and river catchment management.
The need for, and benefits of, conservation, protection, rehabilitation and improvement of aquatic and glacial environments.
The Alpine Glacier Project holds the longest homogenous data series of Alpine glacier meltwater quality and quantity in the world. Throughout its 40 year plus history, it has been affiliated with the Universities of Manchester, Oxford and Salford in the UK, and Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada
Find out more about our history by clicking here