Djankuat Research Basin, Russia

Related Information

Site Overview Data and Observations Map of Research Site

Section 1: Site Overview

Identity

Basin / Site Name	Djankuat Research Basin
Country; Province/State	Russia
Website (if available)
Operational Management	Lomonosov Moscow State University Water problems institute Russian Academy of Sciences

Oversight/Contacts

Name	Role	Contact Information
Ekaterina Rets	Curator of the Research Catchment in the INARCH Network, Hydrological and meteorological monitoring	Email: ekaterina.p.rets@gmail.com
Viktor Popovnin	Head of the Station, Glaciological monitoring	Email: begemotina@hotmail.com

Basin / Site Location (Centroid Coordinates)

Coordinate Format	Latitude	Longitude
Degrees Minutes Seconds
Decimal Degrees	43.208 N	42.735 E

Purpose / Scientific Focus

The Djankuat glacier was chosen as representative of the central North Caucasus during the International Hydrological Decade (IHD) - research program on water problems launched by UNESCO in 1965 - and is one of 30 ‘reference’ glaciers in the world which has annual mass balance series longer than 50 years. The mass-balance measurements have been carried out on Djankuat glacier since 1967 till now regularly (www.wgms.ch) based on standard methods. Detailed hydrological and meteorological measurements were included in the monitoring program of the station during the IHD and came to an end in the late 1970s. The comprehensive hydrometeorological observation was resumed in the Djankuat research basin since 2007. Hydrometeorological measurements were done during the ablation season every year since 2007, all-year round hydrological gauge since 2021, and the observational program gradually expanded during 2007–2023 and now goes beyond the standard network hydrological and meteorological observations.

Basin / Site Characteristics

Location (Physiographic Region)	Location (Physiographic Region) Alpine zone of the North Caucasus
Area (km2)	12.4 km2
Elevation (m; Mean, Maximum, Minimum)	between 2600 and 4000 m
Description (Physical–Ecological–Climatic Characteristics)	The Djankuat research basin is situated on the northern slope of the central part of the Main Caucasian Ridge. The climate is moderate continental to high-alpine
Drainage / River System	The Djankuat River is a source of the Adul-Su River – a tributary of the Baksan River which drains into the Caspian Sea via the Terek River.
Site History or Historical Context	The Djankuat glacier was chosen as representative of the central North Caucasus during the International Hydrological Decade (IHD) - research program on water problems launched by UNESCO in 1965 - and is one of 30 ‘reference’ glaciers in the world which has annual mass balance series longer than 50 years.
Years of Data	(1970s) – 2007 – ongoing

Other Information

Glacierized Area (% and year(s) measured)	In the 2017 glaciers occupied 27% of the territory of the basin. The main glacier with the same name – Djankuat glacier – is the source of the Djankuat River. It is a valley glacier, with the lowest point of the tongue at approximately 2750 m, the elevation of the bergschrund is at 3600 m. The mean elevation of the glacier is 3210 m, the area is 2.42 km2, and its length is 3.0 km. The maximum measured thickness of the glacier is 105 m, and the average thickness is 31 m. The Djankuat River basin also contains three small glaciers with areas less than 0.5 km2: Koyavgan, Via-Tau, and Visyachiy.
Main Land Cover(s)	Alpine highlands with steep slopes and a wide development of coarse-grained deposits, with numerous outcrops of exposed rocks, with alpine lawns in the lower part of the basin and with glacial-nival landscapes in its middle and upper parts
Lithology / Soils	crystalline schists and gneisses; gravelly shallow humus soils
	J F M A M J J A S O N D A
Mean Monthly and Annual Temperature (°C)	-7.3; -6.4; -3.2; 2.1; 6.8; 10.0; 12.5; 12.2; 8.5; 3.9; ; -1.3; -5.2; 2.7 (According to the closest all-year round meteorological station in Terskol)
	J F M A M J J A S O N D A
Mean Total Monthly and Annual Precipitation (mm)	58; 45; 67; 86; 92; 93; 102; 94; 100; 85; 64; 59; 942 (According to the closest all-year round meteorological station in Terskol)
Snow Characteristics	Stable snow cover is generally observed on the whole basin area from October-November to May. In the accumulation zone of glaciers snow persists through the year. Mean measured snowdepth on the Djankuat Glacier is 3600 mm, Maximum is 11550 mm
Additional Noteworthy Characteristics of Basin/Site

Section 2: Data and Observations

Available Geospatial Data

Digital Elevation Model	Available on request
Landcover and Soils	Aleynikova, A. M. Struktura i dinamika prilednikovykh landshaftov Priel'brus'ya / A. M. Aleynikova, M. N. Petrushina // Lod i sneg. – 2011. – № 2(114). – S. 127-134. – EDN PJEMMH. (in Russian)
Stream/River Network	Available on request
Basin Delineation / Shapefile	Available on request

Observation Stations

Type	Station Name	Latitude	Longitude	Elevation	Notes / Details
Meteorological	Djankuat Base Camp AWS	43.208	42.736	2640
Meteorological	Djankuat Glacier AWS 1	43.198	42.757	3000	IV zone of the Djankuat glacier on the ice surface
Meteorological	Djankuat Glacier AWS 2	43.200	42.759	3050	IV zone of the Djankuat glacier on the debris covered ice
Meteorological	Djankuat Glacier AWS 3	43.193	42.759	3200
Hydrological	Djankuat River Base Camp Gauging Station	43.209	42.736	2630
Hydrological	Djankuat River Rock Gauging Station	43.213	42.725	2600

Data Availability and Access

Data and Datasets (Links / DOIs to published or available data and descriptions)
Rets, E. P., Popovnin, V. V., Toropov, P. A., Smirnov, A. M., Tokarev, I. V., Chizhova, J. N., Budantseva N. A. et al. 2019 Djankuat glacier station in the North Caucasus, Russia: a database of glaciological, hydrological, and meteorological observations and stable isotope sampling results during 2007–2017. Earth System Science Data 11, 3, 1463-1481.
Rets, EP; Popovnin, VV; Toropov, PA et al. (2022): Hydrological, meteorological observations and isotopes sampling results during 2019-2020 at Djankuat Glacier Station in the North Caucasus, Russia. https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.940839

Meteorological Variables and Sensor Details

Variable	Station Name	Sensor(s)	Height / Depth (m)	Record Period	Measurement Frequency	Notes / Details
Air temperature and Relative Humidity	Djankuat Glacier AWS 1	Campbell AWS - Vaisala MT300 sensor	3000	2007-2021	15 min	Operating during June-September
	Djankuat Glacier AWS 2	Campbell AWS - Vaisala MT300 sensor	3050	2007-2009	15 min	Operating during June-September
	Djankuat Glacier AWS 3	DAVIS AWS	3200	2017	15 min	Operating during June-September
	Djankuat Base Camp AWS	DAVIS AWS	2640	2007 - ongoing	15 min	Operating during June-September
Solar Radiation	Djankuat Glacier AWS 1	Campbell AWS -KEEP & ZONNEN radiometers	3000	2007-2021	15 min	Operating during June-September
	Djankuat Glacier AWS 2	Campbell AWS -KEEP & ZONNEN radiometers	3050	2007-2009	15 min	Operating during June-September
Longwave Radiation	Djankuat Glacier AWS 1	Campbell AWS - wind sensor	3000	2007-2021	15 min	Operating during June-September
	Djankuat Glacier AWS 2	Campbell AWS -KEEP & ZONNEN radiometers	3050	2007-2009	15 min	Operating during June-September
Wind Speed/Direction	Djankuat Glacier AWS 1	Campbell AWS - wind sensor	3000	2007-2021	15 min	Operating during June-September
	Djankuat Glacier AWS 2	Campbell AWS - wind sensor	3050	2007-2009	15 min	Operating during June-September
	Djankuat Glacier AWS 3	DAVIS AWS	3200	2017	15 min	Operating during June-September
	Djankuat Base Camp AWS	DAVIS AWS	2640	2007 - ongoing	15 min	Operating during June-September
Precipitation	Djankuat Base Camp AWS	DAVIS AWS	2640	2007 - ongoing	15 min	Operating during June-September
Atmospheric Pressure	Djankuat Glacier AWS 1	Campbell AWS - Vaisala pressure sensor	3000	2007-2021	15 min	Operating during June-September
	Djankuat Glacier AWS 2	Campbell AWS - Vaisala pressure sensor	3050	2007-2009	15 min	Operating during June-September
	Djankuat Base Camp AWS	DAVIS AWS	2640	2007 - ongoing	15 min	Operating during June-September
Air temperature, Relative humidity, Mean wind speed, Maximum wind speed, Wind direction, at 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 m	Djankuat Glacier AWS 1	DAVIS AWS	3000	Jul – Aug 2017	15 min	Operating during June-September
Three components of wind speed, T - acoustic temperature	Djankuat Glacier AWS 1	Sonic anemometer GILL	3000	Jul – Aug 2013, Jun – Jul 2014, Jun – Aug 2016	10 Hz	Operating during June-September

Additional Notes and Details on Meteorological Observations

Hydrological Variables and Sensor Details

Variable	Station Name	Sensor(s)	Height / Depth (m)	Record Period	Measurement Frequency	Notes / Details
Snow Depth	Djankuat Glacier	Probe poles	2850 - 3650	(1970) 2007 – ongoing	1 time yearly at max.	At 250–300 evenly distributed points on the Djankuat Glacier Surface
Snow Water Equivalent	Djankuat Glacier Snowpits	Snow sampling cylinder	2900 - 3300	(1970) 2007 – ongoing	1-5 times in each snowpit yearly	Stake 9, 18, 49, 65/68
Glacier/Snow ablation	Djankuat Glacier	Ablation stakes	2850 - 3650	(1970) 2007 – ongoing	With 1-30 days timestep	At 35–45 evenly distributed points on the Djankuat Glacier Surface
	Djankuat Glacier AWS 1	Campbell AWS -Sonic Ranger sensor	3000	2007-2017	15 min
Stream Level/Discharge	Djankuat Glacier AWS 2	Campbell AWS -Sonic Ranger sensor	3050	2007-2009	15 min
	Djankuat River Base Camp Gauging Station	Keller DCX-18 VG	2630	2007-ongoing	10 min	Operating during June-September, Water discharge calculated using salt dilution easurements
	Djankuat River Rock Gauging Station	Keller PAA-36XiW CTD with ARC-1	2600	2021-ongoing	10 min	All-year-round operation, Water discharge calculated using salt dilution measurements

Additional Notes and Details on Hydrological Observations

Water Quality Variables and Sensor Details

Variable	Station Name	Sensor(s)	Height / Depth (m)	Record Period	Measurement Frequency	Notes / Details
Water Temperature	Djankuat River Base Camp Gauging Station	WTW 3310	2630	2007-ongoing	~6-7 times daily	Operating during June-September
	Djankuat River Rock Gauging Station	Keller PAA-36XiW CTD with ARC-1	2600	2021-ongoing	10 min	All-year-round operation
Water Conductivity	Djankuat River Base Camp Gauging Station	WTW 3310	2630	2007-ongoing	~6-7 times daily	Operating during June-September
	Djankuat River Rock Gauging Station	Keller PAA-36XiW CTD with ARC-1	2600	2021-ongoing	10 min	All-year-round operation
Isotopes (18O, D)	Djankuat River Base Camp Gauging Station	2013: mass spectrometer, 2014-2016: laser-based spectrometer; 2017 - Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy	2630	2013-2017	2 times daily	Operating during June-September
Turbidity	Djankuat River Base Camp Gauging Station	portable turbidity meter HACH 2100P	2600	2007-2021, 2023-ongoing	~6-7 times daily	Operating during June-September
	Djankuat River Rock Gauging Station	portable turbidity meter HACH 2100P	2600	2023-ongoing	1-2 times daily	Operating during June-September

Additional Notes and Details on Water Quality Observations

Other Hydrological and Cryospheric Measurements and Observations

Measurement	Instrumentation Description	Spatial / Temporal Resolution and Coverage	Notes / Details
Glacier Ice Thickness	radio-echo sounding and modelling	2012-2013	Lavrentiev I.I., Kutuzov S.S., Petrakov D.A., Popov G.A., Popovnin V.V. Ice thickness, volume and subglacial relief of Djankuat Glacier (Central Caucasus). Ice and Snow. 2014;54(4):7-19. https://doi.org/10.15356/2076-6734-2014-4-7-19

Additional Notes and Details on Other Measurements and Observations

Relevant Modelling Activity (Model Applications, Purpose, Advancements, etc.)

Rets, E., Fomichev, S. and Belozerov, E., 2021, April. Testing different machine learning techniques for runoff routing in a highly glacierized Djankuat river basin (the North Caucasus, Russia). In EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts (pp. EGU21-4567).

Belozerov, E., Rets, E., Petrakov, D. and Popovnin, V., 2020. Modelling glaciers’ melting in Central Caucasus (the Djankuat and Bashkara Glacier case study). In E3S Web of Conferences (Vol. 163, p. 01002). EDP Sciences.

Verhaegen, Y., Huybrechts, P., Rybak, O. and Popovnin, V.V., 2020. Modelling the evolution of Djankuat Glacier, North Caucasus, from 1752 until 2100 CE. The Cryosphere, 14(11), pp.4039-4061.

Additional Information (Key Papers, Articles/Media, Photographs, etc.)

Rets, E.P., Popovnin, V.V., Toropov, P.A., Smirnov, A.M., Tokarev, I.V., Chizhova, J.N., Budantseva, N.A., Vasil'chuk, Y.K., Kireeva, M.B., Ekaykin, A.A. and Veres, A.N., 2019. Djankuat glacier station in the North Caucasus, Russia: A database of glaciological, hydrological, and meteorological observations and stable isotope sampling results during 2007–2017. Earth System Science Data, 11(3), pp.1463-1481.

Popovnin, V.V., Rezepkin, A.A. and Tielidze, L.G., 2015. Superficial moraine expansion on the Djankuat Glacier snout over the direct glaciological monitoring period. Earth Cryosphere, 19(1), pp.79-87.

Verhaegen, Y., Huybrechts, P., Rybak, O. and Popovnin, V.V., 2020. Modelling the evolution of Djankuat Glacier, North Caucasus, from 1752 until 2100 CE. The Cryosphere, 14(11), pp.4039-4061.

Tsyplenkov, A., Vanmaercke, M., Collins, A.L., Kharchenko, S. and Golosov, V., 2021. Elucidating suspended sediment dynamics in a glacierized catchment after an exceptional erosion event: The Djankuat catchment, Caucasus Mountains, Russia. Catena, 203, p.105285.

Verhaegen, Y., Rybak, O., Popovnin, V. and Huybrechts, P., 2023. Quantifying supraglacial debris-related melt-altering effects on the Djankuat Glacier, Russian Federation, Part 1: comparison of surface energy and mass fluxes over clean and debris-covered ice.

Popovnin V.V., Pylayeva T.V. Avalanche feeding of the Djankuat Glacier. Ice and Snow. 2015;55(2):21-32. https://doi.org/10.15356/2076-6734-2015-2-21-32

T-2023-10-06-31byY33k32uNE329z9WJ1UFuHA Alpine Research Site 1.0