IMPACT ACCERSSMENT OF GLACIER RETREAT ON RUNOFF IN THE TUNI RESERVOIR CATHCMENT, BOLIVIA

Abstract

 Since meltwater from glacier is one of the main water resources in the capital of Bolivia, it is essential to adapt to glacier retreat for water resources management. This study applied Glacier Runoff Model to the Tuni Reservoir catchment to evaluate the effect of glacier retreat on runoff. We used Landsat images to determine glacial area in the study area from 1987 to 2014. As the results, glacialarea changed from 8.7km² to 4.9km² in the study area between 1987 and 2014. Annual runoff decrease by about 40% in response to chage in glacial area. Contribution of glacial meltwater to runoff dominated during early wet season, from September to December and it changed from 42% to 4.5% responding to glacier rerteat. Runoff fed by glacial meltwater has a liner relationship with glacial area. Especially, it is expected to be affected by chage in ablation area.