16-31 december 2023
River crossings and flow measurements
Glacial rivers carry material from melting glaciers to the ocean. They can be major obstacles when they are in flood. To reach the Mortadelle refuge, you have to cross the Diosaz. The crossing is made safe by a cable installed by the IPEV, but the height of the water and the violence of the current remain the key factors to be assessed when deciding whether or not the crossing is feasible.
The measurement of river flows is necessary to assess the quantity of glacial material transported. The MARGOLAND team has therefore installed a limnigraph that will continuously record water height. The data will be collected in January 2025 during a new expedition.
On the left, the Diosaz with its average flow, on the right, the Diosaz in flood. In this case, it's impossible to cross.