Los Glaciares National Park is located southwest Argentina. It covers more than 700000 ha. and has many large glaciers which are responsible for feeding two huge lakes (Viedma and Argentino lake) with melting water. This meltwater crosses arid Patagonia and provides drinking water to the entire basin.

There is poor information about how much ice and snow melts every year. Elevation data for mass balance calculations is provided by remote sensing technologies, however free access is scarce. Changes in elevation can only be measured between four free digital elevation models (DEM) of mid-resolution, and each one corresponds to a specific year. That means only three mass balance calculations can be done.

The area is remote and vast, therefore we rely on remote sensing information.

Has this problem been acknowledged in the past?

Partly, however, commercial elevation data or in situ data has been used.

Can this challenge be solved using space technologies and data?

Yes, using mid- or high-resolution DEM of every year.

Expected timeframe to develop a solution

This is a continuous work. Still, mass balance calculations are almost immediate when having the updated information.

Potential consequences if no action happens

Lack of information about the solid water reserves in the basin, unawareness of the regulatory capacity of these bodies on the river flow in extreme weather conditions.