ISOC Kyrgyz Chapter and the Institute of Water Problems Collaborate for High Mountain Glacier Lake Monitoring

On May 19, 2023, the Internet Society (ISOC) Kyrgyz Chapter convened a meeting with the Institute of Water Problems under the Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. The discussion revolved around the current state of monitoring high mountain glacier lakes, the potential benefits of the ISOC project for Kyrgyz scientists, and the upcoming plans for sensor installation.

The monitoring of high mountain glacier lakes is a topic of immense importance, given their significant role in maintaining local and regional water balances. However, challenges such as remote locations, harsh environmental conditions, and technical constraints have often made comprehensive monitoring a difficult task. During the meeting, the representatives of the ISOC Kyrgyz Chapter presented their ongoing research project that focuses on overcoming these hurdles through the innovative use of technology.

As part of the research grants project funded by the ISOC Foundation, the ISOC Kyrgyz Chapter plans to install meteorological stations, snow level measurement sensors, and water measurement sensors on Adygene glacier lake and the adjacent moraines. This project will use advanced Lorawan-enabled sensors to provide real-time data on various environmental parameters. With this initiative, the Chapter aims to bolster the existing monitoring efforts by providing a reliable and consistent stream of data, which can assist scientists in understanding and predicting glacier behavior more accurately.

The meeting attendees deliberated on potential dates for sensor installation, narrowing it down to the June-July 2023 timeframe. This scheduling aligns with the optimal weather conditions for such operations, allowing for safer and more efficient installation procedures.

The Institute of Water Problems, a leading authority on water-related research in Kyrgyzstan, expressed high endorsement for the ISOC Kyrgyz Chapter’s research work. The Institute appreciated the technical approach to tackling the challenges of glacier monitoring and expressed optimism about the positive implications of this research project. The collaboration marks a significant stride towards enriching Kyrgyzstan’s scientific landscape by blending traditional field research with cutting-edge technology.

As the project unfolds, it will contribute to a deeper understanding of the glacier lakes’ dynamics. More importantly, it will provide actionable insights for water resource management, disaster prediction, and climate change mitigation efforts, thereby underlining the transformative role of technology in environmental conservation.