Accelerated Glacier Thinning and Area Loss in the Wind River Range, Wyoming (1968–2019): Climate and Topographic Drivers

Glacier meltwater influences streamflow and various activities in the western US. The Wind River Range (WRR) in Wyoming, which contains the largest glacial mass in the Rocky Mountains of the conterminous US, has been retreating since the Little Ice Age. This study examines long-term changes in WRR glaciers (>0.2 km2) over 1968–2019 and investigates their relationship with climatic and topographic factors. Using USGS topographic maps, satellite imagery, DEM datasets, and GPS surveys, we analyzed glacier area and surface elevation changes. Our results show a 19.2 ± 0.9% glacier area reduction from 1972 to 2019, with a 10.6 ± 0.3% decline from 2000–2019. Glacier thinning was most pronounced between 2000 and 2019 at −0.58 ± 0.11 m y−1, with lower-elevation glaciers thinning faster. Small, south-facing glaciers retreated more rapidly, while slope effects were mixed. Increasing spring temperatures and a shift toward more spring precipitation falling as rain has likely exacerbated glacier loss since 2000. Such accelerated melting has significant implications for water availability and ecosystem health if warming continues, affecting agricultural, industrial, and recreational water use. Understanding these trends is key for future water resource management and ecosystem sustainability in the region.