The results are used to enhanced our appreciation of the chemical and transport processes at work in an alpine meltwater stream, and to infer internal characteristics of the glacial drainage system. The daily discharge pattern at Hilda Glacier is one of early morning low flows, peak flows by late afternoon, and decreasing flows towards nightfall. Suspended sediment loads are high during periods of high melt, while moderate rainfall events significantly increase water levels and corresponding discharges.
Dissolved loads carried by the stream are relatively low.
High discharge events are accompanied by noteworthy decreases in electrical conductivity and substantial increases in stream ion concentrations. These observations point to the existence of disconnected englacial or subglacial cavities retaining meltwater released during the spring melt flux. Our observations and analysis of the geochemical characteristics of meltwater emerging from Hilda Glacer bring into question the ability of chemical analyses to provide an accurate assessment of dissolved loads in glacierized settings.