CONTROLS ON PERENNIAL SPRING TEMPERATURE AND DISCHARGE IN HIGH LATITUDE REGION WITH THICK PERMAFROST

At 81°11.4’N, the Ice River spring is the most northern perennial spring in the world. Located within the polar desert of the Canadian High Arctic (average precipitation 75.5 mm/yr; average air temperature -19.7 °C), discharge rates vary from ~110 L/s up to ~520 L/s. Since 2011, continuous temperature measurements show perennial discharge (above zero temperatures) with seasonal variation between 6-9 °C, despite being in a region with a low geothermal gradient (25 °C/km) and thick permafrost (>400 m). Where recognized, other High Arctic springs have low discharge rates (<10 L/s) and are linked to unusual geologic features, like recently active volcanic centers (Spitsbergen) or hypersaline brines caused by fluid flow along salt diapirs that inhibit freezing (Expedition Fiord on Axel Heiberg Island). By comparison, Ice River is unique because it has relatively fresh water and high flow rates in a cool geothermal setting. We report on controls on this unique spring system and factors that influence the annual temperature profile and discharge. Results provide key insight into cold region hydrogeological processes with applicability to polar regions as well as potential groundwater discharge process on Mars.