Glacial lakes provide key freshwater resources, though regional supply does not always match water demand. A study now provides a framework to assess the global resource potential of glacial lakes.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles
$119.00 per year
only $9.92 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Rounce, D. R. et al. Science 379, 78–83 (2023).
Carrivick, J. L. & Tweed, F. S. Quat. Sci. Rev. 78, 34–52 (2013).
Haeberli, W. et al. Clim. Change 139, 201–214 (2016).
Taylor, C., Robinson, T., Dunning, S., Carr, J. R. & Westoby, M. Nat. Commun. 14, 487 (2023).
Zhang, T., Wang, W. & An, B. Commun. Earth Environ. 5, 374 (2024).
Cook, S. J. & Quincey, D. J. Earth Surf. Dyn. 3, 559–575 (2015).
Veh, G., Schwanghart, W., Korup, O. & Carrivick, J. L. Nat. Water https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-025-00578-6 (2026).
Steffen, T., Huss, M., Estermann, R., Hodel, E. & Farinotti, D. Earth Surf. Dyn. 10, 723–741 (2022).
Ballantyne, C. K. in Encyclopedia of Quaternary Science 3rd edn, Vol. 5, 46–67 (Elsevier, 2025).
Jacquet, J. et al. Geophys. Res. Lett. 44, 854–864 (2017).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The author declares no competing interests.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wells, G. Evaluating glacial lake resource potential. Nat Water 4, 263–264 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-026-00601-4
Published:
Version of record:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-026-00601-4
