Changes in erosion processes and morphology of step pool channels in the
ski resort with artificial snowmaking, an example from Gubałowskie
Foothills
Abstract
The construction of ski runs with artificial snowmaking in mountain
areas changes natural water circulation and leads to activation of
erosion and accumulation processes. To recognise this relationship, we
selected a small catchment in the Gubałowskie Foothills, the Inner
Carpathians, where 17% of the area is covered by the ski runs. The main
purpose of our study was to: (i) present morphology and morphometrics of
channels that drain and do not drain ski runs; (ii) recognise
differences in statistical relationships between channel morphometrics
in both types of channels; and (iii) estimate morphometric changes due
to erosion and accumulation processes in selected channels. To identify
these changes, we conducted geomorphological mapping of step pool
channels, statistical analyses, DEM (Digital Elevation Model), and DOD
(DEM of Difference) analyses (based on point clouds from 2016 and 2023).
In order to identify the effect of ski run construction on channel
morphology, we divided channels into two groups: 1) stream channels that
do not drain ski runs, and 2) stream channels that drain ski runs.
Results showed that the routing of drainage from the ski runs to the
channels leads to a significant intensification of erosion in the
channels with the maximum deepening, up to 2.6 m. It also changes the
dominant geomorphological processes in the channels. Fluvial processes
are beginning to dominate slope processes. The described changes
occurred already 8 years after the opening of the ski station and reveal
the scale of land degradation connected to artificial snowmaking in ski
resorts.