McMurdo Dry Valleys: safety protocols in a changing landscape

MCMLTER: Interdisciplinary project conducting field experiments and monitoring in diverse environments • Glaciers monitoring

• Weather stations on glaciers

• Stream gauge stations• Lake monitoring sites

(limno holes)• Soil experiments

Walking across ice on Lake Bonney

Onyx River: Longest environmental record in the Dry ValleysHigh flows have occurred three times in last decade

Onyx River at Vanda, 700 cubic ft per sec

Onyx River at Lower Wright

MCMLTER: Safety issues related to changing connectivity across the landscape

Changes in risk at transitions in crossing the lake moats and lake ice to access sites

• Risk of drowning • Risk of hypothermia

from cold water emersion

• Risk of injury from falling (cuts, bruises, strains, sprains, etc.)

Falling through moat ice at Lake Bonney

Breaking through ice on melt pools on lake ice

MCMLTER: Safety issues related to changing landscape connectivity

Changes in risk at transitions in crossing the lake moats and lake ice to access sites

• Travel by foot or by ATV• Field camps to lake sites• Field camps to stream

sites across lake• Field camps to soil sites

across lake

Moat crossing at Lake Bonney

Fragile ice at ice edge

Protocols for unpredictable lake and moat conditions

Lake ice travel by foot-general

• Wear PFD in moat area and on lake ice

• Do not wear backpacks• Work in pairs in moat area

or in crossing lake ice• Cross moat with spotter on

shore• Store extra clothes in dry

sacks in packs, Polar Haven and gauge boxes

• Learn self-rescue methods

Limno team on lake ice

Protocols for unpredictable lake and moat conditions

Stream Team and Wormherders: Lake ice travel by foot with boat crossing

• Travel by helo if depth at ice-edge greater than 5 ft

• Do not wear hip waders• Learn self-rescue methods

Limno team member wearing PFD

Moat crossing at Lake Bonney

MCMLTER Infrastructure to address safety issues: Current approach

• Reporting through team members and Lake Hoare camp manager

• PFDs at camps

Ice dock for moat crossing at Lake Bonney

MCMLTER Infrastructure to address safety issues: Potential future approaches

• Reporting through team members and Lake Hoare camp manager

• PFDs at camps• Ladders and other

safety items at camps• Stable boat or pier with

rope and pulley system to lake ice at camps

• Flotation rescue devicesIce dock for moat crossing at Lake Bonney

Protocols for unpredictable lake and moat conditions

Lake ice travel by ATV-general

• Wear PFD in moat area and on lake ice

• Do not wear backpacks• Work in pairs on lake ice• Drive slowly, assess ice

conditions each time• Return ATV on first Monday

of January• Report concern for ATV

position to Lake Hoare camp manager

ATV on rough ice at Lake Bonney

Conditions vary among valleys and lakes• Communicate about

moat and ice conditions through team members and camp manager

Rough ice at Lake Miers

Environmental protection and history:Few injuries and several close calls on moat ice

Attention and diligence by all team members can prevent tragic outcomes!

Limno team members wearing PFD