Colonial Glacier

{{Short description|Glacier in the state of Washington}}

{{Infobox glacier

| name = Colonial Glacier

| photo = Neve Glacier North Cascades USGS.jpg

| photo_caption = View of Neve Glacier at right from the northeast as seen in 1971. The smaller Colonial Glacier is at left.

| type = Alpine glacier

| location = Whatcom County, Washington, U.S.

| map = USA Washington

| label_position = right

| map_size = 225

| coordinates = {{coord|48|39|43|N|121|08|20|W|region:US-WA|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| coordinates_ref = {{cite gnis|id=1517968|name=Colonial Glacier|accessdate=March 17, 2013}}

| area =

| length = {{convert|.60|mi|abbr=on}}

| thickness =

| terminus = Proglacial lake

| status = Retreating

}}

Colonial Glacier is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington and is immediately northwest of Neve Peak. Colonial Glacier flows generally north, descending from {{convert|6800|to|6000|ft|abbr=on}}.{{Cite map|publisher=TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps)|title=Diablo Dam, WA|url=http://www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=48.66207&lon=-121.13901&datum=nad83&zoom=4|accessdate=March 17, 2013}} Between 1950 and 2006, Colonial Glacier is estimated to have retreated more than {{convert|300|m|abbr=on}} and a newly formed proglacial lake filled the recently vacated former terminal moraine. The reduction in size of the glaciers of the North Cascades will reduce summertime meltwater runoff which is used to maintain a steady supply of electricity from hydroelectric power plants.{{cite web|last=Pelto|first=Mauri|title=Colonial Glacier Retreat and Hydropower|url=http://glacierchange.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/colonial-glacier-retreat-and-hydropower/|work=From a Glaciers Perspective|publisher=Word Press|accessdate=March 17, 2013|date=February 1, 2010}}