Considerable potential for artificial ice reservoirs in the Mongolian Altai mountains to mitigate the impact of climate change on water security in arid western Mongolia

The high mountainous regions of western Mongolia serve as vital “water towers” for Indigenous herders and fragile ecosystems. However, climate change presents serious threats to the high-altitude cryosphere—glaciers and permafrost—jeopardizing water security. Artificial ice reservoir technologies have emerged as adaptive solutions to address seasonal water shortages, especially in the spring. These systems involve freezing diverted melt water during winter and gradually releasing it as it melts in warmer months for drinking, irrigation, and livestock watering.This review systematically evaluates four major approaches—traditional ice harvesting, diversion-based artificial glaciers, in-stream glacier enhancement, and recent innovations such as Ice Walls and Ice Stupas. Beyond describing techniques, we critically analyze their efficiency, scalability, and applicability under different climatic and socio-economic conditions. The Ice Stupa, initially developed in Ladakh, shows promising potential for adaptation in the Mongolian Altai due to its low-cost construction, flexibility, and controlled seasonal release. However, its success still depends heavily on local hydrological conditions, community participation, and ongoing maintenance.To our knowledge, this is the first review to contextualize artificial ice reservoir technologies for Mongolia. By synthesizing global experiences with local environmental challenges, we highlight lessons learned, outline key design and implementation criteria, and suggest directions for future field testing. As climate pressures grow, these nature-based solutions could help enhance long-term water resilience strategies in high-altitude, arid regions.