Managing the melt: tackling water and drips at Port Lockroy

06/11/2025

In the final part of our series exploring the ongoing conservation work at Port Lockroy, our Head of Buildings and Conservation, Ruth Mullett, talks drips and grooves.

Water: the constant challenge

At Port Lockroy, water shapes everything – from the snow that blankets the roofs to the meltwater that seeps beneath the historic timber structures each summer. But in recent years, changing conditions have made managing that water a critical focus of conservation work.

Over the past few seasons, the team has observed more precipitation and more melt, causing more frequent and sustained water pooling around the buildings and windows. This persistent dampness promotes fungal activity and accelerates timber decay. It’s clear that improvements to drainage and water flow are needed to protect the fabric of the site.

Designing for durability

One key improvement our carpenters will be making this season is a subtle but important addition to the new generator shed (the shop): an extension to the eaves. This small wedge of timber will follow the same angle as the roof and will be covered with roofing felt, blending in with the existing structure.

The plans for the rainwater goods (UKAHT/Jim Brearley-Ratcliffe)

On the underside of this timber wedge, a narrow groove – known as a drip – will be cut. This clever detail helps break the surface tension of water, encouraging it to drip away from the building rather than run back along the underside of the eaves. By directing rain and meltwater further from the walls and windows, it helps protect the building’s most vulnerable surfaces from moisture damage.

Drips are a traditional and time-tested solution to a familiar problem. Unlike gutters, which can struggle in high winds, this simple groove is robust and effective in the harsh Antarctic environment.

The gable window header overhang (left) and sill (right) (UKAHT/Jim Brearley-Ratcliffe)

It’s a minor change in appearance, but a major improvement in how the building handles water.

“A simple timber wedge with a groove might sound like a small detail, but it’s exactly the kind of careful, thoughtful change that will protect this extraordinary place.” – Ruth Mullett, Head of Buildings and Conservation, UKAHT

This refinement is part of a broader water management strategy for Port Lockroy. The team is also exploring how similar interventions could help safeguard other heritage sites across the Antarctic Peninsula.

Building resilience for a changing climate

UKAHT’s recent climate change risk assessment has revealed a trend of faster deterioration at the Trust’s more northerly sites, with similar effects expected to move southwards over time.

By improving how buildings manage moisture now – through better drainage, drip detailing and rainwater solutions – the Trust is strengthening the resilience of its heritage buildings against future change.

The new sill detail attached to the new windows (UKAHT/Jim Brearley-Ratcliffe)

The approach at Port Lockroy is both site-specific and forward-looking. While each heritage site faces unique environmental pressures, lessons learned here will guide preventative work elsewhere, helping to mitigate damage before it occurs.

“Where we know we don’t have proper water management in place, we’re getting ahead – improving detailing to prevent problems before they happen.”
– Ruth Mullett, Head of Buildings and Conservation, UKAHT

Working with the elements

Of course, carrying out this work in Antarctica comes with its own challenges. Weather and wildlife both dictate what can be done and when. High winds, persistent rain, or nearby nesting penguins can halt outdoor work for days at a time.

Carpenters Jim and Graham at work on Bransfield House last season (UKAHT/Dale Ellis)

The conservation team adapts by prioritising tasks based on conditions – focusing on what’s safe and feasible each day. It’s a careful balance between protecting the site, safeguarding the team, and respecting the wildlife that calls Port Lockroy home.

Despite these challenges, progress continues. Each small improvement – every new drip or groove – contributes to the long-term preservation of this remarkable site.

Protecting Port Lockroy for the future

Managing meltwater may seem a modest task, but it’s central to keeping Port Lockroy standing. As the environment evolves, so too must the techniques that protect it.

This work on water management is a reminder that conservation isn’t just about preserving history – it’s about adapting intelligently to ensure that history survives.

As part of our three-year mission to protect Port Lockroy, the ionospherics room will remain closed for safety for the next two seasons. However, visitors can still explore it virtually through the UKAHT website, and the museum will remain open throughout the season.

This period of work also provides a valuable opportunity to study and share the stories connected to the site. As objects are carefully packed and unpacked, the team is learning even more about the history and science of Port Lockroy – knowledge that will be shared through our public engagement programmes.

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Ruth Mullett, Head of Buildings and Conservation