Chewang Norphel The Ice Man making artificial glaciers in India

Chewang from Ladakh in India, who had a diploma in civil engineering (1960), noticed a small stream in his yard had frozen solid under the shade of a group of popular trees, though it flowed freely elsewhere in his yard.
He realized that the flowing water was moving too fast to freeze while the sluggish water beneath the trees was slow enough to freeze.

Seeking money for his idea villagers and officials thought he was pagal or crazy.

Based on this he created an artificial glacier by diverting a river into a valley, slowing down the stream by constructing checks. The next spring the villagers were amazed to find it worked.

The artificial glaciers increase the ground water recharge, rejuvenating the spring and providing water for irrigation

By 2012 he had built 12 artificial glaciers (there are now15)
The largest one is in Phuktsey village - 1000ft long, 150ft wide and 4 ft in depth.

Source
Earth Heroes by Lily Dyu and Amy Blackwell