Mixed layer depth and temperature dynamics in temperate lakes

Summary

The concept of a method of predicting water temperature distributions in temperate lakes on a daily basis has been presented. The input required consists of lake morphological data and daily mean values of weather parameters, including solar radiation, air temperature, dewpoint temperature, and wind velocity. The method has been developed to the point where comparisons of predictions and measurements can be made for a variety of lakes and weather conditions. The results obtained in a few instances are very promising, even though it is believed that the method can be further improved upon. Information obtained from the method includes daily water temperatures, volumes of entrainment, and mixed-layer depths and may be useful for a number of applications, including analysis of phytoplankton growth, algal sequences, and eutrophication.