Design Parameters for Artificial Aeration of Ice-Covered Lakes

ABSTRACT

Numerous lakes in cold climates require artificial aeration to maintain fish habitats during ice-cover periods. Mechanical surface aerators (“splashers”) are one type of aeration system popular in midwestern parts of the U.S. and Canada. A method is presented to represent the most important physical characteristics of splasher systems designed for small lakes through two dimensionless parameters. Data from several lakes in Wisconsin and Alberta, Canada, where splashers have been operated were used to determine a preliminary, constrained range of values for these two design parameters.

Key Words:

• limnology
• winterkill
• artificial aeration
• dissolved oxygen
• ice cover