Oscar Meza Tovar / Earth & Environmental Sciences / Faculty Mentor: Arne Winguth
This study examines how climate variability influences thermal stratification and mixing dynamics in Lake Arlington, a subtropical reservoir in North Central Texas, over a one-year period. Using in-situ temperature profiles and a one-dimensional (1D) heat diffusion model, we assess how seasonal and episodic meteorological events drive changes in lake hydrodynamics.
Since September 2023, weekly measurements have captured stratification dynamics and mixing transitions, critical for understanding lake stability, hydrological balance, and ecological responses. The 1D heat diffusion model incorporates a depth-dependent eddy diffusivity coefficient influenced by wind speed and vertical density gradients and accounts for solar heating, power plant-induced warming, and convective cooling from frontal systems.
Preliminary findings reveal shifts in stratification depth due to atmospheric fluctuations. Early fall surface heating leads to distinct thermocline and oxycline patterns, followed by progressive mixing as solar radiation declines. These shifts impact dissolved oxygen distribution and nutrient cycling, affecting water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Future work will integrate data assimilation techniques to refine model predictions, providing a valuable tool for reservoir management under changing climatic conditions.
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