Simulation of lake evaporation with application to modeling lake level variations of Harney-Malheur Lake, Oregon

Abstract. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and one of the two major sources of the Nile river. The water level of Lake Victoria is determined by its water balance, consisting of precipitation on the lake, evaporation from the lake, inflow from tributary rivers and lake outflow, controlled by two hydropower dams. Due to a scarcity of in situ observations, previous estimates of individual water balance terms are characterized by substantial uncertainties, which means that the water balance is often not closed independently. In this first part of a two-paper series, we present a water balance model for Lake Victoria, using state-of-the-art remote sensing observations, high-resolution reanalysis downscaling and outflow values recorded at the dam. The uncalibrated computation of the individual water balance terms yields lake level fluctuations that closely match the levels retrieved from satellite altimetry. Precipitation is the main cause of seasonal and interannual lake level fluctuations, and on average causes the lake level to rise from May to July and to fall from August to December. Finally, our results indicate that the 2004–2005 drop in lake level can be about half attributed to a drought in the Lake Victoria Basin and about half to an enhanced outflow, highlighting the sensitivity of the lake level to human operations at the outflow dam.

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Climate Change Impact On Lake Tana Water Storage, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-927576/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Melsew A. Wubneh ◽

Tadege A. Worku ◽

Fitamlak T. Fekadie ◽

Tadele F. Aman ◽

Mekash Shiferaw Kifelew

Keyword(s):

Lake Level ◽

Hydrological Cycle ◽

Precipitation Trend ◽

Future Scenarios ◽

Lake Tana ◽

Temperature And Precipitation ◽

Blue Nile Basin ◽

Lake Evaporation ◽

Change Impact ◽

Hbv Model

Abstract Temperature and precipitation trend fluctuations influence the components of the hydrological cycle and the availability of water supplies and their resulting shifts in the balance of lake water (lake level). Quantile mapping was applied to correct temperature biases, and power transformation was applied for rainfall correction. The performance of the HBV model was evaluated through calibration and validation using objective functions (RVE, NSE) and provide RVE of 3.7%, -1.27%,1.05%, -0.72%,8.9% and -0.68 during calibration and RVE of -1.5%, 6.93%, -3.04%,8.796%, -5.89% and 8.5 % during validation for Gumara, Kiltie, Koga, Gilgel Abay, Megech and Rib respectively, While the model provided NS of 0.79,0.63,0.72,0.803,0.68 and 0.797 during calibration and NSE of 0.8,0.64,0.7,0.82,0.801 and 0.82 during validation for Gumara, Kiltie, Koga, Gilgel Abay, Megech, and Rib respectively. The simulated Lake level showed adequate agreement to the observed with NS and RVE of 0.7 and 6.44 % respectively. The result confirmed that over lake evaporation and rainfall increase for all future scenarios. The ungauged surface inflow is also increased shortly scenarios while gauged surface inflow increased for RCP4.5 (the 2070s) and RCP8.5 (2040s) and decreased for RCP4.5 (2040s) and RCP8.5 (2070s). The decreased in gauged surface water inflow is due to a decrease in inflow for Gilgel Abay, Koga and Gumara gauged catchments. Lake storage results showed a decrease in all future scenarios of all-time horizons.

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Modelling the water balance of Lake Victoria (East Africa) – Part 1: Observational analysis

10.5194/hess-2018-11 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Inne Vanderkelen ◽

Nicole P. M. van Lipzig ◽

Wim Thiery

Keyword(s):

Water Balance ◽

Lake Level ◽

Lake Victoria ◽

Balance Model ◽

Lake Victoria Basin ◽

Lake Level Fluctuations ◽

Lake Evaporation ◽

In Situ Observations ◽

The Individual

Abstract. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and one of the two major sources of the Nile River. The water level of Lake Victoria is determined by its water balance, consisting of precipitation on the lake, evaporation from the lake, inflow from tributary rivers and lake outflow, controlled by two hydropower dams. Due to scarcity of in-situ observations, previous estimates of individual water balance terms are characterised by substantial uncertainties, which makes that the water balance is often not closed independently. Here we present a water balance model for Lake Victoria, using state-of-the-art remote sensing observations, high resolution reanalysis downscaling and outflow values recorded at the dam. The uncalibrated computation of the individual water balance terms yield lake level fluctuations that closely match the levels retrieved from satellite altimetry. Precipitation is the main cause of seasonal and inter-annual lake level fluctuations, and on average causes the lake level to rise from May to July and to fall from August to December. Finally, our results indicate that the 2004–2005 drop in lake level can be attributed about half to a drought in the Lake Victoria Basin and about half to an enhanced outflow, highlighting the sensitivity of the lake level to human operations at the outflow dam.

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Two-decade of monitoring spatio-temporal variation of surface albedo over a large saline lake

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-1172 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Somayeh Sima ◽

َAmir Darzi

Keyword(s):

Temporal Variation ◽

Water Level ◽

Saline Lakes ◽

Lake Level ◽

Surface Albedo ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Lake Urmia ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Lake Evaporation ◽

Spatio Temporal

<p>Saline lakes play a crucial role in regulating the regional climate, supporting unique biodiversity, and providing a diverse range of economic benefits. However, as a result of growing water withdrawals for human use, most of the large saline lakes worldwide are desiccating at a substantial rate. Water level decline and salinity rise affect physico-chemical characteristics of saline lakes including surface albedo. Water surface albedo impacts lake color and evaporation. Here, we investigate spatio-temporal variation of surface albedo over Lake Urmia, in northwest Iran, using the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) albedo product (MCD43D) from 2000 to 2019. Satellite-derived shortwave albedos were validated against in-situ surface albedo data measured at an online net-radiometer station on the lake. We identified two spatial patterns through Lake Urmia: 1) a decreasing trend from the outer shallow zones toward the deep inner parts, and 2) a higher mean albedo of the south arm compared to the north arm in summer. Moreover, the lake albedo varies seasonally with lake level and reaches its peak between September and October. This is mainly due to an increased concentration of total suspended solids (TSS) and phytoplankton (Duanalliea spp.) growth, which accounts for the lake red color between mid-spring and early autumn. Results also revealed that concurrent with the lake level drop since 2000, both lake-averaged surface albedo and its seasonal variation have constantly increased. The increased lake albedo affects net absorbed radiation by the lake and limits lake evaporation. Consequently, we emphasize that for large saline lakes which experience significant areal fluctuations seasonally, the use of a constant albedo to estimate lake evaporation and heat budget is inadequate. Instead, satellite-derived albedo maps encompassing the effect of lake depth, TSS, and phytoplankton growth can be used with confidence. Our findings can contribute to enhanced water, energy, and salt balance models for saline lakes by better estimation of their surface albedo.&#160;</p><p>Keywords: Surface albedo, Lake Urmia, MODIS, Water level, Phytoplankton</p>

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Simulation of lake evaporation with application to modeling lake-level variations at Harney-Malheur Lake, Oregon

Water Resources Research ◽

10.1029/90wr01240 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 26 (10) ◽

pp. 2603-2612 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

S. W. Hostetler

Keyword(s):

Lake Level ◽

Lake Evaporation

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Contrasting hydrological and thermal intensities determine seasonal lake-level variations – a case study at Paiku Co on the southern Tibetan Plateau

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences ◽

10.5194/hess-25-3163-2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (6) ◽

pp. 3163-3177

Author(s):

Yanbin Lei ◽

Tandong Yao ◽

Kun Yang ◽

Yaoming Ma ◽

Broxton W. Bird ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Lake Level ◽

Thermal Structure ◽

Monsoon Season ◽

Seasonal Pattern ◽

The Tibetan Plateau ◽

Post Monsoon ◽

Level Increase ◽

Post Monsoon Season ◽

Lake Evaporation

Abstract. Evaporation from hydrologically closed lakes is one of the largest components of the lake water budget; however, its effects on seasonal lake-level variations remain unclear on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) due to a lack of comprehensive observations. In this study, weekly lake evaporation and its effects on seasonal lake-level variations are investigated at Paiku Co on the southern TP using in situ observations of thermal structure and hydrometeorology (2015–2018). Lake evaporation from Paiku Co was estimated to be 975±142 mm during the ice-free period (May to December), characterized by low values of 1.7 ± 0.6 mm d−1 during the pre-monsoon season (May to June), high values of 5.5±0.6 mm d−1 during the post-monsoon season (October to December), and intermediate values of 4.0±0.6 mm d−1 during the monsoon season (July to September). There was a ∼ 5-month lag between the maximum net radiation (June) and maximum lake evaporation (November). These results indicate that the seasonal pattern of lake evaporation from Paiku Co was significantly affected by the large lake heat storage. Contrasting hydrological and thermal intensities may play an important role in the large amplitude of seasonal lake-level variations at deep lakes like Paiku Co. High inflow from monsoon precipitation and glacier melting and moderate lake evaporation, for instance, drove rapid lake-level increase during the monsoon season. In contrast, high lake evaporation and reduced inflow caused lake level to decrease significantly during the post-monsoon season. This study implies that lake evaporation may play an important role in the different amplitudes of seasonal lake-level variations on the TP.

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Thermal regime, energy budget and lake evaporation at Paiku Co, a deep alpine lake in the central Himalayas

10.5194/hess-2019-421 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Yanbin Lei ◽

Tandong Yao ◽

Kun Yang ◽

Zhu La ◽

Yaoming Ma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Budget ◽

Lake Water ◽

Water Budget ◽

Lake Level ◽

Thermal Structure ◽

Seasonal Pattern ◽

Alpine Lake ◽

Net Radiation ◽

Central Himalayas ◽

Lake Evaporation

Abstract. Evaporation from hydrologically-closed lakes is one of the largest components of their lake water budget, however, its effects on seasonal lake level changes is less investigated due to lack of comprehensive observation of lake water budget. In this study, lake evaporation were determined through energy budget method at Paiku Co, a deep alpine lake in the central Himalayas, based on three years' in-situ observations of thermal structure and hydrometeorology (2015–2018). Results show that Paiku Co was thermally stratified between July and October and fully mixed between November and June. Between April and July when the lake gradually warmed, about 66.5 % of the net radiation was consumed to heat the lake water. Between October and January when the lake cooled, heat released from lake water was about 3 times larger than the net radiation. Changes in lake heat storage largely determined the seasonal pattern of lake evaporation. There was about a 5 month lag between the maximum lake evaporation and maximum net radiation due to the large heat capacity of lake water. Lake evaporation was estimated to be 975 ± 39 mm between May and December during the study period, with low values in spring and early summer, and high values in autumn and early winter. The seasonal pattern of lake evaporation at Paiku Co significantly affects lake level seasonality, that is, significant lake level decrease in post-monsoon season while slight in pre-monsoon. This study may have implications for the different amplitudes of seasonal lake level variations between deep and shallow lakes.

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Thermal regime, energy budget and lake evaporation at Paiku Co, a deep alpine lake in the central Himalayas

10.5194/hess-2020-320 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yanbin Lei ◽

Tandong Yao ◽

Kun Yang ◽

Yaoming Ma ◽

Broxton W. Bird ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lake Water ◽

Lake Level ◽

Thermal Structure ◽

Monsoon Season ◽

Seasonal Pattern ◽

Alpine Lake ◽

The Tibetan Plateau ◽

Net Radiation ◽

Central Himalayas ◽

Lake Evaporation

Abstract. Endorheic lakes on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) experienced dramatic changes in area and volume during the past decades. However, the hydrological processes associated with lake dynamics are still less understood. In this study, lake evaporation and its impact on seasonal lake level changes at Paiku Co, central Himalayas, were investigated based on three years of in-situ observations of lake thermal structure and hydrometeorology (2015–2018). The results show that Paiku Co is a dimictic lake with thermal stratification at the water depth of 15–30 m between July and October. As a deep alpine lake, the large heat storage significantly influenced the seasonal pattern of heat flux over lake surface. Between April and July, when the lake gradually warmed, about 66.5% of the net radiation was consumed to heat lake water. Between October and January, when the lake cooled, heat released from lake water was about 3 times larger than the net radiation. There was ~5 month lag between the maximum lake evaporation and maximum net radiation at Paiku Co. Lake evaporation was estimated to be 975±82 mm between May and December, with low values in spring and early summer, and high values in autumn and early winter. The seasonal pattern of lake evaporation at Paiku Co significantly affected lake level seasonality, that is, a significant lake level decrease of 3.8 mm/day during the post-monsoon season while a slight decrease of 1.3 mm/day during the pre-monsoon season. This study may have implications for the different amplitudes of seasonal lake level variations between deep and shallow lakes.

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Evaporation from a Small Lake in the Continental Arctic using Multiple Methods

Hydrology Research ◽

10.2166/nh.1996.0016 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 27 (1-2) ◽

pp. 1-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

J. J. Gibson ◽

T.D. Prowse ◽

T. W. D. Edwards

Keyword(s):

Bowen Ratio ◽

Balance Model ◽

Small Lake ◽

Uncertainty In Measurement ◽

Class A ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Low Arctic ◽

Lake Evaporation ◽

Daily Evaporation ◽

Ratio Energy

Daily evaporation from a small lake in the continental Low Arctic of Canada was examined using three independent experimental methods and a simplified combination model. Mean daily lake evaporation (± variability between methods) was estimated to be 3.2+0.3−0.3 mm d−1 and 2.5+0.6−0.3 mmd−1 over fifty-day periods during two consecutive summers. Based on these results and additional class-A pan data, total thaw-season evaporation estimates of 220 mm to 320 mm were obtained, equivalent to 70% to 100% of annual precipitation. These values are 15 to 70% higher than predicted by standard evaporation maps of Canada. Our results indicate that the Priestley-Taylor model provides a good approximation of the Bowen ratio energy balance model in this setting. As expected, estimates based on mass balance are highly sensitive to uncertainty in measurement of lake inflow and outflow.

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