Year-round temperature observations in Lake Seneca, 2015-2018

Session: Finger Lakes Water Quality (1)

Nathan Hawley, Great Lakes Env. Research Lab, NOAA, [email protected]
John Halfman, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Geoscience/Environmental Studies Program, [email protected]

Abstract

Beginning in the summer of 2015, a string of temperature sensors has been deployed at a deep site (183 m) in Lake Seneca.  Temperature measurements have been collected hourly at over 20 depths over the last three years.  Maximum surface temperatures are between 23-26 degrees C, and minimum temperatures are 3-4 degrees C.  The lake begins to stratify each year in late May and remains stratified until September.  Maximum thermocline depth varies from year to year over a range of 40-50 m.  The results are similar to observations made in Lake Michigan (depth 153 m) and Lake Huron (depth 217 m).  Although inertial variations do not occur, seiches generated by the wind result in vertical movements of the thermocline of over 10 m.