Mediating the Effects of Climate on the Temperature and Thermal Structure of a Monomictic Reservoir through Use of Hydraulic Facilities

Abstract

Climate warming can alter the thermal conditions of reservoirs. However, some hydraulic interventions can be explored to mitigate this impact. This study investigates the long-term effects of climate on the temperature and thermal structure of a monomictic reservoir that has had varying operations from 1959 to 2016. Reservoir progressively operated through three distinct periods, namely, (A) deep penstock withdrawal (DPW; 1959–1991), (B) purely selective withdrawal (SW; 1992–2001), and (C) combination of SW and vertical curtain (VC; 2002–2016). Although annual air temperatures are increasing (+0.15 °C decade−1) in the long term, the reservoir’s surface water temperatures have been found to be decreasing (−0.06 °C decade−1). Periods B and C produced colder profiles and exhibited lower heat content and higher potential energy anomaly than Period A. Furthermore, stronger thermoclines, as indicated by Brunt–Vaisala frequency, were observed in the two latter periods. The results of this study show that varying operations bear a stronger influence on the reservoir’s temperature and thermal structure than climate change itself. Mitigating the thermal impacts of climate warming in reservoirs appears promising with the use of SW and VC.