Modeling water ages and thermal structure of Lake Mead under changing water levels

Abstract

Water age and thermal structure of Lake Mead were modeled using the 3-dimensional hydrodynamic Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC). The model was calibrated using observed data from 2005 and then applied to simulate 2 scenarios: high-stage with an initial water level of 370.0 m and low-stage with a projected initial water level of 320.0 m. The high-stage simulation described predrought lake hydrodynamics, while the low-stage simulation projected how lake circulation could respond under significant lake drawdown, should drought conditions persist. The results indicate that water level drawdown plays an important role in thermal stratification and water movement of Lake Mead during receding water levels. The impact of the dropping water level on lake thermal stratification is more significant in shallow regions such as Las Vegas Bay. Depth-averaged (the mean value of 30 vertical layers) water temperature in the low-stage was estimated to increase by 4–7 C and 2–4 C for shallow (<20 m) and deep (>70 m) regions, respectively. Further, depth-averaged water age decreased about 70–90 d for shallow regions and 90–120 d for deep regions under the simulated drought scenario. Such changes in temperature and water age due to continuous drought will have a strong influence on the hydrodynamic processes of Lake Mead. This study provides a numerical tool to support adaptive management of regional water resources by lake managers.