2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference

March 13 - 15, 2022

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5/25/2021  |   2:00 PM - 3:30 PM   |  FLIPPING THE FLOW REGIME: EXAMINING HOW WINTER LAKE DRAWDOWNS IMPACT DOWNSTREAM FLOWS AND TEMPERATURE   |  Virtual Platform

FLIPPING THE FLOW REGIME: EXAMINING HOW WINTER LAKE DRAWDOWNS IMPACT DOWNSTREAM FLOWS AND TEMPERATURE

Winter lake drawdowns are a common management tool for recreational lakes in the northeastern USA, whereby lake surface levels are lowered during the winter to expose shoreline and destroy nuisance aquatic vegetation. Effects of various types of flow alterations on downstream hydrology, temperature, and stream ecology have been widely documented; however, downstream responses to drawdowns are limited. This study quantifies downstream changes in hydrology and temperature in response to lake drawdowns in Massachusetts. We installed non-vented pressure transducers at 9 drawdown and 3 non-drawdown control sites to obtain continuous (15 min) stream discharge and temperature. Preliminary results show dam releases during the fall lake drawdown period led to increased flow magnitude, decreased flow variation, and increased temperatures compared to non-drawdown systems; however, responses differed based on drawdown magnitude. We predict decreased releases during the spring lake refill period will lead to reduced flow magnitudes and flow variation, which is atypical for spring hydrographs in this region, as well as an increase in temperature compared to non-drawdown systems. This study will advance understanding of impacts of drawdown on downstream hydrology and temperature and inform guidelines minimizing impacts to stream ecosystems.

  • Monitoring
  • Ecohydrology
  • Flow

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Presenters/Authors

Alec Baker (), University of Massachusetts Amherst, ambaker@umass.edu;


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