Dissolved oxygen modeling of Lake Ogallala: A midwest hydropower tailwater reservoir using CE-QUAL-W2, version 3

L. Kozimor, J. Stansbury, E. Dove, D. Admiraal

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The Lake Ogallala hydropower tailwater reservoir is subjected to wide fluctuations of the inflow water quality and quantity. These alterations impact lake temperatures, water stage, dissolved oxygen (DO) and nutrients. A two dimensional continuous simulation, hydrodynamic and water quality model, CE-QUAL-W2, was used to simulate the lake's dissolved oxygen. The elements modeled include surges of low DO and temperatures; high chemical oxygen demands and dissolved nutrients; in-lake algae, macrophytes, and epiphytes response; temperature and bathymetric induced circulation patterns; and weather impacts. The epiphyte routine was used to simulate macrophytes, and the model was able to emulate the diurnal DO and temperature fluctuations which ranged from 2 to 12 mg/L and 19.5 to 23 degrees C, respectively. The study found that the chemical demand resulted in an approximately 1.5 mg/L drop in DO across the lake but also found that macrophyte respiration causes approximately a 2 mg/L reduction in DO during dark respiration. Management alternatives were modeled based on controlling the inflow of DO and macrophyte harvesting.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationExamining the Confluence of Environmental and Water Concerns - Proceedings of the World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2006
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
EventWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2006: Examining the Confluence of Environmental and Water Concerns - Omaha, NE, United States
Duration: May 21 2006May 25 2006

Publication series

NameExamining the Confluence of Environmental and Water Concerns - Proceedings of the World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2006

Conference

ConferenceWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2006: Examining the Confluence of Environmental and Water Concerns
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOmaha, NE
Period5/21/065/25/06

Keywords

  • Dissolved oxygen
  • Hydroelectric powerplants
  • Lakes
  • Reservoirs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Science(all)

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