Turning Over

[dtrs5kprs]

Lake Turnover

During spring, the process reverses itself. This time ice melts, and surface waters warm and sink until the water temperature at all depths reaches approximately 39º F. The sinking combined with wind mixing causes spring "turnover."

Doesn't sound quite right, besides the fact we don't freeze over. For this to happen, it would need to occur in Feb? early Mar? Not sure it would explain the color change people are currently reporting.

[OzarkFishman]

There are many variables and I am not an expert in the field. I would say that the density aspect definitely comes into play. I would assume it would have something to do with the water columns and the varying temperature as the warming occurs. Don't forget that wind has the power to mix a lot of water (not just on the surface). While Table Rock didn't freeze over, I would say that surface temps got below 39 degrees this winter.

If you read the link, then you would have read that every lake has different variable, but that temperature is the main variable. That explains why many southern lakes don't turn over. None of those lakes have any water that gets below 39 degrees. That means no turn over, no matter what the other variables are.

I would love to hear what an expert has to say about the turn over.

OzarkFishman

[dtrs5kprs]

No negativity intended OF. I've seen the spring thing in person in Iowa, going from gin clear at ice out to gunk a day or so later. My impression reading thru all of it was just that it would need to happen earlier. Ice out in southern IA was usually a late Feb kind of affair.

Maybe someone who does the scuba thing can chip in with info on the temp variation of the layers. If wind plays a role, is it safe to assume water flow would as well? Always the possibility of getting cold water dumped in from the bottom of Beaver.

[OzarkFishman]

No worries, dtrs5kprs.

It would be nice if anyone that has experience diving at Table Rock could join the conversation. I would assume the bottom of the lake (in deep areas) always stays close to 39.2 degrees. In the summer, the thermocline is above this area and then the top layer(s) of the water column is/are above the thermocline. In the winter the bottom would be 39.2 and the temperature above this would vary from a little above or a little above 39.2. Either way, the water would stay above the bottom layer, since it would have a lower density.

Like dtrs5kprs suggested; if Table Rock's turnover was simply a temperature thing, then it would turnover late Feb or early Mar.

This is just a guess ... maybe the thermocline is being established and with the combination of wind, sinking water and water flow the turnover happens around now.

I will continue researching this. If anyone has any info to add to the conversation, then please share (even if it means telling me I am wrong).

OzarkFishman

[Spinnaker]

I am curious about the draw down of Beaver and TR during the winter months and how this may affect the water temp. A lot of water was released from both lakes and I wonder if the water was the colder deep water. What are your thoughts?

[dtrs5kprs]

As I understand it, the water that is released from most dams comes from the bottom of the water column, thus the cold water fisheries below Beaver, Rock, Bull, Norfork, etc...

Could probably find out how cold that usually is from Phil or from someone on the trout pages.