Field Data Report ... Devils Lake, North Dakota June; September 1998 June, September 1999

Abstract

Devils Lake, a terminal, saline lake in North Dakota has experienced a 24~ foot rise in lake elevation resulting in the flooding of over 60,000 acres since 1992. At lower water~surface elevations, Devils Lake functions as a series of connected basins with salinity increasing in an eastward direction due to longer water retention times. The recent increase in water depth provides an opportunity for mixing due to wind and buoyancy forces. The following data were collected during the summers of 1998 and 1999 to identify the processes causing exchange~flows within the lake. The data were later used to calibrate a numerical model, based on energy and conservation of mass principles, to estimate the redistribution of sulfate within Devils Lake. The magnitude and 'rate of redistribution is of interest in understanding the lake's ecosystem and as design input for a possible water diversion to stabilize the water~surface elevation. Information concerning the collection and analyses of these data are presented elsewhere.