Water movements in lakes during summer stratification; evidence from the distribution of temperature in Windermere

Abstract

The first part of this paper is taken up with an historical survey of the relatively few observations, some detailed and some less so, of internal seiches (internal standing waves) in lakes. After a description of the thermo-electric thermometer employed, there follow details and illustrations of the evidence, from temperature observations, for such internal waves in the northern basin of Windermere. Two main phases could be distinguished: (i) motion under wind stress leading to quasi-steady states with some or all of the isotherms tilted; (ii) internal seiche motion which developed after the wind had dropped. These observations confirm the findings of Wedderburn and his collaborators on the Scottish Lochs (1907-15). The results from Windermere are presented, not because any such confirmation is necessary, but in order to secure belated recognition of the fact that Wedderburn’s ‘ temperature seiche ’ is not an isolated phenomenon, but is an everyday feature of movement in stratified lakes subject to wind action. As this movement is an important and largely unrecognized factor in lake environment, this paper is addressed mainly to limnologists. In its latter part, results of theoretical analyses of a detailed series of observations are presented in non-mathematical form. The applicability of a theory of oscillations in a basin with three layers of differing density (set out in an appendix by M. S. Longuet-Higgins) is tested by comparing theoretical and observed deflexions of selected isotherms from their equilibrium levels, resulting from internal waves after a gale. This theory also enables horizontal components of velocity and displacement to be calculated for each layer. Complicating factors in natural lakes are enumerated, and the influence of internal waves on lake biology and sedimentation is discussed.