A Model-Based Assessment of Potential Impacts of Man-Made Reservoirs on Precipitation

Abstract

Abstract Land-use land-cover change (LULCC) plays an important role in weather and climate systems. Human modifications of land cover include building reservoirs and thus creating artificial lakes for multipurpose use. In this research, the authors have completed a Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model–based assessment of impacts of two large parallel lakes on precipitation. This area is located in the western part of the states of Kentucky and Tennessee and known as the Land between the Lakes (LBL). To determine the impacts, this study has replaced the lakes with grass, deciduous forests, and bare soil and conducted model simulations for three precipitation events of different magnitudes. The analysis suggests that precipitation increased in some cases and reduced in others. One of the key impacts of LULCC in the LBL area is the relocation of precipitation cells and also the timing of precipitation. Local precipitation amounts increased or decreased with these relocations. In summary, establishment of lakes or replacement of lakes with alternate land cover may modify local precipitation in the LBL area.