ELCOM and CAEDYM are three-dimensional finite-difference codes; they were used to simulate three-dimensional transport and the interactions of flow, physics, biology, and chemistry in the reservoir.
The study indicated that the hydrodynamic flow patterns within Boulder Basin are mainly driven by the Colorado River inflow, the Hoover Dam outflow, and meteorological parameters. However, the water quality of Boulder Basin is also affected by the load of nutrients from the Las Vegas Wash, which carries the treated wastewater effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants, surface runoff, and groundwater discharges into the basin.
The goal of this proposed project is to assess the potential for changes in water quality and trophic status of Lake Mead due to increased internal nutrient recycling that may result from warmer water temperatures and lower dissolved oxygen concentrations which are induced by climate change.
Specifically this project will address:
1. The potential for warmer climatic conditions to lead to increased internal nutrient recycling due to lower dissolved oxygen concentrations in Lake Mead.
2. The effect of increased internal nutrient recycling on general water quality and trophic status of Lake Mead.
3. The effect of increased internal nutrient recycling on the potential for large algal blooms, which may reduce water transparency and lead to a general degradation in recreational uses in the lake.
4. The potential for increased internal nutrient recycling and productivity to lead to further decreases in dissolved oxygen concentrations and additional nutrient release through “feed-back” mechanisms.
