Before and after studies of the effects of a powerplant installation on Lake LBJ. A dissolved oxygen model for the hypolimnion of Lake LBJ. Interim report No. 3

Technical Report · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1973

OSTI ID:7256645

Fogg, J B; Fruh, E G

The development of a 440 megawatt fossil-fueled generation station on Lake LBJ may so change the hydrodynamic and temperature stratification patterns in the proposed discharge area as to alter the hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen concentrations upon which the aquatic life depends. The objective of this study was to develop and calibrate dissolved oxygen simulation models with available data obtained under ''natural'' conditions and subsequently to utilize such models to estimate changes possible with power plant operations. A numerical model to simulate the dissolved oxygen resources in the hypolimnion of Lake LBJ was developed based on the approach first suggested by Bella (1970) and later modified for the hypolimnion of southwestern impoundments by Carroll (1972). Analysis of field data from Lake LBJ indicated that the assumptions upon which this simulation model was based were reasonable for this reservoir. The ''in-situ'' benthic dissolved oxygen demand was found to be approximately the same in the deep pool behind the dam as in the proposed discharge and averaged 1.5 gm O/sub 2//day-m/sup 2/. The microbial respiration demand was estimated utilizing standard ultimate BOD measurements; and variations with season of the year, depth and temperature were found. In order to obtain reasonable correlation between the model simulations and the observed dissolved oxygen data in the hypolimnion of the Lake LBJ pool, a significant decrease was required in the initial estimate of the vertical dispersion term. Also based on field studies in other southwestern reservoirs, the benthic dissolved oxygen uptake demand was limited in area to only the old river and tributary sections of the hypolimnion. A sensitivity analysis was conducted and the most significant parameters were the respiration coefficient utilized for the top layer of the hypolimnion and the vertical dispersion term.

• Research Organization: Texas Univ., Austin (USA). Center for Research in Water Resources
• OSTI ID: 7256645
• Report Number(s): CRWR-103; EHE-73-05
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DATA ANALYSIS
ECOLOGY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDRODYNAMICS
LAKES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
MICROORGANISMS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN
POLLUTION
POWER PLANTS
RESPIRATION
SURFACE WATERS