Author(s): Christopher B. Cook; Gerald T. Orlob
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: The Salton Sea, the largest surface water body in California, faces a myriad of problems associated with rising salinity and water surface level, plus large pollutant loading from inflowing tributaries. These problems pose threats to the region's ecosystem as evidenced by large kills of both aquatic and avian species in the area. In an initial phase of a comprehensive study of the area, two-and three-dimensional hydrodynamic models have been applied to characterize circulation and hydrodynamic transport processes. Modeling of the Sea has been complemented by a field monitoring program that will provide additional characterization of actualm circulation, including data required to calibrate and verify model results. Three acoustic Doppler current profilers and a large number of temperature loggers will be deployed in the Sea to continuously characterize water velocities and temperature fluctuations. Additional probes will be deployed to gather instantaneous vertical profiles of conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH. Because of the Sea's large size, relatively shallow water depth, exposure to perennial winds, and small hydrologic influxes, the hydrodynamics of the system are driven primarily by wind and Coriolis forces. Three meteorologic stations near the shore of the Sea record wind magnitudes and directions in addition to air tenmperatures, relative humidity, and short wave radiation. Wind-induced friction on the Sea's surface was applied in the models using statistical information on winds recorded at these stations. Initial simulation results suggested the presence of several large gyres within the water body, located primarily within the northern and southern basins. Preliminary simulations of cases where salinity control barriers are proposed to isolate portions of the Sea indicate dramatic alterations of present (model produced) circulation patterns. Concerns for future control of water surface and salinity levels focus on understanding critical balances between inflowing water quality and quantity and the extreme desert climatic conditions that exist in the area.
Year: 1997