Lake Turnover

Once again, our most visited page on the website is Water Levels on Horseshoe, and this time of year, the most interesting data point is the water temperature.  If you’ve been keeping an eye on it, you’ll notice that the temperature was holding steady at 39 degrees, which is when water reaches its maximum density. The unique property of water reaching maximum density above its freezing point is the driving force behind the natural process of "lake turnover," which typically occurs in the spring and fall. 

During the fall, as the surface water cools, it becomes denser and sinks, forcing the less dense, warmer water from the bottom to the surface. This process continues until the entire water column reaches a uniform temperature and density of around 39.2°F, allowing the wind to mix the layers.  This mixing is crucial for the health of aquatic ecosystems because it redistributes oxygen throughout the lake and brings nutrient-rich sediment from the bottom to the surface.

It looks like nothing is happening, but it’s one of the most unique phenomena in nature!

Look for the lakes to start icing over in the coming days, especially with the cooler temps.  And remember, report ice in dates on our Facebook page and include photos to be entered into a drawing for SRCLA swag!