Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2006NV103B

Hydrodynamic Modeling of Lake Mead

Institute: Nevada
Year Established: 2006 Start Date: 2006-03-01 End Date: 2008-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $33,653 Total Non-Federal Funds: $67,440

Principal Investigators: Mark Stone, Mark Stone

Abstract: Lake Mead is one of the most important water resources in the United States providing drinking, irrigation, and industrial water for approximately 25 million people. However, rapid urban development in southern Nevada, combined with modified upstream land use and extended drought, has gradually degraded Lake Mead water quality. Although water quality concerns have motivated intense monitoring programs by several agencies, observed data has not been incorporated into a unifying tool to support management and research efforts. The goal of this research is to develop a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model of Lake Mead to investigate circulation processes. This goal will be met by completing the following four objectives: (1) customize a hydrodynamic model for the lake, (2) incorporate water quality routines into the hydrodynamic model, (3) investigate Lake Mead circulation processes, and (4) produce the framework for an adaptive management tool. The model will integrate previous water monitoring efforts, improve understanding of lake circulation, and provide the framework for a robust adaptive management tool for Lake Mead.