Our aquatic research integrates advanced engineering tools with ecological science to understand how lakes function as dynamic, interconnected systems. Using technologies such as high-resolution sensors, autonomous platforms, and in situ monitoring, researchers measure physical processes, including water movement, mixing, and temperature, across the lake. These physical dynamics are then linked to biological responses — including plankton communities, nutrient cycling, and food web interactions — to reveal how environmental changes shape overall lake health. This systems-based approach allows TERC to move beyond isolated measurements and instead understand the lake as a whole, improving our ability to predict change, inform management, and protect freshwater ecosystems.
Related Research Projects
Biology
Lake life is inextricably linked to the physical and chemical dynamics of the Tahoe Basin’s ecosystems.
Engineering
To better understand what is happening in the lake, we must first understand its physical dynamics.
Chemistry
TERC Chemists turn thousands of field samples into trustworthy science and precise data.