Dynamics of the surface of Lake Tahoe

Even in calm conditions, when Lake Tahoe appears placid and serene, there is a great deal of energy in transit between the atmosphere and the water surface. Using data from four remote surface buoys on Lake Tahoe, we are seeking to understand the complex processes that govern the movement of heat and gases from the atmosphere to the lake and visa versa.

These buoys monitor both temperature variations and atmospheric fluxes above and below the air-water interface, which is primarily used by NASA to calibrate and validate thermal infrared data from satellites and aircraft, but also facilitates a wide range of scientific studies on the physics of lakes and other inland water bodies.

Collaborators: Simon Hook (NASA/JPL)

Funding sources: NASA Jet Propulsion Lab