CHANGES IN PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL VARIABLES IN A NEW RESERVOIR DUE TO PUMPED STORAGE OPERATIONS¹

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Information on biologically important physical and chemical variables is presented for Lake Oconee, a newly impounded pumped storage reservoir in Georgia. During its first summer, when no pumping occurred, temperature, oxygen, pH, inorganic nitrogen, and phosphorus were vertically stratified with severe hypolimnetic oxygen depletion. During the second summer, when pumped storage was in operation, more homogenous vertical profiles, generally higher oxygen, and lower dissolved nutrient concentrations were observed. These pumped storage effects were observed at all stations, rather than being confined to the immediate vicinity of the dam.