Hydrologic modeling of Lake Waiau, Hawaii (Student paper)

Author:

Ebel, Brian

Title:

Hydrologic modeling of Lake Waiau, Hawaii (Student paper)

Year:

2001

Subject:

Lake Waiau Limnology Hydrology

Summary:

This report aims to create an accurate, predictive hydrologic model including over-land flow drainage networks for Lake Waiau at the summit of Mauna Kea. Theodolite surveying (GTS), meteorology stations, and isotope measurements were completed to obtain hydrologic data for Lake Waiau, in the Puu Waiau crater. Basin characteristics and geology were observed as well. The GTS dataset was compared to the USGS Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the summit to determine the accuracy of the DEM, which demonstrated that the DEM is an accurate dataset. Development of the hydrologic model necessitated creating a drainage model using a USGS DEM and the Topographic Parameterization (TOPAZ) algorithm within the Watershed Modeling System Software (WMS). The model results indicate that Lake Waiau is dominated by seasonal cycles of increasing precipitation (and decreased evaporation) in the winter months followed by decreased precipitation and increased evaporation in the summer. The dominant control over loss from the system is evaporation, resulting from low humidity in combination with strong winds. Lake volume and surface area as a function of depth were also modeled. The drainage model allows for prediction of volume input into Lake Waiau, given precipitation data. Geomorphological changes due to further construction at the summit will thus have minimal effect on Lake Waiau because potential telescope sites are not within the Lake's watershed.

Collection:

Monographs