lake current
Quick Summary
Lake currents are primarily initiated by hydraulic gradients, wind stress, and density variations. Hydraulic effects stem from water inflows and outflows, while wind stress is a significant external force, driving water movement and surface waves. Density gradients, caused by changes in temperature or dissolved substances, also contribute to water movement, influencing both horizontal and vertical motion.12
Wind stress is a common cause of lake currents. In large lakes, away from shore, wind-driven surface currents can be influenced by the Coriolis force, causing them to move at an angle to the wind direction. In shallower areas or near coasts, wind can cause water to move onshore or offshore, leading to phenomena like upwelling.2
Other factors influencing lake currents include internal waves, which occur between stratified layers of water, and Langmuir circulation, a mixing mechanism observed on windy days. These currents play a role in erosion and shaping shorelines.34
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