OCR Text |
Show managers benefit from a better understanding of the lakes resources. ( SRC, unpub.) Lake Influences on Local Climate The size of the lake and its salinity play a role in the locate climate of the Wasatch Front. A variety of dynamic feedback mechanism exist between weather and climate systems and any large lake. The " lake effect" occurs when relatively warm lake water enhances the moisture content of storm systems. This produces heavy precipitation which is deposited on the leeward side of the lake. GSL has a very steep mountain range also on the leeward side of the lake. Orographic precipitation occurs when air masses move over topographic barriers such as mountain ranges and cool due to increasing elevation and temperature. Exceptional skiing conditions are a result of this geographic coincidence of a large lake located upwind of a steep mountain front. The " lake effect" plays a significant role in the economic benefits of Utah's ski industry.( SRC, unpub.) The size and salinity of the lake intensifies lake effect storms. High salinity levels can significantly retard the amount of water. The saturation vapor pressure of GSL brines are near saturation ( NaCl) is approximately 60 percent of fresh water ( Dickson et al., 1965). A variety of scientific studies have been undertaken regarding the importance of the GSL on local climate. The most recent scientific summary is Carpenter ( 1993). The University of Utah is also conducting an intensive study of region weather and climatology associated with GSL. There is also information regarding local wind patterns over the lake ( Wasatch Front Regional Council, 1980). As is the case with any water body, surface winds tend to have a divergent pattern near the lake in response to terrestrial heating during the day and this pattern is reversed when land masses cool at night ( Wasatch Front Regional Council, 1980). 146 |