Lake Huron Wave Dynamics

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="711785a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG SRC="6fa3c510.png" border=0 width="60" height="81" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#FFFF66" FACE="Britannic Bold" ><B>Lake Huron Wave Dynamics</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>  </B></FONT><B>  |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Thumbnet Home Page"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fishing and Hunting"><U><B>>>back to</B></U></A><A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fishing and Hunting"><U><B> Fishing & Hunting</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="712d2b03.jpg"> <div> <IMG SRC="173b10c0.jpg" border=0 width="177" height="268" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Lake Huron Wave Dynamics</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="566" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 1001 WIDTH="8"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1001" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="8" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="547"><div> Lake Huron can be both beautiful and dangerous.  Wave action on this wondrous body of water can vary from a flat, glasslike look to monstrous waves.  Walt Hoagman, the Tawas-based Sea Grant Agent, obtained wave data recorded by NOAA buoys located in open water throughout Lake Huron.  Wind traveling across of body of water creates waves.  Obviously the larger the lake the bigger wave potential exists.  Lake Huron's greatest expanse of water is 215 miles with can create some very large waves.  However, it takes an <IMG SRC="16f9b620.gif" border=0 width="155" height="98" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="4">ocean to generate fully developed wave action.  According to the data NOAA gathered, a sustained wind of 10 miles per hour on Lake Huron can produce 4 foot high waves.  A sustained wind of 17 miles per hour can produce five foot waves, that make reach 7 feet from crest to trough.  In open water, a wind speed of 24 miles per hour can create 12 foot waves.  There is a phenomenon known as "Three Sisters" where one wave has an overriding effect on another as wind speed increases, helping to create larger waves that seem to travel in threes.  We can enjoy the beauty of Lake Huron while also respecting it by keeping in mind the wave dynamics of this vast body of water.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>Spring & Fall Lake Huron Overturn</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>     </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >At one time or another, we have all observed the relentless action of the waves of Lake Huron.  However, not many of us are aware of another very important movement of the lake, an action that keeps most aquatic life alive.  This is the vertical movement of Lake Huron.</FONT></div> <div>  <IMG SRC="18448480.png" border=0 width="72" height="72" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">              When Lake Huron surface water reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Celsius, this water will have its maximum density thus causing it to sink to the bottom of the lake.  Water above this temperature will be displaced to the surface.  This "vertical" movement called overturn is critical in order for aquatic life to survive.</div> <div>         Overturn is observed twice a year.... in the Spring and Fall, each time the surface temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  <IMG SRC="17e72770.png" border=0 width="114" height="119" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Surface water is saturated with oxygen from wave action.  When the surface water temperature reaches 40 degrees this water sinks to the bottom providing good oxygenation while the bottom water is displaced to the surface where it will be aerated once again.  Along with this vertical movement of water, nutrients and decayed matter are moved to the surface, thus providing food for aquatic plants.  This process will take place again in the fall.  </div> <div>        The next time you observe the beauty of waves, remember with out Spring and Fall Overturn, the aquatic life in Lake Huron as we know it would not exist.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tell Us About Your Business"><U><IMG SRC="127eb430.jpg" border=0 width="491" height="67" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fishing and Hunting"><U><B>>>back to Fishing & Hunting</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="547"><IMG BORDER="0" 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