USING A GPS ORB TO DETERMINE LAKE CURRENTS: APPLICATIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Caddo Lake, on the border between Louisiana and Texas, was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 1993. It is also a Superfund site that is working to cleanup the pollution from the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant. With goals of restoration, including the management of invasive species, such as giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) and increasing American Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) population, it is important to understand the physical environment of the lake. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a simple, inexpensive method of determining lake currents and flow patterns. Lake current/flow data will provide insights into sedimentation patterns for pollutants as well as slackwater environments where some invasives inhabit. The construction materials and initial findings are presented here.