Water temperature is directly related to water quality. Temperature affects the physical, biological, and chemical characteristics of a water system. Gases are more easily dissolved in cold water than in warm water, therefore, cold water holds more oxygen than does warm water.
Factors influenced by temperature include the:
Amount
of oxygen that can be dissolved in water.
Photosynthetic
rate of algae and other aquatic plants
Metabolic
rates of aquatic organisms
Temperature also plays a role in lake turnover. Water is heaviest at 4oC, and is lighter at temperatures both above and below. Ice (at 0oC) floats on top of the heavier water. As the temperatures warm, and the ice on a lake melts, the temperature rises and water temperatures and density become more uniform. The lake can mix completely, replenishing the bottom water with oxygen and redistributing nutrients throughout the water column.
