Quantifying Buoyancy-Driven Exchange Flows Over Obstacle at the Great Salt Lake Using RANS CFD

This study examines how barriers, such as berms, affect the movement of water in the Great Salt Lake in Utah. The lake experiences two types of water flow: one, called a unidirectional gravity current, where denser water flows in a single direction, and another, known as buoyancy-driven exchange flow, where water flows in two opposite directions due to differences in both water density and surface elevation. These flows are important for understanding how water mixes and moves between the northern and southern parts of the lake. Using computer models, we simulated how these two types of water flows behave when they encounter an obstacle. The results showed that a taller barrier is required to stop the unidirectional flow than to stop the denser water in the exchange flow. This research enhances our understanding of water flow in natural systems like the Great Salt Lake and provides valuable insights for designing future projects that protect the lake’s ecosystem while managing water movement.