1. What is Lake Evaporation?

Lake evaporation refers to the process where water transforms from liquid to vapor and escapes from a lake's surface into the atmosphere. It's a crucial component of the hydrological cycle and significantly impacts water resource management.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the evaporation formula:

Where:

• \( SA \) — Surface area of the lake (square feet)
• \( ER \) — Evaporation rate (inches per day)
• 7.48 — Conversion factor (gallons per cubic foot)
• 12 — Conversion factor (inches to feet)

Explanation: The formula calculates daily water loss by converting the evaporation depth to volume and then to gallons.

3. Importance of Evaporation Calculation

Details: Accurate evaporation calculation is essential for water resource planning, irrigation management, reservoir operations, and understanding climate impacts on water bodies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter surface area in square feet and evaporation rate in inches per day. Both values must be positive numbers for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What factors affect evaporation rates?
A: Temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, and water temperature significantly influence evaporation rates.

Q2: How is evaporation rate typically measured?
A: Evaporation rates are measured using evaporation pans, atmometers, or calculated using meteorological data and empirical formulas.

Q3: What are typical evaporation rates for lakes?
A: Rates vary by climate: 0.1-0.3 inches/day in temperate regions, 0.3-0.6 inches/day in arid regions, and up to 0.8 inches/day in hot deserts.

Q4: Why convert to gallons?
A: Gallons are a common unit for water management, making it easier to understand water loss volumes for practical applications.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for ponds?
A: Yes, the formula applies to any water body where surface area and evaporation rate are known.