Lake Basin Morphology

This dataset was developed to assist in resource management and research applications by furthering the basic understanding of a basin's physical characteristics. Lake Basin Morphology includes the following morphometric indices: surface area, perimeter, maximum depth, average depth, relative depth, average slope, volume development index, fetch, maximum length, maximum width, percent littoral zone, volume, shoreline development index (no islands), shoreline length including islands, shoreline development index including islands, fetch bearing, maximum length bearing, maximum width bearing, littoral zone acres, observed maximum depth of littoral zone vegetation, average width. These indices are commonly used for analyses such as basin productivity, habitat suitability, wave energy dynamics, and oxygen profiles. Fetch indicates the greatest distance wind can sweep uninterrupted across a lake surface and has implications for erosion potential, wave energy, and plant habitat suitability.