The physical and chemical limnology of Yukon’s largest lake, Lhù’ààn Mân’ (Kluane Lake), prior to the 2016 ‘A’ąy Chù’ diversion

A comprehensive pre-diversion study of Lhù’ààn Mân’ (Kluane Lake) reveals distinct limnological regions shaped by glacier influence, depth, and seasonality. The southern basin, cold and turbid due to glacial inputs, contrasts with the warmer, productive northwestern region and the stratified, intermediate northeast zone. These findings highlight the need for spatial and temporal monitoring of large northern lakes to detect climate-driven changes. Conducted in 2015, this research provides a critical baseline before the 2016 diversion of Slims River, enabling future ecological assessments when combined with Indigenous knowledge.

McKnight, E. A., Swanson, H., Brahney, J., & Hik, D. S. (2021). The physical and chemical limnology of Yukon’s largest lake, Lhù’ààn Mân’ (Kluane Lake), prior to the 2016 ‘A’ą̈y Chù’ diversion. Arctic Science, 7(3), 655–678. https://doi.org/10.1139/as-2020-0012