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Why does my water smell like rotten eggs?

October 10, 2023

As seasons change, the temperature of the water at the lake's surface begins to change.  In the spring, changes in sunlight intensity warms the top layer of water.  Eventually, the water temperature at the top and bottom of the lake equalizes.  When this happens, the lake is said to turn over because oxygen from the top and bottom of the lake mix, and nutrients trapped at the lake bottom are released, freely moving about the lake.  A similar process happens in the fall.  As the lakes cool, the water temperature at the lake's surface and bottom equalize and the lakes turn over oxygen and nutrients in the water, allowing everything to become mixed before again settling into layers.  Lake turnover occurs because water has different densities at different temperatures, therefore causing the unpleasant smell.