Physical properties of Crater Lake, Oregon: A method for the determination of a conductivity‐ and temperature‐dependent expression for salinity

Active inputs of thermally and chemically enriched fluids at the bottom of Crater Lake create small vertical and horizontal heterogeneities in the deep‐lake temperature and salt distribution. Using an internally recording CTD and a precise definition for salinity as a function of in situ conductivity and temperature, we assess the significant effects of these inputs on the density structure and mixing processes in Crater Lake. To characterize the physical properties of the lake we have developed an experimental approach to derive a specific conductance and temperature‐dependant expression for salinity in freshwater.