Ripples

Ripple patterns in the dam outflow at Durant Nature Park.

 

Waves

Water waves on Shelly Lake.

Another physics lesson

Waves change direction around a barrier-Diffraction!

I taught this in physics class using wave tanks, and a lake is like a giant uncontrollable wave tank.  Diffraction is why you can hear conversations from another room even if you aren't in direct line with the doorway.  And why you can still receive your radio station when you go under a bridge.  See here for an explanation.  (Scroll down past reflection, and refraction.  See here and here for examples of those.

Again, Yay physics!

Physics again

In a small creek, there was an interference pattern set up in the water.  As waves from reflections off different rocks came together, they formed a standing wave pattern. Explanation here.  Also, here's an interesting simulation. (link)  Well, interesting to me...

Interference

Wave interference on Falls Lake.
 You can see the nodal lines (places where a crest and trough come together to destructively interfere) and the antinodes (where the waves come together and add together to make a bigger wave). The wind had just shifted and set up interfering waves.  

Yay physics!