A water circulation apparatus for desratifying a body of water such as in a
lake or reservoir is disclosed. Broadly, the apparatus (1) comprises
ducting in the form of a draft tube (2) having an upper end (3) positioned
towards the surface of the body of water and a lower end (4) positioned
towards the bottom of the body of water, and a pump assembly (5) for
pumping water through the tube (2). Broadly, the pump assembly (5)
comprises an impeller (20) having six to fourteen blades (21) having a
diameter of 3 m-5 m driven by an electrical motor. Typically, the
apparatus (1) also includes a support in the form of a platform (13)
mounted on buoyancy elements (12). Water enters the draft tube (2) through
the upper end thereof and is pumped outwardly through the tube (2) and out
through the outlet spaced above the bottom of the body of water. The
apparatus is used to pump water across a thermocline which acts as a
barrier to normal convection flow so as to destratify the body of water
and to resist the occurrence of a layer of deoxygenated water near the
bottom of the body of water.