The three common lake types based on stratification patterns are polymictic lakes, dimictic lakes, and monomictic lakes.
- Polymictic lakes are lakes where the water column mixes completely from top to bottom
- Dimictic lakes thermally stratify but the water column mixes top to bottom twice a year, generally in spring and fall.
- Monomictic lakes thermally stratify but mix from top to bottom only once a year.
