Summer hydrodynamics of Lake Erie: observations and modeling during upwelling events

Session: Physical Processes in Lakes (1)

Dmitry Beletsky, CIGLR, SEAS, University of Michigan, beletsky@umich.edu
Raisa Beletsky, CIGLR, University of Michigan, raisabel@umich.edu
Eric Anderson, NOAA/GLERL, eric.j.anderson@noaa.gov
Mark Rowe, NOAA GLERL, mark.rowe@noaa.gov
Steve Ruberg, NOAA - GLERL, steve.ruberg@noaa.gov
Thomas Johengen, CILER, University of Michigan, johengen@umich.edu
Craig Stow, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, craig.stow@noaa.gov

Abstract

Prediction of coastal upwellings in Lake Erie depends on the ability of hydrodynamic models to accurately simulate nearshore lake circulation and thermal structure (e.g. position of hypolimnion). In summer 2017, temperature and currents were measured at several locations in the central basin in order to study changes in lake thermal structure and circulation during upwelling events. Several such events were identified and linked with occurrence of north-easterly winds. In addition, a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model (FVCOM) was used to derive basin-wide temperature and circulation patterns for different types of meteorological forcing. Model results were compared with observations of currents and temperature at moorings. Accuracy of wind forcing was found to be critical for prediction of upwelling.