Application of a Nested-grid hydrodynamic model for circulation and thermal structure in the coastal boundary layer of Lake Huron

Authors

  • Yerubandi R. Rao Water Science and Technology, National Water Research Institute, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, L7R 4A6
  • Jinyu Sheng Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada, B3H 4J1

Keywords:

numerical model, Great Lakes, coastal currents, temperature

Abstract

A nested-grid hydrodynamic modeling system is used to study circulation and temperature distributions in Lake Huron and adjacent areas. This nested system is based on a three-dimensional, primitive-equation z-level ocean model. The nested system consists of two sub-components: a coarse-resolution outer model covering Lake Huron and Georgian Bay with a horizontal resolution of roughly 2.5 km, and a fine-resolution inner model covering eastern Lake Huron and northwestern Georgian Bay with a horizontal resolution of roughly 900 m. The inner model produced reasonably well the three-dimensional flow and thermal structure over the coastal boundary layer close to the eastern shore of the lake.

References

Large, W. G. and Pond, S. 1981. Open ocean momentum flux measurements in moderate to strong winds. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 11: 324–336.

Large, W. G., McWilliams, J. C. and Doney, S. C. 1994. Oceanic vertical mixing: A review and a model with a non-local boundary layer parameterization. Reviews of Geophysics, 32: 363–403.

Murthy, C. R. and Dunbar, D. S. 1981. Structure of the flow within the coastal boundary layer of the Great Lakes. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 11: 1567–1577.

Rao, Y. R. and Murthy, C. R. 2001. Coastal boundary layer characteristics during summer stratification in Lake Ontario. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 31: 1088–1104.

Saylor, J. H. and Miller, G. S. 1979. Lake Huron winter circulation. J. Geophys. Res., 84: 3237–3252.

Schwab, D. J. and Sellers, D. L. 1996. Computerized bathymetry and shorelines of the Great Lakes, Ann Arbor, MI, , USA: GLERL. NOAA report, ERL GLERL–16

Sheng, J. and Rao, Y. R. 2006. Circulation and thermal structure in Lake Huron and Georgian Bay: Application of a nested grid model, Cont. Shelf Res. 26 (12–13),, 2006: 1496–1518.

Sheng, J., Wright, D. G., Greatbatch, R. J. and Dietrich, D. 1998. CANDIE: A new version of the DieCAST ocean circulation model. J. Atm. and Oceanic Tech., 15: 1414–1432.

Sloss, P. W. and Saylor, J. H. 1975. Measurement of current flow during summer in Lake Huron Boulder, CO NOAA Tech. Rep. ERL 353 GLERL 5.U. S. Dep. Commerce

Smagorinsky, J. 1963. General circulation experiments with the primitive equation. I. The basic experiment. Mon. Wea. Rev., 21: 99–165.

Published

2008-06-06