Three-dimensional Numerical Modeling of Wind-induced Flow and Mass Transport in Natural Lakes

Wind stress is one of the most important driving forces for lake water movement. This paper presents the development and application of a three-dimensional numerical model for simulating the flow circulations induced by wind and associated mass transport in natural lakes. This model was developed based on CCHE3D hydrodynamic model. It is a finite element model utilizing a special method based on the collocation approach called the efficient element method. A parabolic distribution of vertical eddy viscosity was specified to analyze the wind-driven flow. The model was first validated using experimental measurements, then it was applied to simulate the wind-driven flow and mass transport in several natural lakes in USA, including a small oxbow lake in Mississippi delta, a flood inundation zone in Iowa during the Midwest flood 2008, and a large reservoir in Mississippi. The simulated results were compared with field measurements, and good agreements were obtained.