Three-Dimensional Numerical Model of Wind-Driven Current in a Lake Based on POM Model

Abstract

Lake current is the cause for the transport of many matters such as suspended sediment, algae, contaminant, therefore, it must be estimated fairly accurately. Generally speaking, the flow in many lakes is weak and the flow direction is follows dominated mainly by the wind direction on lake surface. Correct simulation of the wind-driven current in a lake requires using a three-dimensional hydrodynamic numerical model. The main factor affecting the lake hydrodynamic processes is wind. Because wind-driven current have important influence for the matter exchange and energy transform in a lake, and field observations are comparatively difficult, numerical modeling is the main method to estimate the wind-driven current nowadays. The numerical modeling of 3D tidal flow and mass transportation in this study was performed using the Princeton Ocean Model (POM). The model is validated by calculating wind-driven current in a rectangular flume [1][2]. The contaminant transport modeling in the Yangchenghu Lake is performed with POM using an orthogonal curvilinear grid in horizontal direction and sigma coordinate variation in vertical direction. An analysis of model results is presented.