An Integrated Graphic Modeling System for Three-Dimensional Hydrodynamic and Water Quality Simulation in Lakes

Abstract

Understanding the complex hydrodynamics and transport processes are of primary importance to alleviate and control the eutrophication problem in lakes. Numerical models are used to simulate these processes. However, it is often difficult to perform such a numerical modeling simulation for common users. This study presented an integrated graphic modeling system designed for three-dimensional hydrodynamic and water quality simulation in lakes. The system, called the Lake Modeling System (LMS), provides necessary functionalities streamlined for hydrodynamic modeling. The LMS provides a geographic information system (GIS)-based data processing framework to establish a model and provides capabilities for displaying model input and output information. The LMS also provides mapping and visualization tools to support the model development process. All of these features in a GIS-based framework makes the task of complex hydrodynamic and water quality modeling easier. The applicability of the LMS is demonstrated by a case study in Lake Donghu, which is a large urban lake in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River in China. The LMS was utilized to setup and calibrate a model for Lake Donghu. Then the model was used to study the effects of a water diversion project on the change in hydrodynamics and the water quality.

Keywords

• three-dimensional hydrodynamics
• water quality
• lake
• geographic information system
• GIS-model integration