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Implications of non-uniform wind stress on lake circulation : with application to Quesnel Lake, B.C. North, Ryan P.
Abstract
In hydrodynamic modeling of lakes, wind stress is often assumed uniform over an entire water body. This is not always an accurate representation of the wind stress since it does not consider wind distribution inhomogeneities or the effect of windwaves. These factors modify wind stress at the air-water interface and mixing induced in the surface waters. This thesis focuses on the influence of wind-waves on wind stress distribution and discusses the implications for wind-driven circulation in stratified water bodies. Significant wave height throughout the basin is estimated using fetch and duration limited equations. Wind stress is then calculated from wind speed and a modified coefficient of drag. The latter is related to the significant wave height via a surface roughness formulation. This accounts for variations in wind stress due to wave fetch and duration. Wind stress estimated with and without the influence of wind-waves is applied to an analytical solution for wind-driven circulation in a simplified lake. The comparison demonstrates the significance of wind-waves on lake circulation. Results indicate an increase in internal seiching and surface layer currents with the inclusion of the surface roughness height. Further testing of the influence of wind-waves is conducted on Quesnel Lake, B.C. Comparisons using an idealized wind (uniform and steady) once again indicates an increase in the internal circulation when accounting for surface roughness. The importance of properly quantifying the wind speed and direction is also discussed.
Item Metadata
Title |
Implications of non-uniform wind stress on lake circulation : with application to Quesnel Lake, B.C.
|
Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
|
Date Issued |
2006
|
Description |
In hydrodynamic modeling of lakes, wind stress is often assumed uniform over an
entire water body. This is not always an accurate representation of the wind stress
since it does not consider wind distribution inhomogeneities or the effect of windwaves.
These factors modify wind stress at the air-water interface and mixing
induced in the surface waters. This thesis focuses on the influence of wind-waves on
wind stress distribution and discusses the implications for wind-driven circulation
in stratified water bodies.
Significant wave height throughout the basin is estimated using fetch and duration
limited equations. Wind stress is then calculated from wind speed and a
modified coefficient of drag. The latter is related to the significant wave height via
a surface roughness formulation. This accounts for variations in wind stress due
to wave fetch and duration. Wind stress estimated with and without the influence
of wind-waves is applied to an analytical solution for wind-driven circulation in a
simplified lake. The comparison demonstrates the significance of wind-waves on
lake circulation. Results indicate an increase in internal seiching and surface layer
currents with the inclusion of the surface roughness height.
Further testing of the influence of wind-waves is conducted on Quesnel Lake,
B.C. Comparisons using an idealized wind (uniform and steady) once again indicates
an increase in the internal circulation when accounting for surface roughness. The
importance of properly quantifying the wind speed and direction is also discussed.
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Genre | |
Type | |
Language |
eng
|
Date Available |
2010-01-06
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
|
DOI |
10.14288/1.0063220
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
2006-05
|
Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.