Simulation of multiple internal boundary layers above lake surfaces

One of the fundamental physical factors in a lake environment is the wind. The consequent acceleration of the wind (which arrives from the direction of the lake shore or  the reed belt) over the open lake surface  is a major factor in the energy balance and wind-induced flows of our reed-covered lakes. The explanation for this is known: over the course of the wind an internal boundary layer develops below each roughness jump. One of the main questions of the research is how precisely can the improved algebraic internal boundary layer models be applied for the interpolation of wind measurements or downscaling fields of predicting models which have insufficient resolution to describe internal boundary layers.

Aerial photograph of Lake Velence at southeasterly wind direction. Change of water surface roughness is clearly visible due to the variation of light scattering, and this proves the differences in the driving force of wind. (Source: Google Maps)

Involved researchers and departments

Tamás Krámer PhD | BME Faculty of Civil Engineering | Department of Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering

Recent publications of BME on the subject

J Józsa: On the internal boundary related wind stress curl and its role in generating shallow lake circulations. JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY AND HYDROMECHANICS 62:(1) pp. 16-23. (2014)

M Kiss, J Józsa: Wind profile and shear stress at reed-open water interface: recent research achievements in Lake Fertő. POLLACK PERIODICA: AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR ENGINEERING AND INFORMATION SCIENCES 10:(2) pp. 107-122. (2015)

Kiss M, Józsa J: Szélkeltette cserefolyamatok sekély tavak nádas- és nyíltvízi határzónájában. HIDROLÓGIAI KÖZLÖNY 94:(1) pp. 51-58. (2014)

J Józsa, T Krámer, E Napoli: The impact of terrain roughness and water level changes on wind-induced shallow lake circulation patterns. In: Proc. Fifth International Symposium on Environmental Hydraulics (ISEH V). Konferencia helye, ideje: Phoenix, Amerikai Egyesült Államok, 2007.12.04-2007.12.07. pp. 71-78.