A Comparative Analysis of Lake-to-Lake Connecting Channel Discharge Computation Methods
Date:
Poster: American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA
Luo, Y., Katz, S. A., Jayaram, J., Cohn, D., Armbrustmacher, R., Waddell, J. M., Crooks, J., Calappi, T. J., and Gronewold, A. 2023. “A Comparative Analysis of Lake-to-Lake Connecting Channel Discharge Computation Methods.” American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting. (Poster)
Abstract
Accurate discharge forecasting in the ecologically and economically significant Great Lakes Basin is crucial for understanding hydrology, ensuring navigational safety, and facilitating international monitoring. This study introduces an improved methodology for generating a reliable historical record of connecting channel flows within the Great Lakes water balance by integrating stage-fall-discharge (SFD) equations into the Large Lake Statistical Water Balance Model (L2SWBM). The research evaluates two discharge computation methods for the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers’ connecting channels, aiming to reconstruct historical monthly discharge patterns from 1970 to 2020. The encoded method offers a comprehensive representation of the hydrological system, considering flow dynamics and coefficient uncertainties, whereas the assimilated method employs calculated discharge from SFD equations as input data, presenting a more straightforward approach. Despite their differences, both methods provide valuable insights into connecting channel flows and the Great Lakes system’s overall water balance. However, they exhibit limitations in capturing midwinter discharge declines due to ice formation in the channel, indicating a need for further research on robust discharge ratings for ice-affected periods. Future studies should also focus on enhancing existing SFD equations and investigating alternative methods for improving discharge estimation accuracy in connecting channels, fostering sustainable management of the Great Lakes system and its resources. The methodologies devised in this study can be adapted for other connecting channels and hydrological systems globally, promoting more effective water resource management and better ecological health in river systems.
Citation
Luo, Y., Katz, S. A., Jayaram, J., Cohn, D., Armbrustmacher, R., Waddell, J. M., Crooks, J., Calappi, T. J., and Gronewold, A. (2023). A Comparative Analysis of Lake-to-Lake Connecting Channel Discharge Computation Methods. AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, 2023, H43H-2171.