Thermal simulation of a lake with winter ice cover1

• Published in: Limnology and Oceanography
• Main Authors: Patterson, J. C., Hamblin, P. F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1988
• Subjects: Lake Laberge; Yukon
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4319/lo.1988.33.3.0323; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.4319%2Flo.1988.33.3.0323; https://aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.4319/lo.1988.33.3.0323

A one‐dimensional thermodynamic model of a two‐component ice and snow cover is added to an existing one‐dimensional lake mixing model. Emphasis is placed on the thermodynamic coupling between the ice and mixing models—absent in previous models. The two‐dimensional effects of partial ice cover are incorporated into this one‐dimensional framework by using a minimum ice thickness. The model is applied to Lake Laberge, Yukon Territory, and to Babine Lake, British Columbia, for periods covering the formation and demise of full ice cover. The results of the model are compared to snow and ice measurements in the first case and to water column data during the spring period in the second. The comparisons are good, implying that the ice and snow model is performing satisfactorily and emphasizing the importance of the coupling between the ice and the underlying water. The successful simulation of the observed mixed layer under the ice, driven by convective stirring caused by short‐wave heating below the temperature of maximum density, is an example of the ability of the model to provide physical insight into processes occurring in lakes.