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Hydrodynamics of the Lake of Geneva

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Abstract

Air-flow works on the lake's water body which results in winddriven water circulation and wind waves This is a summary of work done by LHYDREP on the physical limnological aspect of the Leman. General information on the basin of the Leman is given in chapter 1. Subsequently in chapter 2 the measuring programme is presented, discussing the measuring positions, the measuring installations and the instruments used of the three campaigns. The data obtained during these campaigns are subsequently interpreted.

In chapter 3 the atmospheric dynamics over the lake is discussed. It deals mainly with the mechanical energy transfer process which is represented here (as usually) by the drog coefficient, Cy. It is shown that the airflow velocity, the fetch Reynolds number and the air stability play important roles.

In chapter 4 the hydrodynamics of the lake is presented. Predictions of numerical hydrodynamical models of steady-state circulation (chapter 4.2), of storm surges and of seiches (chapter 4.3) and of inertial currents (chapter 4.4) are compared with available data of the Leman during the homogeneous season. In addition a preliminary study of wind waves (chapter 4.5) is given.

Zusammenfassung

Zur Hydrodynamik des Genfersees Diese Schrift ist eine Zusammenfassung von physikalisch-limnologischen Arbeiten des LHYDREP am Genfersee. Das Windfeld über dem See treibt die Strömungen im See und erzeugt Oberflächenwellen. Allgemeines über den See und sien Becken wird in Kapitel 1 vorgestellt. Darauf folgend ist in Kapitel 2 das Messprogramm erklärt: Messpunkte, Messinstallation und Messinstrumente der drei ausgeführten Messkampagnen.

In Kapitel 3 ist die atmosphärische Dynamik behandelt. Diese beschäftigt sich mit der Energieübertragung von der Luft ins Wasser; wie üblich, ist dies auch hier mit dem Schubspannungs-Koeffizienten, Cy, ausgedrückt. Gezeigt wird, dass Windgeschwindigkeit, “fetch”-Reynolds-Zahl und Luftstabilität eine wichtige Rolle spielen.

In Kapitel 4 wird die Hydrodynamik des Sees betrachtet. Die folgenden vereinfachten Modelle wurden mit vorhandenen Daten verglichen: a) numerisch-hydrodynamische Modelle für stationäre Zirkulation (Kap. 4.2), für Windanstau und Seiches (Kap. 4.3) und b) analytische Lösungen für Inertie-Ströme (Kap. 4.4). Eine vorläufige Studie über Oberflächenwellen ist im Kapitel 4.5 angefügt.

Résumé

L'hydrodynamique du Léman Ces lignes résument succinctement le travail relatif à la limnologie physique du Léman, fait par le LHYDREP. Les vents agissant sur le lac génèrent des courants et des vagues. Une description “orientée” du bassin lémanique fait l'objet du chapitre 1. Au chapitre 2 est présenté le programme de mesures, incluant une discussion sur les emplacements des stations, les installations de mesure et les instruments utilisés dans les trois campagnes exécutées. Les résultats obtenus sont commentés.

Au chapitre 3 est analysée la dynamique atmosphérique sur le lac. Ce chapitre traite principalement des transferts d'énergie mécanique habituellement groupés dans le coefficient de traînée, Cy. Est démontrée l'importance de la vitesse du vent, du nombre de Reynolds, du fetch et de la stabilité atmosphérique.

Au chapitre 4 est discutée l'hydrodynamique du lac. Les résultats, obtenus à l'aide de modèles hydrodynamiques de circulation stable (ch. 4.2), de “storm surges”, de seiches (ch. 4.3) et de courants d'inertie (ch.4.4) sont comparés aux mesures faites en lac homogène (thermiquement). Une étude préliminaire des vagues de vent (ch.4.5) est aussi présentée.

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  1. Ecole polytechnique fédérale, CH-1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Walter H. Graf

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Graf, W.H. Hydrodynamics of the Lake of Geneva. Schweiz. Z. Hydrologie 45, 62–100 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02538152

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