A Shallow Water Intercomparison of Wave Models on Lake Erie

Abstract

The activities of the WAM (WAve Model) and the WISE (Waves In Shallow-water Environments) groups have accelerated our understanding of the physics and numerics of waves in shallow water. Two third generation numerical wave models, namely, the WAM which has been extended to coastal areas and the nearshore wave model SWAN (Simulating WAves Nearshore) which replaced the HISWA (Hlndcasting Shallow water WAves) model are implemented in the shallow water of Lake Erie of the Great Lakes with water depths varying from about 5 m to 50 m. The primary purpose of this study is to examine the performance of the WAM and the SWAN running in shallow water mode and using wind forcings provided by a numerical weather prediction model. The two models are run for selected periods and the results are verified against buoy measurements and the operational forecasts from the RCTB (Regional Centre of Thunder Bay) of Canada. This allows an assessment of the performance of the two models and the effect of shallow water on wave forecasting with a view towards operational implementation of either the WAM or the SWAN model, or both, on Lake Erie.