Comparison of one-dimensional (1-D) column lake models prediction for surface water temperature in eight selected Moroccan lakes

Abstract

Water temperature plays a primary role in controlling a wide range of physical, geochemical, and ecological processes in lakes, with considerable influences on lake water quality and ecosystem functioning. In this paper, we report on the ability of two one-dimensional (1-D) lake models, i.e. the Hostetler and FLake models, to simulate the surface water temperature in eight selected Moroccan lakes: Sidi Ali, Tislit, Ifni, Daït Erroumi, Ouiouane, Aguelmam Azegza, Sidi Boughaba, and Iffer, which present a wide range of morphometry and hydrological characteristics, over a five-year period from 2008 to 2012. The FLake and Hostetler lake models perform adequately for small subgrid-scale lakes and for large resolved lakes with shallow depth. The two lake models exhibit specific strengths and weaknesses. Hostetler calculates too rapid spring warming and too warm surface water temperature, especially in large and deep lakes; FLake tends to damp the diurnal cycle of surface water temperature. These differences could be partially attributed to the biases in the driving data and most importantly to the lack of representation of complex processes in the models, such as horizontal transfer of water and heat, etc. Statistical performance evaluation is conducted on the models’ results. On the other hand, Schmidt stability showed a significant increase for deep lakes and near ~0 for shallow depth lakes. The predictive models can be used to obtain a first-order estimation of surface water temperature in Moroccan lakes.