INFOS
Integrated Nowcast/Forecast Operation System
for Yahara Lakes
Hydrodynamic Modeling
Water Currents
Select the image below for an interactive map of water currents.
Lake Levels
Select a lake below to see charts of nowcast hydrodynamic water level results.
Model Description
The hydrodynamic model simulates the complex, physics-based movement of water, water surface elevations, and open-channel routing throughout the Yahara River chain of lakes and connecting channels (Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa). Built upon the operational modeling framework established by Reimer and Wu (2016), the module solves advanced unsteady flow equations to capture dynamic backwater effects, cascading river flows, and hydraulic constrictions unique to the multi-lake system. The model ingests high-resolution bathymetric data, detailed river channel geometries, and real-time operational configurations at major control structures like the Tenney Park Dam. To ensure precise, continuous river-lake connectivity, the system executes an automated data assimilation technique that dynamically adjusts the channel network's Manning's roughness coefficients. This advanced routing framework allows INFOS to accurately capture complex, real-world lake responses, including downstream-to-upstream backwater conditions, wind-driven reverse flows, and transient seiches across the entire watershed chain.