Lake Mendota Hydrologic Nowcast Modeling

Lake Mendota Water Budget Schematic and Equation
Lake Mendota Schematic

ΔS = VInflow + VStorm + VSixmile + VDorn + Vpb + Vsh + VP
± VGround − VOut − VEv

Variables and definitions (units in model are acre-feet):

  • ΔS = Change in Lake Storage Volume
  • VInflow = Yahara River Inflow Volume (at Highway 113)
  • VStorm = Urban Storm Sewer Inflow Volume
  • VSixmile = Sixmile Creek Inflow Volume
  • VDorn = Dorn Creek Inflow Volume
  • Vpb = Pheasant Branch Creek Inflow Volume
  • Vsh = Spring Harbor Inflow Volume
  • VP = Direct Atmospheric Precipitation Volume on Lake Surface
  • VGround = Net Groundwater and Unmeasured Lateral Flux Volume
  • VOut = Yahara River Outflow Volume (at the main outlet weir to Lake Monona)
  • VEv = Aerodynamic Mass-Transfer Evaporative Loss Volume
Inflow - Yahara River from Cherokee Marsh

Yahara River Inflow

Inflow - Six Mile Creek

Six Mile Creek Flow

Inflow - Dorn Creek

Dorn Creek Flow

Inflow - Pheasant Branch Creek

Pheasant Branch Creek Flow

Inflow - Spring Harbor

Spring Harbor Flow

Inflow - Storm Sewer Inflow

Storm Sewer Flow

Outflow - Lake Evaporation

Lake Evaporation

Outflow - Yahara River to Lake Monona

Lake Mendota Outflow

Lake Mendota Water Level

Lake Mendota Water Level

Hydrologic Model Validation

Lake Mendota Hydrologic Model Validation