Toward an open-access of high-frequency lake modelling and statistics data for scientists and practitioners . The case of Swiss Lakes using Simstrat v 2 . 1

Abstract

One-dimensional hydrodynamic lake models are nowadays widely recognized as key tools. They offer the possibility to study 10 processes at high frequency, here referring to hourly time scale, to analyse scenarios and test hypothesizes. Yet, simulation outputs are mainly used by the modellers themselves and often not easily reachable for the outside community. We have developed an openly accessible web-based platform for visualization and promotion of easy access to lake model output data updated in near real time (simstrat.eawag.ch). This platform was developed for 54 lakes in Switzerland with potential for adaptation to other regional areas or even at global worldwide scale using appropriate forcing input data. The benefit of this 15 data platform is here practically illustrated with two examples. First we show that the output data allows for assessing the long term effects of past climate change on the thermal structure of a lake. In the second case, we demonstrate how the data platform can be used to study and compare the role of episodic strong wind events for different lakes on a regional scale and especially how they temporary destabilize their thermal structure. With this open access data platform we demonstrate the path forward for scientists and practitioners promoting a cross-exchange of expertise through openly sharing of in-situ and model data. 20 Geosci. Model Dev. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-2018-336 Manuscript under review for journal Geosci. Model Dev. Discussion started: 1 April 2019 c © Author(s) 2019. CC BY 4.0 License.