Lake modeling: State of the art

The state of the art of lake modeling is examined from the separate but complementary viewpoint of coupled, dynamic hydrodynamic/water quality models and semi‐empirical, steady‐state models for phosphorous and chlorophyll. With respect to dynamic lake models both one and two dimensional models are examined. Special attention is given to: (1) the techniques used to simulate mass and momentum transport; (2) the selection of appropriate hydrodynamic, biologic, and chemical model coefficients; and (3) new developments regarding the release of phosphorous from lake bottom sediments. With respect to the semi‐empirical steady‐state models, several phosphorous mass balance and several chlorophyll prediction models are considered. It is emphasized that these two types of models, if used properly, are complementary in addressing the problem of lake water quality.