Numerical Models and Observations of Water Motion in Green Bay, Lake Michigan

Three numerical models are formulated for long-wave motion in a 180 km long gulf (Green Bay, Wisconsin) that opens into Lake Michigan. These models are used to investigate the response of the Bay to wind forcing and excitation by disturbances entering from the main Lake basin. Model simulations of water movements in the Bay have been done for two periods of 4 and 8 days respectively during 1969. Observed fluctuations in water level during these periods have been compared with the corresponding variations predicted by the models. Agreements and disagreements are discussed. These illuminate properties of the Bay’s motion and raise some further questions.