Water Quality Modeling for a Typical Urban Lake Based on the EFDC Model

Urban lakes are typically characterized by fragile ecological capacities and complex management of their hydrospheric ecosystems. The aims of this study are to establish a reliable hydrodynamic-water quality model for an urban lake, to investigate the responses of water quality to different extreme hydrological conditions associated with rainstorms, and to explore the results from different modeled scenarios surrounding the pollution threats associated with a sewage leak. A three-dimensional hydrodynamic water quality model was developed in this study. The model was calibrated and validated using observed data. The model results agreed well with the observed data, and the averaged relative root mean-squared error (RRMSE) for all of the compared variables was 33.3 %. The validated model was applied to analyze water quality responses for different extreme historical rainfall scenarios from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. The model results indicate that for Lake Tianyinhu, rainstorms adversely affect water quality due to larger nutrient loads, generated by larger rainfall events, and the limited water storage capacity of the lake. Moreover, the responses of water quality to sewage leak events were studied through four scenarios with different leak intensities and durations. The model results indicate that sewage leaks have measureable negative effects on water quality and that it is vital to inspect and promptly eliminate any possible leaks within pipes surrounding the lake. This study may provide a useful tool for hydrological ecosystem protection and management techniques for similar urban lakes.