An Integrated Modeling, Observing and Visualization System for the Study of the Ecology of Lake George in the Jefferson Project

We provide updates to the previously described integrated modeling and observing system in support of the Jefferson Project at Lake George. The Jefferson Project is a collaboration between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, IBM, and the FUND for Lake George focused on developing a detailed understanding of the overall ecology of Lake George, including the interactions of the physical, chemical, and biological environment in and around the lake. Aspects of this research are driven principally by the management of numerous complex factors affecting the lake including: road salt, storm water runoff, and invasive species. The lake is located in the Adirondack State Park region of upstate New York, approximately 220 miles north of New York City. Lake George is a glacial, oligotrophic water body and is unique among fresh water lakes because of its ecology, geographic orientation, historical importance, and tourism-driven economic impact. The partners are developing an integrated modeling and observing system in order to enable a comprehensive understanding of the current ecological state of the lake while simultaneously supporting an ongoing research and monitoring program. This integrated modeling and research system is composed of four primary components. The first component is a coupled, high-performance computing, modeling system to physically model the atmospheric, hydrological, and hydrodynamic aspects of the lake and surrounding region. The second component is a real time multi-sensor observing network composed of in-situ sensors for atmospheric, stream and lake measurements, to inform the coupled models as well as provide real-time observation of the lake environment. The third component of the system is a cohesive, and adaptive, cyber infrastructure responsible for the control, coordination, communication, aggregation, and delivery of the various data streams in real-time. The final key component is the visualization system, which enables the display of interactive high resolution imagery on a 9 by 9 video wall. The modeling and observing systems will provide predictive and real-time analytics for research, operations, and management functionality as part of a lake monitoring and assessment program whose principal purpose is the detection and timely response to adverse environmental and ecological effects. We present an update of the project including details of the physical modeling, observing and visualization systems.