Author(s): Thomas Brady; Antoine Thiboult; Tadros Ghobrial; Daniel F. Nadeau
Linked Author(s): Tadros Ghobrial
Keywords: Lake ice; Field observations; Lake modeling; Canadian Small Lake Model
Abstract: In cold regions, lake ice persists for months, influencing the exchange of heat, momentum, and water between the surface and the atmosphere. However, lake models that simulate these exchanges often misrepresent key variables, such as ice thickness, due to limited observations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of the Canadian Small Lake Model (CSLM) in ice-covered lake conditions. To address current observational limitations, the Snow Ice Lake Temperature (SILT) device, a custom-made temperature profiler, was developed to provide continuous in situ measurements of ice and snow cover. Observations from two northern lakes were used to analyze seasonal ice evolution, and data from one site provided an initial evaluation of CSLM performance. This evaluation will serve as a basis for more detailed analyses. SILT devices were deployed at two boreal sites: Bernard Lake (4.6 km²; mean depth 13 m; ~51°N) in 2024-25 and Piché Lake (0.15 km²; mean depth 2.2 m; ~47°N) during two winters, 2024-25 and 2025-26. SILT-derived estimates were validated using upward-looking sonar at Bernard Lake and manual ice thickness and snow depth measurements at both sites. Preliminary comparisons indicate that the CSLM considerably underestimates maximum ice thickness and simulates freeze-up and break-up too early. Overall, this work improves understanding of lake ice processes and highlights the value of continuous observations for refining lake ice models.
Year: 2026