Isotopic Variations in Hamilton Harbour Water as an Indicator of Lake Ontario Exchange Flow

The exchange flow through the Burlington Ship Canal connecting Hamilton Harbour with Lake Ontario is investigated, using a two-layer internal hydraulics model. The summer exchange features an upper layer of polluted Harbour Water flowing from the harbour into the lake, whereas a lower layer of fresh Lake Ontario Water flowing from the lake into the harbour. We predict this exchange, taking into account the effects of both friction and barotropic forcing of multiple frequencies. Predictions of density interface and volume flux compare well with experimental and field data. The interface varies non-linearly with distance along the canal, with and without barotropic forcing. Our results indicate that the exchange flow is highly frictional. The barotropic forcing comprises oscillation modes of different frequency; these individual forcing modes cause the interface and layer velocities to fluctuate significantly in time, but their influence on the time average flows through the canal is minimal.

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Water Exchange Between Lake Ontario and Hamilton Harbour: Water Quality Implications

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.1988.014 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 213-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

J. Barica ◽

M.N. Charlton ◽

D.J. Poulton ◽

R. Kohli

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Beneficial Effect ◽

Residence Time ◽

Water Exchange ◽

Industrial Effluents ◽

Lake Ontario ◽

Hydraulic Residence Time ◽

Hamilton Harbour ◽

Western Lake ◽

Harbour Water

Abstract Hamilton Harbour is an enclosed body of water situated at the western end of Lake Ontario and containing about 2.8 x 108 m3 of water, polluted by municipal and industrial effluents. It is connected to Lake Ontario by a ship canal, which facilitates a substantial exchange of water between the two water bodies. Exchange of harbour and lake water through the canal reduces the theoretical hydraulic residence time of the harbour and contributes to improvement of the harbour water quality through dilution and oxygenation. Without it, the Hamilton Harbour water quality situation would be more critical. The beneficial effect of dilution by Lake Ontario far exceeds contamination of western Lake Ontario by Hamilton Harbour water.

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Impact of Proposed Burlington and Hamilton Sewage Discharges in Western Lake Ontario

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.2003.040 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

pp. 627-645 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Yerubandi R. Rao ◽

Raj C. Murthy ◽

Fausto Chiocchio ◽

Michael G. Skafel ◽

Murray N. Charlton

Keyword(s):

Action Plan ◽

Near Field ◽

Lake Ontario ◽

Zone Model ◽

Hamilton Harbour ◽

Western Lake ◽

Treated Sewage ◽

Treated Effluents ◽

Typical Summer ◽

The City

Abstract The alternate strategy of open-lake discharge may alleviate the need for unusually stringent treatment needed to meet water quality goals of the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan (RAP). The latest update of the RAP recommended a study of the possibility of offshore discharges. A study conducted for the City of Burlington has proposed a location for outfall in Lake Ontario. This paper utilizes a combination of physical limnological data and mathematical models to predict the waste plume characteristics for the proposed outfall in the lake. Near-field dilutions obtained from a mixing zone model show that, for treated effluents with a discharge condition of 2 m3/s at the proposed outfall site at Burlington, the dilution ratios are in the range of 13:1 to 28:1 for weak to moderate currents during summer stratification. Winter dilution ratios increased to 21:1 to 96:1 for moderate currents. The recommended site for open-lake outfall provides acceptable near-field dilutions for treated effluents under typical lake currents and density structure. The extension of outfall to a location farther offshore is only marginally beneficial. With the proposed Burlington outfall location and discharge conditions, no far-field contamination is observed near the beaches or nearby water intakes for typical summer and winter conditions. Thus, this study indicates that by discharging the treated sewage from an outfall in Lake Ontario it is possible to achieve the Hamilton Harbour RAP goals.

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