Great Lakes remedial action plans (RAPs): comparing the Hamilton Harbour and Toronto and Region RAPs as governance approaches.

This thesis examines and compares the rule instruments, institutions, processes (governance initiatives) and actors engaged in activities that support the remediation objectives of two RAPS: the Toronto and Region and the Hamilton Harbour RAPs. In terms of methodology, the thesis was developed using a combination of a literature review and interviews with key governance personnel. The thesis reveals the diversity of the governance initiatives that further the remediation objectives, and in particular highlights the fact that sometimes the governance is collaborative in nature, but in other cases it takes the form of rivalrous “check and balance” approaches, and that some of the nonstate governance initiatives that further the remediation objectives were developed independently of any government direction or control. The nature of the governance initiatives and actors associated with the two RAPs aligns well with the tenets of the sustainable governance approach described by Webb (2005).

Great Lakes remedial action plans (RAPs): comparing the Hamilton Harbour and Toronto and Region RAPs as governance approaches.

This thesis examines and compares the rule instruments, institutions, processes (governance initiatives) and actors engaged in activities that support the remediation objectives of two RAPS: the Toronto and Region and the Hamilton Harbour RAPs. In terms of methodology, the thesis was developed using a combination of a literature review and interviews with key governance personnel. The thesis reveals the diversity of the governance initiatives that further the remediation objectives, and in particular highlights the fact that sometimes the governance is collaborative in nature, but in other cases it takes the form of rivalrous “check and balance” approaches, and that some of the nonstate governance initiatives that further the remediation objectives were developed independently of any government direction or control. The nature of the governance initiatives and actors associated with the two RAPs aligns well with the tenets of the sustainable governance approach described by Webb (2005).

Speed of sound gradients due to summer thermal stratification can reduce the detection range of acoustic fish tags: results from a field study in Hamilton Harbour, Ontario.

Understanding detection range is a key factor for the use of acoustic telemetry in fisheries research. Lakes have strong seasonal changes in thermal stratification, as well as short-term changes due to internal seiches. These thermal gradients in lakes imply strong sound-speed gradients that can refract and diverge acoustic signals, leading to acoustic attenuation and smaller detection range. Using field-based range testing and the Bellhop acoustic model, we investigated how changes in stratification lead to changes in detection range within Hamilton Harbour, Ontario, Canada. During the summer stratified period, the detection range was less than 350 m, whereas in the isothermal fall, range was up to 500 m. Range test data from three separate field observations showed a good correlation with Bellhop predictions. Due to the intense internal seiches in Hamilton Harbour, the stratification in the shallower littoral regions essentially switched between stratified and isothermal conditions over short timescales, which is predicted to lead to high temporal variability in detection range that must be accounted for during the analysis and interpretation of telemetry derived data.

Modelling Study of Dredging Induced Sediment Plume Transport in Hamilton Harbour

a three-dimensional hydrodynamic and mud transport modelling system MIKE 3-FM is used to study the flow circulation and the sediment plume fate in the Randle Reef (RR) area of Hamilton Harbour.It was found that the simulated plume extents can be very sensitive to transport model mesh resolution because of the additional numerical advection induced in the calculations. Detailed discussion of this particular issue has not been observed in other publications.The results of the simulation provide useful information for remediation project managers to plan and guide the environmental monitoring of dredging operations. In addition, the methodology used in this study can be adapted to other dredging projects.

Burlington Bay Skyway Hanger Fail-Safe System

<p>The Burlington Bay Skyway was built in 1954 and rehabilitated in the 1980s. A continuous three span truss rises from below the deck up over the roadway across the 151 m central span over a navigational channel into Hamilton Harbour. The deck system hangs from the truss and the consequences of a hanger impact could be severe and include prolonged closure, impediment of the navigation channel, and could trigger a progressive collapse of the suspended deck system arising from simply supported stringers and floor trusses. The regional economic impact of bridge closure on one of Ontario’s major arteries is considerable.</p><p>The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is adding redundancy trusses to transfer the load from the deck system to adjacent hangers in the event of hanger loss. Each truss runs longitudinally below the edge of the deck through the main span, within the depth of the existing transverse floor trusses. The proactive retrofit improves redundancy of the deck system and keeps the bridge serviceable and safe after hanger loss, in-line with current code requirements.</p>