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 Current Research Projects
Hydrologic zone of influence downstream of waterpower facilities: Review and analysis of relevant literature and applicability for use in Ontario.Ryan Stainton Dams have the potential to significantly alter flow regimes, their effects often detectable at great distances downstream of the point of alteration. While the upstream extent of the zone of influence is often more easily defined based on the upstream extent of the zone of inundation of the reservoir or headpond, downstream extents are typically much more difficult to delimit or predict because they have no similar obvious boundary. The limit or extent of the downstream zone of influence is ideally defined as the point or location where project effects are no longer detectable, due to dilution or dampening from tributary inputs or other phenomena or by discharge to a larger waterbody, serving to attenuate upstream impacts. The objective of this work is to review and synthesise available literature pertaining to the hydrologic zone of influence downstream of hydropower stations with particular emphasis on the relevance of findings to landscapes and climatic conditions of Ontario. Preliminary findings emphasise the lack of information, practices or protocols for estimating the extent of downstream influence from waterpower facilities, particularly for use in Ontario. Stainton, R.T. In Prep. Hydrologic zone of influence downstream of waterpower facilities: Review and analysis of relevant literature and applicability for use in Ontario. Report No. 04-2011. Prepared for Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Northeast Region Engineering Unit. ....................................................................................... An analysis of three environmental flow metrics using simulated natural flows for five potential waterpower facilities in northeastern OntarioRyan Stainton A comparison of three environmental flow metrics generated from simulated natural flow data for five primary and four supplemental potential waterpower sites in northeastern Ontario was undertaken to determine differences in flow magnitudes between methods, and identify trends in these differences. Monthly metrics investigated include the Q80, median baseflow (BF50) and seventy-fifth percent exceedence baseflow (BF75). The monthly median baseflow (BF50) was observed to be closest in magnitude to the Q80, for both flow magnitude and FDC equivalents during months characterised by high flows brought upon by predictable hydrologic events in northeastern Ontario. Although the Q80 was observed to underestimate the median baseflow, for the majority of months of the year, differences in the consistency and relative magnitude of underestimation was observed among and between sites. Under the present situation, applying the BF50 on a monthly basis would result in flow targets higher in magnitude over the majority of the year, compared to the present monthly Q80 metric used in Ontario. While the magnitude of difference from the Q80 is generally not substantial, it is observed over the majority of the year. These data suggest that use of the Q80 metric prescribes a lower instream flow than would occur under natural conditions. Monthly Q80 flows were mathematically closest in magnitude to the monthly seventy-fifth percent exceedence baseflow (BF75) values for many months of the year; however, it is important to recognize that these flows were consistently lower than the Q80. The BF75, which defines the baseflow target for the bypass reach would be implemented as a constant flow target carried across all months, defined by the BF75 flow corresponding to the month of lowest median baseflow. While the application of a constant flow target for the bypass reach does not mimic the natural variability of flows in the channel under unaltered conditions, data indicate that it does provide a flow comparable to the Q80 flow (differing < 1 m3 s-1) during months of the year in northern Ontario generally considered as low water periods (winter and summer seasons), under typical conditions. During these low flow periods, findings suggest that the BF75 does not represent a compromise relative to the Q80 flows in bypassed natural channel reaches. However, during other months of the year typically characterised by higher flows, similar suitable conditions may not be met, and under such circumstances a site by site consideration of valued ecosystem components, may be required.
Stainton, R.T., 2011. An analysis of three environmental flow metrics using simulated natural flows for five potential waterpower facilities in northeastern Ontario: Relationships between the 80th percent exceedence flow to median baseflow and the 75th percent exceedence baseflow. Report No. 03-2011. Prepared for Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Northeast Region Planning Unit. Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2011.
Recently Completed Projects
Evaluation of Hydrological Models in the Ontario Flow Assessment Techniques (OFAT) Software Tool Bosworth Creek (NWT) Water Quality Data Study Review of Research on the Forest-Water Interface in Canada
Hydrological impacts of using woody biomass for heat and/or electricity production in the context of a biomass LCA in the Atikokan power generating station supply areaDr. Jim Buttle and Craig Murray This report consists of a literature review of the impacts of intensive wood (or biofibre) harvesting practices for bioenergy production on the hydrology and biogeochemistry of the boreal and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence forests in the vicinity of the Atikokan Generation Station, Ontario, and recommendations for hydrologically and biogeochemcially relevant metrics for a Life Cycle Assessment. The report addresses the following components:
Click here to open the report (PDF)...
....................................................................................... Evaluation of Hydrological Models in the Ontario Flow Assessment Techniques (OFAT) Software ToolRyan Stainton Ontario’s Far North comprises more than 40% of the province, generally the area north of 51 degrees latitude. Owing in part to the remoteness of this region, the density and distribution of streamflow gauges in Ontario’s hydrometric network remains much lower than observed in more southerly portions of Ontario’s north. However, in light of the recent Far North Planning Initiative, prediction of hydrological variables in these northern ungauged basins is becoming increasingly important, albeit difficult given the paucity of existing and historical streamflow data. The Ontario Flow Assessment Techniques (OFAT) software tool includes a range of statistical models and empirical algorithms aimed at predicting a variety of streamflow variables in ungauged basins throughout Ontario using a GIS-based interface. To date a comprehensive review and assessment of model implementation in the OFAT environment and its applicability for flow prediction in the Far North has not been undertaken. An understanding of the applicability and suitability of OFAT hydrological models for predicting flow variables in these environments is timely and important. In this study, six categories of hydrological models implemented in OFAT (Version 1 & 2) are reviewed. These include Low flow, High (Flood) flow, Mean Annual flow, Bankfull flow, and Minimum Instream flow and Daily Flow Hydrograph prediction models. In total, 21 hydrologic models are examined in the context of six comprehensive analysis criteria. Criteria focus on the background, geographic extent, scale appropriateness, Stainton, R.T. 2010. Evaluation of Hydrological Models in the Ontario Flow Assessment Techniques (OFAT) Software Tool: Assessment of Model Suitability for Ontario’s Far North. Institute for Watershed Science, Report No. 0209. March, 2010. Prepared for, and with the collaborative support of, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Click here to view the report (PDF)... .......................................................................................
Bosworth Creek (NWT) Water Quality Data StudyLeslie Collins., Craig Murray and Ryan Stainton This report summarizes water quality data gathered intermittently from 1953 to 2009 from Bosworth Creek, a small tributary to the Mackenzie River, located near the town of Norman Wells, in the Tulita District of the Northwest Territories. A weir was constructed on the Creek in 1960 by Imperial Oil Resources to create a small impoundment, serving to supply drinking water to the down and process water to the nearby oil field and processing facility. The weir was removed in 2005 and stream reclamation work completed. This presented an opportunity to examine water quality trends in the Creek as data were available prior to, during and following the removal of the weir. Additional anthropogenic influences on water quality upstream of the impoundment were also of interest. Water samples from Bosworth Creek watershed have been collected and analysed for a suite of water quality parameters. However, inconsistencies in the location, frequency and timing of water quality samples throughout this period limited the information that could be gleaned from them. These data did not support robust analyses of differences in concentrations during periods of pre, during and post impoundment, making analyses of trends difficult. All water quality data were compared to established guideline values for drinking water and aquatic life. Exceedances of Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ) and the Canadian Water Quality Guidelines for the Protection of Aquatic Live (GPAL) were noted for a small number of samples and parameters. Observed exceedances were generally infrequent, however some sites were more prone to guideline exceedances.Recommendations for a long term water quality monitoring program are also presented. Existing sample groups are ranked for inclusion in a future long term monitoring program Click here to view the report (PDF)... Collins, L.A., C.D. Murray and R.T. Stainton. 2011. Bosworth Creek Water Quality Data Study: Final Report Environmental Studies Research Funds Report No. 185. Oshawa, ON. 69 p.
....................................................................................... Review of Research on the Forest-Water Interface in CanadaDr. Jim Buttle and Craig Murray This project reviews the key research issues related to the Forest-Water Interface (FWI) in Canada, and our current state of knowledge to address these issues. These key research issues include the need for studies of hydroecological responses to newer silvicultural approaches, development of the capacity to predict the hydroecological response to climate change across Canada’s various forest landscapes, examination of how to transfer research results across spatial scales, and explicit consideration of cumulative effects in our assessments of forest disturbance and its implications for FWI issues. Our current state of knowledge to address many of these issues is tentative, and there is an urgent need for continued research to address these and other important research questions related to FWI issues. The report examines Canada’s current Science and Technology (S&T) capacity to address any knowledge gaps in our understanding of FWI issues, as well as the administrative and geographic location of that capacity. Click here to view the report...
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