Physical processes affecting water quality in Hamilton Harbour

Abstract

This article presents an overview of selected physical processes and their effects on water quality in Hamilton Harbour. An understanding of circulation and mixing processes are essential to assess the fate and transport of water quality constituents in Hamilton Harbour. Water level measurements showed that in addition to harbour and lake seiches, the Helholtz mode, due to pumping action from Lake Ontario, is important in generating harbour water movements while the circulation patterns in the open waters of the harbour are influenced by prevailing winds. In general, the mean summer circulation consists of two counter-rotating gyres occupying the harbour. Hamilton Harbour physical processes are further characterized by substantial water exchanges with Lake Ontario. These exchange flows play a major role in determining the retention time of the harbour, thereby exerting a large influence on water quality, including hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen concentrations.

Keywords:

• circulation
• temperature
• exchange flow

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Dr. Susan Doka for providing data at DFO moorings in 2006, and Centre for Water Research, University of Western Australia for their support with models (ELCOM and DYRESM-CAEDYM).

Supplemental material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher's website.

Funding

This study received funding from Environment Canada's Great Lakes Action Plan.