Real-Time Chloride in the Credit River and Impacts on Nearshore Lake Ontario

Session: 58. - Cities on the Shore: Urbanization as a Growing Threat to Nearshore Ecosystem Health

Lorna Murison, Credit Valley Conservation, [email protected]
Amanjot Singh, Credit Valley Conservation, [email protected]
Jan Siwierski, Credit Valley Conservation, [email protected]

Abstract

Chloride monitoring in the Credit River watershed has been ongoing since the 1960’s. Long-term data have shown increasing trends at similar rates to population growth, and concentrations that vary across the watershed according to the degree of upstream urban development. With the installation of real-time monitoring stations, sub-hourly variations in chloride concentration in response to a variety of weather events have been captured. With both long-term and real-time data, we have a clear picture of the story of chloride in the Credit River. Once outflow from the Credit River enters Lake Ontario, modeling of nearshore circulation patterns has informed us of what changes to expect as a result of higher chloride concentrations in river outflow. Disruptions to water treatment plant operations are a possible outcome.

1. Keyword
water quality

2. Keyword
Credit River

3. Keyword
Lake Ontario

4. Additional Keyword
Chloride

5. Additional Keyword
Salt