Flushing of the upper Bay of Quinte 2017-2018: Observations and model results

Session: Great Lakes Tributaries: Connecting Land and Lakes (2)

Jennifer Shore, Royal Military College of Canada, [email protected]

Abstract

In situ drifter observations and the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) have been used to investigate the circulation and flushing of the upper Bay of Quinte. The Bay of Quinte is subject to summertime algae blooms initiated by high Total Phosphorous (TP) loads.  TP loads can be attenuated, however, in high flow regimes and the Trent River, at the head of the Bay of Quinte, is the main source of flow to the upper bay and the primary driver of the flushing. Drifter observations were collected in the Trent River during the ice-free periods of 2017 and 2018 and show the detailed flow structure within the river.  Results quantify the monthly variation in the Trent River flow and the resulting impact on flushing.  Drifter observations within the upper bay illustrate the impact that wind forcing has on flushing of the shallow main channel of the bay as well.