Surface Water Monitoring Network

Transcription

1 Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority April 7, 2010 Presented By: Neil MacFarlane Environmental Engineering Analyst

2 How the Network Started Since 1959, a variety of stream level, stream flow, precipitation p and snow data has been collected within CLOCA watershed by several Federal, Provincial, local agencies, and the Authority. The focus of the system had been to monitor and record high flow events as they pass through the developed portions of CLOCA s watershed. The Authority through its mandate of flood forecasting and warning had monitored the creeks high water levels & flow which generally occurred during the later winter and early spring months when the combination of warmer temperatures, snow melt, ice cover, and rain events cause high flows and potential flood conditions.

3 Growth of the Monitoring Network: CLOCA s monitoring network has grown significantly since 1999 when the system consisted of four stream gauges operated by Water Survey of Canada (EC). The current network has expanded to monitor all aspects of the hydrologic system to include surface water levels and flow (discharge) in creeks, precipitation, temperature, snow survey, groundwater levels and surface & groundwater quality. The network was able to grow through partnerships such as; a. the cost share agreement between the Federal/Provincial Governments b. additional funding from Durham Region and Local Municipalities i c. the PWQMN program d. the PGMN program The monitoring network now consists of sites with equipment owned and operated by CLOCA and Provincial/Federal Agencies.

4 What Has Changed Over the past several years, focus has moved away from watershed management based on flooding/high flow events to managing the watershed based on all parameters of water movement (hydrologic cycle). The parameters recorded/monitored d/ d are stream flow/water levels, l precipitation, air & water temperature, groundwater levels and quality, surfacewater quality and snow cover. Oak Ridge Moraine Snow Depth Precipitation Water Temp Water Levels Oshawa Creek Air Temperature Groundwater Lake Ontario

5 What the Network Monitors Water Level Discharge Rainfall Total Precipitation Air Temperature Water Temperature Barometric Pressure Humidity Wind Speed & Direction Snow Depth & Water Equivalent Surface Water Quality Groundwater Level & Quality Baseflow Measurements Funnel Cloud June 29, 2009 Courtesy Willem Woudwyk

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7 Datalogger Bubbler Unit Stream Gauge Stations Currently there are 14 stream gauges located at the bottom end and each main tributary of CLOCA s larger watersheds. Solar Panel Tipping Bucket Air Temp Mixture of automated continuous-record manual and real-time telemetry stations with multiple sensors. Data collected at stream gauge stations are; Water level Discharge Precipitation Air & water temperature Data is collected and used; To record and observe high flow events Flood forecasting & warning To record and observe low flow (drought) conditions Water budgets Source water protection The stream gauge network consists of sites with equipment owned and operated by CLOCA and Provincial/Federal Agencies.

8 Solar Panel Data Logger Cell Phone Precipitation Stations Currently there are 15 precipitation stations spatially distributed throughout CLOCA s watershed. All of the stations consist of tipping bucket rain gauges. Battery Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge Air Temp Data collected at precipitation stations are; Precipitation Air temperature Wind speed & direction Majority of the precipitation i i stations are real-time meaning CLOCA can dial and retrieve data as needed. Data is collected and used; To record and observe rainfall events Flood forecasting & warning To record and observe low flow (drought) conditions Water budgets Source water protection ti

9 Wind Vane Air Temp & Humidity Oshawa Airport Weather Station CLOCA used the secure location of the Oshawa Airport to set-up a weather station. Data collected at the weather station are; Rainfall Total Precipitation Air temperature Humidity Wind speed & direction Barometric Pressure (not installed yet) Geonor Precipitation Gauge The Airport weather station is a real-time site equipped with digital cell phone. Solar Panel Equip Hut With Cell Phone Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge

10 Base Flow Monitoring Program The program was started in 2002 to better understand the base flow regime in our larger creeks throughout CLOCA s watershed. During the months of May through August, summer staff perform base flow measurements at 137 road crossing. Data is collected and used; To record and observe low flow (drought) conditions Water taking Applications Water budgets Source water protection

11 Snow Survey Stations Currently there are 5 snow survey stations across our watershed. The stations consist of 10 numbered post placed 100 feet apart. Snow surveys are conducted twice a month (generally 1 st and 15 th ) between November and April. Data collected at precipitation stations are; Snow depth Water equivalent Data is collected and used; To measure and observe snow pack conditions through the year. Flood forecasting & warning

12 Flood Forecasting and Warning Purpose The purpose of the system is to reduce risk to life and damage to property by providing local agencies and the public with advanced notice, information and advice so that they can respond to potential flooding and flood emergencies. Flooding in Ontario is a fairly common occurrence. Hurricanes and Tropical storms Heavy spring rains and snowmelt High intensity rainfall associated with severe thunderstorms Winter ice jams associated with spring break up High great lake levels and/or storm surges can also result in lakeshore flooding. Forecasting CLOCA monitors on an ongoing basis, weather forecasts and watershed conditions at locations across the watershed. Water level and related information is recorded through an extensive network of stream gauges, rain gauges, snow course sites and staff gauges (monitoring network). These measurements, weather forecasts and radar information on temperatures and rainfall predictions, along with historic data, are all taken into consideration when developing a flood forecast.

13 Flood Forecasting and Warning When conditions warrant, CLOCA will communicate with local agencies (municipalities, emergency services, local media, school boards and government agencies) using one of the following types of messages. HIGH WATER SAFETY BULLETIN is a general notice that potential conditions exist that pose a risk to personal safety. Flood Safety Bulletins may be posted when streams are flowing at near bankfull levels, when ice conditions are unsafe, or when stream banks are icy, soft, and/or slippery. FLOOD ADVISORY is a notice of the potential for flooding to occur in the near future and that measures should be taken to prepare for a possible emergency. Flood Advisories may be updated depending upon weather and runoff conditions, and will be followed by a notice of cancellation once the potential for flooding has passed. FLOOD WARNING is a notice that flooding is imminent or occurring and that action is required by municipalities and emergency services. Flood Warnings may be updated depending upon weather and runoff conditions, and will be followed by a notice of cancellation once the potential for flooding has passed.

14 July Daily & Monthly Rainfall Amounts Hampton 02HC055 02HC018 Airport 02HCD mm 289mm 165mm 271.8mm mm Summer High Intensity Rainfall Events Heavy Rainfall Date July 19, 2008 July 20, 2008 July 23, 2008 July 26, 2008 August 11, 2008 Total Rain and Return Period Total Rain Return Period Whitby Heber Down CA Oshawa Airport or Osh Taunton Rd Clarington Hampton CA 61mm 100 year Total Rain 80mm 78mm 72mm Return Period 10 year 5 year 10 year Total Rain Return Period Total Rain Return Period Total Rain Return Period 57mm year 47mm 10 year 47mm 5 10 year 72mm 76mm 50mm year 10 year 5 year 58mm 25 year 44mm 5 year 40mm 2 year

15 August 2008, mm Rainfall Comparison - Oshawa Airport Gauge Historical Monthly Avg June, 80.6 mm June 2008, 150 mm Historical Monthly Avg July, 67.3 mm July 2008, mm Historical Monthly Avg August, mm Jun Jul Augu Oshawa Airport Heber Down - Tipping i Bucket Rainfall (mm)

16 Ontario Low Water Response Program The Ontario Low Water Response Program (OLWRP) was established tin 1999 to provide a mechanism to deal with potential effects of low water levels within watersheds in Ontario. The program was developed to deal with water shortages due to increased demands on surface water and groundwater resources based on changing weather patterns especially extended dry periods. The OLWRP is intended to provide local watershed authorities and municipalities with the guidance necessary to monitor and manage water resources and minimize effects of shortages that are caused by climate change and water taking. Data collected by Conservation Authorities; Weekly and monthly precipitation amounts Creek baseflow conditions Air temperature

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18 Surface Water Quality As part of CLOCA s long-term watershed health monitoring, water quality is assessed through chemical sampling. The Ministry of Environment operates the Provincial Surface Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN) across the province. CLOCA assists in this program by collecting water samples at 9 sites on monthly intervals from April through November. CLOCA also samples surface water at an additional 10 sites, twice a year. The samples are analysed for a range of water quality indicators including temperature, ph, conductivitiy, turbidity, suspended solids, major ions, nutrients, metals and pesticides in order to screen overall water quality.

19 Surface Water Monitoring & Data Support Water Quantity Flood Forecasting and Warning Ontario Low Water Response Program Groundwater Water Quality Provincial i Water Quality Monitoring i Network Groundwater Quality Monitoring Land Use Municipal Development and Infrastructure Watershed Management Watershed Health Report Cards Source Water Protection Plans Water Taking Applications Review Quantity and Quality Flood Plain Management Water levels and discharge data supports calibration of hydraulic models Long-Term Trends - Climate Change Studies Wt Water levels l &discharge Precipitation Air temperature

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21 Questions?? Contact Info: Neil MacFarlane , ext 134