Water Quality Modelling For The Northern River Basins Study

This report summarizes discussions and conclusions from a workshop on water quality modelling approaches for the Peace and Athabasca Rivers. Workshop objectives included identification of research needs in terms of water quality models, discussion and assessment of existing water quality models in terms of short- and long-term needs for basin management, review and assessment of model structure, examination of rate coefficients and the limitations of available data bases, and identification of issues and areas requiring further research. Sections of the report cover the hydrology of the Peace-Athabasca rivers, water quality monitoring programs in those rivers, water quality modelling approaches (including stochastic models, the WASP4 program, the Dynamic Stream Simulation and Assessment Model, pattern recognition techniques, and alternative approaches), and water quality modelling recommendations for the Northern River Basins Study. Includes glossary.

Lists Northern River Basins Study technical reports by issue number, subject, and geographic area studied. Subject areas used to classify the reports are: hydrology/hydraulics, nutrients/dissolved oxygen, contaminants, food chain, drinking water, other uses, traditional knowledge, and synthesis and modelling. Ten geographic divisions are used: three each for the Athabasca and Peace Rivers, and one each of the Wapiti/Smoky rivers, Peace-Athabasca Delta, Lake Athabasca, and Rivière des Rochers/Slave River.

The NTBS was designed to address the ecological concerns about pulp mill expansion, and to increase scientific knowledge about environmental conditions [ecology, ecosystem sustainability, water pollution and control, habitat, effect on fish and fishing, etc.] in the major river systems of the north. The study's objectives were to gather and interpret sound scientific information about the basins, develop appropriate recommendations for basin management, and communicate effectively with the public. The government response report confirms the governments' commitment to ecosystem sustainability and to pollution control in northern rivers. First Nations and Metis aboriginal [native] peoples contributed significantly to the NRBS.

The aim of this study was to examine the existing model approach and to make recommendations for improved modelling of under-ice dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in the Athabasca River. Previous modelling efforts have involved using the DO simulation model DOSTOC, but discrepancies between observed and predicted DO concentrations for 1992 and 1993 highlighted the needs for a review and assessment of the modelling approaches used. This report reviews the structure of the DOSTOC model and input data used for modelling, then describes a stochastic run of the model using the best available values for input data and process rates, including revised rates and ratios for converting five-day biological oxygen demand (BOD) values to ultimate BOD values, measured values for sediment oxygen demand and sedimentation, and a temperature correction for pulp mill BOD decay rates. Simulation results indicate whether the model could predict DO for 1990-94 winters. Regression equations were also developed relating DO concentration to river distance.

Annotation This book provides a broad based understanding of the water quality prediction process and evaluates the merits and cost effectiveness in using water quality models under field conditions.

Describes and presents simulation results using a revised model simulating the fate of contaminants in the Athabasca River. The revised fate model allows predictive sediment transport simulation within the WASP4 model framework, predicts resuspension from hydraulic information supplied by WASP4 and from user-supplied sediment characteristics, and can be applied to different flow conditions without having to re-describe sediment transport rates. Several simulations were run using input files from the original model calibration. Program listings of subroutines are included.

Special Offer: Water Framework Directive Series Set. Visit www.iwapublishing.com to buy all four titles including Volume 3 and save £100! Water resources planning and management and the development of appropriate policies requires methodologies and tools that are able to support systematic, integrative and multidisciplinary assessments at various scales. It also requires the quantification of various uncertainties in both data and models, and the incorporation of stakeholders participation and institutional mechanisms into the various tools and risk assessment methodologies, to help decision makers understand and evaluate alternative measures and decisions. This requirement has been explicitly recognised in the context of the European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD). This book is one of the concrete outcomes of the Harmoni-CA concerted action (supported by the European Commission). It provides a framework for model-supported participatory planning of measures at various river basin scales and practical guidance to water managers and other interested stakeholders on the model-supported implementation of the WFD. The objective of the book is to offer guidance to water managers on the model-supported implementation of the Water Framework Directive at the level of a river basin district and at other levels (such as sub-basins, national, or international scale in the case of international river basins). It should help water managers to better understand how models may be used for planning purposes, while special attention is given to the problem of predicting an uncertain future, one very likely to differ from the present. Six case studies from different parts of Europe are provided to illustrate the practical applicability of the planning framework in the WFD implementation. They are very important for illustrating how concepts from earlier parts of the document are applied to real-world situations. The case studies cover several aspects of mesoscale river basin management, water quantity and quality issues, and the role of modelling, with two case studies located in pilot river basins. This text is intended for use by water managers and hydrologists engaged in the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. The other three volumes in the Water Framework Directive Series are: Modelling Aspects of Water Framework Directive Implementation - Volume 1 edited by Prof. Peter A. Vanrolleghem Integrated Assessment for WFD implementation: Data, economic and human dimension - Volume 2 edited by Peter A. Vanrolleghem Decision support for WFD implementation - Volume 3 edited by Peter A. Vanrolleghem