FINAL REPORT - International Joint Commission

FINAL REPORT
Environmental Data and the Integrated Ecological Response Model
In order to assess the impact of various water level regimes on environmental factors, thirty-two wetlands
of four geomorphic types were identified around the Lake Ontario and upper St. Lawrence River shorelines,
along with fourteen wetlands around the lower St. Lawrence shoreline. Detailed bathymetric and topographic
data is available for the sites. Each site was photo-interpreted to identify vegetation communities and
estimate how the wetlands have changed over time with varying water levels. In addition to this information
on wetlands, extensive data was collected on birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals within the
nearshore zone of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Information about this extensive comprehensive
database is located on the Study’s website (www.losl.org). The information is stored in a meta-data format
providing details regarding who collected it, what data was gathered and where and when it was collected.
An integrated ecological response model was developed to help determine the overall environmental
conditions that result from a particular water level regime. The model provides an index which can be
used as an indicator of how a particular species or factor changes relative to a base case. A version of the
model will reside at the Institute for Water Resources of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Fort Belvoir,
Virginia. In cooperation with that office, future studies of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence can take
place. Such future studies could be useful to universities investigating the health of the system or to
agencies like the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Environment Quebec and Faune Quebec.
Recreational Boating Surveys
The impact of water level changes on recreational boating and tourism was determined by developing an
extensive inventory for the interest. Recreational boaters were surveyed to gather specific information
about expenditures. Marina and yacht club owners were contacted to assess impacts on them and to
obtain physical measurements of depths at slips and boat launching facilities. Charter boat and tour boat
operators were contacted to access the impacts of fluctuating levels on their businesses. Information
about this data can be accessed through the Study website (www.losl.org).
Commercial Navigation and the Impact Model
All commercial harbors were inventoried and the movement of commodities through all possible routes
throughout the Great Lakes was modeled. A commercial navigation vessel movement database was developed.
The Commercial Navigation Economic Impact Model can determine the impact of changing water levels,
outflows and velocities affecting movement between ports. This model has potential for use in related studies
regarding the movement of ships in the system and has applications for the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway
Study being conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Transport Canada and other agencies.
Municipal, Industrial and Domestic Water Intakes
Details regarding all municipal, industrial and domestic water intakes and waste treatment outfalls are
available as metadata on the Study website. This includes information about intake/outfall lengths and
invert elevations, as well as capacities of facilities and the number of individuals served. Information
regarding shore wells, which are for the most part located along the shores of the upper St. Lawrence
River, is also available.
Agency Linkages
The Study Board recommends that the Commission sponsor a two-day conference for Great Lakes
agencies to demonstrate the data and models generated during the Study with a view to creating linkages
and partnerships among agencies.
100 Options for Managing Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Water Levels and Flows