Fast graphical simulations of spills and plumes for application to the great lakes

Abstract

Abstract This paper deals with the development of coastal effluent models of two locations on Lake Ontario, Pickering and the Niagara River. The models employ microcomputers to simulate the entry into Lake Ontario of spills or effluent plumes at either site. A spill or plume is observed as it interacts with shore currents. Observations have indicated that the coastal currents are highly correlated with the alongshore wind component. A simple linear impulse response function is applied which relates current to wind history. The current response is calibrated by observing the behaviour of drogues released in the river mouth for the Niagara River compared with wind measurement. Current measurements from fixed devices and daily wind observations have been used to derive the coefficients in the Pickering response function. Comparisons with drogue history for Niagara and water temperature distribution for Pickering have been used to assess the accuracy of the results, at least in a few interesting situations. Software enabling the user to work from existing wind observations or to operate in predictive mode by entering hypothetical wind data has been developed, and a number of display options for the plume or patch are offered.