The overall goal of this thesis is to present a comprehensive understanding of the Nottawasaga River system. In the first chapter, we will examine how landscape features (geomorphology and land cover) drive spatial variation in nutrient and sediment loading from 11 sub-watersheds to the Nottawasaga River. The second chapter will relate how tributary loading and other in-stream processes (riffles, substrate, dissolved oxygen) contribute to the longitudinal variation in water quality along with middle and lower reaches of the Nottawasaga River. Finally, in the last chapter we use 13 water quality variables to develop a Stream Water Quality Index (SWQI) to identify critical areas in the NRW that are most at risk. This thesis will provide environmental agencies with useful information to help implement management strategies to improve the health of riverine systems at a watershed scale. / Eutrophication from agricultural runoff is a global problem, often resulting in formation of anoxic zones in receiving water bodies. The Nottawasaga River Watershed (2,900 km2) is dominated by agricultural land-use, and is a major source of nutrients and sediment to Nottawasaga Bay, Georgian Bay (Lake Huron). The primary objective of our study was to develop a holistic understanding of the different sources and processes that influence spatial variation of water quality across the Nottawasaga River (121 km). In our first chapter, we use landscape features to develop 6 models that predict daily base flow loading rates of total phosphorus (TP) and total suspended solids (TSS) from 11 sub-watersheds. We found that drainage area and % pasture land were the most significant predictive variables driving spatial variability in TP and TSS loading. We also found a significant positive relationship between TP and % wetland, suggesting that the Minesing Wetlands (largest inland wetland in southern Ontario) are a source of nutrients to the river. In our second chapter, we evaluate how tributary inputs and in-stream processes contribute to the longitudinal variation in water quality along the Nottawasaga River. We found that tributary concentration and discharge significantly predict downstream turbidity (TURB), but do not predict downstream TP. We also found that riffles improve water clarity, and that silt and clay substrate is significantly associated with high TURB. In our third chapter, we develop a Stream Water Quality Index (SWQI) using 13 variables collected at 15 stations along the Nottawasaga River. To predict SWQI scores for any site, we have provided 9 equations that use various combinations of available variables. Understanding landscape variables, as well as tributary and in-stream processes that influence water quality will enhance the development of restoration initiatives to improve ecosystem health in lotic systems at a watershed scale. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Eutrophication from agricultural runoff is a global problem, often resulting in formation of anoxic zones. The Nottawasaga River Watershed is dominated by agricultural land-use, and is a major source of nutrients and sediment to Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. The objective of our study was to develop a holistic understanding of sources and processes that influence spatial variation of water quality across the Nottawasaga River. We found that landscape features (drainage area, pasture, wetland), tributary inputs, and in-stream processes (riffles, substrate) significantly influence water quality. Our results will enhance restoration initiatives to improve health of riverine systems at a watershed scale.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/19110 |
| Date | 16 June 2016 |
| Creators | Rutledge, Julia Michelle |
| Contributors | Chow-Fraser, Patricia, Biology |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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