Framework and Tools for EFA in Ontario

Andrea Bradford, Ashraf Zaghal, Jennith Peart, James Etienne, Jennifer Drake

Ecological Flow Assessment Indicators of Hydrologic Variation / Range

of Variability Approach In-stream Flows to Achieve
Management targets, based on an ecological
flow assessment process, protect aspects of
The Indicators of Hydrologic Variation / Range of Variability Approach was successfully
Water Quality Objectives
the flow regime that maintain stream integrity.
used, in conjunction with a daily flow series synthesized by a hydrologic model, for the In-stream methods are now being considered to improve the
Ecological Flow Assessment (EFA) is a
gradually urbanizing Hanlon Creek Watershed. background levels of water quality and the ability of rivers to better
process for quantifying the flow needs of
streams. The frequency, duration and timing of assimilate treated effluents from Guelph and Hespeler wastewater
flows of particular magnitudes are important to 0.16
treatment plants. Some of the possible methods include re-aerating
to introduce more oxygen, shading to reduce stream temperatures,

Mean August Flow (m /s)

50s
0.14

maintain: connectivity along a channel, and

3
0.12 2001

with riparian and hyporheic zones; geomorphic 0.1 lowtarget removing run-of-the-river dams
0.08
hightarget

functions; water quality and foodwebs; and 0.06

0.04
Without forest

communities of aquatic organisms. Streamflow 0.02

may be considered a “master variable”

0
1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

Each year of the record

determining the form and functions of streams,
and target streamflow regimes can support
effective decision making with respect to
watershed development and management
strategies.

Hydraulic Models in the Headwaters

Improved approaches to the hydraulic modeling of low flow conditions in headwater

Framework and Tools
Development of a broad framework for EFA in Ontario,
within which a multitude of techniques may be employed.
streams, which often have significant amounts of coarse woody debris, are being assessed.
Standard field methods are adapted and enhanced to better capture headwater features in
HEC-RAS. Special techniques will be developed to collect survey data describing coarse
woody debris in the stream channel. The data should be sufficient to represent CWD as
Conclusion
weir structures in HEC-RAS.
This research is needed to improve our capacity to meet human
needs, while maintaining the integrity of aquatic ecosystems. It
supports the implementation Ontario’s Water Taking and Transfer
Regulation, which requires consideration of requirements to protect
the natural functions of ecosystems, and the Oak Ridges Moraine
Conservation Plan, which requires identification of targets to meet the
water needs of affected ecosystems.
It is needed to better link design criteria for specific watershed
management measures, such as stormwater management systems, to
the ecological responses of receiving waters. It also connects to water
quantity risk assessments being undertaking in association with
source protection initiatives.

The program has also included testing and development of

a number of these techniques.
• The Indicators of Hydrologic Variation / Range of
Variability Approach
• Improved approaches to the hydraulic modeling of
low flow conditions in headwater streams
• Processes to identify critical geomorphic functions
for particular streams, and techniques to quantify the
flows needed to sustain these functions
• Research is commencing on flows needed to achieve
water quality objectives (particularly dissolved oxygen
and temperature) and maintain the hydrogeomorphic
conditions that can help to achieve these objectives.
Another new direction is the study of flows needed to
maintain groundwater-surface water interactions,
particularly for spawning areas and moderation of
summer and winter temperature extremes.
Ecological Flows to Sustain References
Geomorphic Functions Bradford, A., R. Noor, H. Whiteley. 2007. “Ecological Flow
Assessment for Hanlon Creek, Ontario: Use of synthesized
flows with range of variability approach.” Canadian Water
Processes to identify critical geomorphic functions for particular streams, and techniques
Resources Journal. Volume 32, Number 2
to quantify the flows needed to sustain these functions, are being studied. Field work has
been carried out in two reaches of the Credit River at Cataract.
Bradford, A. (in press). “An Ecological Flow Assessment
Framework Providing a Bridge to Implementation in
Canada.”
Acknowledgements
This project has received funding support from the Ontario
Ministry of the Environment. Such support does not indicate
endorsement by the Ministry of the contents of this material.