Physical characteristics of the Humber River

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Klose, S. R.
Bacchus, A.

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Ontario Ministry of the Environment

Abstract

As part of the Toronto Area Watershed Management Strategy Study, the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the Water Resources Branch of the Ministry of the Environment carried out a physical survey of the Humber River during the summer of 1983. The study area was confined to the portion of the Humber River watershed within the boundaries of Metropolitan Toronto, starting at Steeles Avenue and ending at the mouth of the river. Data from this survey are to be used in the analysis of sediment transport and other computer modelling studies. This report also presents the results of a previous survey carried out in the fall of 1982 during which time of travel was measured. Standard methods for measuring channel geometry, sediment deposition, time of travel and streamflow were used. Results indicate that average stream depth ranged from 0.14 m to 2.11 m, and stream width varied from 12 m to 85 m. Time of travel ranged from 0.50 hours to 6.83 hours throughout the study period depending on the reach and flow. Reach lengths ranged from 2930 m to 12010 m. Bed slope ranged from 0.05% near Lake Ontario to 0.40% upstream of Bloor Street and 0.06% upstream of Highway 401. In general, the spatial distribution of the sediment deposits reflects the hydraulic characteristics of the river. The depth of sediment accumulation ranged from 1.5 m to 2.0 m near Lake Ontario to occasional patches near Steeles Avenue. The relatively small volume, of deposited sediment indicates that the majority of sediment produced by the Humber River watershed is transported into Lake Ontario.

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Archive of Agri-Environmental Programs in Ontario, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Other O.M.E. Environmental Reports, river, sediment transport, computer modelling, time of travel, stream depth, stream width, bed slope, sediment deposits, sediment accumulation

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