Great Lakes Hydrometeorologic and Hydraulic Data Needs

by the l nternational Great Lakes Technical l nformation Network Board (Under the Reference of November 19,1979)

July 1984

GREAT LAKES

HYDROMETEOROLOGIC AND HYDRAULIC

DATA NEEDS

REPORT TO THE

INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION

BY THE

INTERNATIONAL GREAT LAKES TECHNICAL

INFORMATION NETWORK BOARD

(UNDER THE REFERENCE OF NOVEMBER 19, 1979)

JULY 1984

INTERNAT ION^. GREAT LAKES TECHNICAL INFORMAT I O N NETWORK BOARD

I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t C o m i s s ion Washington, D.C. and Ottawa, Ontar io

Dear Commissioners:

The I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Technical Information Network Board is p leased t o submit herewith i ts Report on t h e Hydrometeorologic and Hydraul ic Data Needs of . t he va r ious Boards of t h e I J C and o t h e r u s e r s w i th in t h e Grea t .Lakes System. This complies w i t h t h e Reference from t h e Governments of t h e United and Canada t o t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission, da ted February 21, 1977.

The F indings , Conclusions and Recommendations reached by t h e Board a r e summarized i n Sec t ion 6 and t h e Execut ive Summary. D e t a i l s of t h e s t u d i e s and i n v e s t i g a t i o n s c a r r i e d ou t by t h e Board a r e contained i n one Appendix (bound i n s e p a r a t e volume), f i v e Annexes t o t h e Main Report and a S t a t i o n Di rec tory (bound s e p a r a t e l y and i s sued a s an In t e r im Report i n February 1983).

The Board wishes t o acknowledge t h e a s s i s t a n c e and guidance provided by t h e Commission and t h e information provided through q u e s t i o n n a i r s s e n t t o t h e va r ious Boards of t h e I J C and o t h e r pub l i c and Governmental agenc ies through- ou t t h e Great Lakes.

Members f o r United S t a t e s A

B.G. DeCooke

Respec t fu l l y submit ted,

Members f o r Canada

D.F. Witherspoon

H.H. Barnes G.A. McKay

F.H. Quinn B.F. T a i t

EXECUTIVE SUPlMARY

Background

The Great Lakes Bas in is a va luable n a t u r a l resource shared by Canada and t h e United S t a t e s . A v i a b l e system t o a s s u r e t h e ready a v a i l a b i l i t y of hydrometeorological information is e s s e n t i a l f o r the optimum management and u t i l i z a t i o n of t h e water resource, and f o r t h e p ro tec t ion and p rese rva t ion of the Great Lakes environment.

The I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission (IJC) is not d i r e c t l y involved i n comprehensive programs f o r t h e c o l l e c t i o n and d isseminat ion of hydrometeorologic and hydraul ic da ta i n the Great Lakes Basin. The Commission has depended p r imar i ly on agencies of t h e Governments of Canada and t h e United S t a t e s f o r the da ta necessary t o address boundary water i s sues . This has necess i t a t ed a number of formal and informal i n t e r n a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements between ind iv idua l agencies. Such arrangements have had obvious shortcomings .

I n 1976, the I J C concluded f r o m a s tudy, "Further Regulation of the Great Lakes," t h a t t h e b e n e f i c i a l a s p e c t s of water l e v e l r egu la t ion could be enhanced i f improvements were made i n determining the hydrologic condi t ions of t h e Basin s e v e r a l months i n advance. The Report a l s o concluded t h a t t h e development of p r e d i c t i v e hydrologic f o r e c a s t i n g models is dependent upon the a v a i l a b i l i t y of an appropr ia t e system of hydrometeorological da ta c o l l e c t i o n networks and da ta bases. Although needed improvements i n long-range c l imate p r e d i c t i o n s k i l l s were not foreseen, t h e study found t h a t use fu l hydrologic f o r e c a s t s could be developed with a b e t t e r understanding of the water balance of t h e Great Lakes. Furthermore, a d d i t i o n a l b e n e f i t s could be expected from more t imely communication and improved systems f o r hydrometeorological monitoring throughout t h e Great Lakes Basin. Therefore, t h e Commission concluded that a Basin-wide upgrading of the da ta c o l l e c t i o n system and networks was needed. Improved data networks, u t i l i z i n g modern sensors and communications systems, would lead t o s i g n i f i c a n t improvement i n the speed and accurancy of synopt ic assessments of hydrometeorologic and hydraul ic condi t ions i n the Basin.

I n a Reference t o the I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission dated February 21, 1977, t h e Governments of Canada and t h e United S t a t e s requested t h e I J C to examine, provide advice and make recommendations on unmet da ta needs t o a s s i s t t h e Governments i n improving t h e Great Lakes da ta c o l l e c t i o n networks. The Governments a l s o requested the Commission t o br ing t o t h e i r a t t e n t i o n unmet needs discovered i n the course of its a c t i v i t i e s concerning comparable methodology , c o l l e c t i o n and exchange of da ta and information.

The Commission es tab l i shed t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Technica l Information Network Board on November 19, 1979, and d i r e c t e d it t o undertake necessary s t u d i e s and i n v e s t i g a t i o n s t o adv i se t h e Commission on a l l ma t t e r s wi th in the Reference. This r epor t is i n compliance with t h a t d i r e c t i v e .

Charge t o the Board

The scope of t h i s r epor t inc ludes an assessment of hydrometeorologic and hydraulic da ta f o r t h e Great Lakes a rea t h a t a r e requi red now and i n t h e foreseeable f u t u r e by the Boards of the Commission. The i n v e s t i g a t i o n s inc lude assessments of and requirements f o r da ta a c q u i s i t i o n , a rchiving and dissemination. S p e c i f i c a l l y , the t a s k s of the Board a r e to:

( 1 ) Review t h e Great Lakes area da ta sources, e x i s t i n g da ta systems and data re t f i ieval methods.

(2 ) Review i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements f o r the dissemination of data.

(3) Compare a v a i l a b l e information with t h e present and f u t u r e needs of the var ious Boards serving the Commission f o r adequacy (coverage, c o l l e c t i o n system, consistency, compatabil i ty, t ime l iness , e t c . ) .

( 4 I d e n t i f y any present o r fu tu re unmet needs of the Boards.

( 5 ) Examine and evaluate a l t e r n a t i v e means of s a t i s f y i n g u m e t d a t a needs.

(6) Recommend improvements and changes t o e x i s t i n g data networks and i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements.

E x i s t i n g Data Needs

The needs of the C o d s s i d n and the suppor t ive agencies are not mutually independent. The data requirements of a l l of t h e e n t i t i e s a r e important t o t h i s study because of the s t rong interdependence of the Boards of the I J C on many agencies f o r da ta and o the r forms of t echn ica l support i n t h e conduct of Commission' a c t i v i t i e s . When the present and f u t u r e needs of a l l agencies are viewed compositively t h e r e s u l t is a complex montage of da ta coverage, sampling techniques and repor t ing frequencies.

The hydrometeorologic and hydraulic d a t a needs of more than f o r t y o rgan iza t iona l e n t i t i e s were examined. These represented f e d e r a l , p rov inc ia l , and s t a t e governmental agencies , Boards of t h e I J C , and o thers . The i r i n t e r e s t s i n the Great Lakes range from s i t e - s p e c i f i c t o Basin-wide. T h e i r da ta needs range from per iod ic water l e v e l e l e v a t i o n s a t a p a r t i c u l a r l o c a t i o n t o real- t ime synopt ic weather da ta f o r regional a r e a s a s w e l l a s Basin-wide s u r v e i l l a n c e and benchmark da ta covering a v a r i e t y of hydrometeorologic and hydrau l i c parameters.

The Boards of the I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission have s t a t e d t h a t t h e i r needs f o r hydrometeorologic and hydraul ic da ta a r e p resen t ly being s a t i s i f i e d , however, cons iderable improvement i n the provision of real- t ime data from the e x i s t i n g systems w i l l be needed i n t h e fu tu re . A t t h e same time, many of t h e agencies upon whom the Commission relies f o r da ta have i d e n t i f i e d information

and data system def i c i enc ies . Furthermore, these agencies a r e a c t i n g t o improve t h e real- t ime data de l ive ry c a p a b i l i t i e s and a l s o t o expand coverage f o r some data measurements. This apparent paradox may be a t t r i b u t e d d i r e c t l y t o t h e nonpar t i c ipa t ion of t h e Commission and its Boards i n t h e planning processes f o r the c o l l e c t i o n of hydrometeorologic and hydraul ic data.

Data agencies maintain and opera te da ta c o l l e c t i o n systems t o s a t i s f y a p a r t i c u l a r set of needs. Many are dependent t o some degree on i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements t o s a t i s f y t h e i r minimum da ta requirements. Some agencies i n both Governments have missions which are suppor t ive t o the Commission requirements. The planning and design of da ta systems f o r t h e I J C r e f l e c t t h e d i v e r s i t y of sources and arrangements f o r da ta a c q u i s i t i o n and dissemination.

Data networks and information systems a r e con t inua l ly being modified/or changed t o reflect changes i n user demands and technologica l advances. A s noted previous ly , t h e present networks and systems a r e genera l ly adequate t o meet cu r ren t I J C needs but are l ack ing i n the area of t imely da ta t ransmission. Th i s s i t u a t i o n can be r e a d i l y improved with a minimum expenditure of funds. The major concerns a r e that the system changes being contemplated by t h e data ga ther ing agencies may not be compatible with, o r may not g ive cons idera t ion t o , the current and f u t u r e needs of the Boards of the I J C .

P ro jec ted Needs

Three scenar ios have been developed and evaluated by the Board a s a means of meeting t h e f u t u r e needs of t h e Commission. The scenar ios a r e cumulative, i.e., Scenar ios 2 and 3 assume that the preceedirig scenar io w i l l be implemented. .

Under Scenar io 1 , the da ta systems w i l l continue t o evolve independently of t h e I J C with each data ga the r ing agency developing o r adopting new technology t a i l o r e d t o agency resources , p r i o r i t i e s and p o l i c i e s . With the changing emphasis on rapid de l ive ry and q u a l i t y of information, and t h e need t o access inc reas ing volumes of da ta , t h i s continued pass ive approach by t h e I J C towards its da ta needs and systems access may be untenable. . ._

\ Under Scenar io 2 , the I J C would play a p o s i t i v e r o l e i n the planning

processess of t h e var ious agencies f o r da ta a c q u i s i t i o n and communication systems. The Commission would a c t t o have its p r i o r i t y needs incorporated i n t h e da ta programs. Addi t ional ly , s t e p s would be taken f o r each da ta agency t o e s t a b l i s h convenient access f o r ind iv idua l Boards and support ing agency users . Th i s would requ i re t h e establishment and maintenance of a coordinat ing and evaluat ing mechanism with accoun tab i l i ty t o i n t e r a c t with appropr ia t e agencies and Boards t o ensure t h a t t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t s of t h e I J C a r e served.

Scenar io 3 c a l l s f o r the establishment of a c e n t r a l i z e d da ta bank i n each country t o handle a l l cu r ren t and f u t u r e Great Lakes Basin hydrometeorologic and hydraul ic data. These da ta would be provided t o the c e n t r a l da ta bank on a scheduled b a s i s through ind iv idua l agency data cent res . The c e n t r a l da ta

bank would con ta in a l l t echn ica l da ta required on an opera t iona l b a s i s by the Great Lakes Boards of t h e I J C and o the r users . R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s f o r archiving of da ta would remain with the da ta ga ther ing agencies.

The c o s t s a s soc ia ted with each a l t e r n a t i v e va r i e s . Scenar io 1 - no a d d i t i o n a l cos t above cur ren t and planned expenditure l eve l s . Scenar io 2 - a small a d d i t i o n a l c o s t would be incur red f o r opera t ion of an I J C coordinat ion board. No a d d i t i o n a l cos t f o r da ta ga the r ing and coordinat ion a c t i v i t i e s s ince t h i s Scenar io only requ i res a realignment of agency p r i o r i t i e s . Scenar io 3 - depending upon the means of c e n t r a l i z a t i o n , the cos t could range from 200,000 d o l l a r s t o over 2 mi l l ion d o l l a r s .

Scenar io 2 , is judged t o be the most cos t e f f e c t i v e approach t o s a t i s f y i n g t h e f u t u r e da ta needs of t h e I J C .

F ind ings

1 . I n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements r e l a t e d t o the ga ther ing , coordinat ion and exchange of hydrameteorologic and hydraul ic da ta e x i s t a t a l l l e v e l s of Government ( l o c a l , s t a t e , na t iona l and i n t e r n a t i o n a l ) and wi th in the p r i v a t e and research comuni ty ; however, coordinat ion o r c e n t r a l i z a t i o n of e f f o r t i n support of the Boards of the I J C is minimal.

2. I n genera l , da ta provided f r o m t h e e x i s t i n g hydraul ic , hydrologic and c l ima to log ic s t a t i o n networks t o the operat , ional Boards of the I J C are considered adequate t o meet t h e i r cu r ren t needs. However, real- t ime de l ive ry of the da ta t o the use r s r equ i res upgrading. Furthermore, s i g n i f i c a n t new requirements f o r da ta , da ta systems and a p p l i c a t i o n s of new technology a r e projec ted f o r the fu ture .

3. There is a shor tage of da ta i n some a r e a s of the Basin on f a c t o r s such a s i c e condi t ions , wind, waves, c u r r e n t s , evapo t ransp i ra t ion , p r e c i p i t a t i o n , water equivalents of snow pack, and s o i l moisture. The need f o r such da ta has not been c r i t i c a l i n t h e pas t . However, a s water management problems rece ive g r e a t e r pub l i c a t t e n t i o n and management techniques become more ref ined and r e l i a b l e , t h e r e w i l l be a c r u c i a l need f o r t h e s e types of data.

Conclusions

1. The i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements among the Boards of the I J C , da ta ga ther ing agencies and o the r u s e r s , l a c k t h e cohesion and a u t h o r i t y needed t o make optimum use of technologica l advances.

2. The need f o r real-time da ta f o r use by t h e Boards of t h e I J C and o t h e r agencies is growing. To meet t h i s need, many da ta c o l l e c t i o n f a c i l i t i e s should be upgraded with s ta te-of- the-ar t equipment, new synthes iz ing techniques, and improved repor t ing c a p a b i l i t i e s .

3. The refinement and opera t iona l use of l a r g e bas in hydrologic models ( a v a i l a b l e o r being developed) is hampered by a l ack of real- t ime

a c c e s s i b i l i t y t o da ta on e x i s t i n g Basin condi t ions . A need e x i s t s f o r e a r l y i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of da ta requirements f o r f u t u r e opera t iona l p red ic t ion systems, and t o evaluate the u t i l i t y of new measurement technologies f o r p red ic t ion purposes.

Recommendations :

Based upon the study reported he re in , the Board recommends:

1. Continual review and coordinat ion of the ever-changing needs of the Boards of the I J C and technologica l o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n l i g h t of agency r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , programs and a b i l i t y t o d e l i v e r ;

2. Formal coordinat ion with da ta c o l l e c t i o n agencies t o ensure that p resen t and f u t u r e t echn ica l information needs of t h e Great Lakes Boards and agencies i n both coun t r i e s using i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y coordinated da ta a r e met;

3 . Promotion of t h e development of c l imate f o r e c a s t s ; and

4. Promotion of the development of p r e d i c t i v e l a r g e basin water supply models.

To accomplish the above recommendations, the Board proposes that the I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission e s t a b l i s h a permanent " In te rna t iona l Great Lakes Technical Information Network Boardw t o provide an i n t e r n a t i o n a l mechanism f o r i n s t i t u t i o n a l coordinat ion between t h e opera t iona l Boards of t h e I J C and agencies making s t u d i e s , ga the r ing and providing da ta on the System. T h i s Board should a l s o assume t h e func t ions of t h e "Coordinating Committee on Great Lakes Bas ic Hydraulic and Hydrologic Data. "

TABLE OF CONTENTS-

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Page

1

Section 1 INTRODUCTION

1 . 1 Authority

1 . 2 Background

1 . 3 Purpose and Scope of Study

1 . 4 Study Organization

1 . 5 Terminology

1 . 6 Acknowledgement

Seetion 2 GREAT LAKES BASIN DESCRIPTION

2 . 1 General

2 . 2 Climate

2 . 3 Hydrology and Hydraulics

Section 3 EXISTING DATA SYSTEMS

3 . 1 General

3 . 2 Meteorologic Data Systems

3 . 3 Hydrologic Data Systems

3 . 4 Hydraulic Data-Systems

3 . 5 Existing Institutional Arrangements 3 . 5 . 1 International 3 . 5 . 2 International - Interagency 3 . 5 . 3 International - Private

TABLE OF CONTENTS (con t ' d )

Page

Sec t ion 4 DATA NEEDS AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

4.1 General

4.2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Boards and Committees 4.2.1 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Lake Super ior Board of Cont ro l 4.2.2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Niagara Board ,of Cont ro l and

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Niagara Committee 4.2.3 I n t e r n a t i o n a l S t . Lawrence River Board of Cont ro l 4.2.4 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Water Qua l i t y Board 4.2.5 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Sc ience Advisory Board

4.3 United S t a t e s and Canadian Fede ra l Agencies 4 . 3 . 1 General 4.3.2 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , North C e n t r a l Div is ion (NCD) 4.3.3 United S t a t e s Geologica l Survey (USGS) 4.3 .4 Nat iona l Ocean Se rv ice (NOS), NOAA 4.3.5 Nat iona l Weather Se rv i ce (NWS), NOAA 4.3.6 Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), NOAA 4.3.7 Water Resources Branch (WRB), Environment Canada 4.3 .8 Atmospheric Environment Se rv i ce (AES), Environment Canada 4.3.9 Canadian Hydrographic Se rv i ces (CHS), Department of

F i s h e r i e s and Oceans Canada

4.4 S t a t e and P r o v i n c i a l Agencies

4.5 Other Organiza t ions

Sec t ion 5 EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES

5 . 1 General

5.2 A l t e r n a t i v e Scenar ios 5 .2 .1 Scenar io 1 - , Independent System Development 5 .2 .2 Scenar io 2 - Improved Communication and Data C e n t r a l i z a t i o n 5 . 2 . 3 Scenar io 3 - Nat iona l Data C e n t r a l i z a t i o n

5 . 3 Discussion of Scenar ios 5.3 .1 Scenar io 1 - Independent Agency Development 5.3.2 Scenar io 2 - Improved Communication and Data C e n t r a l i z a t i o n 5.3.3 Scenar io 3 - Nat iona l Data C e n t r a l i z a t i o n 5.3.4 Benef i t - Accuracy Analys is

TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont'd)

Page

Section 6 FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

6 . 1 General

6 . 2 Findings

6 . 3 Conclusions

6 . 4 Recommendations

LIST OF TABLES

1. Percentage of Canadian Gaged Land Area t o Measure Runoff

LIST OF FIGURES

1. S t r u c t u r e of Study Organiza t ion

2. Nap of Great Lakes - S t . Lawrence River Drainage Basin

3 . P r o f i l e of t h e Great Lakes System

4. Network of AES and NOAA Meteorologic S t a t i o n s

5. Network of Hydraul ic S t a t i o n s

6. E x i s t i n g NWS Meteorologic Data Buoy Network

LIST OF ANNEXES

ANNEX A

International Joint Commission Directive to the International Great Lakes Technical Information Network Board, November 19, 1979.

ANNEX B

List of Participants in the Study

ANNEX C

Coordinating Committee Reports

ANNEX D

Glossary of Terms

ANNEX E

Conversion Facotors

LIST OF APPENDICES (bound s e p a r a t e l y )

APPENDIX A - F i n a l Report of t h e Hydrau l i c s , Hydrology and Systems Eva lua t i on Committees

APPENDIX B - Grea t Lakes Hydrometeorological S t a t i o n D i r e c t o r y

APPENDIX C - L i s t of Repor t s Publ i shed by I J C Boards

GREAT LAKES HYDROMETEOROLOGIC AND HYDRAULIC DATA NEEDS

A REPORT TO THE

INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION

BY THE

INTERNATIONAL GREAT LAKES TECHNICAL

INFORMATION NETWORK BOARD

SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Authori ty

The study repor ted upon here in was reques ted , pursuant t o A r t i c l e I X o f t h e Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, by t h e Governments of Canada and t h e United S t a t e s i n a Reference t o the I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission ( I J C ) , dated February 21, 1977. The Reference requested t h e I J C t o examine.and provide advice and recommendations on unmet da ta needs i n order t h a t t h e Governments may improve t h e Great .Lakes d a t a c o l l e c t i o n network.

Pursuant t o t h i s Reference, t h e I J C e s t ab l i shed t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Technical Information Network Board (IGLTINB) on November 19, 1979, and appointed the Board members on January .25, 1980. The Board was d i r e c t e d t o undertake t h e necessary s t u d i e s and i n v e s t i g a t i o n s and t o g ive advice t o t h e I J C on a l l matters within the Reference t h a t must be considered before a r e p o r t is made t o t h e Governments.

The Reference from t h e Governments and t h e ~ i r e c t i v e t o t h e Board a r e included as Annex A t o t h i s r epor t .

- .

1.2 Background

The I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t C o h i s s i o n , i n t h e r e p o r t "Further Regulation o f t h e Great Lakesn, dated 1976, recommended t o t h e Governments t h a t t h e I J C be author ized t o make a s tudy of the meteorologic, hydrologic and hydraul ic data c o l l e c t i o n networks i n t h e Great Lakes Basin, t o design t h e necessary improvements and monitor t h e opera t ions of t h e systems. This recommendation was i n keeping with t h e IJC's conclusions der ived from t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Levels Board r e p o r t , "Regulation of Great Lakes Water Levelsw, published i n 1973.

The study by t h e IJCts I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Levels Board (IGLLB, 1973) revealed t h a t i f water s u p p l i e s t o each of t h e Great Lakes were known i n advance, t h e impact o f these varying supp l i e s could be p ro jec ted , and r e g u l a t i o n dec i s ions made t o achieve more b e n e f i c i a l r e s u l t s . However, t h e IGLLB noted t h a t t h e present s t a t e o f meteorologic knowledge precludes

c l i m a t i c p r e d i c t i o n s of t h e r equ i r ed accuracy , d e t a i l , p r e c i s i o n and time span (up t o f o u r months) t o a i d i n management d e c i s i o n s . Furthermore, t h e development o f such a p r e d i c t i v e c a p a b i l i t y and its t r a n s l a t i o n i n t o hyd ro log ic models is dependent upon t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y o f an a p p r o p r i a t e d a t a c o l l e c t i o n network and d a t a bases . However, t h e IGLLB a l s o concluded t h a t d e s p i t e t h e l i m i t a t i o n s i n climatic p r e d i c t i o n , u s e f u l hyd ro log ic f o r e c a s t s can be developed by improving ou r knowledge o f t h e water ba lance o f t h e Great Lakes and s i g n i f i c a n t b e n e f i t s can be ob t a ined from more t ime ly and enhanced meteoro logic and hydro logic monitor ing.

Based on t h e IGLLB s t u d y , t h e I J C concluded t h a t an extended and i n t e n s i f i e d network f o r c o l l e c t i o n o f meteoro logic , hydro logic and h y d r a u l i c d a t a is r e q u i r e d throughout t h e Great Lakes Basin. Use o f modern t e l e m e t r y and o t h e r improved communication dev ices and measuring equipment w i l l s i g n i f i c a n t l y improve t h e speed and accuracy o f de te rmin ing t h e hyd ro log ic and h y d r a u l i c c o n d i t i o n s o f t h e Basin. These improvements, coord ina ted i n a Basin-wide approach, w i l l en su re t h a t t h e b e s t r e g u l a t i n g d e c i s i o n s can be made promptly, wi th a g r e a t e r r e l i a b i l i t y , and provide a more comprehensive d a t a base on which hydro log ic model development can t a k e p l ace .

1.3 Purpose and Scope o f Study

The purposes o f t h i s s t udy are to : ( 1 ) review t h e Great Lakes d a t a s o u r c e s , e x i s t i n g d a t a systems and d a t a r e t r i e v a l methods; (2) review t h e i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements f o r t h e d i s s e d n a t i o n o f d a t a ; ( 3 ) compare t h e a v a i l a b l e in format ion wi th t h e p r e s e n t and f u t u r e needs o f t h e Boards s e r v i n g t h e I J C f o r adequacy (coverage , c o l l e c t i o n system, cons i s t ency , c o m p a t i b i l i t y , t i m e l i n e s s , e t c . ) ; ( 4 ) i d e n t i f y any p r e s e n t o r f u t u r e unmet needs of t h e Boards; (5) examine and e v a l u a t e a l t e r n a t i v e ways i n which t h e needs o f t h e I J C Boards may be s a t i s f i e d ; and (6) a d v i s e t h e I J C on t h e r equ i r ed changes t o t h e e x i s t i n g d a t a networks and i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements t o a s s u r e t h a t t h e d a t a needs o f t h e Great Lakes Boards o f t h e I J C are m e t .

The scope o f t h e s tudy embraces a l l t h e hydrometeorologic and h y d r a u l i c d a t a r e q u i r e d now and i n t h e f o r e s e e a b l e f u t u r e by t h e Great Lakes Boards o f t h e I J C d e a l i n g wi th water q u a n t i t y management. The i n v e s t i g a t i o n i n c l u d e s an assessment and recommendations, as a p p r o p r i a t e , on a l l a s p e c t s of d a t a a c q u i s i t i o n , a r c h i v i n g and d i s semina t ion . These i n c l u d e t i m e l i n e s s , coverage , d e l i v e r y , l i m i t a t i o n s , q u a l i t y , f o rma t , c o n s i s t e n c y and methodology. The geographic scope o f t h e s tudy is t h e Great Lakes Drainage Bas in upstream o f Cornwall , On ta r io , and Massena, New York.

1.4 Study Organiza t ion

The I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Techn ica l Informat ion Network Board c o n s i s t s o f a United S t a t e s S e c t i o n and a Canadian S e c t i o n , each having t h r e e members. I n t h e appointment of t h e Board by t h e I J C and i n t h e setting up o f t h e Board Committees, f u l l advantage was taken o f t h e o f f e r of t h e two Fede ra l Governments t o "upon r e q u e s t make a v a i l a b l e t o t h e Commission t h e s e r v i c e s of eng inee r s and o t h e r s p e c i a l l y q u a l i f i e d personnel o f t h e i r governmental

agenc i e s and such informat ion and t e c h n i c a l d a t a as may have. been acqui red du r ing t h e cou r se o f t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n . " T h i s i n v i t a t i o n has provided a c c e s s t o a broad coverage o f p r o f e s s i o n a l t a l e n t , exper ience and d i s c i p l i n e s neces sa ry t o conduct t h e s tudy reques ted by t h e Governments.

Under t h e a u t h o r i t y o f t h e D i r e c t i v e from t h e I J C , t h e Board e s t a b l i s h e d t h r e e Committees: Hydrau l i c s , Hydrology and Systems Evalua t ion . The Chairmen f o r t h e s e Committees were appoin ted by t h e Board on 11 March 1981. The Committees were provided wi th Terms o f Reference and were reques ted t o assemble t h e neces sa ry d a t a , o rgan ize Committee a c t i v i t i e s and conduct s t u d i e s t o provide t h e i n fo rma t ion reques ted i n t h e Reference from t h e Governments. To f a c i l i t a t e t h e work o f t h e Committees, t h e Board d i s t r i b u t e d su rveys and q u e s t i o n n a i r e s t o i d e n t i f y p r e s e n t and p r o j e c t e d d a t a needs and concerns of t h e I J C Boards and t h e u s e r s o f Great Lakes d a t a .

The Board s t r u c t u r e is shown i n F igu re 1 . The complete names and a f f i l i a t i o n s o f t h e p r e s e n t and p rev ious members o f t h e Board and its Committees a r e inc luded i n Annex B t o t h i s r e p o r t . I

Data needs a r e de f ined i n t h i s s t udy as those t h a t a r e o f mutual i n t e r e s t t o t h e I J C , i t s Boards and o t h e r a g e n c i e s involved i n t h e ' o p e r a t i o n and/or moni tor ing o f t h e Great Lakes - S t . Lawrence River System. The d a t a a r e used i n e x i s t i n g o p e r a t i o n s and models f o r f o r e c a s t i n g w a t e r l e v e l s o f t h e Grea t Lakes, a s well a s i n any f u t u r e o p e r a t i o n s based on improved methods o f water l e v e l and flow f o r e c a s t i n g . The b a s i c d a t a ' a r e t hose r e c o r d s o f o b s e r v a t i o n s and measurements o f p h y s i c a l f a c t s , occur rences and c o n d i t i o n s .

A g l o s s a r y o f terms, l ist o f acronyms and list of' r e f e r e n c e s a r e inc luded i n Annex D o f t h i s r e p o r t . The terms and d e f i n i t i o n s a r e c o n s i s t e n t wi th t e c h n i c a l r e f e r e n c e s and popular usages w i t h i n t h e g iven d i s c i p l i n e .

1 .6 Acknowledgement

Th i s r e p o r t has been prepared c o o p e r a t i v e l y u s ing t h e r e s o u r c e s o f t hose a g e n c i e s i n both c o u n t r i e s l i s t e d i n Annex B. The Board 's acknowledgement is also extended t o members of o t h e r Boards o f t h e IJC and t o t h e F e d e r a l , S t a t e and P r o v i n c i a l agenc i e s and p r i v a t e i n t e r e s t s t h a t provided informat ion .

INTERNATIONAL JOINT CQMMISSION

.

Structure of Study, Organization

NOTE: see Annex for list of agencies

SECTION 2

GREAT LAKES BASIN DESCRIPTION

2.1 General

The area under c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n t h i s s tudy covers t h e Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Drainage Basin upstream o f Cornwall, On ta r io - Massena, New York (F igu re 2 ) . The Basin c o n s i s t s o f f i v e i n d i v i d u a l 1 connected d ra inage B Bas ins , and l ies between t h e l a t i t u d e s o f 40' 30' and 50 50' North and between t h e long i tudes of approximately 74' 40 and 93' 10 ' West. The maximum dimensions o f t h e Bas in are approximately 1190 k i l o m e t r e s (740 miles) from n o r t h t o s o u t h , and 1,510 k i lome t re s (940 mi l e s ) from e a s t t o west. The t o t a l area, l and and water, is about 774,000 squa re k i l o m e t r e s (298,800 squa re m i l e s ) . The water s u r f a c e o f t h e Great Lakes occupies approximately one- th i rd o f t h e t o t a l Basin a r e a , and each Lake is t h e dominant f e a t u r e i n its subbasin.

The f i v e Great Lakes, Lake S t . Clair and t h e i r Connecting Channels and o u t l e t r i v e r ( S t . Lawrence) have a combined wa te r s u r f a c e area o f about 246,000 squa re k i lome t re s (95,000 squa re miles). The Lakes l i e w i th in Canada and t h e United S t a t e s , wi th t h e excep t ion o f Lake Michigan, which lies wholly w i t h i n t h e United S t a t e s . The System is bordered by e i g h t o f t h e S t a t e s : Minnesota, Wisconsin, I l l i n o i s , Ind iana , Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, and by t h e Province o f On ta r io , Canada.

The outf low from Lake S u p e r i o r d i s c h a r g e s i n t o Lakes Michigan-Huron through t h e S t . Marys River , f a l l i n g approximately 6.7 metres (22 feet) between t h e two l akes . O f t h i s f a l l , 6.1 metres (20 f e e t ) occur i n t h e 2 k i lomet res - long (1.24 miles) S t . Marys Rapids r ach.. The f low i n t h e River 5 ave rages .about 2,120 cub ic metres .per second ( m j s e c ) (75,000 cub ic f e e t p e r second ( c f s ) ) and has been r egu la t ed s i n c e 1921 by means o f c o n t r o l l i n g s t r u c t u r e s l o c a t e d a t S a u l t S t e . Marie, Michigan and Ontar io . Because o f t h e broad and deep connect ion o f t h e S t r a i t s o f Mackinac, Lakes Michigan and Huron have v i r t u a l l y t h e same l e v e l and are h y d r a u l i c a l l y cons idered as one l ake . The S t . Clair River is t h e o u t l e t from Lake Huron and f lows i n a s o u t h e r l y d i r e c t i o n t o Lake S t . C l a i r , a d i s t a n c e of approximately 63 kilometres (39 m i l e s ) , wi th a f a l l o f approximate y 1.5 met res ( 5 feet) . The flow i n t h e S t . 4 Clair River averages about 5,100 m / s e c (180,000 c f s ) . Flow from Lake S t . Clair is discharged through t h e D e t r o i t River i n t o Lake E r i e , f a l l i n g about 1 metre ( 3 f e e t ) i n a d i s t a n c e o f 51 k i l o m e t r e s (32 m i l e s ) . The average f low i n t h e D e t r o i t r i v e r is about 5,200 m3/sec (184,000 c f s ) . The Niagara River- Welland Canal connec ts Lake E r i e t o Lake On ta r io and t h e flow i n t h e s e two Systems averages about 5,750 m3/sec (203,000 c f s ) . The t o t a l f a l l from Lake E r i e t o Lake On ta r io is about 99 met res (326 f e e t ) , with 56 met res (185 f e e t ) o f t h i s drop occu r r ing a t Niagara F a l l s . The S t . Lawrence River is t h e o u t l e t from Lake On ta r io and f lows i n a n o r t h e a s t e r l y d i r e c t i o n approximately 869 k i l o m e t r e s (540 mi l e s ) t o t h e Gulf o f S t . Lawrence, w i th a f a l l o f about 75 met res (245 f e e t ) . The major p o r t i o n of t h i s f a l l , 69 met res (227 f e e t ) ,

. .. .

0 N T A R I 0

MINNESOTA

1'

W l S C O N S I N I

M l C H l G A

-.--..-.,-

Figure 2 GREAT LAKES-ST. LAWRENCE RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN

occu r s between Lake On ta r io and F o n t r e a l , Quebec, 295 k i l o m e t r e s (1832miles) fram t k e Lake. The average f low o u t o f Lake On te r io is about 6 ,740 m-/sec (238,000 c f s ) . The out f low from Lake On ta r io has been f u l l y c o n t r o l l e d s i n c e 1960. The above ave rages covered t h e per iod 1900 - 1978.

F igu re 3 shows t h e p r o f i l e o f t h e Great Lakes System.

A l a r q e p a r t o f t h e land t r i b u t a r y t o t h e Grea t Lakes l i es w i t h i n t h r e e broad physiographic r eg ions . These a r e t h e Pre-Cambrian S h i e l d i n t h e n o r t h , t h e C e n t r a l Lowlands i n t h e sou the rn p o r t i o n o f t h e Grea t Lakes and t h e S t . Lawrence Lowlands i n t h e e a s t . Eas t o f Lake On ta r io , the l i m i t o f t h e Bas in i s i n t h e f o o t h i l l s o f t h e Adirondack Mountains; t h e l i m i t s o u t h e a s t o f Lake ErZ c, an? south o f Lake On ta r io is i n t h e A1l.egheny Mountains.

Areas o f t h e Grea t Lakes Bas in n o r t h and west o f Lake S u p e r i o r and n o r t h o f Lake Huron l i e on t h e Pre-Cambrian S h i e l d and a r e dominated by h i l l s , a few low mountains with summit e l e v a t i o n s up t o about 518 metres (1,700 feet) above s e a l e v e l , and many l a k e s and swamps. I n g e n e r a l , because t h e bedrock is o v e r l a i n by sha l low s o i l s , t h e r eg ion is n o t c u l t i v a t e d t o any g r e a t e x t e n t and much o f it c o n s i s t s o f f o r e s t l ands .

I n t h e Cen t r a l L o w l a n d s p o r t i o n o f t h e Bas in , t h e phys iographic r e l i e f v a r i e s from g e n t l y - r o l l i n g t o r e l a t i v e l y f l a t topography. West and sou th o f t h e sou the rn end o f Lake Michigan, t h e d ra inage d i v i d e between t h e M i s s i s s i p p i River and Lake Michigan is on ly about t h r e e metres (10 feet ) h ighe r than t h e l e v e l of Lake Michigan. The s o i l . i n t h e C e n t r a l Lowlands v a r i e s from a metre ( 3 feet) t o s e v e r a l hundred met res (1 ,000 f e e t ) i n depth. The area is covered by g l a c i a l d e p o s i t s which, i n many l o c a l i t i e s , c o n s i s t o f r a t h e r heterogeneous mix tu re s o f s i l t , c l a y , sand , g r a v e l and boulders . Much o f t h i s p o r t i o n o f t h e Bas in is c u l t i v a t e d .

- .- -- .

The S t . Lawrence Lowlands r e f e r s t o t h e wide f l a t v a l l e y occupied by t h e S t . Lawrence River . It is u n d e r l a i n by sed imentary bedrock, i n c l u d i n g l imes tone , s h a l e , s ands tone , and conglomerate.

2.2 Climate

The c l ima te o f t h e Great Lakes Region is humid c o n t i n e n t a l . Its c o n t i n e n t a l c h a r a c t e r is s t r o n g l y moderated by t h e Lakes. Winds a r e predominately w e s t e r l y i n w in t e r and sou thwes t e r ly i n summer. Temperatures and p r e c i p i t a t i o n a r e v a r i a b l e w i th in t h e Bas in wi th a t r e n d t o c o l d e r tempera tures and less p r e c i p i t a t i o n t o t h e no r th and h ighe r humidi ty nea r t h e water. Mean January tempera tures range from - 1 9 ' ~ ( -2 '~) i n t h e n o r t h t o - 2 ' ~ ( 2 8 ' ~ ) i n t h e south and J u l y ave rages range from 1 8 ' ~ (64 '~ ) t o t h e n o r t h o f

b Lake S u p e r i o r t o 23 ( 7 3 ' ~ ) sou th o f Lake E r i e . The average annual Bas in p r e c i p i t a t i o n is 810 mm (32 i n c h e s ) , with annual p r e c i p i t a t i o n amounts i n c r e a s i n g from 710 mm (28 inches ) n o r t h of Lake S u p e r i o r t o 1300 mm (51 i n c h e s ) e a s t o f Lake Ontar io . I n g e n e r a l , t h e r e is l i t t l e seasona l v a r i a t i o n i n p r e c i p i t a t i o n ; however, i n wes te rn p o r t i o n s o f t h e Basin t h e r e are pronounced summer maxima. Winter p r e c i p i t a t i o n is g e n e r a l l y a l i t t l e less

WATER SURFACE ELEVATIONS (IGLD, 1955) I

LAKES MICHIGAN-HURON I -

576.8 I 578.7

LAKE ST. CLAIR I 571.7 573.1

LAKE SUPERIOR

LAKE ERIE I 568.6 I 570 .4 I I LAKE ONTARIO I 242 .8 I 2 4 4 . 8 I

C H A R T (LOW WATER) D A T U M

600 .0

- -

GREAT LAKES - ST. LAWRENCE RIVER PROFILE

L O N G - T E R M AVERAGE ( 1 9 0 0 - 1 9 7 6 )

6 0 0 . 4

than i n t h e summer, excep t f o r snowbelt a r e a s downwind o f t h e Lakes where p r e c i p i t a t i o n is 20 t o 30 pe rcen t h i g h e r i n w in t e r .

The Great Lakes have a major e f f e c t on t h e c l i m a t e o f t h e r eg ion . The Lakes, wi th a volume o f 22,684 c u b i c k i l o m e t r e s (5 ,439 cub ic miles) and a s u r f a c e a r e a o f 246,000 squa re k i l ome t r e s (95,000 squa re miles), a c t a s a v a s t r e s e r v o i r f o r t h e s t o r a g e and exchange of energy wi th t h e atmosphere. By t h i s and o t h e r p roces se s , t h e Lakes moderate t h e c l i m a t e o f t h e a d j a c e n t l and a r e a s .

A l a r g e volume o f water is l o s t annua l ly through evapora t ion from open water s u r f a c e s . Evaporat ion is l e a s t du r ing t h e s p r i n g when l a k e water is co ld r e l a . t i v e t o t h e a i r , and g r e a t e s t du r ing t h e f a l l and e a r l y w i n t e r when l a k e s a r e r , e l a t i v e l y warm i n comparison t o t h e a i r . Lake E r i e , t h e warmest o f t h e Great Lakes, has t h e g r e a t e s t annual r a t e o f evapora t ion . Lake S u p e r i o r , which is t h e c o l d e s t , ha s t h e lowes t r a t e . The annual evapora t ion from Lakes E r i e , Michigan, and Huron is about equa l t o t h e annual p r e c i p i t a t i o n . On Lakes S u p e r i o r and O n t a r i o , evapora t ion is about 75 pe rcen t of t h e annual p r e c i p i t a t i o n .

2.3 Hydrology and Hydraul ics

The water l e v e l s o f t h e Great Lakes depend on t h e ba lance between t h e q u a n t i t y o f water e n t e r i n g and l e a v i n g t h e Lakes. If t h e q u a n t i t y e n t e r i n g a l a k e ( th rough p r e c i p i t a t i o n , r u n o f f , i n f low from t h e upstream l a k e , etc.) i s . g r e a t e r t han t h a t l e a v i n g ( th rough evapora t ion , outf low t o downstream l a k e , e tc . ) , t h e l e v e l o f a l a k e w i l l rise. The rise w i l l con t inue wi th an accompanying i n c r e a s e i n ou t f l ow u n t i l a ba lance is reached. Subsequent ly , t h e s l o w l y ' f a l l i n g l a k e l e v e l s s u s t a i n a dec reas ing out f low, which under t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s is l a r g e r e l a t i v e t o t h e in f low.

Seasona l l e v e l f l u c t u a t i o n s on t h e Great Lakes reflect t h e p a t t e r n of t h e annual hydro logic cyc l e . T h i s is c h a r a c t e r i z e d by inf lows g r e a t e r t h a n out f lows du r ing t h e s p r i n g and e a r l y summer, r e s u l t i n g from snowmelt and low evapora t ion . Over t h e remainder-of t h e y e a r , i n f lows are less t h a n out f lows because o f low runoff and high evapora t ion . The c y c l e is a f f ec t ed by ice o r weeds which r e t a r d r i v e r flows. I c e r e t a r d a t i o n is n o t p r e d i c t a b l e f o r any s p e c i f i c w in t e r season , e i t h e r a s t o s e v e r i t y o r time o f occur rence . Re ta rda t ion i n ou t f low, due t o t h e presence of ice o r a q u a t i c growth, c a u s e s t h e l e v e . 1 ~ o f -an upstream l a k e t o be h ighe r than otherwise. The r . e t a r d a t i o n effects of a q u a t i c growth i n t h e Connecting Channels vary ; g e n e r a l l y beginning i n May, i n c r e a s i n g t o a maximum d u r i n g t h e summer, and becoming i n s i g n i f i c a n t by November.

Shor t -per iod l e v e l f l u c t u a t i o n s , l a s t i n g from a few hours t o s e v e r a l d a y s , are caused by me teo ro log ica l d i s t u r b a n c e s . Wind and d i f f e r e n c e s i n baromet r ic p r e s s u r e over t h e s u r f a c e o f a l a k e c r e a t e imbalances i n t h e water s u r f a c e a t v a r i o u s l o c a t i o n s on t h e l a k e . Although t h e range o f f l u c t u a t i o n s from t h e s e c a u s e s has reached 2 metres ( 8 f e e t ) i n some l o c a t i o n s (Lake E r i e ) , . t h e r e is

no change i n t h e volume o f water i n a l a k e , which is t h e fundamental d i f f e r e n c e between t h e sho r t -pe r iod 'and t h e s e a s o n a l o r long-term f l u c t u a t i o n s .

P r e c i p i t a t i o n i n t h e form o f r a i n o r snow is t h e primary sou rce o f t h e n a t u r a l water supp lv t o t h e Grea t Lakes. P r e c i p i t a t i o n which fa!.ls on l and moves through s e v e r a l s t o r a g e s be fo re i t r eaches t h e l ake . During t h e w i n t e r it u s u a l l y accumulates on l and and i c e s u r f a c e s a s snow. Water from snowmelt o r r a i n e i t h e r s eeps i n t o t h e s o i l a s temporary groundwater s t o r a g e o r moves ove r t h e s u r f a c e and appea r s a s runo f f i n s t r eams , swamps and l akes . Runoff is g r e a t e s t d u r i n g t h e s p r i n g snowmelt pe r iod . During o t h e r p e r i o d s o f t h e y e a r , groundwater p rov ides t h e d r y weather base supp ly f o r s t r eams f lowing i n t o t h e Great Lakes. The p r e c i p i t a t i o n on t h e land s u r f a c e s , a f t e r a b s t r a c t i o n f o r e v a p o t r a n s p i r a t i o n and ad jus tment f o r t h e v a r i o u s s u r f a c e and subsu r f ace s t o r a g e phases , e v e n t u a l l y r eaches t h e Lakes a s runo f f . Th i s c o n t r i b u t i o n can be expressed by t h e fo l lowing hydro logic r e l a t i o n s h i p f o r t h e l and p o r t i o n o f t h e Basin:

Where: A SL is t h e change i n s t o r a g e on t h e land a r e a , i n c l u d i n g snow on t h e ground, s u r f a c e wa te r , s o i l mo i s tu re and groundwater s t o r s g e ; p o s i t i v e i f i n c r e a s i n g , nega t ive i f dec reas ing ;

PL 'is t h e p r e c i p i t a t i o n on t h e l and s u r f a c e ; EL is t h e e v a p o t r a n s p i r a t i o n ; and RL is t h e t r i b u t a r y s t r eam and d i r e c t groundwater runo f f t o t h e

l a k e .

P r e c i p i t a t i o n a l s o f a l l s d i r e c t l y on t h e Lake s u r f a c e s which comprise -38 pe rcen t of t h e Grea t Lakes Basin. The hydro logic r e l a t i o n s h i p f o r a l a k e can be expressed i n s i m i l a r terms:

Where :

A S is t h e change i n s t o r a g e a s i n d i c a t e d by a change i n t h e water l e v e l o f t h e l a k e ; p o s i t i v e i f i n c r e a s i n g , nega t ive i f dec reas ing .

I is t h e i n f low from an upstream l a k e ; RL is t h e s u r f a c e and groundwater runo f f from t h e land i n t o t o

t h e l a k e ; P is t h e p r e c i p i t a t i o n on t h e l a k e s u r f a c e ; E is t h e evapora t ion from t h e l a k e s u r f a c e ; 0 is t h e ou t f low from t h e l a k e through its n a t u r a l o u t l e t ; and D is t h e d i v e r s i o n , p o s i t i v e i f i n t o t h e Lake, nega t ive if o u t

o f t h e l ake .

Evaporat ion from t h e land and water s u r f a c e s is dependent upon many f a c t o r s , some o f which a r e s o l a r r a d i a t i o n , t empera ture and humidi ty o f t h e ambient a i r , t empera ture o f t h e water s u r f a c e and wind speed. On a long-term average , approximately one h a l f o f t h e p r e c i p i t a t i o n on l and s u r f a c e s is l o s t

t o t h e atmosphere through evapora t ion and t r a n s p i r a t i o n . When t h e a i r above a l a k e is warm and moist and t h e l a k e is c o l d , a s i n t h e s p r i n g , evapora t ion is l e a s t and condensa t ion on t h e l a k e s u r f a c e can occur . I n t h e f a l l and e a r l y w i n t e r , when t h e a i r above t h e l a k e is co ld and d ry and t h e l a k e s u r f a c e is r e l a t i v e l y w a r m , evapora t ion is t h e g r e a t e s t . P e r s i s t e n c e o f any e lements o f t h e water ba lance w i l l r e s u l t i n long-term f l u c t u a t i o n s i n Great Lakes l e v e l s .

The hydrau l i c c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e Great Lakes System have been a f f e c t e d by t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f Control Works i n t h e o u t l e t s o f Lakes S u p e r i o r and On ta r io and by dredging i n t h e Connecting Channels. The o p e r a t i o n s of t h e Cont ro l S t r u c t u r e s i n t h e o u t l e t s o f Lakes S u p e r i o r and On ta r io depend on t h e p l ans o f c o n t r o l . The o u t l e t s from Lakes Michig2.n-Huron and E r i e a r e no t r e g u l a t e d b u t have been modif ied t o meet t h e needs o f nav iga t ion and power. The magnitude o f t h e ou t f lows from t h e s e Lakes is governed by upstream and downstream water l e v e l s .

Lake S u p e r i o r ha s been r egu la t ed s i n c e 1921. S ince t h a t d a t e , s e v e r a l c o n t r o l p l a n s have been i n e f f e c t f o r de te rmin ing t h e outf low. Beginning i n October 1979, t h e ou t f low has been determined i n accordance wi th P lan 1977'. P l an 1977 was designed t o s a t i s f y t h e Orders of Approval i s s u e d by t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission t o provide b e n e f i t s on a system-wide b a s i s . The Regula t ion P l an cal ls f o r t h e manipula t ion of Lake S u p e r i o r ou t f lows (w i th in c e r t a i n maximum and minimum l i m i t a t i o n s ) i n such a manner as t o keep t h e l e v e l s o f Lakes S u p e r i o r and Michigan-Huron a t t h e same r e l a t i v e p o s i t i o n wi th r e s p e c t t o t h e i r long-term monthly means. To accomplish t h i s , a r e l a t i o n s h i p was developed between t h e Lake S u p e r i o r ou t f low, and t h e Lakes S u p e r i o r and Michigan-Huron beginning-of-month water l e v e l s . The P l an a l s o employs a f o r e c a s t o f f u t u r e ou t f lows t o minimize t h e number o f g a t e movements i n t h e Compensating Works and t o main ta in a r e l a t i v e l y s t e a d y f low i n t h e S t . Warys River .

The c u r r e n t Regula t ion P l an f o r Lake On ta r io is P lan l a 5 8 - ~ ~ . his P lan was designed t o s a t i s f y requi rements set f o r t h i n t h e Orders o f Approval i s s u e d by t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission. The planned out f low from t h e Lake is a f u n c t i o n o f Lake On ta r io water l e v e l s and s u p p l i e s .

The out f lows from Lakes Michigan-Huron and E r i e are n o t r e g u l a t e d and depend upon t h e Lake l e v e l s . The combination o f t h e r e g u l a t i o n o f Lakes S u p e r i o r and On ta r io and t h e v a s t water su r f ace a r e a of t h e Great Lakes, t e n d s t o smooth t h e effects o f extreme water s u p p l i e s . Because o f t h e s ize o f t h e System and t h e l i m i t e d d i s cha rge c a p a c i t y o f t h e Great Lakes Connecting Channels, ex t remely h igh o r low l e v e l s and f lows may p e r s i s t f o r some c o n s i d e r a b l e time a f t e r t h e f a c t o r s which caused them have changed o r ceased .

' ~ e ~ u l a t i o n o f Lake S u p e r i o r , Plan 1977. Report t o t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission by t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Lake Supe r io r Board o f Con t ro l , May 1981

' ~ e g u l a t i o n o f Lake On ta r io , P lan 1958-D Report t o t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission by t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l S t . Lawrence River Board o f Con t ro l

For more d e t a i l s on t h e hvdrology and h y d r a u l i c s o f t h e Great Lakes- S t . Lawrence River System t h e reader is r e f e r r e d t o "Appendix A , Hydrology and Hydraul ics" o f t h e Report on t h e "Regulat ion o f Grea t Lakes Water Levels1' by t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Grea t Lakes Leve ls Board, December 1973; and t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Lake E r i e Regula t ion S tudy , J u l y 1981. Both a r e Repor t s t o t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission.

2 .4 Soc io-economic

The United S t a t e s p o r t i o n o f t h e Basin c o n t a i n s one-seventh o f t h e n a t i o n a l popu la t i on and produces one-s ix th o f t h e n a t i o n a l income. The r a t i o i n Canada is even g r e a t e r , with t h e Canadian p o r t i o n o f t h e Bas in suppor t i ng one- th i rd o f its popula t ion and producing one- th i rd o f i t s n a t i o n a l 1 1 ncone .

The economy o f t h e r eg ion is p r i m a r i l y i n d u s t r i a l , wi th major i r o n and s t e e l firms, but is a l s o i n f luenced t o a g r e a t e x t e n t by tour i sm and r e c r e a t i o n a l oppor tun i t i . e s . Even though t h e a r e a is h igh lv i n d u s t r i a l i z e d , a l a r g e p o r t i o n o f t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l ou tpu t o f both n a t i o n s ( seven pe rcen t i n t h e U.S., and twenty-f ive pe rcen t i n Canada.) o r i g i n a t e s w i t h i n t h e F a s i n . I n a d d i t i o n t o t h i s h igh c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f bo th i n d u s t r y and a g r i c u l t u r e , t h e Lakes a f fo rd an e f f i c i e n t and economical t r a n s p o r t a t i o n system s e r v i n g a much l a r g e r . geographica l a r e a . Over 100 m i l l i o n t onnes o f f r e i g h t move through t h e System annua l ly . The a v a i l a b i l i t y o f water has made e l e c t r i c a l energy an impor tan t f a c t o r ' i n ma in t a in ing and f u r t h e r i n g t h e devel.opment o f t h e r eg ion as well..as t h e area immediately o u t s i d e t h e reg ion . The land a long t h e Great Lakes a l s o r e p r e s e n t s a r i c h n a t u r a l r e sou rce whose r e c r e a t i o n a l , commercial and e c o l o g i c a l va lues are high.

SECTION 3

EXISTING DATA SYSTEt4.5

3.1 General

The water l e v e l s o f t h e Great Lakes f l u c t u a t e i n response t o many n a t u r a l f a c t o r s , such a s : p r e c i p i t a t i o n , evapora t ion , e v a p o t r a n s p i r a t i o n , r u n o f f , groundwater and i c e and a q u a t i c growth, which were d i scus sed i n S e c t i o n 2.3. I n a d d i t i o n , man a l s o i n f l u e n c e s t h e s e f l u c t u a t i o n s bv d i v e r s i o n s , d r edg ing , consumptive use and l a k e ou t f low r e g u l a t i o n . Wind and atmospheric p r e s s u r e d i f f e r e n c e s a s s o c i a t e d wi th weather systems cause shor t - te rm, l o c a l i z e < e f f e c t s , wh i l e c r u s t a l movement o f t h e e a r t h causes long-term e f f e c t s cc t h s water l e v e l s o f t h e Lakes. Es t ima te s o f t h e s e f a c t o r s a r e ob t a ined by d i r e c t measurement ( e .g., f o r p r e c i p i t a t i o n o r water l e v e l ) o r by computation ( e .g., evapora t ion ) . T h i s s e c t i o n d e s c r i b e s t h e v a r i o u s d a t a c o l l e c t i o n sys tems used i n t h e Great Lakes Bas in t o a c q u i r e t h i s in format ion .

Agencies i n bo th Canada and t h e United S t a t e s have developed d a t a c o l l e c t i o n systems t o s e r v e t h e many needs o f u s e r s i n each count ry . Whenever u s e r s r e q u i r e d a t a , t h e d a t a g a t h e r i n g a g e n c i e s have a t tempted t o respond w i t h i n t h e r e s o u r c e s a v a i l a b l e . A s a r u l e , t h e systems have developed i n response t o t h e needs o f s p e c i f i c u s e r s and t h e g e n e r a l pub l i c . Consequent ly , populated a r e a s have r e l a t i v e l y dense network coverage compared t o s p a r s e l y popula ted and remote a r e a s .

I n t h e Great Lakes Bas in , t h e o f f i c i a l measuring networks are t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f each n a t i o n a l Government. However, many o t h e r a g e n c i e s and i n d i v i d u a l s coope ra t e wi th t h e n a t i o n a l agenc i e s i n t h e c o l l e c t i o n o f d a t a . I n t h e case o f t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l S t . Lawrence Seaway and Power P r o j e c t , p r o v i s i o n f o r t h e c o l l e c t i o n o f d a t a neces sa ry f o r o p e r a t i o n and compiiance ' Is i n c l u d e d i n t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission's Orders o f Approval f o r t h e P r o j e c t . I n a d d i t i o n , some i n t e r e s t e d agenc i e s i n each count ry have e s t a b l i s h e d networks t o provide---data f o r t h e i r p a r t i c u l a r needs.

Measurements o f t h e v a r i o u s f a c t o r s a r e u s u a l l y po in t measurements. S i n c e many o f t h e s e p o i n t measurements, such a s p r e c i p i t a t i o n , are r e l a t e d t o area i n t e g r a t e d parameters , such a s r u n o f f , they form an i n t e g r a l p a r t o f t h e d a t a network.

Great Lakes hydrometeorologic and h y d r a u l i c d a t a systems c o n s i s t o f : measurement, d a t a a c q u i s i t i o n and q u a l i t y c o n t r o l , i n t e r p r e t a t i o n , a r c h i v i n g , r e t r i e v a l and d i s t r i b u t i o n . Data a r e u s u a l l y made a v a i l a b l e f o r time i n t e r v a l s f o r which t h e r e is t h e most f r equen t demand, and f o r o t h e r i n t e r v a l s by s p e c i a l r e q u e s t .

A "Great Lakes Hydrometeorological S t a t i o n Directory ' ha s been prepared by t h e Hydrology Committee o f t h e Board and is Appendix B (bound s e p a r a t e l y )

t o t h i s r e p o r t . The information provided by va r ious agencies on t h e Great Lakes is l i s t e d t h e r e i n i n t h r e e genera l ca tegor ies :

1 . Meteorologic S t a t i o n s - inc luding snow survey s t a t i o n s .

2. Hydrologic S t a t i o n s - t hese a r e s t a t i o n s where t r i b u t a r y streamflow o r s t a g e are measured.

3. Water Level S t a t i o n s - t hese inc lude a l l water l e v e l s t a t i o n s on t h e Great Lakes and water l e v e l s t a t i o n s on t h e i r connecting and outflow r i v e r s .

The Direc tory i d e n t i f i e s each s t a t i o n by number, name, loc2 t ion , e l e v a t i o n , years of r ecord , type and a v a i l a b i l i t y of d a t a , ope ra t ing agency and a c q u i s i t i o n agency. A s tandard t a b l e format was crea ted and used throughout. S t a t i o n s were grouped and p l o t t e d t o provide information on t h e s p a t i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n of measurement s i t e s .

3.2 Meteorologic Data Systems

Meteorological observat ions i n the Great Lakes Basin began i n 1830 a t Chicago, I l l i n o i s , and 1840 a t Toronto, Ontario. The number o f observing s t a t i o n s has increased s t e a d i l y with the growth i n population. By 1980, more than 500 s t a t i o n s were i n e x i s t e n c e , observing both a i r temperature and p r e c i p i t a t i o n . An a d d i t i o n a l 430 s t a t i o n s r e p o r t p r e c i p i t a t i o n amounts only. Not only have t h e number of ground s t a t i o n s increased, but a s a r e s u l t of new technologies , it is poss ib le t o measure o r estimate some c l i m a t i c parameters f o r l a r g e a r e a s from s a t e l l i t e s , a i r c r a f t and rada r , thereby inc reas ing t h e a r e a f o r which information is ava i l ab le . The surface-based system is made up of two types of s t a t i o n s , those repor t ing v i a a telecommunication system and those repor t ing by o the r means. The former s t a t i o n s r e p o r t i n real- t ime on a command telecommunication c i r c u i t , e i t h e r s e v e r a l times a day o r hourly, and provide information on temperature, p r e c i p i t a t i o n , atmospheric pressure , v i s i b i l i t y and sky condi t ions . The o the r s t a t i o n s a r e more numerous and usua l ly provide d a i l y maximum and minimum temperatures, r a i n f a l l , snowfall and depth o f snow on t h e ground. These s t a t i o n s r epor t by mail o r o the r media, and a r e usua l ly operated by cooperat ing c i t i z e n s and a r e not equipped t o provide real- t ime data. Data from the l a t t e r type o f s t a t i o n s a r e usua l ly made a v a i l a b l e a f t e r some time delay fol lowing t h e end o f t h e month i n which t h e measurements a r e made.

Meteorologic da ta systems a r e operated i n Canada by the Atmospheric Environment Se rv ice (AES), Environment Canada and i n t h e United S t a t e s by t h e National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrat ion (NOAA). Both t h e AES and NOAA c o l l e c t , analyze, a rch ive , p r e d i c t , and d i s t r i b u t e a wide v a r i e t y of weather, c l ima te , i c e and wave da ta a s well a s o the r information o f hydrometeorological relevance obtained from land , water , upper a i r , and space platforms. Most of t h i s information is d i s t r i b u t e d i n t e r n a l l y and i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y on telecommunications systems t h a t form p a r t o f t h e World Meteorological Organiza t ion ' s Global Telecommunications System (GTS), and according t o

i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y accepted formats and schedules . The GTS i n c l u d e s n a t i o n a l s e r v i c e systems and a l l o w s f o r t h e d i f f e r e n c e s i n d a t a usage from one r eg ion t o ano the r . Both AES and NOAA a l s o a r c h i v e and d issemina te q u a l i t y c o n t r o l l e d c l i m a t e d a t a which are used i n eng inee r ing des ign s t u d i e s and d e c i s i o n s . The AES is p r e s e n t l y upgrading its communication and d a t a a c q u i s i t i o n system t o meet p r e s e n t and p r o j e c t e d d e m n d s and t o e x p l o i t new technology. There w i l l be i n t e r p r o c e s s o r communications between major o p e r a t i o n a l computer systems. I n t e r a c t i v e access t o t h e AES alphanumeric o p e r a t i o n a l d a t a weather system is p r o j e c t e d f o r 1986. F u r t h e r AES p r o j e c t i o n s are f o r a f u l l y o p e r a t i o n a l S a t e l l i t e Broadcas t System suppor t i ng facsimile and alphanumeric d a t a by 1988.

I n a d d i t i o n , improved d a t a base management systems and planned computer upgrades w i l l improve t h e a c c e s s i b i l i t y t o and t i m e l i n e s s o f t h e Nz t iona l Climate Archive maintained i n Toronto, O n t a r i o , and t h e Nat iona l Climate Data Cen te r , Nashv i l l e , North Caro l ina . Q u a l i t y c o n t r o l l e d a r ch ived meteoro logic d a t a from co re networks w i l l be a v a i l a b l e w i t h i n days o f c a p t u r e from t h e c o l l e c t i o n c i r c u i t s . I n t e r a c t i v e a c c e s s by e x t e r n a l u s e r s is p r o j e c t e d f o r t h e nea r f u t u r e .

The d i s t r i b u t i o n o f t h e meteoro logic s t a t i o n s i n t h e Great Lakes Bas in is shown on F igu re 4.

3.3 Hydrologic Data System

Water Survey o f Canada (WSC), Environment Canada, is t h e l ead agency i n Canada f o r c o l l e c t i n g and p u b l i s h i n g Great Lakes hydrometr ic survey d a t a . These d a t a i nc lude s t reamflow, stream l e v e l , sediment and water tempera ture . Hydrometric su rveys i n O n t a r i o a r e conducted by WSC under agreement between t h e Governments o f Canada and Ontar io . The major p r o v i n c i a l a u t h o r i t i e s involved i n d a t a c o l l e c t i o n i n c l u d e t h e O n t a r i o M i n i s t r i e s o f Na tu ra l Resources and Environment, and On ta r io Hydro.

A t p r e s e n t , about 110 s t reamflow s t a t i o n s are be ing opera ted t o gauge t h e Canadian p o r t i o n o f t h e t r i b u t a r y runo f f t o t h e Great Lakes and Lake S t . Clair. Table 1 shows t h e percentage o f l and area i n Canada gauged by Bas in t o measure runo f f .

A l l such d a t a from t h e Canadian hydrometr ic s t a t i o n s are publ i shed annua l ly by Environment Canada. However, t h e d a t a could be supp l i ed t o t h e - u s e r s i n a s h o r t e r time i n t e r v a l under s p e c i a l arrangements . Only a few s t a t i o n s a r e equipped a t p r e s e n t t o provide r ea l - t ime d a t a by means o f e i t h e r ground telecommunication o r sa te l l i t e t e l eme t ry .

The primary sou rce o f s t reamflow in fo rma t ion on t h e United S t a t e s s i d e of t h e Great Lakes Bas in is t h e Water Resources D iv i s ion o f t h e United S t a t e s Geologica l Survey (USGS). Streamflow d a t a are p r e s e n t l y c o l l e c t e d a t about 320 con t inuous ly r eco rd ing s t a t i o n s i n t h e Basin. Cooperat ive programs designed t o c o l l e c t s t reamflow d a t a are p r e s e n t l y i n o p e r a t i o n i n eve ry Great Lakes S t a t e . The d a t a c o l l e c t e d are publ i shed i n annual r e p o r t s (by S t a t e ) and s t o r e d i n f i l e s a t t h e Na t iona l Center a t Reston, V i r g i n i a . Data may be

40 94 92 90 88 86 84 82 80 78 76 7 4

FIGURE 4 . DAILY PRECIPITflTION [ACTIVE AND REALTIMEI

WATER BOUNDARY

325 [ 332 1 STAT1 ON5 + * +

Table 1 - Percentage of Land Area Gauged by Basin to Measure Runoff

Percentage of Land Area Gauged Lake Canada United States

Lake Superior

Lake Michigan 0 78

Lake ' ~ u r o n

Lake S t . Clair

Lake Erie

Lake Ontario

en te red i n o r r e t r i e v e d from t h e s e f i l e s through t h e Distri.ct O f f i c e s o f t h e USGS. Table 1 a l s o shows t h e percentage o f l and a r e a i n t h e United S t a t e s gauged t o measure runof f t o t h e Great Lakes.

A t p r e s e n t , s t a g e in format ion can be ob t a ined on a r ea l - t ime b a s i s a t 79 s t a t i o n s opera ted by t h e USGS t o gauge t r i b u t a r y f lows t o t h e Great Lakes. Te lemeter ing equipment has been i n s t a l l e d i n most o f t h e s e s t a t i o n s whi le t h e remainder have t e l emarks , o b s e r v e r s , and/or sa te l l i t e t r a n s m i t t i n g c a p a b i l i t y .

3.4 Hydraul ic Data Systems

I n Canada, t h e water l e v e l gauge network is opera ted j o i n t l y by t h e Canadian Hydrographic S e r v i c e (CHS), Department o f F i s h e r i e s and Oceans, and t h e Water Resources Branch (WRB), Environment Canada. Data from s e l e c t e d s t a t i o n s i n t h e network a r e a v a i l a b l e i n real-time from t h e Marine Environmental Data S e r v i c e s Branch (MEDS), Department o f F i s h e r i e s and Oceans. I n t h e United S t a t e s , a similar network is opera ted by t h e Na t iona l Ocean S e r v i c e (NOS), NOAA, and s e l e c t e d s t a t i o n s a r e s i m i l a r l y a v a i l a b l e i n real time. Water l e v e l s a r e a l s o c o l l e c t e d on t h e Connecting Channels and t h e S t . Lawrence River . These d a t a are a v a i l a b l e from t h e above noted agenc i e s . A d d i t i o n a l d a t a are c o l l e c t e d a t s e l e c t e d sites and are a v a i l a b l e from U.S. Army Corps o f Engineers , On ta r io Hydro, and New York Power Au tho r i t y . , T h i s network is shown on F igu re 5.

The out f low from Lake S u p e r i o r is determined at t h r e e h y d r o e l e c t r i c g e n e r a t i n g s t a t i o n s , t h e nav iga t ion l o c k s and t h e Compensating Works a t t h e head o f t h e S t . Marys Rapids. The h y d r o e l e c t r i c s t a t i o n s are opera ted by Grea t Lakes Power ~ i m i t e d (GLpL) i n Canada and Edison S a u l t E l e c t r i c Company (ESEC) and t h e U.S. Army Corps o f Engineers (COE) i n t h e United S t a t e s . The Compensating Works are ope ra t ed j o i n t l y by ESEC and GLPL on i n s t r u c t i o n s from t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Lake S u p e r i o r Board o f Cont ro l . Flow d a t a are compiled on a monthly b a s i s wi th a time l a g from one t o two. weeks.

The out f lows from.Lake Huron, through t h e S t . Clair R ive r , and from Lake S t . C l a i r , through t h e D e t r o i t R ive r , are computed us ing water l e v e l d a t a from a series o f gauges a long t h e shores . P r o v i s i o n a l flow f i g u r e s a r e a v a i l a b l e from t h e c o r p s o f Engineers o r Environment Canada w i t h i n a few days fo l lowing t h e close of a month. Publ i shed f lows a r e provided p e r i o d i c a l l y by t h e Coord ina t ing Committee on Grea t Lakes Bas i c Hydraul ic and Hydrologic Data.

The out f low from Lake E r i e is computed from water l e v e l d a t a ob ta ined from gauges l o c a t e d i n t h e Miagara River a r e a , i n combination with measured f lows through t h e h y d r o e l e c t r i c g e n e r a t i n g s t a t i o n s (ope ra t ed by On ta r io Hydro and t h e New York Power Au tho r i t y ) and t h e f low d i v e r t e d through t h e Welland Canal for power and nav iga t ion usage. These d a t a a r e compiled f o r t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Niagara Committee and t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Niagara Board o f Con t ro l by Environment Canada and t h e U.S. Army Corps o f Engineers . P r o v i s i o n a l d a t a are a v a i l a b l e i n r ea l - t ime on a weekly b a s i s .

L- /z/g u/FE 4

----. , .- , p,2 -',: [ -/. .. j : & 6 ..j!.,jZ: / 6-L tfr ,.-;. - ,l-.

- 7 .- : .. . L- L

The out f low from Lake On ta r io is computed by meter ing t h e flow 2s i t pas se s through t k e s e v e r a l s t r u c t u r e s l o c a t e d a t Cornwall , On ta r io - Massena, New York. Water l e v e l s from Kingston t o Cornwall are measured a t s e v e r a l p o i n t s , and r e p o r t e d by t h e power e n t i t i e s as r e q u i r e d by t h e Orders o f Approval o f t h e I J C . P r o v i s i o n a l d a t a a r e a v a i l a b l e on a r ea l - t ime basis, w i th in an hour i f necessary . Weekly d a t a a r e r e p o r t e d t o t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l S t . Lawrence River Board o f Cont ro l a s p a r t o f t h e o b l i g a t i o n s o f t h e power e n t i t i e s .

The AES ice reconnaissance program, used i n con junc t ion wi th MOAA sa te l l i t e and sho re i n fo rma t ion , p rovides an i c e d a t a base and in fo rma t ion used i n i c e f o r e c a s t s . I c e m o ~ i t o r i n g o f c o n d i t i o n s on t h e Connecting Channels is c a r r i e d on by COE, NOAA, t h e n a v i g a t i o n and power e n t i t i e s , t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Niagara Board o f Con t ro l , e t c .

3.5 E x i s t i n g I n s t i t u t i o n a l Arrangements

There are a l a r g e number o f formal and in fo rma l i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements w i t h i n t h e Great Lakes Basin which have been e s t a b l i s h e d t o g e n e r a t e the exchange o f d a t a r e l a t e d t o Great Lakes water l e v e l s , f l ows , i c e and snow and o t h e r hydrometeoro logica l c o n d i t i o n s . These arrangements occur a t a l l l e v e l s o f Government ( l o c a l , state, p r o v i n c i a l , n a t i o n a l and i n t e r n a t i o n a l ) and a r e l a r g e l y o f an i n t e r agency n a t u r e and conform t o i n t e r n a t i o n a l a s well a s agency conven t ions , s t a n d a r d s , and p r a c t i c e s . In format ion is s u p p l i e d by t h e s e a g e n c i e s i n q u a n t i t i e s , q u a l i t y , fo rmat , f requency , t im ing , and methods o f t r ansmis s ion a r ranged between s u p p l i e r and u s e r . Complete s a t i s f a c t i o n on r eques t ed i n fo rma t ion is sometimes u n a t t a i n a b l e because o f t h e r e l a t e d c o s t s and t r ade -o f f s which must be accepted i n a n e g o t i a t e d system. The i n t e r n a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n a l a r rangements r e l a t e d t o Great Lakes water management a r e u s u a l l y handled under t h e a u s p i c e s o f t h e - I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission. However, i n t h e m a t t e r o f d a t a exchange and c o o r d i n a t i o n , t h e arrangements f o r o b t a i n i n g a p a r t i c u l a r t y p e of i n fo rma t ion are g e n e r a l l y l e f t t o t h e s p e c i f i c u s e r a s t h e need arises.

H i s t o r i c a l l y , e f f o r t s have been made t o c e n t r a l i z e d a t a c o l l e c t i o n and s t o r a g e . The former Lake Survey District o f t h e Corps o f Engineers was involved i n t h e c o l l e c t i o n and d i s semina t ion o f Great Lakes l e v e l s and f low d a t a , i n c l u d i n g a r c h i v a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s . They were a l s o involved i n an i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y coo rd ina t ed experiment i n o p e r a t i n g an automated real-time d a t a c o l l e c t i o n and s t o r a g e system on Lake On ta r io , under t h e a u s p i c e s o f t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l F i e l d Year on t h e Great Lakes. The Canada Centre f o r In l and Waters, e s t a b l i s h e d under Environment Canada, s e r v e s a s a n a t i o n a l c e n t e r f o r c o n s o l i d a t i n g similar Great Lakes d a t a . The Na t iona l Weather S e r v i c e and Atmospheric Environment S e r v i c e exchange, on a r o u t i n e and r ea l - t ime b a s i s , v a r i o u s meteoro logic d a t a . There are a l s o s e v e r a l u n i v e r s i t i e s and p r i v a t e groups involved i n c o n s o l i d a t i n g v a r i o u s Grea t Lakes da t a . More r e c e n t l y , t h e r e has been on ly l i m i t e d e f f o r t and r e s o u r c e s expended t o e s t a b l i s h a system f o r t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f Grea t Lakes hydrometeorologic and h y d r a u l i c d a t a .

The matter o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements on t h e l o c a l , s t a t e , p r o v i n c i a l and n a t i o n a l l e v e l s is e x t e n s i v e l y desc r ibed i n t h e fo l lowing p u b l i c a t i o n s :

1. Great Lakes Framework S tudy , Great Lakes Bas in Commission (GLEC), 1976.

2. Great Lakcs I n s t i t u t i o n s : A Survey o f I n s t i t u t i o n s Concerned with t h e Water and Rela ted Resources i n t h e Grea t Lakes E a s i n , GLSC, June 1960.

3. Proposa l f o r Improving t h e Management o f t h e Great Lakes o f t h e United S t a t e s and Canada, Canada-United S t a t e s U n i v e r s i t y Seminar 1071-1a72; Submit ted t o t h e Office o f Water Resources Research, United S t a t e s Department o f I n t e r i o r , by t h e Water Resources and l l a r ine Sc i ences Center , Corne l l U n i v e r s i t y , January 1973.

4. Great Lakes D i r ec to ry o f U n i v e r s i t i e s , Research I n s t i t u t e s , L i b r a r i e s and Agencies, I n t e r agency Committee on M a r i n e s c i e n c e s and Engineer ing , F e d e r a l Council f o r Sc i ence and Technology, 1976.

5. Great Lakes Expe r t s D i r e c t o r y , Michigan S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y , I n s t i t u t e o f Water Research, ed. L o i s G. Wolfson, 1983.

I n t h e fo l l owing paragraphs t h e major i n t e r n a t i o n a l i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements which c u r r e n t l y e x i s t and provide f o r t h e l e v e l s , f l ows , hydrometeorologic and h y d r a u l i c d a t a needs a r e d i s cus sed .

3.5.1 I n t e r n a t i o n a l

I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission. The I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission, i n t h e cou r se o f d i s c h a r g i n g its d u t i e s w i th r e s p e c t t o References from t h e governments under t h e Boundary Waters T r e a t y o f 1909, h a s c r e a t e d s e v e r a l i n t e r n a t i o n a l o p e r a t i n g and s t u d y Boards which c o l l e c t and c o o r d i n a t e b a s i c t e c h n i c a l . d a t a from each count ry .

The first o p e r a t i o n a l board, t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Lake S u p e r i o r Board o f Con t ro l , was c r e a t e d t o fo rmula t e r u l e s f o r t h e o p e r a t i o n o f t h e Compensating Works a.nd the power c a n a l s a t t h e head o f t h e S t . Margs Rapids f o r t h e r e g u l a t i o n o f Lake S u p e r i o r . I n o r d e r t o perform t h e s e t a s k s , t h e Board had t o compile mutual ly a c c e p t a b l e d a t a f o r Lake S u p e r i o r water l e v e l s , and water l e v e l s and f lows o f t h e S t . Marys River . Subsequent ly , t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission changed t h e o b j e c t i v e o f r e g u l a t i o n and r ede f ined t h e d u t i e s o f t h e Board. A s a r e s u l t , t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Lake S u p e r i o r Board o f Con t ro l became concerned with a wider range o f b a s i c d a t a , i nc lud ing water l e v e l and flow informat ion f o r Lakes Michigan-Huron, S t . Clair and Erie and t h e i r Connecting Channels.

The Commission's I n t e r n a t i o n a l Niagara Board o f Cont ro l was e s t a b l i s h e d t o s u p e r v i s e t h e o p e r a t i o n o f t h e s t r u c t u r e which c o n t r o l s t h e Chippewa-Grass I s l a n d Pool i n t h e Niagara River and t h e ice boom i n Lake E r i e , a t t h e e n t r a n c e t o t h e River . The Board s p e c i f i e s t h e d a t a t o be c o l l e c t e d and coord ina ted f o r t h e s e ope ra t i ons .

S i m i l a r l y , t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l S t . Lawrence River Board o f Con t ro l , c r e a t e d a s a r e s u l t o f t h e S t . Lawrence Seaway and Power P r o j e c t , s u p e r v i s e s t h e co l . l ec t ion and c o o r d i n a t i o n o f water l e v e l s on Lake On ta r io and f lows and l e v e l s on t h e S t . Lawrence River .

These o p e r a t i o n a l Boards r e p o r t i n g t o t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission a r e t h e pr imary i n s t i t u t i o n s which develop coo rd ina t ed b a s i c d a t a on t h e Grea t Lakes on a con t inu ing b a s i s .

Other Boards o f t h e I J C which have compiled and coord ina ted d a t a neces sa ry t o complete t h e i r s t u d i e s a r e t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Leve l s Board, I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes D ive r s ions and Consumptive Uses Study Eoard, I n t e r n a t i o n a l Lake E r i e Regula t ion Study Board and t h e p r e s e n t Board, t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Technica l Informat ion Network Board. These Boards have developed a wide range o f d a t a , mainly r e l a t e d t o s t u d i e s o f t h e r e g u l a t i o n and d i v e r s i o n o f Great Lakes waters . The d a t a developed by t h e s e Boards is publ i shed i n t h e r e p o r t s l i s t e d i n Appendix C.

3.5.2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l -- In t e r agency

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Niagara Committee. The Governments o f Canada and t h e United S t a t e s c r e a t e d t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Niagara Committee t o p re se rve t h e s c e n i c s p e c t a c l e of Niagara F a l l s and t o permit t h e most b e n e f i c i a l u se of t h e Niagara River f lows f o r power gene ra t i on . Membership on t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Niagara Committee is provided by Environment Canada and t h e U.S. Army Corps of Engineers . Annual r e p o r t s are provided t o each Government on t h e water a v a i l a b l e and its d i v i s i o n among t h e v a r i o u s u s e r s .

Coord ina t ing Committee on Grea t Lakes Bas i c Hydraul ic and Hydrologic Data. I n May 1953, r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f t h e Departments o f T r a n s p o r t , Mines and Techn ica l Surveys and Resources and Development, Canada and t h e U.S. Army Corps o f Engineers agreed t o e s t a b l i s h t h e Coord ina t ing Committee on Grea t Lakes Bas i c Hydraul ic and Hydrologic Data The Committee was formed t o be a d v i s o r y t o t h e Fede ra l a g e n c i e s r e ~ ~ o n s i b l e ' f o r t h e c o l l e c t i o n and compi la t ion o f Great Lakes d a t a i n both c o u n t r i e s . The t e c h n i c a l . s t u d i e s o.f t h e Committee a r e c a r r i e d o u t by t h e River Flow, t h e Water Leve l s and V e r t i c a l Con t ro l , and t h e P h y s i c a l Data Subcommittees. The work o f t h e Committee began wi th t h e S t . Lawrence River and Lake On ta r io and was l a t e r extended t o t h e o t h e r Great Lakes and t h e i r Connecting Channels.

A s a r e s u l t o f t h e work o f t h e Committee, i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y coo rd ina t ed f low d a t a are a v a i l a b l e f o r a l l of t h e o u t l e t s o f t h e Grea t Lakes. Tabu la t i ons a r e a v a i l a b l e on t h e v a r i o u s d i v e r s i o n s a f f e c t i n g t h e Lakes. . .

S t u d i e s have a l s o been made on t h e effect of appa ren t c r u s t a l movement on t h e water l e v e l s o f t h e Lakes. A s a r e s u l t of t h e s e s t u d i e s , t h e Committee e s t a b l i s h e d t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Datum (IGLD 1955) t o provide a common datum f o r a l l water l e v e l s o f t h e Great Lakes and t h e i r Connecting Channels. Work is now underway i n both c o u n t r i e s t o upda te t h i s I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Datum t o c o n d i t i o n s as they e x i s t i n t h e 1980's. The Committee

has a l s o prepared many r e p o r t s and h i s t o r i e s r e l a t e d t o f lows , water l e v e l s and gauge l o c a t i o n s . These are l i s t e d i n Annex C. Membership on t h e Coord ina t ing Committee i n r e c e n t y e a r s has been provided by Environment Canada i n Canada, and by NOAA and t h e U.S. Army Corps o f Engineers i n t h e United S t a t e s .

United States-Canada Hydrographic Commission. The United States-Canada Hydrographic Commission h a s t h e o b j e c t i v e o f c o o r d i n a t i n g t h e hydrographic

- -

surveying and c h a r t i n g o p e r a t i o n s of t h e Na t iona l Ocean S e r v i c e (NOS) and. t h e Canadian Hydrographic S e r v i c e (CHS). The Great Lakes Cha r t i ng Advisors Committee o f t h i s Commission promotes t e c h n i c a l c o m p a t i b i l i t y i n v a r i o u s areas o f o p e r a t i o n , i n c l u d i n g water l e v e l gauging and t h e e s t ab l i shmen t and maintenance o f v e r t i c a l c o n t r o l on t h e Great Lakes and t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l S e c t i o n o f t h e S t . Lawrence River .

World Meteoro logica l Organiza t ion (WMO). The IN0 is a United Nat ions o r g a n i z a t i o n which provides f o r and promotes c o o r d i n a t i o n and coope ra t i on i n a tmospher ic s c i ence and o p e r a t i o n a l hydrology among member c o u n t r i e s i n c l u d i n g t h e United S t a t e s and ~ a n a d a . Programs o f t h e WMO i n c l u d e r e g i o n a l and g l o b a l d a t a a c q u i s i t i o n , exchange and process ing . Guidance m a t e r i a l and t e c h n i c a l r e g u l a t i o n s a r e developed i n suppor t o f t h e s e programs.

United S t a t e s - Canada Ice Informat ion Working Group. This Group, composed o f agenc i e s concerned with t h e impact o f ice on t h e Grea t Lakes and t h e Connecting Channels , was formed i n 1972 as a r e s u l t o f s t u d i e s and demons t ra t ions t o ex tend t h e n a v i g a t i o n season on t h e Grea t Lakes. The pr imary o b j e c t i v e of t h i s Group is t o c o o r d i n a t e t h e c o l l e c t i o n and d i s semina t ion o f ice in fo rma t ion from Montreal t o t h e head o f t h e Lakes. T h i s Group a l s o s e r v e s t o exchange informat ion on ice r e sea rch programs.

3.5.3 I n t e r n a t i o n a l -- P r i v a t e

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Assoc i a t i on f o r Great Lakes Research. The I n t e r n a t i o n a l A s s o c i a t i o n f o r Great .Lakes Research is a m u l t i d i s c i p l i n a r y o r g a n i z a t i o n o f p r i v a t e i n d i v i d u a l s , c o r p o r a t i o n s and u n i v e r s i t i e s wi th t h e primary o b j e c t i v e t o promote r e s e a r c h on t h e Grea t Lakes Basin and r e s e a r c h d i r e c t l y a p p l i c a b l e t o t h e unders tanding o r management o f l a r g e l a k e s . Major a c t i v i t i e s i n c l u d e t h e ho ld ing o f an annual Grea t Lakes Research Conference and t h e p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e J o u r n a l o f Great Lakes Research. The Assoc i a t i on is a unique o r g a n i z a t i o n i n t h a t i t b r i n g s t o g e t h e r r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s from both s i d e s o f t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l boundary for d i s c u s s i o n and c l o s e coo rd ina t ion o f t h e v a r i o u s Grea t Lakes r e s e a r c h a c t i v i t i e s . The group p rov ides a u s e f u l forum t o a s s i s t i n t he c o o r d i n a t i o n o f r e s e a r c h programs and a c t i v i t i e s .

SECTION 4

DATA NEEDS AND SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

4.1 General

Hydrometeorologic and h y d r a u l i c d a t a a r e a neces sa ry p r e r e q u i s i t e t o t h e e f f i c i e n t management and development o f t h e water r e s o u r c e s of t h e Grea t Lakes Basin. The d a t a a r e used o p e r a t i o n a l l y i n t h e ongoing r e g u l a t i o n o f Lakes S u p e r i o r and On ta r io , and used i n t h e fo rmula t ion and development o f r e g u l a t i o n p l ans . They a r e used i n t h e de t e rmina t ion o f consumptive u s e s and o t h e r e f f e c t s on l e v e l s and f lows , and a s s i s t i n t h e formula t ion o f water u s e p o l i c i e s . The need f o r improved d a t a , i n terms o f coverage and t ime ly response , is growing wi th advances i n s c i e n c e and technology , e .g . , t h e u se of mathematical models, h igh speed computers, c l i m a t e p r e d i c t i o n , and d e c i s i o n making r e l a t i v e t o l e v e l s and f lows. Improvement i n d a t a a v a i l a b i l i t y w i l l b e n e f i t no t on ly t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Boards and Committees, bu t o t h e r U.S. and Canadian F e d e r a l , P r o v i n c i a l and S t a t e agenc i e s u s ing t h e d a t a , a s well a s t h e g e n e r a l pub l i c .

Data requi rements and needs can be cons idered i n two broad c a t e g o r i e s from a t i m e l i n e s s s t andpo in t : r ea l - t ime d a t a and r e c e n t and h i s t o r i c d a t a used f o r s tudy purposes. Real-time d a t a are those d a t a neces sa ry t o a s s e s s c u r r e n t Bas in c o n d i t i o n s and f o r o p e r a t i o n a l purposes. These d a t a should be a v a i l a b l e w i t h i n s e v e r a l hours fo l lowing t h e time o f c o l l e c t i o n . The d a t a are o f b e n e f i t p r i m a r i l y i n l a k e r e g u l a t i o n o p e r a t i o n s . The h i s t o r i c d a t a a r e t h e b a s i s o f most Great Lakes s t u d i e s . These d a t a are u s u a l l y n o t a v a i l a b l e f o r s e v e r a l weeks t o s e v e r a l months fo l l owing c o l l e c t i o n . For p r e s e n t o p e r a t i o n s , t h e p rov i s ion o f real-time d a t a is no t a s e r i o u s problem f o r t h e Boards o f t h e I J C s i n c e most of t h e hydrometeorologic and hydrau l i c d a t a c u r r e n t l y used by t h e Boards can be ob t a ined by te lephone o r computer t e rmina l s . However, t h e r e is a g e n e r a l consensus t h a t improvements i n t h e p rov i s ion o f real-time d a t a w i l l be r equ i r ed f o r f u t u r e o p e r a t i o n s , i n p a r t i c u l a r f o r hydro logic models c u r r e n t l y be ing formulated.

Remote s ens ing t echn iques p r e s e n t l y being s t u d i e d t o a s s e s s snow cover ove r a wide geographic a r e a are a l s o a p o t e n t i a l sou rce of u s e f u l in format ion . The development o f p r e d i c t i v e models and new o b s e r v a t i o n a l methods are no t under t h e j u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h e Boards o f t h e I J C , bu t r a t h e r a r e c a r r i e d o u t o r sponsored by Government a g e n c i e s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r p rovid ing t h e t e c h n i c a l suppor t t o t h e s e Boards. Both t echn iques a r e l i k e l y t o be used i n suppor t of t h e f u t u r e r e g u l a t i o n of t h e Great Lakes. There a r e a l s o some Board requi rements f o r new land-based s t a t i o n s i n ungauged o r s p a r s e l y gauged areas, f o r automation o f e x i s t i n g s t a t i o n s and f o r t h e i n c r e a s e i n d e n s i t y o f some of t h e e x i s t i n g s t a t i o n networks.

The I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Techn ica l Informat ion Network Board mailed q u e s t i o n n a i r e s t o t h e numerous u s e r s and s u p p l i e r s o f Grea t Lakes d a t a i n a n a t t e m p t t o d e f i n e t h e i r needs. L i s t e d i n t h e fo l lowing s e c t i o n s is a summation o f t h e s e d a t a requirements . The Boards and o t h e r u s e r s who i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e i r c u r r e n t needs were being s a t i s f i e d have no t been inc luded

i n t h i s d i s c u s s i o n . However, t h e i r responses have been inc luded i n Appendix A t o t h i s document.

4.2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Boards and Committees

There are c u r r e n t l y t h r e e I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission Boards o f Con t ro l t h a t have o r w i l l have a requirement f o r rea l - t ime d a t a . These a r e t h e Lake S u p e r i o r , Niagara, and S t . Lawrence River Boards o f Control .

4.2.1 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Lake S u p e r i o r Board o f Con t ro l

The p r e s e n t d a t a needs o f t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Lake Supe r io r Board. o f Con t ro l a r e g e n e r a l l y s a t i s f i e d . A l l t h e water l e v e l gauges on Lakes S u c e r i o r , Michigan-Huron, S t . C l a i r and Erie t h a t a r e c u r r e n t l y used by t h e Board can be accessed v i a t e r m i n a l t o provide r ea l - t ime da t a . Da i ly c l i m a t o l o g i c a l d a t a a r e reviewed t o a s s e s s water supply c o n d i t i o n s b u t a r e no t used a s d i r e c t i n p u t s i n r e g u l a t i o n a t t h i s time.

I n t h e f u t u r e , t h e Board w i l l probably use hydro logic models f o r f o r e c a s t i n g Lakes S u p e r i o r and Michigan-Huron n e t b a s i n water s u p p l i e s . The o p e r a t i o n a l use o f t h e e x i s t i n g models r e q u i r e s rea l - t ime d a t a , such a s tempera ture , dewpoint, s o l a r r a d i a t i o n , p r e c i p i t a t i o n , s o i l mois ture and water e q u i v a l e n t o f t h e snow pack . in t h e Lakes S u p e r i o r and Michigan-Huron Bas ins . I n a d d i t i o n , new models be ing developed could a l s o make use o f forecas.t.s-of..as many months as p o s s i b l e i n t o t h e f u t u r e o f t h e c l i m a t o l o g i c a l parameters l i s t e d . S i n c e t h e c u r r e n t l y approved r e g u l a t i o n p l an u se s a s t a t i s t i c a l f o r e c a s t , t h e use o f a d e t e r m i n i s t i c hydro logic f o r e c a s t model is 'expected t o provide b e t t e r e s t i m a t e s , which w i l l l e a d t o b e t t e r d e c i s i o n s concern ing t h e management o f t h e l e v e l s and out f lows o f " ~ a k e s S u p e r i o r , Michigsn-Huron and Erie. T h i s w i l l p rov ide both t a n g i b l e and i n t a n g i b l e b e n e f i t s t o t h e n a v i g a t i o n , r i p a r i a n , hydropower and r e c r e a t i o n a l i n t e r e s t s , as well as t o t h e g e n e r a l pub l i c .

I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e above development, t h e Board has a l s o i d e n t i f i e d a need f o r r e c a l i b r a t i o n o f t h e S t . Marys River Compensating Works t o r e e s t a b l i s h an a c c u r a t e d i s cha rge r a t i n g f o r t h a t s t r u c t u r e .

4.2.2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Niagara Board o f Cont ro l and I n t e r n a t i o n a l Niagara Commit tee

The Board and t h e Committee cons ide r t h a t t h e p r e s e n t number o f d a t a c o l l e c t i o n s t a t i o n s is adequate i n terms of coverage. However, t i m e l i n e s s could be improved, e s p e c i a l l y r e l a t e d t o ice coverage and break up. The two groups a l s o r e q u i r e p e r i o d i c v e r i f i c a t i o n o f t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p s used t o de te rmine t h e f low i n t h e Niagara River and t h e Welland Canal..

4.2.3 I n t e r n a t i o n a l S t . Lawrence River Board o f Cont ro l

The p re sen t network o f Lake On ta r io water l e v e l gauges used by t h e Board is cons idered adequate i n provid ing an a c c u r a t e r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f t h e l e v e l of t h e Lake, and t h e r e f o r e , no a d d i t i o n a l gauges a r e r equ i r ed . The-Board, however, could u t i l i z e both improved shor t - te rm ( 3 day) and long-term

(monthly) weather f o r e c a s t s , measurements o f s o i l mo i s tu re , and water e q u i v a l e n t o f snow pack on t h e Lake Ontar io-St . Lawrence River Eas in t o a i d i n Lake On ta r io r e g u l a t i o n d e c i s i o n s .

Ice, s t a g e and flow monitor ing are c r i t i c a l t o t h e o p e r a t i o n s o f t h e Board. Weekly d a t a are needed i n t h e w i n t e r , wi th t h e frequency o f d a t a c o l l e c t i o n inc reased t o d a i l y du r ing ice cover format ion and breakup. More f r equen t in format ion on t h e a c t u a l and p r e d i c t e d f low o f t h e Ottawa River would a l s o a i d i n La.ke On ta r io r e g u l a t i o n . Whenever water p r o f i l e c o n d i t i o n s a r e c r i t i c a l , t h e Board a l s o needs a d d i t i o n a l water l e v e l in format ion i n t h e S t . Lawrence River t o e v a l u a t e t h e impacts o f r e g u l a t i o n on nav iga t ion I n t e r e s t s . These needs a r e c u r r e n t l y be ing s a t i s f i e d by t h e e x i s t i n g i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements .

4.2.4 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Water Q u a l i t y Board

T h i s Board has no t i d e n t i f i e d any need f o r a d d i t i o n a l hydrometeorologic and h y d r a u l i c d a t a .

4.2.5 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Sc i ence Advisory Board

Th i s Board has n o t i d e n t i f i e d any need f o r a d d i t i o n a l hydrometeorol.ogic and h y d r a u l i c d a t a .

4.3 United S t a t e s and Canadian Fede ra l Agencies

4.3.1 General

'Federa l and P r o v i n c i a l agenc i e s may be both p rov ide r s and/or u s e r s o f d a t a , and some o f t h e i r d a t a requi rements and d a t a systems may s e r v e requi rements w e l l beyond t h e scope o f t h i s Board 's purview. The requirements---- o f t h e s e groups are d i scus sed b r i e f l y i n t h e fo l lowing s e c t i o n s .

4.3.2 U.S. Army Corps-of Engineers , North C e n t r a l D iv i s ion (NCD)

The U.S. Army Corps o f Engineers ,North C e n t r a l D iv i s ion (NCD! is r e s p o n s i b l e f o r p rov id ing t e c h n i c a l a s s i s t a n c e t o t h e I J C i n water management o f t h e Great Lakes System. A t t h e p r e s e n t time, t h e o p e r a t i o n a l needs o f t h e Con t ro l Boards o f t h e I J C ( S u p e r i o r , Niagara and S t . Lawrence) are g e n e r a l l y be ing s a t i s f i e d . However, d a t a are no t always a v a i l a b l e on a t ime ly b a s i s . To b e t t e r meet t h i s need as w e l l as its f lood f i g h t i n g r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , NCD ( i n c l u d i n g its Lake Districts - D e t r o i t and Buf fa lo ) planned, and is beginning t o implement, a comprehensive d a t a c o l l e c t i o n network se rved by a real.-time d e l i v e r y system. NCD h a s prepared a Master Plan t o gu ide t h i s o v e r a l l a c t i v i t y . The Master P lan a c t i v i t i e s i n c l u d e t h e development o f a s s o c i a t e d hydro logic f o r e c a s t models, t h e conduct o f s t u d i e s o f t h e use o f a i r b o r n e s e n s o r s t o a c q u i r e real-time d a t a ove r l a r g e areas and t h e development o f a computerized d a t a r e t r i e v a l system.

The f u t u r e da t a needs o f NCD and its Lake D i s t r i c t s re l -a ted t o t h e s e a c t i v i t i e s and o t h e r r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s i nc lude : s h o r t (3-10 days) and long-term ( 1 t o 6 months) weather and climate f o r e c a s t s , i c e i n fo rma t ion , nea r sho re

sediment l o a d , s u r f a c e and subsu r f ace c u r r e n t s , and hydro logic e lements which i m ~ a c t on t h e water ba lance o f t h e Lakes and t h e l and t r i b u t a r y t o them.

4.3.3 United S t a t e s Geologica l Survey (USGS)

USGS is t h e l a r g e s t water r e sou rces i n v e s t i g a t i v e agency i n t h e United S t a t e s and is r e s p o n s i b l e f o r g a t h e r i n g , i n t e r p r e t i n g , and e v a l u a t i n g water d a t a f o r manv coope ra t i ve u s e r s on beha l f o f n a t i o n a l i n t e r e s t s . The v a r i o u s d a t a c o l l e c t i o n networks are analyzed s y s t e m a t i c a l l y a t about 10-year i n t e r v a l s t o a s s e s s t h e adequacy o f in format ion produced. Network c o n f i g u r a t i o n s a r e c o n t i n u a l l y be ing modif ied t o r e f l e c t t h e adequacy o f i n fo rma t ion and t h e changing needs o f t h e u s e r s .

I n o r d e r t o meet t h e growing demands on its t e c h n i c a l i n fo rma t ion f a c i l i t i e s , t h e d a t a d i s semina t ion network is a l s o being upgraded.

4.3.4 Na t iona l Ocean S e r v i c e (NOS), NOAA

NOS, a d a t a s u p p l i e r , is c o n t i n u a l l y e v a l u a t i n g t h e needs o f its d a t a u s e r s . Based upon its review, NOS is d i r e c t i n g e f f o r t s toward expanding real.- time d a t a c o l l e c t i o n through e l e c t r o n i c and au tomat ic d a t a p r o c e s s i n g ? i n c r e a s i n g i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n f o r c o l l e c t i o n o f d a t a on atmospheric pressures - , a i r t empera ture , water t empera ture , wind d i r e c t i o n and v e l o c i t y . NOS is a l s o i n v e s t i g a t i n g and rev iewing methods u t i l i z e d t o monitor t h e appa ren t v e r t i c a l c r u s t a l movement i n t h e Great Lakes Bas in . This la t ter item is r e l a t e d t o upda t ing t h e e x i s t i n g (IGLD 1955) datum p l ane on t h e Great Lakes.

4.3.5 Na t iona l Weather S e r v i c e (NWS), NOAA

Meteoro logica l d a t a buoys are needed t o cover t h e c u r r e n t gap i n t h e e x i s t i n g networks (shown on F igu re 7 ) on e a s t e r n and c e n t r a l Lake E r i e , e a s t e r n and wes te rn Lake On ta r io and c e n t r a l Lake Michigan. The NWS h a s i n d i c a t e d a need t o i n c r e a s e t h e number o f wave r i d e r buoys i n t h e a r e a from sou the rn Lake Huron t o Lake E r i e f o r wave f o r e c a s t i n g . E ight automated c o a s t a l s t a t i o n s r eco rd ing me teo ro log ica l parameters are r equ i r ed t o form t h e network. The NWS has reques ted i n s t a l l a t i o n o f s e n s o r s on board s e v e r a l Coast Guard v e s s e l s and. l a k e r s t o measure water tempera tures f o r ice f o r e c a s t purposes .

The NWS has a l s o i d e n t i f i e d a need f o r a l l -wea the r s a t e l l i t e ' o b s e r v a t i o n s on l a k e i c e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . They no te t h a t s u r f a c e r e p o r t s and v a r i o u s t y p e s of a r e a l reconnaissance ( v i s u a l and a l l -wea the r r a d a r ) cannot provide comprehensive, real-time informat ion . Area l e s t i m a t e s o f meteoro logic v a r i a b l e s us ing satell i tes are needed t o improve i n p u t t o mathematical models used t o f o r e c a s t hydro logic and h y d r a u l i c p roces se s and o b v i a t e t h e need f o r more s u r f a c e measurements.

Weather and ice f o r e c a s t s are products o f t h e NWS and are based on l i m i t e d obse rva t ion da t a . Improvements i n t h e accuracy o f t h e f o r e c a s t s cons idered t o he l i m i t e d by t h e l a c k o f obse rva t ion s i tes , low frequency o f r e p o r t s from many p o i n t s , e r r o r s i n making areal e s t i m a t e s from p o i n t measurements and t h e de l ay involved i n g e t t i n g d a t a t o p roces s ing c e n t r e s . A t t h e f o r e c a s t c e n t r e s

a computer f i l e is maintained on a l l c u r r e n t r e p o r t i n g s t a t i o n s . A need e x i s t s f o r t h e s e s t a t i o n s t o be conver ted t o au tomat ic o b s e r v a t i o n and r e p o r t i n g s t a t i o n s . Ice and weather f o r e c a s t i n g w i l l con t inue t o r e q u i r e l a k e water t empera ture d a t a and sa te l l i te o b s e r v a t i o n s of ice.

4.3.6 Great Lakes Environmental Research Labora tory (GLERL), NOAA

The GLERL deve lops and u s e s hydro logic and h y d r a u l i c models, i n c l u d i n g Bas in r u n o f f , l a k e l e v e l , water ba l ance , uns teady f low i n t h e Connecting Channels, l a k e evapora t ion and ice models. These mathematical models are des igned t o u t i l i z e e x i s t i n g d a t a . Model improvements and improved wa te r supply f o r e c a s t s could be made i f a d d i t i o n a l d a t a such as l a k e water tempera ture , s o i l mo i s tu re , and snow-pack water con ten t and improved c l i m a t e f o r e c a s t s were a v a i l a b l e . Enhanced rea l - t ime r e p o r t i n g o f p r e c i p i t a t i o n , t empera tu re , l a k e evapora t ion and d i v e r s i o n s would a l s o improve t h e u t i l i t y o f t h e runo f f and l a k e l e v e l f o r e c a s t s ob t a ined from t h e s e models.

4.3.7 Water Resources Branch (WRB), Environment Canada

No a d d i t i o n a l d a t a requi rements have been i d e n t i f i e d . However, i n t h e f o r e s e e a b l e f u t u r e , a growing problem w i l l be t h e l a c k o f a r ea l - t ime s u r f a c e water d a t a a c q u i s i t i o n system. The g r e a t m a j o r i t y o f t h e water l e v e l r e c o r d e r s on t h e r i v e r s do n o t p rov ide real-time d a t a , and t h e a b i l i t y t o o b t a i n t h i s t y p e o f d a t a is a high p r i o r i t y wi th v a r i o u s u s e r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y f o r f l o o d f o r e c a s t i n g .

4.3.8 Atmospheric Environment S e r v i c e (AES ) , Environment Canada

The need f o r ea sy access t o more t i m e l y and good q u a l i t y d a t a on weather , climate, and ice c o n d i t i o n s as w e l l as f o r e c a s t s is p r o j e c t e d t o i n c r e a s e . ' The clear d e f i n i t i o n o f t h e s e needs is r e q u i r e d by t h e AES i n o r d e r t o p l an and have i n p l a c e a p p r o p r i a t e d a t a management and c o m u n i c a t i o n systems.

One p r o j e c t e d need is f o r more informat ion on d a i l y p r e c i p i t a t i o n , snow cover and snowmelt rates on a monthly b a s i s f o r t h e nor thwes te rn p o r t i o n s o f t h e Bas in f o r moni tor ing purposes. Another is t o meet both h i s t o r i c a l and real time weather and climate d a t a requi rements o f f u t u r e hydro logic models f o r p o i n t and area coverage estimates o f snowcover, p r e c i p i t a t i o n and o t h e r parameters t h a t a f f e c t t h e energy and h y d r o l o g i c a l ba lances . Th i s requi rement has y e t t o be adequa te ly de f ined .

Great emphasis ha s been placed on t h e need f o r a c c u r a t e extended weather- and climate f o r e c a s t s . I n a l l matters, t h e r e is a need f o r improved d a t a management and communication. Both a r e needed f o r more a c c u r a t e p r e d i c t i o n and c o n t r o l o f water r e sou rces .

The above needs g e n e r a t e a series o f o t h e r needs which must be cons ide red i n con junc t ion wi th n a t i o n a l requi rements f o r d a t a management and communication systems upgrading and f o r improved unders tanding . The b e s t mix o f d a t a a c q u i s i t i o n t echn iques f o r t h e p r o v i s i o n o f d a t a and f o r e c a s t s r e q u i r e s cont inuous review and l i n k a g e wi th p lanning and procurement processes . ~ a t a management and communications must be planned and developed

t o meet t h e increased f low o f d a t a , i n c l u d i n g s a t e l l i t e , ra.dar and non- s t a n d a r d , a s w e l l a s h i s t o r i c a l and r ea l - t ime d a t a . New t echno log ie s must be developed t o e s t i m a t e p r e c i p i t a t i o n , snow cove r , and water tempera tures u s ing s a t e l l i t e and o t h e r forms o f remote s e n s i n g , t o automate e x i s t i n g c l i m a t e s t a t i o n s and e s t a b l i s h new automated c l i m a t e s t a t i o n s i n remote a r e a s , and t o ach i eve a l l weather i c e reconnaissance c a p a b i l i t y . For some purposes , models need t o be adapted t o s y n t h e s i z e r e q u i r e d d a t a o r d a t a f i e l d s as a c o s t - e f f e c t i v e a l t e r n a t i v e t o i nc reased measurement.

Both weather and c l i m a t e p r e d i c t i o n s must con t inue a s p r i o r i t y r e s e a r c h a r e a s . The AES b o a s t s a world c l a s s weather f o r e c a s t c a p a b i l i t y t h a t must be ma in t a ined , th rough new knowledge and technology. I n a d d i t i o n , an o p e r a t i o n a l c l i m a t e p r e d i c t i o n c a p a b i l i t y is r e q u i r e d u s i n g e x i s t i n g s k i l l s . P h y s i c a l l y based models must be developed t o make s i g n i f i c a n t advances i n c l fma te p r e d i c t i q n .

4.3.9 Canadian Hydrographic S e r v i c e s (CHS), Department o f F i s h e r i e s and Oceans Canada

T h i s agency is p r i n c i p a l l y a d a t a s u p p l i e r t o u s e r groups. It ma in t a in s a network o f water l e v e l gauges on t h e Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River System t o fill t h e needs o f t h e s e groups.

Real-time d a t a are a v a i l a b l e from s t a t i o n s where u s e r s have i d e n t i f i e d t h i s requirement . Logging and t r a n s m i t t i n g i n s t rumen ta t i on f o r real-time s t a t i o n s have been r e c e n t l y upgraded. To e l i m i n a t e t h e p roces s ing o f ana log d a t a , i n s t a l l a t i o n o f t h i s i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n is planned i n a l l s t a t i o n s , a s r e s o u r c e s permi t .

The CHS u s e s d a t a from t h e gauging network i n hydrographic surveying o p e r a t i o n s and has no unmet d a t a needs f o r t h i s a p p l i c a t i o n .

4 4 S t a t e and P r o v i n c i a l Agencies

S t a t e and P r o v i n c i a l agenc i e s g e n e r a l l y depend upon o t h e r s t o c o l l e c t and p rov ide da t a . T h e i r r e sponses t o t h e Board 's q u e s t i o n n a i r e i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e r e is a l ack o r sho r t age o f d a t a on:

( a ) Lake water c i r c u l a t i o n p a t t e r n s r equ i r ed t o determine t h e e f f e c t s o f c u r r e n t s on agg rada t ion and d e p o s i t i o n o f sed iments i n t h e Lakes f o r f i s h e r i e s management, i n t a k e des ign , harbour dredging e v a l u a t i o n , e t c . ;

(b) Wave and ice a c t i o n r equ i r ed t o a s s e s s t h e s h o r t and long-term e f f e c t s on s h o r e l i n e e r o s i o n , and f o r i n fo rma t ion purposes in tended f o r r e c r e a t i o n a l w a t e r c r a f t u s e r s ;

( c ) Water q u a l i t y and q u a n t i t y on t r i b u t a r y s t reams; and

( d l Climate of t h e land area a d j a c e n t t o Lake s u p e r i o r .

4.5 Other Organ iza t ions

The Lake Carriers Assoc i a t i on would' l i k e t o r e c e i v e t ime ly and more a c c u r a t e weather f o r e c a s t s o r i e n t e d toward t h e n a v i g a t i o n a l r o u t e s throughout t h e Great Lakes, and updated in format ion on dep ths i n t h e channe l s o f t h e S t . Marys River .

SECTICM 5

EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES

5.1 General

S e c t i o n 4 o f t h i s r e p o r t d e s c r i b e s t h e d a t a requi rements a s ou t l . ined by t h e Boards of t h e I J C , f e d e r a l and p r o v i n c i a l agenc i e s and o t h e r s . To e v a l u a t e t h e s e r equ i r emen t s , t h e Board has developed s c e n a r i . 0 ~ which r e f l e c t a l t e r n a t i v e approaches i n meet ing t h e needs o f t h e Boa.rds o f t h e I J C . The s c e n a r i o approach is widely used t o e v a l u a t e p o s s i b l e f u t u r e states w i t h i n a f i e l d o f u n c e r t a i n t y , i..e., i n t h e absence o f s k i l l s needed t o p r e d i c t the f u t u r e . his approach o f f e r s an a r r a y o f p o s s i b l e a l t e r n a t i v e f u t u r e s a s a b a s i s f o r p l ann ing , keeping i n mind t h a t t h e d a t a g a t h e r i n g agenc i e s ' primary o b j e c t i v e is t o s e r v e t h e n a t i o n a l needs. I n t h i s p a r t i c u l a r i n s t a n c e , t h e I J C can i n f l u e n c e t h e f u t u r e s i t u a t i o n . The re fo re , a review o f p re sen t ed s c e n a r i o s is i n one s ense a s t r a t e g i c p lanning e x e r c i s e t h a t env i sages t h a t t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l needs w i l l n o t c o n f l i c t and can be met whi le s e r v i n g t h e n a t i o n a l o b j e c t i v e s .

5.2 A l t e r n a t i v e S c e n a r i o s

Measurement networks and informat ion systems a r e c o n t i n u a l l v be ing upgraded t o reflect u s e r demands and improved technology. The p r e s e n t system is g e n e r a l l y adequate t o meet c u r r e n t u s e r needs. It is , however, l a c k i n g i n t h e area o f t i m e l y d a t a t r ansmis s ion . The e x i s t i n g system can be r e a d i l y improved t o cover such a d e f i c i e n c y wi th a minimum expend i tu re of funds. The

--- -----,...major concerns a r e r e l a t e d p r i m a r i l y t o : (i) systems changes which are be ing contemplated by t h e d a t a g a t h e r i n g a g e n c i e s which are n o t compat ible wi th o r do n o t g i v e c o n s i d e r a t i o n t o t h e c u r r e n t o r f u t u r e needs o f t h e Boards of t h e I J C ; and ( i i ) changes r e q u i r e d by t h e Boards i n f u l f i l l i n g t h e i r mandates. Ou t l i ned below are t h e t h r e e s c e n a r i o s developed by t h e Board. Each has a d i f f e r e n t i m p l i c a t i o n f o r t h e Boards o f t h e I J C . The s c e n a r i o s a r e cumula t ive , i .e . , s c e n a r i o ( 2 ) and (3) assume t h a t t h e preceding s c e n a r i o w i l l be s u c c e s s f u l l y implemented.

5.2.1 Scena r io 1 - Independent System Development

The c h a r a c t e r o f f u t u r e systems a v a i l a b l e t o t h e Boards o f t h e I J C w i l l be determined p r i m a r i l y by d a t a g a t h e r i n g agenc i e s , a s a t p r e s e n t , deve loping o r adop t ing new technology i n response t o t h e i r own genera l l -y perce ived needs. Under t h i s s c e n a r i o , t h e Boards w i l l be g iven no s p e c i a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s .

5.2.2 Scena r io 2 - Improved Communication and Data C e n t r a l i z a t i o n

Under t h i s s c e n a r i o t h e I J C would p l ay a p o s i t i v e r o l e i n t h e agenc i e s ' p lanning p roces s f o r d a t a . a c q u i s i t i o n and communication systems. The Boards o f t h e I J C would provide an o u t l i n e of needs and an i n d i c a t i o n of t h e i r p r i o r i t i e s , and t h o s e would be i nco rpo ra t ed i n t o t h e review and mod i f i ca t i on o f t h e system as agency r e s o u r c e s permit . Under t h i s s c e n a r i o , each d a t a agency would e s t a b l i s h a c e n t r a l p o i n t o f a c c e s s f o r i n d i v i d u a l d a t a u s e r s .

Thi s would enab le more e f f i c i e n t d a t a l i n k s . Connider2ble c o o r d i n a t i o n would be r equ i r ed under t h i s seecario Gztween d a t a g a t h e r i n g a g e n c i e s , t h e 3oa rds of t h e I J C and o t h e r u s e r s . Th i s could be accomplished through t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Techn ica l Informat ion Network Board o f t h e I J C , o r d i r e c t l y on an agency-to-agency b a s i s .

5.2.3 Scena r io 3 - Nat iona l Data C e n t r a l i z a t i o n

Th i s s c e n a r i o e n v i s i o n s t h a t a l l d a t a g a t h e r i n g agenc i e s w i l l improve t h e i r networks t o t h e l e v e l i n d i c a t e d i n Scena r io 2 and w i l l s upp ly t h e d a t a t o a c e n t r a l i z e d d a t a bank i n each count ry . Th i s ded i ca t ed d a t a bank could a l s o i n c l u d e water q u a l i t y 62 t a and o t h e r parameters .

5.3 Discuss ion o f S c e n a r i o s

It is assumed i n every ca se t h a t b e s t use w i l l be m d e o f measurement and d a t a a c q u i s i t i o n t e c h n o l o g i e s t o s e r v e d.emonstrated needs i n t h e most economical and e f f e c t i v e manner. Agencies a r e now s h i f t i n g toward new, more e f f i c i e n t and c o s t - e f f e c t i v e systems t h a t e x p l o i t t h e b e n e f i t s a t t a i n a b l e from remote and automated d a t a s ens ing and t r ansmis s ion techniques . For example, t h e GOES Data C o l l e c t i o n System ( N O A A ) now s u p p o r t s over 2,500 Data C o l l e c t i o n P l a t fo rms (DCP) on an i n t e r n a t i o n a l b a s i s . DCPs are planned f o r t h e d a t a d e f i c i e n t area n o r t h o f Lake S u p e r i o r . Remote automated land s t a t i o n s and '

buoys provide a l t e r n a t i v e sou rces o f d a t a f o r hydrometeoro logica l purposes . Ground and space based remote s e n s i n g o f hydrometeorologic and h y d r a u l i c components, t h e use o f r a d a r , enhanced communication and d a t a management sys tems , a l l are expe r i enc ing major p rog re s s as is t h e i n t e r a c t i v e p roces s ing and d i s p l a y o f d a t a . Regard less o f t h e o p t i o n s e l e c t e d by t h i s Board, it is e v i d e n t t h a t d a t a g a t h e r i n g agenc i e s w i l l , i n response t o demonstrated needs , a v a i l themselves o f t h e o p p o r t u n i t i e s provided by new c o s t - e f f e c t i v e

.. technology.

5.3.1 Scena r io 1 - Independent Agency Development

The major p l a y e r s i n t h i s a l t e r n a t i v e a r e t h e d a t a g a t h e r i n g agenc i e s . A s i n t h e p a s t , t h e y would be r e s p o n s i b l e f o r de te rmin ing system requi rements and f o r development and o p e r a t i o n s . The c a p a b i l i t y t o a c q u i r e and d i s t r i b u t e d a t a w i l l be t a i l o r e d t o n a t i o n a l l y i d e n t i f i e d needs and w i l l be s u b j e c t t o agency r e s o u r c e s , p r i o r i t i e s and p o l i c i e s . H i s t o r i c a l l y , t h e e x i s t i n g system h a s worked adequate ly . However, w i th t h e changing emphasis on r a p i d supply o f q u a l i t y i n fo rma t ion , budget c o n s t r a i n t s , and t h e need t o access i n c r e a s i n g . volumes o f d a t a , t h e p a s s i v e approach by t h e I J C toward its d a t a needs and systems a c c e s s may be un tenable .

D e f i c i e n c i e s i n t h e d a t a i t se l f and i n d a t a t r ansmis s ion t echn iques e x i s t . It is rare, indeed , t h a t a l l d e s i r e d d a t a a r e a v a i l a b l e . The p rov i s ion o f complete d a t a is u s u a l l y n o t c o s t e f f e c t i v e . On t h e o t h e r hand, many d a t a probably e x i s t o r are r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e , bu t are unknown t o t h e u s e r b e c a u s e . o f i nadequac i e s i n communication. Most s u p p l i e r s a r e consc ious o f t h e i r o b l i g a t i o n t o p rov ide a p p r o p r i a t e d a t a s e r v i c e s , and are r e l y i n g on new technology t o s e r v i c e expanding needs w i t h i n e x i s t i n g r e sou rce r e s t r i c t i o n s .

Charges f o r spec ia l i zed s e r v i c e s a r e , t h e r e f o r e , a matter r ece iv ing much study and a r e of concern t o many users .

New needs a r i s e con t inua l ly and t h e i r s a t i s f a c t i o n r e q u i r e s communication with t h e s u p p l i e r agency and involves a time l a g f o r t h e i r response. J u s t i f i c a t i o n t o meet a need r e q u i r e s t h a t t h e incremental benef i t compared t o c o s t is p o s i t i v e i f s i g n i f i c a n t systems changes a r e t o be made. L i t t l e a t t e n t i o n has been paid t h i s f a c t o r t o da te .

I n t h e case of t h e Boards o f t h e I J C under t h i s scenar io , t h e i n t e r a c t i o n is informal and "low l e v e l v . No c o s t s , e i t h e r f o r da ta a c q u i s i t i o n o r management, a r e a t t r i b u t e d t o Board requirements.

5.3.2 Scenario 2 - Improved Communication and Data Cen t ra l i za t ion

Rather than leave f u t u r e developments t o chance, the I J C may a c t t o keep d a t a c o l l e c t i o n agencies f u l l y advised on f u t u r e needs i n a manner t h a t conforms with the opera t iona l and s t r a t e g i c planning t imetable of t h e agency. I n t h i s approach t h e projec ted requirements of t h e Boards would be eva lua ted , p r i o r i t i z e d , and conveyed t o opera t iona l agencies i n a manner t h a t is synchronous with each agency's planning process. The I J C would a l s o communicate a t a s u f f i c i e n t l y high l e v e l o f agency management .so t h a t its programs would be given due p r i o r i t y cons idera t ion .

This option r e q u i r e s t h e maintenance of a coordinat ing and eva lua t ing mechanism (Board) with an accoun tab i l i ty t o i n t e r a c t with t h e appropr ia t e agencies and groups t o ensure t h a t the bes t i n t e r e s t s o f t h e Boards of t h e I J C a r e served. It n e c e s s i t a t e s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of both use r and s u p p l i e r c o n t a c t s , awareness o f agency developmental p lans , i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements, and a c a p a b i l i t y f o r t h e i r eva lua t ion from an I J C viewpoint. Implementation of t h i s opt ion could be achieved most simply by a l t e r i n g t h e terms o f r e fe rence o f the I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Technical Information Network Board. -. -

The c o s t of implementation o f Scenar io 2 is r e l a t e d to : ( i ) a d d i t i o n a l c o s t s which may be incurred by t h e d a t a ga ther ing agencies t o s a t i s f y t h e d a t a needs of t h e Boards o f t h e I J C ; and ( i i ) , t h e c o s t o f opera t ion of an I J C d a t a needs coordinat ion board.

I n r e l a t i o n t o (i), networks, computer requirements, and mathematical model development have been discussed i n Appendix A of t h i s r epor t . Associated c o s t s have been i d e n t i f i e d . These requirements, and t h e da ta ga the r ing agencies programs f o r upgrading t h e i r d a t a a c q u i s i t i o n and d e l i v e r y systems do not appear t o be o u t . o f synchronizat ion with needs o f t h e Boards o f t h e I J C , nor with t h e c u r r e n t programs o f t h e I J C support agencies. Hence, under Scenar io 2 , no a d d i t i o n a l funds would be requi red t o s a t i s f y t h e needs o f t h e Boards o f t h e I J C over and above those a l r eady contained i n t h e d a t a ga ther ing and I J C support agencies budgets.

Scenar io 2 a l s o r e q u i r e s a degree o f coordinat ion between t h e d a t a ga the r ing agencies and the Boards o f the I J C t o ensure t h a t the d a t a needs a r e s a t i s f i e d . Under t h e d i scuss ion o f c u r r e n t i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements

(Sect ion 3 .5) , t he funct ions of the Coordinating Committee on Great Lakes Basic Hydraulic and Hydrologic Data and i ts r o l e i n r e l a t i o n t o t h e Boards of t h e I J C have been ou t l ined . The funct ion of the Committee and the r o l e envisioned f o r t h e I J C coordinat ing board overlap. Hence, t h e combining of t h e two func t ions i n t o a s i n g l e I J C Board a c t i v i t y would r e s u l t i n minimal a d d i t i o n a l c o s t t o t h e agencies invalved.

5.3.3 Scenario 3 - National Data Cen t ra l i za t ion

A p o s s i b l e conf igura t ion f o r n a t i o n a l da ta c e n t r a l i z a t i o n could have complementary d a t a c e n t r e s c rea ted i n each country, both having i n t e r a c t i v e access and r e f e r r a l systems. The da ta cen t re would conta in a l l t e c h n i c a l da ta requi red on an opera t iona l b a s i s by t h e Great Lakes Boards of t h e I J C , inc luding both real- t ime da ta and h i s t o r i c information used f o r comparative o r f o r s t a t i s t i c a l a n a l y s i s purposes.

The da ta c e n t r e would automat ica l ly r e c e i v e , ca ta log and d e l i v e r information, providing a s i n g l e r e l a y point f o r s u p p l i e r s and a s i n g l e access po in t t o use r s of t h e system. This s i m p l i f i c a t i o n would e l imina te e x i s t i n g d isseminat ion arrangements which tend t o be complex and c o s t l y and would ensure easy and r e l i a b l e access t o prime information needed f o r IJC opera t ions . The c e n t r e would se rve a s a c l e a r i n g house f o r d a t a , not a p lace f o r permanent s t o r a g e , pub l i ca t ion or q u a l i t y con t ro l .

The c o s t o f implementation o f Scenar io 3 , i n a d d i t i o n t o t h a t i n d i c a t e d f o r Scenar io 2 , is r e l a t e d t o t h e establishment of t h e c e n t r a l d a t a / c l e a r i n g house i n each country. Under t h i s scenar io , it is envisioned t h a t d a t a a rch iv ing would remain with t h e da ta a c q u i s i t i o n agency, with t h e archived d a t a and t h e c u r r e n t ( rea l - t ime) d a t a being accessed by a c e n t r a l computer. Serving t h e f a c i l i t i e s would c o s t about $160,000-$210,000, with annual opera t ing c o s t s o f about $45,000-$70,000. On t h e o t h e r hand, i f an independently located system were d e s i r e d , t h e c o s t could range from $700,000 t o $1.6 m i l l i o n t o each country, with annual opera t ing expenses of about $325,000 t o $670,000. De ta i l cos t ing of t h i s scenario..would have t o be

-1 undertaken i f t h i s a l t e r n a t i v e were adopted.

5.3.4 Benefit-Accuracy Analysis

T o . i n v e s t i g a t e t h e p o t e n t i a l improvements t h a t can be a t t r i b u t e d t o an automated real- t ime d a t a system f o r - t h e Great Lakes, Lake Super ior was s e l e c t e d f o r evaluat ion . The primary focus being: Lake Super ior is the uppermost Lake i n t h e system; it is regula ted by a p lan which employs a f o r e c a s t ; t h e r e l e a s e s from the Lake have system-wide e f f e c t s . The p o t e n t i a l . '

improvements from an automated real- t ime system were addressed i n a s i m p l i s t i c manner. Fur ther refinement of improvements and b e n e f i t s could be undertaken i n f u t u r e s t u d i e s .

The primary concern of t h e Great Lakes Boards of Control is l ake l e v e l and r i v e r flow management. The Boards ind ica ted t h a t t h e r e a r e s u f f i c i e n t water l e v e l gauges wi th in t h e System t o determine average and end-of-period l a k e l e v e l s for use i n determining water releases. However, on many occas ions , real-time end-of-period l e v e l s a r e not a v a i l a b l e when needed and end-of-period

l e v e l s a r e t h e r e f o r e e s t ima ted . To d a t e , t h e maximum one month f o r e c a s t e r r o r on Lake S u p e r i o r ha s been 9cm (0.3 f o o t ) . About 30 pe rcen t o f t h i s e r r o r is a t t r i b u t e d t o t h e use o f e s t ima ted r a t h e r than a c t u a l end-of-period l e v e l s i n t h e f o r e c a s t . T h i s i s s u e is c u r r e n t l y be ing addressed .

The Board a l s o examined t h e effect o f a p e r f e c t six-month f o r e c a s t o f wa te r s u p p l i e s t o Lake Supe r io r . T h i s assessment shows t h a t p e r f e c t foreknowledge o f t h e water supply t o t h e Lake a t t h e time o f t h e f o r e c a s t , i n c o n c e r t wi th an e x a c t p r e d i c t i o n o f f u t u r e s u p p l i e s , would r e s u l t i n an improvement t o t h e r e g u l a t e d range o f l e v e l s on Lake S u p e r i o r o f abou t 6cm (0.2 f o o t ) . The b e n e f i t s t o n a v i g a t i o n , sho re p r o p e r t y , and h y d r o e l e c t r i c power product ion a r e roughly e s t ima ted t o be about $300,000 per year . 1

However, r e s u l t s o b t a i n a b l e i n p r e d i c t i n g f u t u r e water s u p p l i e s , based on a b e t t e r knowledge o f c u r r e n t hydro logic c o n d i t i o n s o f t r i b u t a r y b a s i n s , would be expec ted t o be much less.

Based on t h e d o l l a r b & n e f i t / l o s s f u n c t i o n s developed by t h e IJCVs Lake E r i e S tudy Board (1981 dol la r ! .

SECTION 6

FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

6.1 General

The Board was d i r e c t e d by t h e Commission t o examine and provide adv ice and recommendations on unmet d a t a needs ( c u r r e n t and f u t u r e ) , i n o r d e r t o assist t h e Governments i n improving- t h e Great Lakes hydrometeorologic and h y d r a u l i c d a t a c o l l e c t i o n networks. I n p a r t i c u l a r , t h e Board was t o comment on a l l a s p e c t s o f d a t a a c q u i s i t i o n , a r c h i v i n g and d i s semina t ion , such as, t i m e l i n e s s , coverage , d e l i v e r y methods, l i m i t a t i o n s , q u a l i t y , f o rma t s , c o n s i s t e n c y and a n a l y t i c a l methodology, wi th a view t o s a t i s f y i n g t h e i n t e g r a t e d needs o f a l l Boards and Commit tees . se rv ing t h e Commission and t h e Great Lakes community a t large.

To accomplish its miss ion , t h e Board con tac t ed a l l Great Lakes Boards of t h e I J C and a g e n c i e s concerned, r e q u e s t i n g in format ion on t h e i r u s e o f , and p r o j e c t e d needs f o r , Great Lakes meteoro logic , h y d r a u l i c and hydro log ic d a t a . U t i l i z i n g t h i s i n fo rma t ion , t h e Board compiled a D i r e c t o r y o f d a t a s o u r c e s , e x i s t i n g sys tems , and methods of r e t r i e v a l and d issemina t ion . T h i s in format ion was reviewed i n l i g h t o f t h e p r e s e n t and f u t u r e needs of t h e Boards o f t h e I J C . I n a d d i t i o n , t h e Board reviewed t h e e f f i c i e n c y and e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f e x i s t i n g i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements f o r t h e c o l l e c t i o n , c o o r d i n a t i o n , and t h e d i s semina t ion o f hydrometeorologic and h y d r a u l i c d a t a .

Th i s s e c t i o n summarizes t h e F ind ings , Conclusions and Recommendations reached by t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Techn ica l Informat ion Network Board.

6.2 F ind ings

1. I n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements r e l a t e d t o t h e g a t h e r i n g , c o o r d i n a t i o n and exchange of hydrometeorologic and h y d r a u l i c d a t a e x i s t a t a l l l e v e l s o f Government ( l o c a l , s tate, n a t i o n a l and i n t e r n a t i o n a l ) , and w i t h i n t h e p r i v a t e and r e s e a r c h community; however, c o o r d i n a t i o n o r c e n t r a l i z a t i o n o f e f f o r t i n suppor t o f t h e Boards o f t h e I J C is minimal.

A number o f formal and informal i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements have been e s t a b l i s h e d t o provide f o r t h e management and exchange o f d a t a r e l a t e d t o t h e Great Lakes System. T r a d i t i o n a l l y , t h e Commission has depended p r i m a r i l y on t h e d a t a g a t h e r i n g a g e n c i e s i n each coun t ry f o r d a t a e s s e n t i a l t o t h e f u l f i l l m e n t o f its mandate. L i t t l e a t t e n t i o n has been p a i d t o c o o r d i n a t i o n o f t h i s a c t i v i t y o r t o o b t a i n i n g an exp re s s ion from its Boards on needs. These shortcomings r e s u l t e d i n t h e e s t ab l i shmen t o f g roups , such a s t h e Coord ina t ing Committee on Great Lakes Bas i c Hydraul ic and Hydrologic Data, t o provide t h e needed coo rd ina t ion . The method o f d a t a c o l l e c t i o n , compi la t ion and c o o r d i n a t i o n of t h e s e groups v a r i e d and g e n e r a l l y r e f l e c t e d t h e technology and g e n e r a l s e r v i c e demand e x i s t i n g a t t h e time. A s a r e s u l t , t h e r e were f r e q u e n t

occas ions when t h e d a t a were on ly marg ina l ly adequate o r a v a i l a b l e and l i t t l e a t t e n t i o n was pa id t o changing technology and p r o j e c t e d demands.

To f u r t h e r e v a l u a t e t h i s m a t t e r , t h e Board developed t h r e e s c e n a r i o s concern ing d a t a management: ( 1 ) independent evolut i .on o f t h e d a t a system wi th no I J C i n t e r a c t i o n ; ( 2 ) I J C i n t e r a c t i o n wi th t h e d a t a g a t h e r i n g agenc i e s t o o b t a i n a c e n t r a l i z e d p o i n t o f a c c e s s t o d a t a a s well a s t h e p l ann ing , c o o r d i n a t i o n and development o f an adequate and t i m e l y d a t a network; and (31 I J C e s t a b l i s h a c e n t r a l i z e d c l e a r i n g house f o r d a t a . The r e s u l t s o f t h e a n a l y s e s o f t h e above s c e n a r i o s showed t h a t ; t h e independent agency e v o l u t i o n (Scena r io 1 ) ma in t a in s an u n d e s i r a b l e s t a t u s quo, wi th no a s su rance of meet ing t h e needs o f t h e Boards o f t h e I J C and p o s s i b l e cont inued d u p l i c a t i o n of e f f o r t ; Scena r io 2 p rov ides t h e neces sa ry s t e p t o ensu re t h a t t h e I J C needs a r e known and met, reduces redundancy ( w h i l e no t i n f r i n g i n g on agency r e s p o n s i b i l i t y ) , and p rov ides f o r t h e focused s tudy and r e s e a r c h e f f o r t on t h e Great Lakes System, which was envis ioned by t h e Coord ina t ing Corn-i t tee on Grea t Lakes Bas i c Hydraul ic and Hydrologic Data and t h e c o s t s t o d e s i g n , implement, o p e r a t e and main ta in an independent d a t a bank (Scena r io 3 ) and c o o r d i n a t i o n c e n t r e i n each count ry a r e s u b s t a n t i a l and f u r t h e r , t h a t new d a t a management technology is making many t y p e s o f d a t a r e a d i l y a c c e s s a b l e v i a d a t a communication systems.

2. I n g e n e r a l , d a t a provided from t h e e x i s t i n g h y d r a u l i c , hyd ro log ic , and c l i m a t o l o g i c s t a t i o n networks t o t h e o p e r a t i o n a l Boards o f t h e I J C a r e -- -- cons idered adequate t o meet t h e i r c u r r e n t needs. However, r ea l - t ime d e l i v e r y o f t h e d a t a t o t h e u s e r s r e q u i r e s upgrading. Furthermore, s i g n i f i c a n t new requi rements f o r d a t a , d a t a sys tems , and a p p l i c a t i o n s o f new technology a r e p r o j e c t e d f o r t h e f u t u r e .

--- -. -- The Lakes S u p e r i o r and On ta r io r e g u l a t i o n p l a n s (P lan -;9fi and P l an 1958-

D ) used t o r e g u l a t e t h o s e Lakes r e q u i r e water l e v e l and f low d a t a from a l i m i t e d number o f s t a t i o n s l o c a t e d on t h e sho re s o f t h e Great Lakes and on t h e i r Connecting Channels. A s l ong a s t h e s e s t a t i o n s remain i n o p e r a t i o n , and i f t h e r e is no change i n t h e r e g u l a t i o n p l ans and/or procedures , t h e p r e s e n t network should s u f f i c e f o r t h e immediate f u t u r e .

Regula t ion d e c i s i o n s a r e based on t h e water l e v e l s o f t h e Lakes. Hydrologic and c l i m a t o l o g i c d a t a a r e n o t normally u sed , bu t a r e p e r i o d i c a l l y reviewed t o a s s e s s p o t e n t i a l water supply c o n d i t i o n s i n t h e c o n t r i b u t i n g a r ea s . If c o n d i t i o n s war ran t , d e v i a t i o n s from t h e o p e r a t i n g r u l e s can be recommended. The e x i s t i n g network is adequate f o r t h i s purpose. Th i s is no t t o s a y t h a t a d d i t i o n a l hydrometeoro logica l s t a t i o n s i n d a t a s p a r s e a r e a s would n o t improve t h i s e v a l u a t i o n . C u r r e n t l y , t h e d e l i v e r y o f c e r t a i n d a t a foll.ows a r a t h e r i n d i r e c t r o u t e from measurement p o i n t t o t h e u s e r . The u s e r s su rvey i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y o f t h e s e d a t a can be delayed by a s much a s 90 days. While such d e l a y s have n o t been cons idered s e r i o u s i n t h e p a s t , t h e y can reduce t h e a b i l i t y o f t h e Boards t o make complete , up-to-date assessments o f Bas in c o n d i t i o n s . Th i s s h o r t a g e of d a t a has prec luded t h e r ea l - t ime employment o f p r e d i c t i v e models i n r e g u l a t i o n d e c i s i o n s .

The Boards of the I J C were unanimous i n t h e i r conclusions t h a t present needs f o r hydrometeorologic and hydraul ic d a t a a r e being s a t i s f i e d , but most fo resee fu tu re needs t h a t w i l l r equ i re cons iderable improvement i n the a v a i l a b i l i t y of real- t ime d a t a from t h e e x i s t i n g systems. Paradoxica l ly , most of t h e agencies upon whom t h e Commission r e l i e s f o r da ta have i d e n t i f i e d c u r r e n t information d e f i c i e n c i e s i n t h e d a t a networks. Furthermore, these agencies confirm t h e need t o improve the real- t ime data de l ive ry c a p a b i l i t i e s and a l s o expand coverage f o r c e r t a i n d a t a networks.

This apparent paradox can be a t t r i b u t e d d i r e c t l y t o the non-par t ic ipa t ion of t h e Commission and its Boards i n t h e planning processes f o r t h e c o l l e c t i o n of hydrometeorologic and hydraul ic da ta . It seems evident t h a t t h e Commission's pass ive r o l e has worked t o t h e de t r iment of program development i n t h e da ta c o l l e c t i o n agencies support ing the I J C mission.

3. There is a shor tage of d a t a i n some a r e a s of t h e Basin on f a c t o r s such a s i c e cond i t ions , wind, waves, c u r r e n t s , evapo t ransp i ra t ion , p r e c i p i t a t i o n , water equ iva len t s o f snow pack, and s o i l moisture. The need f o r such d a t a has not been c r i t i c a l i n the pas t . However, a s water management problems rece ive g r e a t e r publ ic a t t e n t i o n and management techniques become more re f ined and r e l i a b l e , t h e r e w i l l be a c r u c i a l need f o r these types of da ta .

A s noted, t h e present r egu la t ion p lans i n opera t ion on Lake Super ior (Plan 1977) and Lake Ontar io (Plan 1958-D) r e q u i r e only up-to-date Lake l e v e l information i n formulat ing outflow decis ions . This information is genera l ly a v a i l a b l e on a real- t ime bas is . However, Plan 1977 a l s o eva lua tes t h e e f f e c t s of probable water supp l i e s t o minimize gate movements in t h e Compensating Works, t o provide f o r systemic b e n e f i t s t o downstream i n t e r e s t s and t o provide a s s teady a flow in t h e S t . Marys River as poss ib le . Current ly , a given water supply with a f ixed p r o b a b i l i t y is used i n t h i s evaluat ion . A major shor t - .- - -

coming in t h i s Plan , as w e l l a s Plan 1958-D, is t h a t it does not t ake i n t o cons ide ra t ion t h e hydrologic cond i t ions of t h e land por t ion of t h e Basin which, on t h e average, provides about one-half of t h e water supply t o t h e Great Lakes. P r e d i c t i v e models us ing c l ima te f o r e c a s t s and rea l - t ime d a t a t o r e f l e c t p o t e n t i a l runoff cond i t ions , could improve t h e water management of t h e System. The e x i s t i n g models have d i f f e r i n g d a t a requirements. Although t h e most s i g n i f i c a n t b e n e f i t s would be derived from accura te , long-term c l imate f o r e c a s t s (more than four months), models f o r water supply f o r e c a s t s could provide worthwhile b e n e f i t s . A review of da ta requirements f o r these models i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e r e is a need f o r real- t ime d a t a before these models a r e placed i n opera t ion . The p rec i se amount and charac te r has ye t t o be defined.

6.3 Conclusions

Based upon t h e above f ind ings t h e Board concludes t h a t :

1. The i n s t i t u t i o n a l arrangements among t h e Boards of t h e IJC, d a t a ga ther ing agencies , and o the r u s e r s , lack t h e cohesion and a u t h o r i t y needed t o make optimum use of t echno log ica l advances.

2. The need f o r real- t ime da ta f o r use by t h e Boards of t h e I J C and o the r agencies is growing. To meet t h i s need, many d a t a c o l l e c t i o n f a c i l i t i e s should be upgraded with s ta te-of- the-ar t equipment, new syn thes iz ing techniques, and improved repor t ing c a p a b i l i t i e s .

3. The refinement and opera t iona l use o f l a r g e Basin hydrologic models ( a v a i l a b l e o r being developed) is hampered by a l ack of real- t ime a c c e s s i b i l i t y t o da ta on e x i s t i n g Basin condi t ions . A need e x i s t s f o r e a r l y i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of d a t a requirements f o r f u t u r e opera t iona l p red ic t ion systems, and t o eva lua te t h e u t i l i t y o f new measurement technologies f o r p red ic t ion purposes.

6.4 Recommendations

Based upon the study repor ted he re in , t h e Board recommends:

1. Continual review and coordinat ion of t h e ever-changing needs of t h e Boards of the I J C and technologica l o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n l i g h t o f agency r e s p o n s i b l i t y , programs, and a b i l i t y t o d e l i v e r ;

2. Formal coordinat ion with da ta c o l l e c t i o n agencies ,to ensure t h a t present a n d f u t u r e t e c h n i c a l information needs of t h e Great l a k e s Boards and agencies in both c o u n t r i e s using i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y coordinated da ta a r e met;

3. Promotion of t h e development of c l ima te f o r e c a s t s ; and

4. Promotion of t h e development of p r e d i c t i v e l a r g e Basin water supply models.

To accomplish the above recommendations, t h e Board proposes t h a t t h e . I n t e r n a t i o n a l J o i n t Commission e s t a b l i s h a permanent " I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Technical Information Network Boardw t o provide an i n t e r n a t i o n a l mechanism f o r i n s t i t u t i o n a l coordinat ion between t h e o p e r a t i o n a l Boards of t h e I J C and agencies making s t u d i e s , ga ther ing and providing da ta on the System. This Board should a l s o assume t h e func t ions of t h e "Coordinating Committee on Great Lakes Basic Hydraulic and Hydrologic Dataw.

7 . . T h e Gov~rnn~r?ts o f Cana4a a n d t h e Unitecl S t a t c s h a ~ c f o r v i a r d e t i tile a t t a s h e i i ,Ref ~ : c c ~ ~ c c , C!~teci Y C ~ ~ L ' I I . I ~ ~ : / 2 1 , 1.577, r e q u e s t i n g t h e C o ~ r n i s s i o n p u r s u a n t t o A r t . i s i c I X of i ! ~ ? Zound?. ry :.!atctrs ? ' r c a t v of 1 3 0 9 , to provi(3c Gove r r . nc ; l t s ~5 t ! ~ a d v i c e a?(? r c c o n n c n c l a t i o n s o n ! .~nme t d a t a nect'ls in or : . :er t o a s s i s t tile G o v e r ~ g e n t s I n i;n?rov.:l ng t h e (;~'c,at T,.>:<es d a t a c o l l e c t ion ne tv :o r%.

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' p r e s c n t i y usecl a n d c 7 d v j . s ~ t h e Co! r ln i s s ion conce r - r l i nq t h c i t - ad r ?quacy a n d co inpa t j. hi. I. i. t y ; assess t h e a d e q u a c y nf tile (.Is t a c o l i e c t i o n s y s t e m *: l i th r e s y e c t t o c o v e r a g e and t i n c ? . y rcs?o:~sc; . a n d a c ? v i s C the Comn:i s s i o n concerning ch.a;lgcr; a n d zi idi t i o n s t o . t h e d a t a ncti.~orks requ i re : . : to a s s u r e t h a t t he n e t c o r a ! . o ~ i c , h:l<rologic and h y r l r a u l i c d a t a n e e d s - of the G r e a t J,al;cs S y s t e ~ ?

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7 . I n the cozd!~ct oC i t s i n v e s t i ~ a t i o n . r , .3r;il i n thc ?rcTara t ion of i t s r c p o r t s , the 3oard s l ~ o c l d n a k ? uze of informatio:l 2nd.;

. . t c c n n i c a l ij?.ta 3 v 2 i l a i 1 l e Lrcn officia: , l . g ene i e s n c othnr '

sources , 2nd s h a l l ti7l;c f I.I'~!- advantage oir' t he ?lor:/, .r?c~on?l-i~'::ed or hein? Gone !)\I ~ j : i ~ t . i ~ ~ g 3oarcls 0 2 tile Cornmiasinn dcaliing wit11 Great '1,a;ccs nci t tc rs .

8 . The Coarr' i l:~ili c o n s i s t of a United S t a t e s scctj .on anc-i a Canar.?ien s e c t (on, e ~ c i 1 i:avi !:q tilrcn n n ~ i ~ e r s . 7,. .!IF (20:n,.;1issi.cn v : i l l appoint one rncmiwr of each s ec t i on .to bc Cila;rn,:n of tile s e c t i o n . A t t h e rcqucs t' of ail!! nenher., t!lc Coxrr.i.ssior! may ?.?prove 3 n a l t e r n z t ? me3Ser t o a c t i n the p lace and stcail of such nzmSer ~ , t a s p e c i f i c meeting of the boa:^: ::henever k h e s a i d msrr.5cr7 fo r an;! cxcc?tional. reJson, i s not a v 3 i l ab l e . ,t=j - z , ;

.I- .' . act a s a nexixr of the Yoard.

. !.h .<

.- -\

3. Xen5ers of t i15 ?car:::, and of i t s Conr i t t e e s and 7 ;o rk i r . g Groups, 1.\7hether o r not ezploysd by d e $ a r t ~ e n t s c r aqt?ncizs of governnc:lt, a r c not r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e i r er;r._nlol,rcrs or o r g a n i z a t i c n s . Thcl? s a r v c i n t h e i r pzrconal and p ro fo s s ions l c a ? a c i t i e s unf7er t i le d i .rcctior, of the Cor?miss<.o!~. Their enp lcyers or o rgan i za t i ons a r c not coianitted in a n y T,,;ay by t h e z c t i o n s of t h e i n c l i v l c ~ ~ u a ~ menbers of tbc 3oa::d. .

1 0 . Tile Ch~i.rr?.en c;f tile two s e c t ions sha:i l . 1.e joS n t Chrrirr?cln , - - a

o f the Zoa::i! and .c,iIal.l bc responsib1.c. f o r rmintnining proper l i a i s o n Setveen tile Soard 2 n d t h e Comnission an!d I2etszeen t:?c?ir r e s7ec t i ve s e c t i o n s of t he noarrl a n d the corrcsponi'iing ~ e c ~ i o n r ' , of t he Conrn2ssion. I c i t i o n , the eC:i?.irnen ~;1a1_1 kee? t h e Com,mFssion cur rcntlj : inEorncd of , the S o a r d , ' ~ ogres.'; an6 of any devel.opmcnts',, act1ua.7. o r a n t i c i p a t e d , \;hicl: a r c Likely t o impede, d e l a y o r ot'!lcrvlise a f f c c t t h ~ ca r ry ing out cE the . - 1- Roard 's r z s p n s i b i l i k i c s . T h i s V i i ~ l . e n a b l e tile Comnission #-c L. ,a;;e sgch ac t i on a s nay 5c a n ~ r n 2 r i a t e t o the c i r c u a s t a ~ c c s f . . ~ j . t h~ l l t tGc c I t f l c 7 1 7 t h a t other1..7j.~n !.70uld occur vi!~iie t ! : ~ T?.CKIS~TS '

fani l i2 . r i ze ti~emse!.ve's v i t i1 the I)ac:~~gro~-~n.d oil t h e ;?ro:jierir. - 7 .

11. .Ezch C!~zirmcin s h a l l ensurcl t h a t t . h c c t h c r ;;1:2r15crr; of ills

s e c t i o n of t h e 2oa1:d a r e infnrncd of a1.L i n s t r u c t i o n s , i n q u i r i e s and a i l thor iza t ions received fr'on the Co:mis.sicn; ;i.Lso of a c t i v i t i e s undertaken by a: on bcilalf of t h e Boarc!, p rogress mac7.c and an17 clevclo?nents s E f e c t i n g S ~ A C ~ I p rogress .

13. T h e Goarc?. s ; la I I e s t a b l i s h suc l i Cn~.n j . ttt:er, as n3y rcq!-?j. r ed A- a s s i s t i t i n ca r ry ing ou t i t s respons i5 i .L i t i e s c 2 f ~ c t j . ~ ; ? ; y . . T h e d u t i c ! s 3r.d conposi t ion of t h e E',oari! s r ,~ ih-s t r~ ic t : l r c s;ila!-l. be devc?.Lo?etl j.17 c onsu l t a t i on v i t h t he Coinmission.

1 4 . T f , i n the opinion of tho Zcard, tMc;e i s a :.zck oC . . ' clar i t7 ; l o r precLs.loi7 i n a n y I r;.~t~:uci:i.on, d i r e c t i v e or

a u t h o r i z a t i o n received f rcx tile C ~ ~ ~ i r ; s i o n , th? xa::tcr sli.?.;L be r e f e r r e d ?ronptl.y t o the Conzi,ssion f s y ap?roFr ia te a c t i o n .

15, . Docunen t s , .Let ters , isc?norant.:a 2 n d corn~~;rij.ca;'ions of ?ily . . kind i n t h e o f f icia!. irccorrls of ?.he C(-mrni.ssion a r e p r ; v l l ~ ~ ~ 2 r l and hecorie ava i lr7bLe f o r ;-?ili>!. j . ~ i.l~E,ornaLLi~)n 01;l.y a f t e r re!-e?se;.:

, - T h e Cormi:;sion c o i ~ s i < c r s 24-i. r l ~ c u . ~ r r t s ~ r ? by t he C o ~ n i s s i o n . ..

the o f f i c i a l . records of the 2oar:'c ol' ,?:7;r .cf i t ! ; ;ccmmit t~~s tc be s i m i l a r 17 pr ivj.:ictqec?. .?ccc\r:,!ingly I -3.1.?. such C ! O C U ~ ~ Z ' ; S

s h a l l b e , so , i d e n t i f j.?<l. and gajntzinei! j.n separate Ci!-cs. ??hey s h a l l bzccme availab:Lc! f o r pilb.li.c in for^. zticzn o n l y ar'tr?:: Conmission apprcva:.

. ... 1 6 . I n i t s clealings 1 .1 i t i l tila nub l i c ;_7 i~(? t h e npv::.; r2edi.3, t h e Boarti sl?.z~ll observe the ~ r j n s i ? ! . c s ol' tklc ntt,lc'r,cil (iocuzcnt!:; on Puhl ic Ze l a t i ons Po.l.l.cy c:atcii 27 Ju . l .y , 'L373 .?~n:l 2 3 Se2tez1?crI . . 1374 of! t h e Cornxissicn 2:: ss??.lc?nentc~:l by- t h e provl.sions (?f tile--. s t u d y p la r ! oE the 3oa1:2 v h e n a?proved by tile Conniss io!~ .

Issue6 this 19th d a y cf Novcmi7crt J.979.

<Joint - S e c r e t a r i e s

David G. C!;ance

ANNEX B - LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

INTERNATIONAL GREAT LAKES TECHNICAL INFORMATION NETWORK BOARD

U.S. SECTION

B.G. DeCooke, Chairman .U.S. Army Corps of Engineers November 1979 to Completion

H.H. Barnes, Member U.S. Geological Survey November 1979 to Completion

F.H. Quinn, Member U.S. Department of Commerce November 1979 to Completion

R.E. Wilshaw, Secretary U.S. Army Corps of Engineers March 1980 to Completion

CANADIAN SECTION

D.F..Witherspoon, Chairman Environment Canada November 1979 to Completion

G.A. McKay, Member Atmospheric Environment Service November 1979 to Completion

B.J. Tait, Member Department of Fisheries and Oceans February 1982 to Completion

W.D. Forrester, Member Department of Fisheries and Oceans November 1979 to,December 1980

J.R. Kobinson, Secretary Environment Canada '!arch 1980 to Completion

IGLTINB - HYDRAULICS COMMITTEE

U.S. SECTION CANADIAN SECTION

P.C. Morris, Chairman U.S. Department of Commerce February 1981 to Completion

J.F. Bailey, Member U.S. Geological Survey February 1981 to Completion

R.E. Wilshaw, Member U.S. Army Corps of Engineers February 1981 to Completion

R.J. Moulton, Chairman Environment Canada June 1981 to Completion

M. Quast, Chairman Environment Canada February 1981 to June 1981

F. Sullivan, Member Environment Canada June 1981 to Completion

R. Walden, Member Environment Canada Februc;y 1981 to June 1981

D. St. Jacques Departwent of Fisheries and Oceans : ,,ebruary 1981 to Completion

ANNEX B - LIST OF PARTICIPANTS (CONT'D)

U.S. SECTION CANADIAN SECTION

S.P. Sauer, Chairman P.P. Yee, Chairman U.S. Geological Survey Environment Canada October 1982 to Completion March 1981 to Completion

J.E. Biesecker, Chairman U.S. Geological Survey February 1981 to June 1982

T.E. Croley 11, Member U.S. Department of Commerce February 1981 to Completion

A. Sauleslej a, Member Atmospheric Environment Service February 1981 to Completion

J. Eaton, Member Ontario Hydro Febraury 1981 to Completion

R.E. . Wilshaw, Member J.R. Robinson, Member U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environment Canada February 1981 to Completi?n Febrxry 1981 to Completion

A.J. Eberhardt, Member U.S. Army Corps of Engineers October 1981 to Completion

A. Coniglio, Member U.S. Army Corps of Engineers February 1981 to September 1981

A.S. Kachic U.S. Department of Commerce May 1981 to Completion

R. Myslik, Member Environment Canada ,.iay 1981 to Completion

R. Mann U.S. Department of Commerce February 1981 to May 1981

ANNEX B - LIST OF PARTICIPANTS (CONT'D)

U.S. SECTION

IGLTINB - SYSTEMS EVALUATION COMMITTEE

M.J. Todd, Chairman U.S. Army Corps of Engineers February 1981 to Completion

T.E. Croley 11, Member U.S. Department of Commerce February 1981 to Completion

W.O. Thomas, Member U.S. Geological Survey February 1981 to' Completion

R. Farnsworth, Member U.S. Department of Commerce February 1981 to Completinn

R. McPheters, Member U.S. Army Corps of Engineers May 1981 to Completion

J.W. Kangas, Secretary U. S. Army Corps of Engineers May 1981 to Completion

CANADIAN SECTION

T. Allsopp, Chairman Atmospheric Environment Service August 1982 to Completion

S. Lapczak, Chairman Atmospheric Environment Service February 1981 to July 1982

L. KU, Member :,Department of Fisheries and Oceans February 1981 to Completton

R. Myslik, Member Environment Canada Febr!~- ry 1981 to Completion

C. Stevens, Member Ontario Hydro gril 1982 to Completion

J. Ho, Member Ontario Hydro ,

February 1981 to April 1982

P.A. Bolduc, Member Department of .Fisheries and Oceans February 1981 to August 1981

ANNEX C - COORDINATINING COMMITTEE REPORTS

Lake On ta r i o Outflows 1860-1954, December 1958.

Establ ishment of I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Datum, 1955, P a r t I S t . Lawrence River and Lake On ta r i o , March 1959.

H i s t o r y of Water Level Gages i n t h e Great Lakes Area, Lake On ta r i o , September 1959.

Es tab l i shment of I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Datum (1955), September 1961.

H i s t o r y of Water Leve l Gauges, Lake On ta r i o and t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l S e c t i o n of t h e S t . Lawrence River , January 1962.

Lake Erie Outflows 1860-1964, June 1965.

H i s t o r y of Water Leve l Gauges, Lake Erie and t h e Niagara River , December 1969.

Lake Super io r Outflows 1860-1968, June 1970.

9. Lake Erie Outflows 1860-1964 w i th Addendum 1965-1975, June 1976.

10.: Coordinated Gheat Lakes P h y s i c a l Data, May 1977.

11. Apparent V e r t i c a l Movement over t h e Great Lakes, J u l y 1977.

12. -His to ry of Water Leve l Gauges, Upper Grea t Lakes and t h e S t . Clair - D e t r o i t R ivers , January 1978.

13. Establ ishment of I n t e r n a t i o n a l Great Lakes Datum (1955) , Second E d i t i o n , December 1979.

14. Lake Michigan - Huron Outflows, S t . Clair & D e t r o i t R ivers 1900-1978, December 1982.

ANNEX D - TERMINOLOGY (DEFINITION OF TERMS)

Data, Basic

Data, C o l l e c t i o n P la t fo rm (DCP)

Data, Communication

Data, Coordinat ion

Data, Derived

Data, Dissemination

Data, Logger

Data, Real-Time

Hydrometeorology

Micro Processor

Model, Computer o r A n a l y t i c a l

Model, Hydraulic

Network, Cl imatologic

Records of observat ion and measurements of phys ica l f a c t s , occurrences , and cond i t ions , a s they have occurred , excluding therefrom any m a t e r i a l o r infor- mation developed by means of computation o r e s t ima te .

A d a t a logging device which is used t o s t o r e d a t a and t r a n s m i t t o s a t e l l i t e v i a r ad io s i g n a l s .

A process whereby information i s t r ansmi t t ed from one po in t t o another i n a communications channel.

A process i n which der ived d a t a , such as s u p p l i e s , f lows, f o r e c a s t s , e t c . , a r e adopted f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l use.

Records of observat ions and measurements of physica l f a c t s , occurrences , and cond i t ions which have been developed from bas ic d a t a by means of s tandard methods of computation and es t imat ion .

A process by which d a t a a r e provided t o t h e users .

A dev ice which analyzes and/or s t o r e s the da ta .

Data which can be provided t o the use r immediately a f t e r being c o l l e c t e d a t a s t a t i o n .

A branch of sc ience concerned with the s tudy of the -

atmospheric and land phases of the hydrologica l cyc le , w i t h emphasis on the i n t e r r e l a t i o n s h i p s involved.

A computer chip or 'set-of chips t h a t perform t h e bas ic a r i t h m e t i c and l o g i c a l func t ions of a computer 's c e n t r a l processing u n i t .

A series of equat ions and mathematical terms based on phys ica l laws and s t a t i s t i c a l t h e o r i e s t h a t s imula te hydrologic o r hydraul ic processes ..

A small-scale reproduct ion of the prototype used i n s t u d i e s of sp i l lways , s t i l l i n g bas ins , f lood regula- t i o n , r i v e r beds, ' e t c .

A term used t o r e f e r t o all s t a t i o n s of a p a r t i c u l a r type , o r s t a t i o n p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n a s p e c i a l program i r r e s p e c t i v e of t h e i r type.

ANNEX D - .TERMINOLOGY ( Cont ' d ) (DEFINITION' OF TERMS)

Network, S t a t i on A s e t of s t a t i o n s from which da ta a r e adopted and used t o represent the region.

Recorder, Analog A device t h a t makes a continuous graph from the data co l l ec ted .

Recorder, D i g i t a l A device t h a t r e g i s t e r s the da ta a t a c e r t a i n prescr ibed i n t e rva l .

S a t e l l i t e Data An i n t e r f a c e between remote instruments which r e l ay Relay System d a t a through an e a r t h o rb i t i ng s a t e l l i t e to the point

of use.

Snow Course

Snow, Water Equivalent

S o i l Moisture Content

S t a t i o n , ~ l i m a t o l o ~ i c

S t a t i o n , Rjdrometric

S t a t i o n , Manual

S t a t i o n , p a r t i a l

S t a t i o n , P r i nc ipa l ( f i r s t order) Climatologic

S t a t i o n , Ordinary Climatologic

A permanently marked a rea where snow surveys a r e taken each year.

The depth of water which would r e s u l t from melting the snow cover over a given area.

P e l l i c u l a r water i n the s o i l area.

A gene ra l term which includes all s t a t i o n s repor t ing f o r c l imato log ic purposes. This includes synopt ic s t a t i o n s , both surface and upper a i r , ae ronau t ica l s t a t i o n s , and s t a t i o n s es tab l i shed pr imar i ly f o r c l i - matologic use.

A l o c a t i o n on a stream or conduit where measurements of d ischarge o r s t age a r e customarily made.

A l o c a t i o n where an operator is required t o observe and record the data.'"\

S t a t i o n t h a t does not c o l l e c t a l l standard meteorologic parameters, o r c o l l e c t s only peak discharge.

A c l tmato log ic s t a t i o n a t which observat ions a r e made a t l e a s t th ree times d a i l y i n add i t ion t o hourly t abu l a t i on from autographic records. An hourly obser- v a t i o n usua l ly includes: sky condi t ion, v i s i b i l i t y , weather and obs t ruc t ions t o v i s i on , atmospheric p ressure , d ry bulb temperature, dew point temperature, wind speed and d i r ec t i on , cloud height and type.

A cl imato%ogic s t a t i o n a t which observations a r e made a t l e a s t once d a i l y , including d a i l y readings of extreme temperature and of amount of p r ec ip i t a t i on .

Telemetry

ANNEX D - TERMINOLOGY (Cont 'd) (DEFINITION OF TERMS)

The measurement by automated appa ra tus , of some hydrometeorologic parameter and t r a n s m i t t a l of r e s u l t t o a d i s t a n t s t a t i o n and t h e r e i n d i c a t i n g o r recording t h e q u a n t i t y measured.

ANNEX D - TERMINOLOGY (Acronyms )

AES - Atmospheric Environment Service CHS - Canadian Hydrographic Service COE - U. S. Army Corps of Engineers DCP - Data Collection Platform DFO - Department of Fisheries and Oceans DOE - Department of Environment ESEC - Edison Sault Electric Company GLBC - Great Lakes Basin Commission GLERL - Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab GLPL - Great Lakes Power Limited GOES - Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite GTS - Global Telecomunications System IGLD - International Great Lakes Datum

IGLLB - International Great Lakes Levels Board

IGLTINB - International Great Lakes Technical Information Network Board IJC - International Joint Commission IWD - Inland Waters Directorate

MEDS - Marine Environmental Data Services Branch NCD - North Central Division

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOS - National Ocean Service NWS - National Weather Service

OH - Ontario Hydro

USGS - U.S. Geological Survey WMO - World Meteorological Organization

WRB - Water Resources Branch

WSC - Water Survey of Canada

ANNEX E - CONVERSION FACTORS* (METRIC TO BRITISH UNITS)

1 cubic metre per second (cms) = 35.31 cubic feet per second (cfs)

1 cms-month = 35.31 cfs-month

1 . metre = 3.28 feet

1 centimetre = 0.39 inches

1 kilometre = 0.62 statute miles

1 kilogram = 0.00110 short tons

1 square kilometre = 0.386 square mile

1 cubic kilometre = 0.24 cubic mile

Temperature in O F = 1.8 x O C + 32

1 litre = 0.22 British gallons or 0.26 U.S. gallons.

*Note that the conversion factors shown here are approximate only.