Mass balance modeling for planning contaminant loading and remediation techniques on a watershed scale

Many agencies and stakeholders in the Regional Municipality of Hamilton-Wentworth have long recognized the need for watershed planning, particularly for the Red Hill Creek watershed, located in the City of Hamilton's east end. Watershed planning allows for comprehensive and holistic assessment of resources, impacts and mitigation. In 1996, the Region initiated Phase One Data Collection activities to support the preparation of a watershed plan, formally initiated in 1997 to be completed by mid-1998. The watershed plan focused on a series of action plans addressing issues and concerns raised by stakeholders and agencies. A multi-disciplinary team of experts and stakeholders addressed a comprehensive list of areas including fisheries, terrestrial resources, surface and groundwater characteristics and quality, stream morphology, cultural heritage, air quality, and contaminant sources. Methods were developed to define the current state of the watershed, as well as to evaluate the changes arising from future activity. This chapter focuses on how in-stream water quality was assessed under the various land use and management conditions considered.