Exchange flow between Hamilton Harbour and Cootes Paradise

The flow between Hamilton Harbour and Cootes Paradise was monitored from Ap ril until December 1997 to provide background information for the operation of a fishway in the connecting channel. The flow was highly variable, and changed direction several times each day. Comparison with local meteorologi cal and water level data revealed several interesting features. Outflow eve nts of 4 hours or greater in duration were typically preceded by winds from the east usually lasting at least 6 hours. Similarly inflow events longer than 4 hours were typically preceded by westerly winds for at least 6 hours . There was evidence of diurnal and semi-diurnal flow reversals and of free surface oscillations of Lake Ontario, but not of Helmholtz resonance betwe en Hamilton Harbour and the lake nor of exchange flow resonance between the harbor and Cootes Paradise.