Applying the Ontario Lakeshore Capacity Model to Lakes in Nova Scotia

The Ontario Lakeshore Capacity model (LCM) has been widely and successfully used for over 30 years. Water quality models such as the LCM are useful and important tools that can provide invaluable insights into past and future lake trophic status. This information can then be used to maintain water quality during future development, and to set realistic remediation goals. The LCM is simple and robust, making it an ideal candidate to study and test applications in different geographical regions. In this book, total phosphorus and volume-weighted hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen concentrations were modelled to identify changes in lake trophic status, shoreline development capacities and coldwater fish habitat. Preliminary sensitivity and uncertainty analyses were also conducted and outlined, so that proper result interpretation is possible; one of the most important aspects of scientific modelling. Through the research described in this book, the reader will not only understand the purpose and value of modelling, but should be able to comprehend the inner-workings of the LCM.