Connecting past, present, and future trends of hydraulic and phosphorus loading in the Bay of Quinte tributaries, Ontario, Canada

The Bay of Quinte watershed, located on the northeastern shore of Lake Ontario, Canada. Special focus is placed on the Napanee River and Wilton Creek catchments, where the presence of a subterranean network of conduits that facilitate groundwater-surface water interactions is conducive to an increase in the delivery of nutrients during storm events and can exacerbate the risk of eutrophication. Development of a rigorous modelling framework that can advance our understanding of past and present trends of streamflow and tributary phosphorus (P) concentration and loads. We also analyze future streamflow rates and P export trends in order to guide the long-term watershed management in the area. Our analysis is carried out through a comprehensive combination of data-driven and process-based models. Retrospective analysis provides evidence of a recent increase in the impact of nonpoint-source P pollution. General Circulation Models suggest a future increase in both temperature minima and maxima relative to present conditions (2002–2018). Precipitation projections are indicative of increased frequency of occurrence of high extreme precipitation events during the summer and mid-fall, when the Bay of Quinte is more susceptible to undesirable ecological shifts. Our study predicts a seasonality shift in the streamflow, with the spring freshet occurring earlier in the year accompanied by higher flow rates in the local creeks for the winter and early spring. We also examined the relationship between precipitation and streamflow across varying levels of flow regulation. Our analysis indicates that our predictive capacity declines with increased flow regulation as well as when streamflow rates are predicted by contemporaneous precipitation values. [Display omitted] •A unique ensemble of models is employed in the eutrophic Bay of Quinte.•Retrospective analysis of riverine P signifies the success in mitigating point-source loading.•GCMs predict that the area will experience an increase in both temperature minima and maxima.•Frequency of summer and mid-fall extreme precipitation events is projected to increase.•Spring freshet will occur earlier, but may not be conducive to stimulating the primary productivity.