Publications and Presentations

Journal Publications and Conference Proceedings

Beaton,A.D., Han, M., Tolson, B.A., Buttle, J.A., and Metcalfe, R.A., 2024. Assessing the impact of distributed snow water equivalent calibration and assimilation of Copernicus snow water equivalent on modelled snow and streamflow performance. Hydrological Processes  38(2)  https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.15075

Beaton, A.D., Metcalfe, R.A., Buttle, J.M. and Franklin, S.E., 2024. Using field-based, photogrammetric point cloud, orthophoto and LiDAR-derived metrics to assess forest structure–snowpack relationships in the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Forest region. Canadian Water Resources Journal 48(4) https://doi.org/10.1080/07011784.2024.2312301

LeGrand, M.C.L., Luce, J.J., Metcalfe, R.A., and Buttle, J.M., 2020. Development of an inexpensive automated streamflow monitoring system. Hydrological Processes 34 (13): 3021-3023 https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13783

Beaton, A.D., Metcalfe, R.A., Buttle, J.M. and Franklin, S.E., 2019. Investigating snowpack across scale in the northern Great Lakes - St. Lawrence forest region of Central Ontario, Canada. Hydrological Processes 33(26) https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13558

Metcalfe, R.A., Petzold, H., Luce, J.J. & Buttle, J.M, 2019. Evaluating seasonal and regional calibration of temperature-based methods for estimating potential evaporation in Ontario. Canadian Water Resources Journal 44(1): 2-21 https://doi.org/10.1080/07011784.2018.1493399 

Nadon, M.J, Metcalfe, R.A., Williams, C.J., Somers, K.M., Xenopoulos, M.A., 2015. Assessing the effects of dams and waterpower facilities on riverine dissolved organic matter composition. Hydrobiologia 744 (1), pp 145-164. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-2069-0 

Samuel, J., Coulibaly, P., Metcalfe, R., 2013. Continuous Simulation of Low Flows for Hydropower Development in Ontario, Canada. In: Runoff Prediction in Ungauged Basins Synthesis across Processes, Places and Scales. Bloschl, G., Sivapalan, M., Viglione, A., Wagener, T., H. Savenije, (Eds). Cambridge University Press, UK. 484 pp. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139235761.014

Oni, S.K. , Dillon, P.J., Metcalfe, R.A. , and Futter, M.N. , 2012. Dynamic Modelling of the Impact of Climate Change and Power Flow Management Options using STELLA: Application to the Steephill Falls Reservoir, Ontario, Canada. Canadian Water Resources Journal 37(2): 125-148. https://doi.org/10.4296/cwrj3702831

Samuel, J., Coulibaly, P., and Metcalfe, R.A., 2012. Evaluation of Future Flow Variability in Ungauged Basins: Validation of Combined Methods. Advances in Water Resources 35: 121-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2011.09.015

Samuel, J., Coulibaly, P., and Metcalfe, R., 2012. Identification of Rainfall-Runoff Model for Improved Baseflow Estimation in Ungauged Basins. Hydrological Processes 26(3): 356-366. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.8133

White, M. S., Xenopoulos, M. A., Metcalfe, R. A., and Somers, K. M., 2011. Water level thresholds of benthic macroinvertebrate richness, structure and function of boreal lake stony littoral habitats. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 68: 1695-1704. https://doi.org/10.1139/f2011-094

Smokorowski, K.E., Metcalfe, R.A., Finucan, S.D., Jones, N., Marty, J., Power, M., Pyrce, R.S., Steele, R., 2011. Ecosystem level assessment of environmentally-based flow restrictions for maintaining ecosystem integrity: a comparison of a modified peaking vs. unaltered river. Ecohydrology 4(6): 791-806. https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.167

Samuel, J., Coulibaly, P., and Metcalfe, R., 2010. Estimation of Continuous Streamflow in Ontario Ungauged Basins: Comparison of Regionalization Methods. ASCE Journal of Hydrologic Engineering 16(5): 447-459. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000338

White, M. S., Xenopoulos, M. A., Metcalfe, R. A., Somers, K. M., 2010. On the role of natural water level fluctuation in structuring littoral benthic macroinvertebrate community composition in lakes. Limnology & Oceanography 55 (6): 2275-2284. https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2010.55.6.2275 

Smokorowski, K.E., Metcalfe, R.A., Jones, N., Marty, J., Niu, S., and Pyrce, R., 2009. Studying ramping rate restrictions. Hydro Review, July 2009, 68-87.

White, M.S., Xenopoulos, M. A., Hogsden, K., Metcalfe, R. A., and Dillon, P. J., 2008. Natural lake level fluctuation and associated concordance with water quality and aquatic communities within small lakes of the Laurentian Great Lakes region. Hydrobiologia 613: 21-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9469-y 

Metcalfe, R.A., Chang, C., and Smakhtin, V., 2005. Tools to support the implementation of environmentally sustainable flow regimes at Ontario’s waterpower facilities. Canadian Water Resources Journal 30: 97-110. https://doi.org/10.4296/cwrj3002097

Metcalfe, R.A., and Buttle, J.M., 2001. Soil partitioning and surface store controls on spring runoff from a boreal forest peatland basin in north-central Manitoba, Canada. Hydrological Processes 15, 2305-2324. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.262 

Buttle, J.M., and Metcalfe, R.A., 2000. Boreal forest disturbance and streamflow response, northeastern Ontario. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 57 (Suppl. 2), 5-18. https://doi.org/10.1139/f00-107

Metcalfe, R.A., and Buttle, J.M., 1999. Semi-distributed water balance dynamics in a small boreal forest basin. Journal of Hydrology 226, 66-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1694(99)00156-0

Metcalfe, R.A., and Buttle, J.M., 1998. A statistical model of spatially distributed snowmelt rates in a boreal forest basin. Hydrological Processes 12, 1701-1722. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1085(199808/09)12:10/11<1701::AID-HYP690>3.0.CO;2-D 

Metcalfe, R.A., and Buttle, J.M., 1997. Spatially-distributed snowmelt rates in a boreal forest basin. Proceedings, joint meeting of the CGU-Hydrology Section, Western Snow Conference and Eastern Snow Conference, Banff, Alberta, May 4-8, 1997.

Metcalfe, R.A., and Buttle, J.M., 1996. Controls of Canopy Structure on Snowmelt Rates in the Boreal Forest. Proceedings of the 52nd Eastern Snow Conference, Toronto, Ontario, June 1995, pp. 249-257.

Peer-reviewed Reports

DeBues, M.J., R.A. Metcalfe and J.J. Luce. 2023. Ontario’s water availability in a changing climate: Projections of future change in mean annual runoff and aridity index. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Science and Research Branch, Peterborough, ON. Climate Change Research Report CCRR-56. 31 p. + appendices.

Fernandes, R.A., Bariciak, T., Prévost, C., Yao, H., Field, T., McConnell, C., Luce, J., and Metcalfe, R., 2019. Method for measurement of snow depth using time-lapse photography; Geomatics Canada, Open File 47, 36 p. https://doi.org/10.4095/314726 

Metcalfe, R.A., J. English and J.J. Luce. 2018. Variability and trends in seasonal snow cover in Ontario from 1980 to 2010 detected using remote sensing. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Science and Research Branch, Peterborough, ON. Climate Change Research Report CCRR-50. 27 p. + appendices.

English, James, James J. Luce and Robert A. Metcalfe. 2017. OTT Pluvio2 L totalizing precipitation gauge: Site selection, installation, and maintenance. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Science and Research Branch, Peterborough, ON. Science and Research Technical Manual TM-04. 30 p.

English, James and Robert A. Metcalfe. 2017. CS725 Snow water equivalent sensor: Site selection, installation, calibration, maintenance, reliability, and data quality. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Science and Research Branch, Peterborough, ON. Science and Research Technical Manual TM-03. 23 p.

Reid, S.M., Brown, S., Haxton, T., Luce, J., and Metcalfe, R.A., 2016. Habitat Modelling in Support of the Recovery of Channel Darter (Percina copelandi) Populations along the Trent River, Ontario. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2016/043. v + 28 p.

Brown, S., and Metcalfe, R.A., 2014. The slope-area method for estimating continuous discharge. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 13p.

Luce, J.J., and Metcalfe, R.A., 2014. An Investigation of the Effects of the 2000 Rule Curve Change on the Rainy River Hydrologic and Hydraulic Regime. Prepared for the International Joint Committee (IJC) to support the 2009 Plan of Study (POS) for the Evaluation of the 2000 Rule Curve Changes for Rainy and Namakan Lakes and Rainy River, 122 pp.

Reports and manuals

DeBues, M.J., and Metcalfe, R.A., 2021. Review of Canadian provincial and territorial snow monitoring network designs. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Science and Research Branch, Peterborough, ON. Science and Research Information Report IR-21. 23 p.

Metcalfe, R.A., Mackereth, R.W., Grantham, B., Jones, N., Pyrce, R.S., Haxton, T., Luce, J.J., and Stainton, R., 2013. Aquatic Ecosystem Assessments for Rivers. Science and Research Branch, Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, Ontario. 210 pp.

Metcalfe, R.A., Schmidt, B., Pyrce, R., 2005. A surface water quality threats assessment method using baseflow and landscape indices. Watershed pilot project report prepared for the Ministry of Natural Resources, Peterborough, Ontario, 42 pp.

Fernandez, C.E., and Metcalfe, R.A., 2004. Methodologies for adjusting flow and level regimes at waterpower facilities during low flow conditions. Waterpower Project Science Transfer Report 3.0, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 18 pp.

Fernandez, C.E., Metcalfe, R.A., Staples, P., Middel, K., and Schmidt, B., 2004. Ontario’s Waterpower Potential: An update (2004). WSC Report No. 03-2004, Watershed Science Centre, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, 69 pp.

Metcalfe, R.A., Smakhtin, V.Y., and Krezek, C., 2003. Simulating and Characterising Natural Flow Regimes. Waterpower Project Science Transfer Report 1.0, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 14 pp.

OMNR, 2002. The Waterpower Science Strategy: Understanding Stream Processes and the Effects of Altered Flow Regimes on Riverine Ecosystems, 38 pp.

Metcalfe, R.A., Buttle, J.M., and House, D.A., 2000. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the hydrometric network for assessing low flow conditions in Ontario. Prepared for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Watershed Science Centre, Peterborough, Ontario. 51p + Appendices.

Buttle, J.M., R.A. Metcalfe, A. Story and H. Wilson (1998), Hydrologic Conditions, Forest Management and Forest Disturbance History of the Moose River Basin, for the Moose River Basin Environmental Information Partnership, Northeast Region, Ontario Minsitry of Natural Resources, 133 pp + appendices.

Conference Presentations

Shen, H., Tolson, B.A., Craig, J.R., Metcalfe, R.A., Romero Cuellar, J., and Han, M., 2025. Streamflow Alteration Index (SAI): Mapping Flow Alteration for Improved Hydrological Modeling Calibration. Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) National Conference, May 25-29, Penticton, B.C.

Tolson, B.A., Shen, H., Han, M., Revel, M. Craig, J.R., Metcalfe, R.A., Tucker, M.G., 2025. Ontario Hydrological Modelling Assessment Project: Contrasting Alternative Streamflow Simulation Models. Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) National Conference, May 25-29, Penticton, B.C.  

Metcalfe, R.A, and Whitfield, P., 2025. Status and Trends in Canadian Waters. Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) National Conference, May 25-29, Penticton, B.C. 

Shen, H., Tolson, B.A, Craig, J.R., Metcalfe, R., and Romero Cuellar, J.. 2025. Streamflow Alteration Index (SAI): Mapping Dam and Reservoir Impacts on Streamflow for Improved Hydrological Modeling. EGU General Assembly 2025, Vienna, Austria, 27 Apr–2 May 2025, EGU25-12698, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-12698.

Revel, M., Tolson, B., Han, M., Metcalfe, R., and J.R. Craig, 2024. Satellite Data Integration in Hydrological Modeling: Assessing the Canadian Shield Watershed's Lake Dynamics. Presented at the American Geophysical Union meeting, Washington DC., December 9-13.

Bessar, M.A., Gaborit, É, Antcil, F., Fortin, V., Matte, P., Dabboor, M., and Metcalfe, R.A., 2022. Plus-value du satellite SWOT pour la prévision hydrologique Canadienne. Quebec Hydrology Research Symposium (RHQ) 22, Québec, May 5-6, 2022. 

Metcalfe, R.A., 2014. Assessing changes in an altered flow regime with daily and sub-daily variability. Presented at the CGU Annual Scientific Meeting, May 4-7 Banff, Alberta.

Han, M., Shen, H., Tolson, B.A., and Metcalfe, R.A., 2022. The Ontario Lake and River Routing Product. Presentation at the Canadian Water Resources Association's National Conference, Canmore, Alberta, June 6. 

Han, M., Tolson, B.A., and Metcalfe, R.A., 2021. Calibrating the Raven hydrological model to a dense network of continuously monitored natural lake levels on the Petawawa River Watershed, Presentation at the Canadian Water Resources Association's National Conference, June 3.

Metcalfe, R.A, Luce, J.J., Petzold, H., Greenwood, W., Buttle, J.M., English, J., and Beaton, A., 2016. Using Water Balance Dynamics to Identify Vulnerabilities to Climate Change, National Symposium on Climate Change Adaptation, April 12, 2016, Ottawa.

Metcalfe, R.A., 2014. Assessing changes in an altered flow regime with daily and sub-daily variability. Presented at the CGU Annual Scientific Meeting, May 4-7 Banff, Alberta.

Gaskin, J., Rennie, C., and Metcalfe, R.A., 2008. Influence of hydropeaking on sediment suspension. Presented at the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, August 17-21, Ottawa, Ontario.

White, M.S., Xenopoulos, M. A., Metcalfe, R. A. Somers, K., 2008. Water level fluctuation, characterization and concordance in large Boreal Shield lakes. Presented at the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, summer meeting, St. John's, Newfoundland.

White, M.S., Xenopoulos, M. A., Metcalfe, R. A. Somers, K., 2008. Characterizing water level fluctuations in large lakes of Ontario. Presented at the International Association of Great Lakes Research, 51st annual conference, Peterborough, Ontario.

White, M.S., Xenopoulos, M. A., Metcalfe, R. A. Somers, K., 2008. Characterizing water level fluctuations of Ontario's Boreal Shield lakes. presented at the International Conference on the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence River Ecosystem – Managing Ecosystems Regulated Rivers and Watersheds, 15th annual meeting, Cornwall, Ontario.

Metcalfe, R.A., 2008. The Magpie River Ramping Study: Physical responses to flow alteration. Poser presented at Flow 2008: Interdisciplinary Solutions to Instream Flow Problems, October 6-9, San Antonio, Texas.

Pyrce, R.S., Finucan, S.D. and Metcalfe R.A., 2007. Spillways, diversions, and ramping – regulated river challenges in northeastern Ontario. Poster presented at the CANQUA (Canadian Quaternary Association) Annual Conference, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, June 4-8, 2007.

Metcalfe, R.A., 2007. Impacts of waterpower peaking on physical riverine processes and implications for setting environmental flows. Presented at the CMOS-CGU-AMS Congress, May 28 - June 1, St. John’s, Newfoundland.

White, M.S. , Xenopoulos, M. A., Metcalfe, R. A., Somers, K., 2007. The effect of hydroelectric reservoir draw-down on benthic macroinvertebrate communities of stony littoral habitats (an application of the reference condition approach). Presented at the North American Benthological Society, annual meeting, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.

White, M.S. , Xenopoulos, M. A., Metcalfe, R. A., Somers, K., 2007. The effect of hydroelectric reservoir draw-down on benthic macroinvertebrate communities of stony littoral habitats (an application of the reference condition approach). Society of Canadian Limnologists, 2007 Annual Meeting, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Smokorowski, K.E., Metcalfe, R.A., Jones, N., Finucan, S., and Steele, R. 2006. Balancing ecological and energy objectives: The Magpie River ramping study. DFO National Science Workshop. November 21-23, Mont Joli, QC.

Metcalfe, R.A.,Pyrce, R.S., and Finucan, S.D., 2006. The Magpie River Ramping Study: Fluvial geomorphic responses to hydrologic alteration. Poster presented at the Canadian Geophysical Union Annual Meeting, Banff, Alberta, May 14-17, 2006.

Smokorowski, K.E., Metcalfe, R.A., Jones, N., and Finucan, S.D., 2006. Magpie River Ramping Study: Testing the effects of rapid flow changes on downstream ecology. Presented at the 59th Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research, 5-7 January, 2006 Calgary, Alberta.

White, M. S., Xenopoulos, M. A., Hogsden, K., Metcalfe, R. A., and Dillon, P. J., 2005. Natural lake level fluctuation and associated effects on water quality and aquatic communities within small lakes of the Laurentian Great Lakes region. Presented at, Water level fluctuations in lacustrine systems – ecological impacts and prospects of future climate change, December 11-13, 2005 University of Konstanz (Germany).

Hogsden, K., Xenopoulos, M.A., Metcalfe, R.A., and Dillon, P.J, 2005. Lake level effects on aquatic communities and water quality in Ontario, Canada: Comparison with regulated lakes. Presented at the Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Montreal, August 2005.

Stainton, R., and Metcalfe, R.A., 2005. Identifying potential reference basins in Ontario for longterm hydro-ecological monitoring for studying climate change and impacts of flow regulation. Poster presented at the Canadian Geophysical Union Annual Meeting, Banff, Alberta, May 8-11, 2005.

Metcalfe, R.A., Schmidt, B., and Buttle, J., 2004. A surface water quality susceptibility index derived from baseflow and landscape indices. Poster presented at the 11th Annual A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium, Alliston, Ontario, November 17-19, 2004.

Metcalfe, R.A., Schmidt, B., 2003. Rapid assessment of potential surface water conditions using baseflow and landscape indices. Poster presented at the 10th Annual A.D. Latornell Conservation Symposium, Alliston, Ontario, November 17-19, 2003.

Metcalfe, R.A., and Buttle, J.M., 2000. Soil partitioning and surface store controls on runoff from a boreal forest peatland basin. Poster presentated at the 26th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Geophysical Union, Banff, Alberta, May 23-27.

Metcalfe, R.A., and Buttle, J.M., 1999. Runoff processes and semi-distributed water balance dynamics in a small boreal forest watershed. Presented at the 25th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Geophysical Union, Banff, May 9-13.

Metcalfe, R.A., and Buttle, J.M., 1997. Spatially-distributed snowmelt rates in a boreal forest basin. Presented at the joint meeting of the CGU-Hydrology Section, Western Snow Conference and Eastern Snow Conference, Banff, Alberta, May 4-8.

Metcalfe, R.A., and Buttle, J.M., 1995. Canopy Structure Controls on Snowmelt Rates in the Boreal Forest. Presented at the 52nd Eastern Snow Conference, Toronto, Ontario, June 1995.

Metcalfe, R.A., English, M.C., Collins, D.N., 1992. Flow routing and flow component separations during precipitation events on Gornergletscher, Switzerland. EOS Transactions, Vol. 73, No. 14, pp. 105 (abstract from a presentation given at the 1992 Spring meeting of the American Geophysical Union, Canadian Geophysical Union and Mineralogical Society of America, May 12-16, Montreal).

Metcalfe, R.A., English, M.C. and Collins, D.N., 1991. Hydrologic investigations of two temperate alpine glaciers using hydrochemistry and isotopic analyses. In, Proceedings: The Canadian Association of Geographers 1991 Annual Meeting, Kingston, Ontario, June 3 - June 8, pp. 131 (abstract).