Glacial Geology of Sask - University of Saskatchewan

GLACIAL GEOLOGY OF SOUTHERN SASKATCHEWAN
E.A. Christiansen, P. Eng., P. Geo., 48 Weir Crescent, Saskatoon, SK
B.J. Schmid, Saskatchewan Research Council / University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
ABSTRACT
The glacial geology of southern Saskatchewan will be considered under three sections: namely stratigraphy,
geological processes and groundwater occurrence. Sequence stratigraphy is the technique utilized to separate and
map stratigraphic units. A sequence is “A relatively conformable succession of genetically related strata bounded by
unconformities”. Unconformities are defined as surfaces of erosion or nondeposition that represent gaps in geologic
time. In Saskatchewan, these unconformities are indicated by oxidized zones and carbonate content of the tills
(lithology). These sequences are called formations which are composed of till and associated stratified deposits.
Formations are combined into groups and divided into members.
Geological processes considered here include: (1) outwash of stratified sediments derived from melting glaciers, (2)
inwash of deltaic stratified sediments deposited from extraglacial streams, and (3) salt collapse structures which
occurred during the last glaciation about 20,000 years ago.
In Saskatchewan, significant groundwater resources occur in the preglacial Tyner and Battleford bedrock valleys and
associated Tessier, Fielding, Dalmeny, and Forestry Farm aquifers in the Floral Formation. Significant groundwater
resources also occur in the Hatfield bedrock valley aquifer which extends across Saskatchewan.
RÉSUMÉ
La géologie glaciaire de la Saskatchewan sera examinée en trois sections: stratigraphie, processus géologiques, et
présence de nappes phréatiques. La stratigraphie en séquences est la technique utilisée pour séparer et mapper les
unités stratigraphiques. Une séquence est “une succession relativement concordante de strates génétiquement
apparentés et bornés par des discordances”. On définit les discordances comme des surfaces d’érosion ou de nondépôt représentant des brèches dans le temps géologique. En Saskatchewan, ces discordances sont signalées par des
zones oxydées et par le contenu en carbonate de l’argile à blocaux (lithologie). Ces séquences, appelées formations,
sont composées d’argile à blocaux et autres gisements stratifiés. Les formations sont combinées en groupes et
divisées en membres.
Les processus géologiques étudiés ici comprennent: (1) l’épandage de sédiments stratifiés provenant de la fonte des
glaciers, (2) la rétention de sédiments stratifiés deltaïques déposés par les cours d’eau extraglaciaires, et (3) les
structures d’effondrement qui prirent place pendant la dernière glaciation, il y a environ 20 000 ans.
En Saskatchewan, des ressources phréatiques importantes existent dans les vallées préglaciaires à socle rocheux de
Tyner et de Battleford, ainsi que dans les aquifères annexes de Tessier, Fielding, Dalmeny et Forestry Farm, dans la
Formation Florale. Des ressources phréatiques importantes existent également dans l’aquifère sur roche-mère de la
vallée Hatfield, qui s’étend sur toute la Saskatchewan.
1.
INTRODUCTION
In considering the subject of geology of glacial deposits
in southern Saskatchewan (Fig. 1), the following subjects
of (1) stratigraphy; (2) geological processes including
outwash and inwash of stratified deposits, and salt
collapse; and (3) the occurrence of groundwater will be
discussed.
2.
STRATIGRAPHY
2.1
Introduction
In dealing with the stratigraphy of glacial deposits, the
use of the sequence stratigraphy approach, a technique
used commonly in the petroleum industry, will be utilized.
A sequence is “A relatively conformable succession of
genetically related strata bounded by unconformities”
(Mitchum 1977). An unconformity is a surface of erosion
or nondeposition that represents a time gap in the
geologic record. The stratigraphic unit formation is used
here to classify tills and their associated stratified
deposits, and like sequences, formations are bounded by
unconformities. Formations are defined primarily on the
basis of the nature of the tills which have unique
lithologies and stratigraphic position. In Saskatchewan,
carbonate content is the most distinct criterion in
identifying tills.
Because of the paucity of thick
exposures of glacial deposits, geologic interpretations are
based almost entirely on boreholes and geophysical logs
(Table 1).
2.2
Bedrock surface
The bedrock surface is normally located between the
bedrock and the overlying glacial deposits (drift). In the
preglacial Tyner and Battleford valleys, however, the
bedrock surface is located between Cretaceous bedrock
and overlying preglacial gravels (see Empress Group
below).
which include igneous, metamorphic, and carbonate
clasts (Fig. 13). The lower unit is restricted to fills in
preglacial valleys, whereas the upper unit occurs in both
preglacial valleys and upland areas. The basal contact
of the Empress Group is an erosional unconformity.
2.6.2
2.3
The stratigraphic interpretation is based on more than
3000 rotary-drill (Fig. 2) boreholes, all of which have
driller’s logs and electric logs; some of which have rotary
cutting samples (Fig. 3) and side-wall cores (Figs. 4, 5);
and about 200 boreholes have the additional gamma-ray
and calliper geophysical logs (Fig. 6). Carbonate content
was determined on all cuttings and cores. The main
contributors to this data bank are Saskatchewan
Research Council, Saskatchewan Highways and
Transportation, and Saskatchewan Institute of Pedology.
2.4
Compilation of borehole logs
The borehole log (Fig. 6) at the Sutherland overpass
along Highway 5 in Saskatoon exhibits gamma-ray,
electric, and calliper geophysical logs; carbonate content
of selected rotary cutting and drive-core samples; and
geologic descriptions of the cutting and core samples. A
geologic strip log is shown in the center of the log, and
the oxidized zones are shown as black bars to the right of
the strip log.
2.5
The role of oxidized zones
Oxidized zones form when gray ferrous iron oxidizes to
brown ferric iron. Oxidized zones are the most common
indicator of weathering. The top of oxidized zones are
unconformities (Figs. 7-10). According to Christiansen
(1992), stratified deposits are associated with till as
follows. (1) “If an intertill deposit is oxidized and the
overlying till is unoxidized (Fig. 7), the intertill deposit is
associated with the underlying till. (2) If an intertill
deposit is unoxidized, and the underlying till is oxidized
(Fig. 8), the intertill deposit is associated with the
overlying till. (3) If the lower part of an intertill deposit is
oxidized and the upper part is unoxidized (Figs. 9, 10),
the lower part is associated with the underlying till and
the upper part is associated with the overlying till. (4) If
an oxidized zone penetrates more than one till (Fig. 11)
or if both tills are unoxidized (Fig. 12, Floral/Dundurn),
the tills can be separated only on the basis of lithology
which in this case is carbonate content.
2.6
Sutherland Group
Information
Stratigraphic Units
2.6.1 Empress Group
The Empress Group (Fig. 13) is composed of stratified
sediments between bedrock and till (Whitaker and
Christiansen, 1972). The sediments consist of a lower
preglacial unit of sand and chert and quartzite gravel and
an upper proglacial unit composed stratified sediment
The Sutherland Group was divided into Mennon,
Dundurn, and Warman formations by Christiansen
(1992) on the bases of carbonate content and
stratigraphic sequence (Fig. 6, Tables 1, 2).
The
Dundurn Formation is divided informally into lower and
upper units on carbonate content (Fig. 6, Table 2).
2.6.3
Saskatoon Group
The Saskatoon Group is divided into Floral and
Battleford formations on preconsolidation pressure of
tills, structure, staining, and carbonate content of tills
(Fig. 14, Tables 1, 2). Till of the Floral Formation has a
preconsolidation pressure of 1800 ± 200 kPa, whereas till
of the Battleford Formation has a preconsolidation
pressure of 400-750 kPa (Sauer et al., 1993). Till of the
Floral Formation is jointed and stained, whereas till of the
Battleford Formation is massive and unstained.
Table 1. Carbonate
Saskatchewan.
content
of
tills
in
southern
Stratigraphic
Unit
Saskatoon Group
Battleford Formation
Floral Formation
No. of
samples
Mean
mL CO2/g
SD
mL CO2/g
552
1855
28.2
38.2
13.5
13.9
Sutherland Group
Warman Formation
Dundurn Formation
Mennon Formation
561
1048
310
16.6
29.1
14.1
5.0
8.3
4.5
Saskatoon Group
Sutherland Group
2407
1919
35.9
23.0
14.4
9.7
Table 2.
Carbonate content of tills at Sutherland
Overpass 04 and SHT Eagle 196.*
Stratigraphic unit
Saskatoon Group
Battleford
Formation
Floral Formation
Upper till
Lower till
Floral Formation (all
till samples)
Sutherland Group
Warman Formation
No. of
sample
s
Mean
mL CO2/g
2
32.8
8.1
4
9
13
38.3
32.9
34.6
5.5
4.5
5.3
16
14.3
3.5
SD
mL CO2/g
Stratigraphic unit
Dundurn Formation
Upper till
Lower till
Dundurn Formation
(all till samples)
Mennon Formation
No. of
sample
s
Mean
mL CO2/g
17
16
33
27.5
20.5
24.1
4.3
3.8
5.4
36
11.4
2.0
SD
mL CO2/g
Saskatoon Group
15
34.3
5.4
Sutherland Group
85
16.9
7.0
*Borehole log at same location as 04 but is not shown.
2.7
Methods of Separating Stratigraphic Units
2.7.1
Phase No. 2
Divide the tills and intertill stratified deposits into
Saskatoon and Sutherland groups (Fig. 16). The contact
between the two groups is an unconformity as evidenced
by an oxidized zone on top of the Sutherland Group and
by the difference in carbonate content between the
Sutherland and Saskatoon groups (Fig. 16, Table 2).
2.7.3
Phase No. 3
Divide the Sutherland Group into Mennon, Dundurn, and
Warman formations and the Saskatoon Group into the
Floral and Battleford formations on carbonate content of
tills and the oxidized zone in the upper part of the
Warman Formation (Fig. 17). The contacts between the
formations are unconformities.
2.7.4
Keewatin area and another to the east in Labrador (Fig.
19). Schreiner (1990) used these centers of ice
accumulation to explain the south and west flow of ice in
Saskatchewan. Schreiner (1990) concluded that the
Keewatin center was the main center of ice accumulation
for all tills except till of the Dundurn Formation. He sited
the presence of Hudson Bay Omar erratics in the western
plains (Prest and Nielsen, 1987) and westward striations
in Manitoba as evidence for an eastern ice center in
Labrador (Fig. 19). This eastern source of ice and the
presence of carbonate rocks in Manitoba would explain
the higher carbonate content in the till of the Dundurn
Formation (Table 1, 2).
Phase No. 1
Divide a column on the right side of the borehole log into
bedrock, Empress Group, and till and intertill stratified
deposits (Fig. 15). The contact between bedrock and the
Empress Group is an erosional unconformity.
2.7.2
Two centers of glaciation have been postulated by
Vincent and Prest (1987), one to the north in the
Phase No. 4
Divide the Dundurn and Floral formations into lower and
upper units on carbonate content in the Dundurn
Formation and on an oxidized zone in the Floral
Formation (Fig. 18). Because the difference in carbonate
content between the lower and upper units of the
Dundurn Formation have not been shown to have
regional extent, the formation cannot be formally
subdivided and named at this time. Even though the
oxidized zone within the Floral Formation indicates that
the formation was deposited during two glaciations,
composition differences do not permit lithological
separation at this time.
2.8
Source of Tills
2.8.1
Glacial ice accumulation
2.8.2
Glacial Stripping
According to Schreiner (1990) progressive glacial
stripping of Cretaceous shales occurred in a band
extending from as far north as Deep Bay, Reindeer Lake
to near Prince Albert (Fig. 20). During this glacial
stripping, Cretaceous shales were removed from
Precambrian Shield and the Lower Cretaceous
sandstones south of the Shield. After loading up with
Cretaceous shales, the glacier advanced southward to its
terminus as described by Schreiner (1990, p. 91, 92) in
the following summary.
2.8.3
Summary
“In summary, the evidence indicates that successive ice
advances came off the resistant shield unsaturated with
material. When the ice encountered the sedimentary
rocks, it selectively eroded the softer deformable bedrock
units. The ice became saturated over a short distance
with relatively uniform material which dominated the
lithology of the glacial load. The load was then carried in
the ice without the incorporation of much new material as
the ice extended to its terminus. The load was then let
down as the ice ablated.”
3.
GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES
3.1
Introduction
The geological processes that will be considered here
include outwash and inwash of stratified deposits and the
Saskatoon Low salt collapse structure.
3.2
Outwash
3.2.1
Introduction
Outwash is mainly silt, sand, and gravel “washed out”
from a glacier by meltwater.
Most outwash in
Saskatchewan was deposited where subglacial channels
discharge meltwater to form fans such as the Welby
sand plain (Christiansen, 1962).
3.2.2
The Welby sand plain was formed by sand delivered to a
re-entrant in the ice margin by the subglacial Deerhorn
channels (Fig. 21). The re-entrant area is defined by the
washboard moraine. Figure 22 shows the surficial
geology of the same area as shown in Figure 21. The
shape of the ice margins is well illustrated by the trend of
the washboard moraines, and the direction of glacier
movement is shown by the fluting in Figure 22.
The sediments encountered in the Welby borehole
include bedrock, Empress Group and Floral and
Battleford formations of the Saskatoon Group (Fig. 23).
Two aquifers exist in the borehole log, one in the sand of
the Empress Group and the other in the Welby sand.
Each aquifer has a different water level (Fig. 23) because
of the proximity of the Qu’Appelle Valley (Fig. 22). The
water levels in the borehole (Fig. 23) were obtained from
the abrupt changes in the resistance log in the Empress
Group and Welby sand (Fig. 23).
3.3
Inwash
3.3.1
Introduction
Inwash is used here for deltaic sediments brought into
ice bound glacial lakes by extraglacial rivers. The Prince
Albert delta (Christiansen, 1979) is an example of one of
many deltas that formed where the North and South
Saskatchewan rivers emptied into glacial Lake
Saskatchewan (Fig. 24).
3.3.2
Prince Albert delta
The Prince Albert delta formed where the North and
South Saskatchewan rivers and Shellbrook, Sturgeon,
and Spruce channels entered Lake Saskatchewan (Fig.
24). The sediment in the Prince Albert delta coarsens
upward (Fig. 25) as a result of progradation of the delta.
Inwash is finer grained than outwash because inwash is
derived from erosion of bedrock and the reworking of
glacial deposits, whereas outwash is mainly glacially
derived.
3.4
3.5
Saskatoon Low salt collapse structure
3.5.1
Introduction
Welby sand plain
Differentiation of outwash and inwash in borehole
logs
Two upward coarsening sequences of silts and sands
occur in the Demaine borehole log (Fig. 26). The lower
sequence was deposited as outwash during the advance
of the glacier that deposited till of the upper Dundurn
Formation or as inwash in a proglacial delta that formed
during the advance of the upper Dundurn glacier. The
upper sequence was deposited as inwash in a proglacial
delta during the retreat of the Floral glacier. If this upper
sand and silt had been deposited during the retreat of the
Floral glacier, it would have become finer grained
upward.
The Saskatoon Low extends southward from Saskatoon
(Figs. 27, 28). The thickness of salt in the vicinity of the
Saskatoon Low is at least 180 m (Holter, 1969) and the
structural closure is at least 150 m suggesting that about
30 m of Prairie Evaporite Formation remains beneath the
structure.
3.5.2
Structure
A schematic gravity fault model was utilized to interpret
the stratigraphy (Fig. 29). The Saskatoon Low was filled
with up to 110 m of till of the Battleford Formation (Fig.
30) and up to 77 m of clay, silt, and sand of the Haultain
Member of the Battleford Formation (Fig. 31).
3.5.3
Effective stress-depth
Battleford Formation
profile
of
till of
the
Prior to the work of Sauer and Christiansen (1991) and
Sauer in Christiansen and Sauer (2001), the Battleford
Formation was differentiated on the basis of field
observations. Till of the Battleford Formation is soft,
massive, and unstained, whereas the underlying till of the
Floral Formation is hard, jointed, and stained where
oxidized (Christiansen, 1992).
In 1966, a borehole was drilled, electric logged, and sidewall cored (Fig. 32). The side-wall cores in the Battleford
Formation could be deformed by squeezing them
between the thumb and forefinger. Upon hearing about
the softened state of the Battleford Formation, Sauer (in
Christiansen and Sauer, 2001) decided to obtain rotarydrill cores from the same site of the borehole in Fig. 32
and to conduct effective stress measurements on till and
the Haultain Member of the Battleford Formation.
The divergence of the preconsolidation pressure from the
present overburden curve in the upper 40 m of the
borehole log (Fig. 33) was interpreted by Sauer (in
Christiansen and Sauer, 2001) as being the result of
desiccation of the Haultain Member and the upper part of
the till of the Battleford Formation following the drainage
of glacial Lake Saskatchewan. The remainder of the
preconsolidation curve closely follows the present
overburden pressure curve.
This similarity of the
preconsolidation and present overburden curves (Fig. 33)
explains the softness of cores observed in the field.
3.5.4
Origin
Two events are required to explain the stratigraphy in
Fig. 29: (1) the Saskatoon Low collapsed from the weight
of the Battleford glacier and (2) the collapse of the
Saskatoon Low provided the environment for
compressive flow (Sauer in Christiansen and Sauer
(2001)). During compressive flow of the glacier, the
previously faulted Bearpaw (Fig. 29, 3a, b, c), Dundurn
(6), and Floral (7) formations were sheared from the
Saskatoon Low.
The base of the glacially eroded
Saskatoon Low is the Ardkenneth Member of the
Bearpaw Formation (Fig. 29, 3b). The Ardkenneth
Member resisted shearing by the Battleford glacier
because of its sandier composition resulting in a higher
shear resistance.
From the Tyner Valley cross section (Fig. 38a, 38b), the
groundwater flows northward through the Tyner Valley
aquifer (Fig. 34), by the Warman observation well site
(Fig. 41), to its confluence with the Battleford valley
aquifer, and from there through the Battleford valley
aquifer into the North Saskatchewan River (Meneley,
1970).
4.2
4.2.1
4.
GROUNDWATER OCCURRENCE
4.1
Tyner valley and Tessier aquifer system
4.1.1
Tyner valley aquifer
The Tyner valley aquifer extended intermittently from the
Alberta-Saskatchewan border to its confluence with the
Battleford valley north of Saskatoon (Fig. 34).
The Tyner valley aquifer is in preglacial chert and
quartzite gravel and overlying glacial sand of the
Empress Group (Fig. 35).
The observation well was installed in the Tyner valley
near borehole log 9 (Fig. 36). The high head and
concentration of constituents in this observation well may
be explained by the removal of the Tyner valley aquifer in
the vicinity of borehole log 10 (Fig. 36) which impeded
groundwater flow northwestward in this part of the Tyner
valley.
4.1.2
Tessier aquifer
The Tessier aquifer (Figs. 37-39, 40) is composed of two
sands separated by clay in borehole log 12 and till in
borehole logs 20-22 (Fig. 39). The clay in borehole log
12 (Fig. 39) and the lower Floral sand in borehole log 21
are oxidized indicating that the lower and upper units of
the Floral Formation are separated by an unconformity.
The unconformity indicates that the two units in the Floral
Formation were deposited by two separate and distinct
glaciations.
Battleford valley and associated aquifers
Battleford valley aquifer
The Battleford valley extends from the AlbertaSaskatchewan border to its confluence with the Tyner
valley north of Saskatoon (Fig. 42).
The Battleford valley aquifer is in preglacial chert and
quartzite gravel and sand, interbedded (lower unit) and
glacial sand and silt (upper unit) of the Empress Group
(Fig. 43).
The Lilac observation well was completed in glacial sand
and silt of the Empress Group (Fig. 44).
A map showing the location of (a) cross section E-E’
across the Battleford valley aquifer, (b) boundaries of the
Battleford valley, and (c) the geomorphology of the walls
of the North Saskatchewan River valley (Fig. 45).
At borehole sites 24 and 27 (Figs. 45, 46), the North
Saskatchewan River eroded into bedrock shales,
whereas at borehole sites 25 and 26 (Figs. 45, 46), the
valley is eroded into sands of the Empress Group. The
angle of repose of the valley wall developed in bedrock
(Fig. 45) is about 5°, similar to that in the Denholm
landslide (Sauer 1983), whereas the angle of reposed of
the valley wall developed in drift over the Battleford valley
is about 13°.
The Tessier observation well (Figs. 34, 37-39, 40) was
completed in sand of the lower Floral Formation (Fig. 39,
borehole log 12).
The low angle of reposed (5°) for the valley walls at
borehole sites 24 and 27 (Figs. 45, 46) and the horst and
graben structure of the valley wall at borehole site 27
(Fig. 45) indicate these features are landslides. The
amphitheatre features in the east wall of the North
Saskatchewan River valley (Fig. 45) are being formed by
springhead sapping or piping as a result of groundwater
discharging from the Dalmeny aquifer (Fig. 47). The
Battleford valley aquifer discharges groundwater into the
North Saskatchewan River alluvium (Figs. 47, 48).
4.1.3
4.2.2
Groundwater flow
Meneley (in Christiansen et al. 1970) showed that
precipitation recharges the Tessier aquifer and that a
portion of the recharge returns to depressions in the land
surface (Fig. 38a). Another portion of groundwater
recharge flows directly from the land surface into the
Judith River Formation and from there to the Tyner valley
aquifer. Finally, a portion of the groundwater in the
Tessier aquifer flows into the Judith River Formation and
from there into the Tyner valley aquifer.
North Saskatchewan River alluvium aquifer
At the Hepburn Ferry site (Fig. 49, borehole log 29), the
North Saskatchewan River valley alluvium is composed
of 3m of basal gravel overlain by 36 m of fine to medium
grained sand. In borehole logs 35 and 36 (Fig. 49), 4
and 3 m of bedrock silt and sand were encountered in the
alluvium. The toe of the Denholm landslide over-riding
the North Saskatchewan River alluvium (Sauer and
Christiansen, 1987) provides a model for the bedrock
slumping encountered in borehole logs 35 and 36 (Fig.
49).
Radiocarbon dates on wood in the North Saskatchewan
River alluvium suggest that deposition of the alluvium
began about 11,000 years ago (Fig. 50) and is continuing
at a rate of 2.4 mm per year.
4.2.3
Fielding, Dalmeny, and Forestry Farm aquifers
The Fielding, Dalmeny, and Forestry Farm aquifers (Fig.
51) like the Tessier aquifer (Fig. 39) are in lower and
upper sands of the Floral Formation separated by
oxidized till which indicates that these sands were
deposited by two separate glaciations. The Fielding,
Dalmeny, and Forestry Farm aquifers are separated by
the North and South Saskatchewan river valleys (Fig.
51).
The Fielding aquifer discharges groundwater
through contact springs into the North Saskatchewan
River valley (Figs. 47, 48).
The Dalmeny aquifer discharges groundwater into the
North and South Saskatchewan river valleys through the
springs (Figs. 47, 51). The Dalmeny observation well
was completed in the upper sand of the Floral Formation
(Fig. 52).
The Forestry Farm aquifer is in the lower sand of the
Floral Formation (Fig. 51). Groundwater discharge has
formed the Petursson’s Ravine by spring sapping or
piping of sand and gravel from the lower sand of the
Floral Formation (Fig. 53).
4.3 Hatfield valley aquifer
The Hatfield valley aquifer extends from the AlbertaSaskatchewan to the Saskatchewan-Manitoba borders, a
distance of about 800 km (Fig. 54). The valley appears
to exhibit a slight gradient to the northwest.
The Hatfield valley aquifer at the St. Louis bridge site is a
flowing artesian aquifer from sand and gravel of the
Empress Group. A detailed geological and geotechnical
cross section display of the St. Louis bridge site will be
shown in the poster session.
5.
5.1
SITE INVESTIGATION FROM A GEOLOGIST’S
POINT OF VIEW
Introduction
The following items should be considered in any
geotechnical investigation to provide a geological
framework.
5.2
Base of exploration
If the base of exploration is unknown, a rotary-drill
borehole should be drilled, sampled at 1.5 to 3 m
intervals, and geophysically logged as described by
Christiansen (1983). Selected till samples should be
submitted for total carbonate content analysis. If the
base of exploration is thought to be less than 15 m,
auger-flight equipment may be used.
5.3
Piezometers
A single piezometer at a site may define the water table.
A nest of two, preferably three piezometers are required
to determine the hydraulic gradient and whether the
groundwater movement is upward or downward. Saline
soils are indicative of upward flow of groundwater (Henry,
2003). The Credit Union Centre and The Saskatoon
Field House at the University of Saskatchewan are in
areas of upward groundwater flow which have required
drainage systems.
5.4
Atterberg limits
Natural water content (Wn) is commonly reported without
Atterberg limits (Wp, Wl) and Atterberg limits without
natural water content. If the Atterberg limits and natural
water content are presented together (Fig. 14), it is
possible to separate tills of the Floral and Battleford
formations. In till of the Floral Formation (Fig. 14), the
natural water content is about equal to the plastic limit,
whereas in till of the Battleford Formation, the natural
water content is greater than the plastic limit.
5.5
Preconsolidation of tills
It is also possible to separate tills of the Floral and
Battleford formations on the effect stress-depth curve
(Fig. 14).
Till of the Floral Formation has a
preconsolidation pressure of about 2000 kPa, whereas till
of the Battleford Formation has a preconsolidation
pressure of up to only about 500 kPa. Furthermore, it is
possible to separate basal meltout tills from ablation
meltout tills on the effective stress-depth curve (Fig. 14).
Basal meltout till of the Battleford Formation has a
preconsolidation of about 500 kPa (Fig. 14), whereas
ablation meltout till of the Battleford Formation is
normally consolidated.
6.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The late Dr. E. Karl Sauer, Professor of Civil
Engineering, University of Saskatchewan worked and
published with the senior author for 25 years. He
provided the soil and ice mechanics and the
geohydrology of glacial deposits, while the senior author
was responsible for the geology. Dr. Sauer’s contribution
to the understanding of glacial processes is particularly
noteworthy.
The Saskatchewan Research Council provided access to
their data bank of logs, typed the manuscript, prepared
the figures, and were helpful in every way.
The manuscript was read by Mr. M. Simpson,
Saskatchewan Research Council and Dr. J.S. Sharma,
Professor
of
Civil
Engineering,
University
of
Saskatchewan.
7.
REFERENCES
Christiansen, E.A. 1962. Hydrogeology of surficial and
bedrock valley aquifers in southern Saskatchewan.
Hydrology Symposium No. 3 – Groundwater.
National Research Council of Canada, Associated
Committee
on
Geodesy
and
Geophysics,
Subcommittee on Hydrology. p. 49-65.
Christiansen, E.A. 1979. The Wisconsinan deglaciation
of southern Saskatchewan and adjacent areas.
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 16:913-938.
Christiansen, E.A. 1983.
The Denholm landslide,
Saskatchewan.
Part I:
Geology.
Canadian
Geotechnical Journal, 20:197-207.
Christiansen, E.A. 1992. Pleistocene stratigraphy of the
Saskatoon area, Saskatchewan, Canada: an update.
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 29:1767-1778.
Christiansen, E.A. and Meneley, W.A. 1970. Slope
stability. In Physical Environment of Saskatoon,
Canada. Edited by E.A. Christiansen. Published by
Saskatchewan Research Council in co-operation with
the National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa,
Canada. NRC Publication Number 11378, pp.52.
Christiansen, E.A., Meneley, W.A., and Whitaker, S.H.
1970. Brochure on Saskatchewan Research Council
Groundwater Program. Funded through the ARDA
Program.
Christiansen, E.A. and Sauer E. Karl.
2001.
Stratigraphy and structure of a Late Wisconsinan salt
collapse in the Saskatoon Low, south of Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, Canada:
an update.
Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences, 38:1601-1613.
Christiansen, E.A., Sauer, E. Karl, and Schreiner Bryan
T. 1995. Glacial Lake Saskatchewan and Lake
Agassiz deltas in east-central Saskatchewan with
special emphasis on the Nipawin delta. Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences, 32:334-348.
Christiansen, E.A. and Whitaker, S.H. 1976. Glacial
thrusting of drift and bedrock. In Glacial till, an interdisciplinary study. Edited by Robert F. Legget. The
Royal Society of Canada Special Publication 12.
Published by The Royal Society of Canada in cooperation with the National Research Council of
Canada: pp. 121-130.
Henry, Les. 2003. Henry’s handbook of soil and water.
Published by Henry Perspectives, Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, 218 p.
Holter, M.E.
1969.
The Middle Devonian Prairie
Evaporite of Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan
Department of Mineral Resources, Geological
Sciences Branch, Industrial Mineral Division, Report
123.
Maathuis, H. 2005. Major aquifers in Saskatchewan
yielding potable water.
Saskatchewan Research
Council Aquifer map.
Meneley, W.A. 1964. Geology of the Melfort area (73A),
Saskatchewan. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University
of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.
Meneley, W.A. 1970. Groundwater resources. In
Physical environment of Saskatoon, Canada. Edited
by E.A. Christiansen, Saskatchewan Research
Council in co-operation with The National Research
Council of Canada.
NRC Publication Number
11378:39-50.
Mitchum, R.M., Jr. 1977. Seismic stratigraphy and
global changes in sea level, Part II: glossary of terms
used in seismic stratigraphy, in C.E. Payton, editor,
Seismic stratigraphy.
American Association of
Petroleum geologists. Memoir 26, p. 205-212.
Morrison, B. 1969. A side-wall sampler.
Geotechnical Journal, 6:431-439.
Canadian
Prest, V.K. and Nielsen, E. 1987. The Lauentide ice
sheet and long-distance transport. Geological Survey
of Finland, Special Paper 3, p. 91-101.
Sauer, E. Karl.
1983.
The Denholm landslide,
Saskatchewan.
Part II:
analysis, Canadian
Geotechnical Journal, 20:208-220.
Sauer, E. Karl and Christiansen, E.A.
1991.
Preconsolidation pressures in the Battleford
Formation,
southern
Saskatchewan,
Canada.
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 28:1613-1623.
Sauer, E.K. and Christiansen, E.A. 1987. The Denholm
landslide, Saskatchewan, Canada, an update.
Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 24:163-168.
Sauer, E. Karl, Egeland, Anne K., and Christiansen, E.A.
1993.
Compression characteristics and index
properties of tills and intertill clays in southern
Saskatchewan, Canada.
Canadian Geotechnical
Journal, 30:257-275.
Schreiner, B.T. 1990. Lithostratigraphic correlation of
Saskatchewan tills, a mirror image of Cretaceous
bedrock. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University of
Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, 401 p.
Vincent, J.S. and Prest, V.K.
1987.
The Early
Wisconsinan history of the Lauentide Ice Sheet.
Géographic Physique et Quaternaire, XLI, No. 2, pp.
199-213.
Whitaker, S.H. and Christiansen, E.A. 1972. The
Empress Group in southern Saskatchewan.
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 9:353-360.
Fig. 3. Rotary-drill cuttings samples.
Fig. 1. Map of southern Saskatchewan showing the location
of 130 borehole logs selected for carbonate analyses.
Fig. 4. Side-wall coring equipment (Morrison, 1969).
Fig. 2. Rotary-drill equipment drilling a borehole on the
University of Saskatchewan campus.
Fig. 5. Side-wall cores.
Fig. 6. Saskatchewan Highways and Transportation borehole logs 04 from the Sutherland Overpass along
Highway 5 in Saskatoon showing electric, gamma-ray, and calliper geophysical logs; carbonate and zinc
content and texture of tills; and geologic strip logs and sample descriptions.
Fig. 10. Borehole log showing an unconformity
within the stratified deposits between tills of the
Dundurn and Floral formations.
SRC Saskatoon
0
10
Resistivity
Ohms
20 30 40 50 0
CO2 evolved
ml/g
10 20 30 40
0
Haultain
Unconformity
10
Floral
Unconformity
Warman
20
Upper
40
Lower
50
Sutherland
Unconformity
30
Dundurn
Fig. 7. Unconformity between an oxidized stratified
deposit and an overlying unoxidized till.
Battleford
Specific Conductivity
mV
50 40 30 20 10 0
Saskatoon
SW-11-26-36-5-W3
Depth
m
60
70
80
Fig. 8. Unconformity between oxidized till and an
overlying unoxidized stratified deposit.
90
Bedrock
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
Fig. 9. Unconformity between an oxidized stratified
deposit and an overlying unoxidized stratified
deposit.
SRC Holdfast
SW-3-18-23-25-W2
Specific Conductivity
mV
30 20 10 0
50 40
0
10
CO2 evolved
Resistivity
Ohms
ml/g
20 30 40 50 10 20 30 40 50 60
0
Battleford
Floral
10
Clay, bentonite
Sand, coarse
Silt
Gravel
Till
Shale
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Oxidized zone
Fig. 11. Borehole log showing three unconformities
in one oxidized zone based on the carbonate content
of tills.
SRC Xena
Saskatoon
NE-16-2-32-26-W2
Depth
m
Specific Conductivity
mV
50 40 30 20 10 0
0
10
CO2 evolved
Resistivity
Ohms
ml/g
20 30 40 50 20 30 40 50 60
0
Battleford
Upper
Dundurn
Lower
60
Sutherland
50
Floral
Dundurn
20
30
40
Saskatoon
10
20
Sutherland
Depth
m
Sand, fine to med
30
40
50
60
70
70
80
80
Empress
90
90
100
100
110
Bedrock
110
Empress
120
120
130
130
Bearpaw
140
Sand, fine to med
Clay, bentonite
Shale
Sand, coarse
Silt
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Gravel
Till
Oxidized zone
150
Sand, fine to med
Clay, bentonite
Sand, coarse
Silt
Gravel
Till
Shale
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Oxidized zone
Fig. 12. Borehole log showing an unconformity
between two unoxidized tills of the Dundurn and
Floral formations based on the carbonate content of
tills.
SRC Empress
SW-4-4-23-29-W3
Depth
m
Specific Conductivity
mV
50 40 30 20 10 0
0
10
CO2 evolved
Resistivity
Ohms
ml/g
20 30 40 50 10 20 30 40 50 60
Battleford
Floral
20
Saskatoon
0
10
30
Warman
50
60
Sutherland
40
70
Dundurn
80
110
120
130
Upper
Empress
Tyner Valley Aquifer
90
100
Lower
140
Lea Park
150
Sand, fine to med
Clay, bentonite
Sand, coarse
Silt
Gravel
Till
Shale
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Oxidized zone
Fig. 13. Borehole log from the type locality of the Empress Group in the Tyner valley at the confluence of the
South Saskatchewan and Red Deer rivers.
SW-5-3-36-4-W3
Specific Conductivity
mV
30 20 10 0
50 40
0
10
CO2 evolved
Resistivity
Ohms
ml/g
20 30 40 50 0 10 20 30 40 5060
0
Depth
m
0
500
Effective Stress (kPa)
1000
1500
2000
2
10
4
20
6
30
8
40
10
50
Ablation Meltout
12
60
14
2500
Haultain Member
Battleford Formation
UofS Eagle No. 141 Goodale Farm
Depth
m
10
Index Properties
20
30
wp
wn
40
50
wl
70
Basal Meltout
16
80
Unconformity
18
20
100
Preconsolidation
Pressure
22
110
24
120
26
130
Sand, fine to med
Clay
Sand, coarse
Silt
Gravel
Till
Shale
Oxidized zone
28
Present
Overburden
Pressure
Floral Formation
90
30
Fig. 14. Preconsolidation pressures and index properties of tills of the Floral and Battleford formations at the
Goodale Farm site (Eagle 141). From Sauer et al. 1993.
Fig. 15. Phase No. 1 in separation of bedrock,
Empress Group, and tills and intertill stratified
deposits.
Fig. 17. Phase No. 3 in separation of Sutherland
Group into Mennon, Dundurn, and Warman
formations and the Saskatoon Group into Floral and
Battleford formations.
Fig. 16. Phase No. 2 in separation of Sutherland and
Saskatoon groups.
Fig. 18. Phase No. 4 of an informal separation of
lower and upper units in the Dundurn and Floral
formations.
Fig. 19. Map showing the location of the Keewatin
and Labrador ice centers from Vincent and Prest
(1987, Fig. 4). The arrows suggest the general flow
of ice from these two centers.
Fig. 20. Map showing progressive stripping of
Cretaceous shales during Mennon, Dundurn,
Warman,
Floral
and
Battleford
glaciations
undifferentiated.
Fig. 21.
plain.
Phase 1 of the origin of the Welby sand
Fig. 22.
plain.
Phase 2 of the origin of the Welby sand
SRC Holmes
SRC Welby
SW-4-29-47-26-W2
NW-12-9-18-30-W1
Depth
m
Specific Conductivity
mV
10080 60 40 20 0
0
Depth
m
CO2 evolved
Resistivity
Ohms
ml/g
25 50 75 100125 10 20 30 40 50 60
Specific Conductivity
mV
50 40 30 20 10 0
0
10
CO2 evolved
Resistivity
Ohms
ml/g
20 30 40 50 10 20 30 40 50 60
0
0
Till
20
30
40
50
16
Floral
60
20
70
24
Empress
Silt
Clay
Till
80
28
Sand
Battleford
Saskatoon
12
Prince Albert Delta Deposits
8
Saskatoon
Welby
Sand
4
Battleford
10
90
100
32
110
Upper
Colorado
36
120
130
40
Bedrock
44
140
150
48
Lower
160
52
170
Sand, fine to med
Clay, bentonite
Shale
Sand, fine to med
Clay, bentonite
Sand, coarse
Silt
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Sand, coarse
Silt
Gravel
Till
Gravel
Till
Oxidized zone
Fig. 23. Welby borehole log showing stratigraphy and
groundwater levels.
Shale
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Oxidized zone
Fig. 25. Borehole log showing coarsening upward in
the Prince Albert delta deposits.
SRC Demaine
SE-9-27-22-10-W3
Specific Conductivity
mV
50 40 30 20 10 0
0
10
CO2 evolved
Resistivity
Ohms
ml/g
20 30 40 50 10 20 30 40 50 60
0
Battleford
Unconformity
10
Inwash
20
30
Saskatoon
Depth
m
Floral
40
50
60
70
Unconformity
110
120
Upper
Unconformity
130
Dundurn
90
100
Sutherland
Outwash or Inwash
80
140
Lower
150
170
Upper
180
Lower
Unconformity
190
Empress
160
Bedrock
200
210
Fig. 24. Prince Albert delta forming in glacial Lake
Saskatchewan 11500 years ago (Christiansen, 1979).
Sand, fine to med
Clay, bentonite
Sand, coarse
Silt
Gravel
Till
Shale
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Oxidized zone
Fig. 26. The differentiation of outwash and inwash in
the Demaine borehole log.
Fig. 27. Isopach map of Prairie Evaporite showing
location of Saskatoon Low. Modified slightly from
Holter (1969).
Fig. 28. Structure contour map on top of the Lea
Park Formation (Christiansen and Sauer, 2001)
showing the location of cross section A-A’.
Fig. 30.
Isopach map of till of the Battleford
Formation. Arrow points to location of Figs. 32, 33.
Fig. 31. Isopach map of the Haultain Member of the Battleford
Formation. Arrow points to location where the Haultain
Member is up to a maximum of 77 m thick.
2.5 km
2.0 km
SRC 72O/15 1970
Pike Lake
SW 4-15-34-6-W3
3
SRC 72O/15 1970
Pike Lake
SE 1-17-34-6-W3
2
SRC 72O/15 1970
Pike Lake
SE 3-18-34-6-W3
1
4.3 km
5.8 km
UofS 72O/15 1991
Eagle No.171 Camp Dundurn
SE 3-18-34-5-W3
5
SRC 72O/15 1970
Whitecap
SE 3-18-34-6-W3
4
A
8.3 km
11.0 km
SRC 72O/15 1976
Haultain
NW14-20-34-4-W3
6
11.0 km
SRC 72O/15 1976
Allan
SE 9-29-33-2-W3
8
NRC-SRC 72O/15 1966
Strehlow
SW 4-5-34-3-W3
7
A'
Saskatoon Low
7
Dundurn Fm.
Till
2
3a
6
Bearpaw
Formation
400 m
3c
3b
Late
Early M.
Pliestocene
Time
Units
Group
Formation
Pike Lake
Saskatoon Unnamed
Battleford
Member
or unit
No.
10
9
8b
8a
Floral
7
6
Sutherland Dundurn
Mennon
5
Empress
4
Upper
3c
Bearpaw
Ardkenneth 3b
Montana
Lower
3a
Judith River
2
Lea Park
1
Haultain
Deposit
Sand and silt
Eolian sand and silt
Clay, silt, and sand
Till
Till and sand
Till
Till
Silt
Shale
Sandstone and shale
Shale
Sandstone and shale
Shale
300 m
Fig. 29. Cross section A-A’ across the Saskatoon Low.
3a
Ardkenneth Member
sandstone and shale
3a
2 Judith River Formation
Bearpaw
Formation
3a
Floral Fm.
7 Till
6 Dundurn Fm.
5 Mennon Fm.
3b
Till
8b
Haultain Member
10
8a Till
?
Battleford Formation
7
6
Late
Cretaceous
Elevation above mean sea level
Pike
Lake
9
500 m
S. Sask.
River
South Saskatchewan River Valley
Eolian sand and silt
Pike Lake
sand and silt
2
Glacially Eroded Surface
3c
4
2
NRC-SRC Haultain
U of S Eagle No.168 Haultain No.01
SW-4-19-35-4-W3
Depth
m
Specific Conductivity
mV
50 40 30 20 10 0
0
SW-4-19-35-4-W3
CO 2 evolved
Resistivity
Ohms
ml/g
10 20 30 40 50 10 20 30 40 50 60
Depth
m
0
Specific Conductivity
mV
30 20 10 0
Gamma-Ray
cps
50
100 50 40
0
10
CO2 evolved
Resisti vity
Ohms
ml/g
20 30 40 50 10 20 30 40 50 60 0
500
Effective Stress
kPa
1000
1500
0
10
10
Haultain
Member
Haultain
Member
0
Preconsolidation
Pressure
20
30
20
Pre
en
burd
ve r
50
40
60
re
ssu
Pr e
70
Soft Till
80
Saskatoon Group
60
Battleford Formation
70
50
Battleford Formation
tO
sen
40
30
80
90
100
110
120
90
130
100
140
Bedrock
150
110
120
130
Bedrock
140
150
Sand, fine to med
Clay, be ntonite
Shale
Sand, coarse
Silt
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Gravel
Till
Sand, fine to med
Clay, bentonite
Sand, coarse
Silt
Gravel
Till
Shale
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Oxidized zone
Fig. 33. U of S Eagle No. 168 (SW-04-19-35-04-W3)
borehole log (a) and effective-depth profile (b) for till
and Haultain Member of the Battleford Formation.
SRC Tyner
SE-1-10-24-18-W3
Depth
m
Oxidized zone
Specific Conductivity
mV
50 40 30 20 10 0
0
10
CO2 evolved
Resistivity
Ohms
ml/g
20 30 40 50 10 20 30 40 50 60
0
Fig. 32. NRC-SRC Haultain
borehole log obtained in 1966.
SW-04-19-35-04-W3
10
Clay
20
30
40
Silt
50
60
70
Mainly Till
80
90
Sand
110
Chert & Quartzile
Gravel
Empress
100
Bedrock
120
130
Fig. 34. Brochure of southern Saskatchewan
(Christiansen et al., 1970) showing major and minor
aquifers, location of Fig. 13; and Tyner (A), Warman
(B), and Tessier (C) observation wells. Arrows show
direction of groundwater flow through Tyner and
Battleford valley aquifers.
Sand, fine to med
Clay, bentonite
Sand, coarse
Silt
Gravel
Till
Constituent
Carbonate as CO3
Bicarbonate as HCO3
Sulphate as SO4
Chloride as Cl
Calcium as Ca
Magnesium as Mg
Sodium as Na
ppm
Nil
712
1150
141
128
72
600
Shale
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Oxidized zone
Concentration
Conductivity (uS/cm)
Hardness as CaCO3
Alkalinity as CaCO3
2819
3090
615
584
Date of analyses:
August 26, 1971
Fig. 35. Tyner observation well (Fig. 34(A)) is
completed in preglacial chert and quartzite gravel
and sand of the Empress Group.
A chemical
analysis is included with concentration, hardness,
and sulphate constituents high-lighted.
Fig. 36. Cross section B-B’ showing that the continuity of the Tyner Valley aquifer was interrupted by glacial erosion of the Empress Group in which
the Tyner observation well was completed. From Christiansen and Whitaker, 1976.
Fig. 37. Tessier and Tyner valley aquifers showing the location of cross sections C-C’ and D-D’ and the Tessier
observation well.
Fig. 38a. Cross section C-C’ showing the hydrogeology of the Tyner valley and Tessier aquifers (Meneley in
Christiansen et al. 1970).
17 km
SRC 72O/13 1966
Tessier
NW 13-33-33-11-W3
12
6 km
CLP 72O/14 1966
Laura
NW 10-19-33-9-W3
13
2 km
CLP 72O/14 1966
Chambers
NW 14-23-33-9-W3
14
2 km
CLP 72O/14 1966
Chambers
SE 1-25-33-9-W3
15
3 km
8 km
CLP 72O/14 1966
Chambers
NE 9-21-33-8-W3
17
CLP 72O/14 1966
Chambers
SE 16-19-33-8-W3
16
CLP 72O/14 1966
Delisle
NW 13-12-34-8-W3
18
Tessier
Aquifer
500 m
San
da
nd
San
gra
da
vel
nd
gra
vel
Battleford
Formation
Floral
Formation
Clay
Dundurn
Formation
Sand and silt
Bedrock
Surface
Bedrock Surface
Tyner
valley
aquifer
Judith River Formation
Clay and silt
Bedrock Surface
400 m
Saskatoon
Group
C'
Clay, silt and sand
Sutherland
Group
Empress Group
Elevation above mean sea level
C
Till
Till
Till
Bedrock Block
Bed rock Surface
Silt, sand,
and Gravel
Judith
River
Formation
Lea Park Formation
Tyner valley aquifer
Variable horizontal Scale to shorten section
Groundwater flow into cross section
Fig. 38b. An update of cross section C-C’ showing stratigraphy of the Tyner valley and Tessier aquifers and the groundwater flow system (Meneley in
Christiansen et al. 1970). Arrows show the direction of groundwater flow. See Fig. 37 for the location of cross section.
14 km
D
EPD 72O/13 1975
Harris
SE 1-13-33-12-W3
20
18 km
SRC 72O/13 1966
Tessier
NW 13-33-33-11-W3
12
13 km
CLP 72O/14 1966
Delisle
SW 4-30-34-9-W3
21
6 km
CLP 73B/03 1966
Asquith
NW 15-32-35-9-W3
22
Elevation above mean sea level
Formation
Be
dr
oc
kS
ur
fa
ce
Upper
Lower
Saskatoon Group
S and
and g
ra
Sand
and
vel
Till
g rave
l
Till
Sand and silt
Bedrock Surface
Empress Group
Judith River
Formation
Clay and silt
Clay, silt,
and sand
LowerUpper
Clay
Dundurn
400 m
D'
Tessier Aquifer
Battleford Formation
Floral Formation
Till
Till
500 m
CLP 73B/03 1966
Urban
SW 13-18-36-9-W3
23
Intersection AA'
Tessier
Observation
Well
600 m
SRC 72O/13 1966
Valley Centre
NE 9-23-32-13-W3
19
7 km
Sutherland
Group
Dundurn
Formation
Sand and silt
Bedrock Surface
Lea Park Formation
Clay and silt
Variable horizontal Scale to shorten section
Fig. 39. Cross section D-D’ showing the Tessier aquifer and observation well completed in the lower unit of the Floral Formation. See Fig. 37 for the
location of cross section.
SRC Warman
SRC Tessier
NE-13-9-39-5-W3
Silt
10
Till
20
Sand
Clay
30
Sand
CO2 evolved
ml/g
25
50
Resistivity
Ohms
40 60 80 100 0
0
Upper
20
Lower
30
50
50
Sutherland
40
Dundurn
20
10
40
60
0
Floral
0
Specific Conductivity
mV
50
25
0
100 75
Warman
60
70
70
Dundurn
80
Empress
90
90
100
100
110
Screen
110
Bedrock
120
120
130
130
140
140
150
Tyner valley
aquifer
80
Saskatoon
0
Depth
m
CO2 evolved
ml/g
10 20 30 40
Sutherland
Resistivity
Ohms
20 40 60 80100 0
Battleford
Specific Conductivity
mV
10080 60 40 20 0
Floral
Saskatoon
NW-13-33-33-11-W3
Depth
m
Empress
Bedrock
150
Clay, bentonite
Shale
Sand, fine to med
Clay
Sand, coarse
Silt
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Sand, coarse
Silt
Gravel
Till
Gravel
Till
Sand, fine to med
Constituent
Hydroxide as OH
Carbonate as CO3
Bicarbonate as HCO3
Sulphate as SO4
Chloride as Cl
Calcium as Ca
Magnesium as Mg
Sodium as Na
ppm
Nil
Nil
449
548
11
172
88
72
Oxidized zone
pH
Concentration
Conductivity (uS/cm)
Hardness as CaCO3
Alkalinity as CaCO3
7.35
1350
1520
788
368
Date of analyses:
June, 1970
Fig. 40. Tessier observation well completed in the
Tessier aquifer (Figs. 37-39). A chemical analysis is
included with the concentration, hardness, and
sulphate constituents high-lighted.
Constituent
Hydroxide as OH
Carbonate as CO3
Bicarbonate as HCO3
Sulphate as SO4
Chloride as Cl
Calcium as Ca
Magnesium as Mg
Sodium as Na
Shale
Oxidized zone
ppm
Nil
Nil
690
840
82
132
51
458
pH
Concentration
Conductivity (uS/cm)
Hardness as CaCO3
Alkalinity as CaCO3
7.70
2269
2490
539
539
Date of analyses:
November 22, 1965
Fig. 41. Warman observation well (Fig. 34(B))
completed in glacial sand of the Dundurn Formation.
A chemical analysis is included with the
concentration, hardness, and sulphate high-lighted.
Depth
m
Sutherland
SRC Lilac
SRC Lilac
NE-16-35-43-14-W3
NE1-2-44-14-W3
Specific Conductivity
mV
30 20 10 0
50 40
0
10
CO2 evolved
Depth
Resistivity
Specific Conductivity
m
Ohms
ml/g
mV
20 30 40 50 10 20 30 40 50 60
50
403020100
0
0
10
10
20
20
30
30
40
40
50
50
60
60
70
70
80
80
90
90
100
100
110
110
120
120
130
130
140
140
150
150
160
Fig. 42.
Brochure of southern Saskatchewan
(Christiansen et al. 1970) showing the location of
major and minor aquifers, Battleford valley aquifer,
and the Lilac observation well, and Petrofka bridge
sites.
SRC North Battleford
NE-8-32-44-16-W3
Specific Conductivity
mV
50 40 30 20 10 0
0
10
CO2 evolved
Resistivity
Ohms
ml/g
20 30 40 50 0 10 20 30 40 50
Battleford
0
10
Floral
20
CO 2 evolved
ml/g
10 20 30 40 50 60
Saskatoon
Empress
Bedrock
160
Sand, fine to med
Clay, bentonite
Shale
Sand, fine to med
Clay, bentonite
Shale
Sand, coarse
Silt
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Sand, coarse
Silt
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Gravel
Till
Gravel
Till
Constituent
Hydroxide as OH
Carbonate as CO3
Bicarbonate as HCO3
Sulphate as SO4
Chloride as Cl
Calcium as Ca
Magnesium as Mg
Sodium as Na
Oxidized zone
ppm
Nil
Nil
604
276
10
131
47
108
Oxidized zone
pH
Concentration
Conductivity (uS/cm)
Hardness as CaCO3
Alkalinity as CaCO3
7.80
1188
1400
522
495
Date of analyses:
August 10, 1970
Fig. 44. Lilac observation well completed in glacial
sand of the Empress Group and a borehole log to
bedrock about 300 m from the well along Highway
40.
A chemical analysis is included with the
concentration, hardness, and sulphate constituents
high-lighted.
Saskatoon
Depth
m
Resistivity
Ohm s
0 10203040
50
30
40
60
Warman
70
Sutherland
50
80
90
100
Lower
120
Empress
Upper
110
130
Bedrock
140
Sand, fine to med
Clay, bentonite
Shale
Sand, coarse
Silt
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Gravel
Till
Oxidized zone
Fig. 43. Borehole log showing the hydrogeology of
the Battleford valley aquifer.
Fig. 45. Map showing location of cross section E-E’
across the preglacial Battleford valley aquifer east of
the North Saskatchewan River valley.
E
2.8 km
2.3 km
SRC 73B/7 1966
Langham
SE 9-26-40-7-W3
25
SRC 73B/7 1966
Langham
SE 16-14-40-7-W3
24
SRC 1964
Langham
NW 13-36-40-7-W3
26
Intersection F-F'
Upper
Floral
Formation
500 m
Saskatoon
Group
Battleford Formation
Lower
Dalmeny aquifer
Dundurn
Formation
Warman Formation
Sutherland
Group
Elevation above mean sea level
Intersection I-I'
Upper
Lower
Empress Group Sand
400 m
E'
5.8 km
Battleford valley
aquifer
ce
Bedrock Surfa
Lea Park Formation Shale
Variable horizontal scale to shorten section
Fig. 46. Cross section E-E’ across the Battleford valley aquifer. See Fig. 45 for location of cross section
SRC 1964
Hepburn
NE 16-24-41-7-W3
27
F
F'
SRC 73B/7 1966
Langham
SE 16-14-40-7-W3
24
SRC 73B/7 1966
Langham
SE 9-26-40-7-W3
25
SRC 1964
Langham
NW 13-36-40-7-W3
26
Intersection H-H'
Intersection E-E'
Spring
Spring
Upper
Sand
500 m
Lower
North Saskatchewan River valley
Fielding aquifer
Dalmeny aquifer
Saskatoon
Group
Battleford Formation Till
Floral
Formation
Warman Formation Till
Dundurn Formation Till
North Saskatchewan River
Alluvium Aquifer
Sand
Sutherland
Group
Elevation above mean sea level
Projected 5.3 km upstream
Intersection I-I'
Empress Group Sand
Battleford valley aquifer
400 m
Gravel
Bedrock Surface
Lea Park Formation
Direction of Groundwater Flow
Fig. 47. Cross section F-F’ across the North Saskatchewan River valley and along the Battleford valley aquifer northwest of Saskatoon (Fig. 34)
showing the Battleford valley aquifer discharging groundwater into the North Saskatchewan River alluvium aquifer.
Fig. 48. Longitudinal section G-G’ crossing the North Saskatchewan River valley at North Battleford (G-G’, borehole log 31) showing the Battleford
valley aquifer discharging groundwater into the North Saskatchewan River valley alluvium aquifer.
Fig. 49. Longitudinal section H-H’ showing the North Saskatchewan River alluvium between Battleford and Petrofka bridge.
I
8 km
SIP 73B/11 1985
Radisson 85-302
SW 4-11-41-8-W3
38
5 km
U of S 73B/7 1981
Eagle No.13
NW 8-33-40-7-W3
28
16 km
15 km
SRC 73B/7 1965
Langham
SE 16-14-40-7-W3
24
11 km
SRC 73B/7 1983
Dalmeny
SE 1-13-38-6-W3
40
NRC 73B/7 1966
Langham
SE 15-33-38-7-W3
39
5 km
SRC 73B/2 1972
Saskatoon
NW 14-14-37-5-W3
41
I'
11 km
PM 73B/2 1980
Forestry Farm Trunk
SE 9-1-37-5-W3
42
SIP 73B/2 1984
Goodale Farm 84-103
SE 8-4-36-4-W3
43
Intersection F-F'
Floral
Fm
South Sask. River Valley
Saskatoon
Group
Bedrock Surface
Empress Group
Be
dr
oc
kS
ur
fa c
e
Dundurn
Formation
Mennon
Formation
Upper
Lower
Sutherland
Group
Dundurn
Formation
Battleford
valley aquifer
Bedrock Surface
Lower Upper
Floral
Formation
Dundurn
Formation
Empress Group
400 m
Forestry Farm Aquifer
Warman Fm.
Sutherland
Group
m.
an F
War m
Dalmeny Aquifer
Battleford
Formation
North Sask. River Valley
Floral
Formation
Lower Upper
500 m
Saskatoon
Group
Battleford
Formation
Sutherland
Group
Elevation above mean sea level
Fielding Aquifer
d
Be
roc
u rf
kS
ace
North Sask. River Alluvium
Lea Park Formation Shale
Variable horizontal scale to shorten section
Fig. 51. Cross section I-I’ through Fielding, Dalmeny, and Forestry Farm aquifers showing groundwater discharge to the North and South
Saskatchewan river valleys.
Depth, North Saskatchewan River Alluvium
0m
AG
E(
10 m
20 m
yr)
=4
30,
De
pth
(
m)
=1
214
Post Glacial Alluvium
r=0
.9 7
33
30 m
Glacial Alluvium
Maximum Depth of Alluvium
40 m
0
5000
10000
Radiocaron Age (Years Before Present)
eford
Ba ttl ation
Floral
Fo rm
Ba nk
Seepage
1
Floral
30
Sutherland
Dundurn
2
Rive
r
1590
3
1 61
0
0
160
1630
0
500
Fig. 53. Petursson’s Ravine formed by spring
sapping or piping of sand from the east bank of
South Saskatchewan River about 2 km north of the
intersection of Attridge Drive and Central Avenue,
Saskatoon. From Christiansen and Meneley (1970,
Fig. 46, p. 52).
60
80
12-12-37-5-W3
1630
1
feet
50
70
500
feet
Vertical Exageration 10x
Lower
40
0
70
15 1580
162
0
Saskatoon
Upper
20
16
20
chew
an
0
10
9-11-37-5-W3
10-11-17-5-W3
1550
1560
CO 2 evolved
Resistivity
Ohms
ml/g
20 30 40 50 10 20 30 40 50 60
Sutherland Group
Sou
th Sa
skat
10
Forestry Farm Aquifer
Origi na
l Va lley
0
South Saskatchewan River
SE-1-13-38-6-W3
Specific Conductivity
mV
30 20 10 0
50 40
Formation
Water Table
SRC Dalmeny
Depth
m
3
2
Fig. 50. Relationship between depth and age of
North Saskatchewan River alluvium (Christiansen,
1983).
90
100
Empress
110
120
130
Bedrock
140
150
Sand, fine to med
Clay, bentonite
Sand, coarse
Silt
Gravel
Till
Constituent
Hydroxide as OH
Carbonate as CO3
Bicarbonate as HCO3
Sulphate as SO4
Chloride as Cl
Calcium as Ca
Magnesium as Mg
Sodium as Na
ppm
Nil
Nil
709
1255
11
358
182
98
Shale
Fill, concretion,
rock, boulder
Oxidized zone
pH
Concentration
Conductivity (uS/cm)
Hardness as CaCO3
Alkalinity as CaCO3
6.90
2637
2500
1656
581
Date of analyses:
June 21, 1968
Fig. 52. Dalmeny observation well completed in the
upper sand of the Dalmeny aquifer (Fig. 51). A
chemical analysis is included with the concentration,
hardness, and sulphate constituents high-lighted.
Fig. 54. Major aquifers in Saskatchewan yielding
potable water by H. Maathuis, Saskatchewan
Research Council showing the location of the St.
Louis bridge site over the Hatfield valley.