Hydrogeological characterisation of the Calgary

Hydrogeological characterisation of the
Calgary-Lethbridge Corridor to inform land
use planning
Liggett, J.E. and Atkinson, L.A.
WaterTech 2016 - 7 April 2016
South Saskatchewan Region
Land Use Planning
Framework
South Saskatchewan
Regional Plan
(AEP)
Groundwater
Management Framework
Enhanced GW
Monitoring Network
AGS
CalgaryLethbridge
Corridor
• 21 159 km2
• Shape defined by 8 subbasins limited by the
deformation belt to the west
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Regional
Hydrogeological
Analysis
Hydrogeology
Geology
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Geology
Surficial
Bedrock
H
i
g
L
h
o
w
Regional
Hydrostratigraphy
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Hydrostratigraphy of the CLC
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Unconsolidated HSUs
Upland planation
surface
AWWID well
record
•
Simplifications of the Neogene-Quaternary succession were made to establish the vertical
sequence of three hydrostratigraphic units (HSUs) above bedrock
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Unconsolidated HSUs
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Unconsolidated HSUs
S2
C
S1
Conceptual Model
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Image at 30 x vertical exaggeration
9
3D Geological Framework of Alberta
3D view of the
Belly River Group
Image taken from the 3D Geological Framework of Alberta
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Subsurface
stratigraphic pick
20x vertical exaggeration
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Hydrostratigraphic
Model
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Geology
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Regional
Hydrogeological
Analysis
Hydrogeology
Geology
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• Hydraulic
• Quality
• Recharge/Discharge
• Bedrock
• Surficial
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Versatile Soil Moisture Budget Model
(VSMB)
1D
Used in Canadian Prairies by
ARD/ACIS and UofC
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VSMB Modelling
Different simulations for different conditions
• 2 soils (sandy loam/silty clay)
• 2 vegetation (grass/wheat)
• 3 ET routines
• 4 weather stations
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34 mm/y
Recharge
70 of 144
simulations had
recharge
Previous estimates
for south AB range ~
5 – 40 mm/yr
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58 mm/y
24 mm/y
10 mm/y
16
Recharge
Highly variable year to
year (0-100+ mm range)
and seasonally
Depression focused
recharge important
(UofC)
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Water Supply
Wells
E.g. Domestic,
stock, municipal,
etc.
NOT observation,
test holes,
dewatering, etc.
Allocation based on
middle of screen
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HSU S1
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S1 Cross Section
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Bedrock Units
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Unconsolidated
Scollard/
Willow Creek Fm
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Distribution of Permeable Bedrock
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North
Bedrock
topography
Top
East
West
• Shallow depths (< 150 m):
slice mapping complements
existing water well data
• Deeper depths (>150 m):
slice mapping provides info
where data may be lacking
Lea Park/
Pakowki Fm
(model base)
South
60x vertical exaggeration
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Net: Gross ≥ 0.60
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Hydrogeology
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Summary
Regional hydrostratigraphic characterization
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Summary
Foundation for defining sub-regional aquifer
units (& properties) and GW management
units
Land Use Planning
Helps focus:
• Priority areas of interest
Framework
South Saskatchewan
Regional Plan
• GW monitoring network
• Robust assessment of GW availability
Groundwater Management
Framework
Enhanced GW
Monitoring Network
• SW/GW interaction studies
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Acknowledgements
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G. Hartman
•
D. Palombi
•
N. Nakevska
•
P. Glombick (formerly at AGS)
•
S. Mei
•
D. Bechtel (formerly at AGS)
•
K. MacCormack
Alberta Environment and Parks
Alberta AgroClimatic Information Service
UofC - Dr. Masaki Hayashi
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