Water Science Research: Challenges and Success Stories in

Knowledge Translation

Diana M. Allen

Department of Earth SciencesSimon Fraser University

Department of

Earth Sciences

The Growing Demand on Water

Groundwater is becoming an attractive resource to meet the growing water needs in many regions of BC

As the demand for groundwater increases, it will become increasingly important to consider:– the threats to this resource in terms of sustainability and

vulnerability to contamination– Conflict between water users, including ecosystems– Potential impacts of climate change

As water scientists, we need to communicate these risks to decision makers more effectively than we have done in the past.

Overview Examples of case studies

throughout BC that aimed to further our understanding of groundwater systems– Grand Forks– The Gulf Islands– Okanagan Basin

Demonstrate the importance of groundwater data

Highlight the successes and challenges in knowledge translation

Low flows, groundwater and climate change

Groundwater (Well) Data

Observation wells provide groundwater level time series data that can be used to understand groundwater processes.

Well records provide lithological information taken at the time of drilling.

These two forms of well data are invaluable for characterizing and modelling aquifers.

Grand Forks

Okanagan Basin

Gulf Islands

Grand Forks

Scibek and Allen, 2006; WRRScibek et al., 2007; JH

Kettle River

Granby RiverGrand Forks city

WashingtonState

BC

N E

SW

Grand Forks Aquifer

504.0

504.5

505.0

505.5

506.0

506.5

507.0

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991

Date

Riv

er W

ater

Ele

vatio

n (m

a.s

.l.)

509.0

509.5

510.0

510.5

511.0

511.5

512.0

512.5

Gro

undw

ater

Ele

vatio

n (m

asl

)

Kettle River (channel elev 509.6 m) near Obs Well 217

Obs Well 217 (elev 513.5 m)

Groundwater Wells(BC database)

Boreholes with lithology information

Standardized lithology

Aquifer Vulnerability Map

Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

Potential well yield

Assumptions: Homogeneous K, Ss Fully penetrating, 100% efficient

wells 70% safe available drawdown Recharge within 100 days of

pumping Jacob’s equation applicable

Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

well database

Cross-section layout (selection of boreholes)

Cross-section interpretation

Bedrock surfacemodel (bottom ofvalley sediment fill)

Deep sand

Clay / Till

Silt / silty sand

Sand (“aquifer”)

Gravel (“aquifer”)

Aquifer Geologic Model

Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

Overall Modeling Approachaquifer geological model Climate

modeldownscaling

river discharge precipitation

and temperature

recharge model (spatially distributed)509.25

509.50

509.75

510.00

510.25

510.50

510.75

511.00

0 20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

240

260

280

300

320

340

360

Model Time (Julian Day)

Wate

r E

levation in O

bs W

ell 2

17 (

m a

.s.l.)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Dis

charg

e in K

ett

le R

iver

(m3/s

)

Observed groundwater elevation (long term monthly means)

Simulated groundwater elevation, 1961-1999

Observed Kettle R. discharge 1971-2000

Simulated Kettle R. discharge 1971-2000

river flow models

numerical model

scenario simulations

Scibek and Allen 2006Scibek et al. 2007

Groundwater level (sand unit) –non-pumping scenario

Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

Groundwater level (sand unit) –pumping scenario

Zone 1Zone 2

Zone 3

Zone 4

Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

Water Budget Information

-10000

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

1 2 3 4

Zone

Ch

an

ge

in

in

flo

w c

au

se

d b

y w

ell

pu

mp

ing

(m

3/d

)

constant head

ET

recharge

external

Inflow

-10000

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

1 2 3 4

Zone

Ch

ang

e in

ou

tflo

w c

ause

d b

y w

ell

pu

mp

ing

(m

3/d

)

constant head

wells

ET

recharge

external

Outflow

Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

Modeled Capture Zones for Major Community Wells

Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

Scibek and Allen, 2006; WRR

Spatially-varying recharge highlights areas where climate change impacts may be more significant

Climate Change Impacts

Kettle River near Laurier, WALong term averages of smoothed discharge: mean inflated 24 nearest neighbour

model compared to 1971-2000 observed streamflows

10

100

1000

0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

End of 5-day period (days)

Dis

char

ge (

m3 /s

)

Observed meandischarge 1971-2000

Simulated meandischarge 1971-2000

Simulated meandischarge 2001-2030

Simulated meandischarge 2031-2060

Simulated meandischarge 2061-2090

earlier peak flow

longer low flow

lower baseflow

higher flow in winter(more snowmelt / rain)

June 29

May 11

Nov 1

Aug 29

2040-2069

Difference in water levels between historicaland future climate scenarios

2010-2039

Scibek et al. 2007Scibek and Allen 2006

Knowledge Translation

The various maps that characterize the Grand Forks aquifer are situated on the BC Water Resources Atlas.

Well capture zones were intended for use in a Wellhead Protection Plan, but as yet, this plan has not been developed by the community.

Climate change impacts results have remained largely in the academic literature.

Grand Forks

Okanagan Basin

Gulf Islands

Gulf Islands

BC

WA

Gabriola

Galiano

Vancouver

Saturna

Mayne

Pender

Victoria

Saltspring

Sandstones

Interbedded Sandstones / Mudstones

Fault / Fracture Zones

Figure courtesy of Geological Survey of Canada

Our Conceptual Understanding of the Geological Framework

Allen et al. 2002Mackie MSc thesis 2002Surrette and Allen 2008 GSA BullSurrette et al. 2008 HJ

Does groundwater come from

Mount Baker?

The aquifers are recharged by precipitation on an annual basis; most recharge occurs in the late fall and winter months.

Significant variability Longer term cycles are evident in the historic

recordTrends in groundwater level must be examined keeping in mind these variations.

Saturna Data

Allen and Suchy 2001 CJESAllen 2004, GW

1000 years of submergence approx. 12,000 years ago

6000 years before today

TodayLiteanu and Allen 2008

Vulnerability Mapping with GSC

Vulnerability Mapping for southern GI was done to identify potential recharge zones or zones that might be prone to saltwater intrusion problems

Denny et al. 2007 HJ

DRASTIC-Fm is an acronym for the most important mappable features within the hydrogeologic setting which control aquifer vulnerability. These features are:

DRASTIC-Fm

D - Depth to watertableR- (Net) RechargeA- Aquifer mediaT - Topography (slope)S- Soil media I - Impact of Vadose Zone MediaC- Conductivity (Hydraulic) of

Aquifer.Fm- Fractured media

Figure courtesy of Geological Survey of Canada

Input Datasets

Digital Elevation Model

Bedrock Geology

Soil characteristics

Water Well Database, Faults and Fractures

Figure courtesy of Geological Survey of Canada

Faults and Fractures

Final fault dataset represents a combination of digital lineament analysis and faults and fractures mapped in the field.

Lineament analysis performed by combining satellite imagery and a

DEM

Figure courtesy of Geological Survey of Canada

Aquifer Vulnerability Map

Low susceptibility

Denny et al. 2007

Figure courtesy of Geological Survey of Canada

Knowledge Translation

Many island residents still believe their groundwater comes from Mount Baker

Vulnerability maps are being used by the Islands Trust for planning

Research has provided much of the science understanding for the development of the GI Waterscape Poster

Grand Forks

Okanagan Basin

Gulf Islands

Okanagan Basin

Kelowna

Oliver

Goals of Okanagan CWN Project

To contribute to science knowledge about groundwater, particularly groundwater recharge

To partner with Smart Growth on the Ground in Oliver to ensure that this knowledge was effectively transferred to local decision makers.

“A Basin Approach to Groundwater Recharge in the Okanagan: Bridging the Gap

Between Science and Policy”

Oliver: A Focal Point

Vulnerability mapping

Groundwater model development

Climate change impacts

Partnering with local government and Smart Growth on the Ground (SGOG)

Depth to water range (m)

Rating

0 - 1.5 10

1.6 - 4.6 9

4.7 - 9.1 7

9.2 - 15.2 5

15.3 - 22.9 3

23 - 30.5 2

30.6 + 1

Example:

Vulnerability = (5)D + (4)R + (3)A + (2)S + (1)T + (5)I + (3)C

DRASTIC

Aquifer Vulnerability in Oliver

Liggett and Allen accepted, EES

Groundwater Model

Toews and Allen 2009, ERL

155 m382 m

60 day 365 day

Lions Park (WTN 83010)

Q = 6705 m³/day1230 USgal/min

Probability ofparticle origin

0.90.80.7

0.60.50.40.3

0.2

500 m500 m

Toews and Allen 2007, BC MoE

96 m237 m

Q = 2317 m³/day425 USgal/min

Fairview (WTN 21867)

60 day 365 dayProbability ofparticle origin

0.90.80.7

0.60.50.40.3

0.2

500 m 500 m

Toews and Allen 2007, BC MoE

Climate Change

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual

base

2020

s20

50s

2080

s

01

23

4

Absolute change in mean temperature

State Start End Total days base 117 (27 Apr.) 284 (11 Oct.) 167 2020s 107 (17 Apr.) 290 (17 Oct.) 183 2050s 101 (11 Apr.) 299 (26 Oct.) 198 2080s 91 (1 Apr.) 307 (3 Nov.) 216

Changes in growing days (10°C)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual

base

2020

s20

50s

2080

s

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

Relative change in monthly precipitation

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual

base

2020

s20

50s

2080

s

0.90

0.95

1.00

1.05

1.10

Relative change in solar radiation

Toews and Allen 2009, JH

80 mm/yr45

Recharge modelling results: seasonal

Annual recharge rates

22.5

km

8.6 km

Minor increase of recharge with future-predicted climate change

More potential evapotranspiration earlier in season

Toews and Allen 2009, JH

Using Groundwater Information in Land Use

Planning Smart Growth on the Ground took place in the

Greater Oliver Area Principles of creating tangible, built examples

of smart growth Facilitators help to establish a vision,

principles, priorities, goals and targets for smart growth through a charrette process (May 2006)– Municipal officials, developers, local residents all took

part– Designs for housing mix, transportation routes,

commercial opportunities, trail networks, etc. Water scarcity and water quality identified as

key priorities to be incorporated into the OCP

20012011

202120312041

Use of Science for Local Decision Making

Land Use Allocation Model (LUAM) was developed to help identify areas of desirable growth, and the aquifer vulnerability maps were included.

Well capture zones for use in wellhead protection planning are identified in the new Oliver OCP

Climate change impacts on groundwater recharge have been assessed although not explicitly incorporated into the LUAM

Most of the research on groundwater within the Oliver region was not considered during the recent Okanagan Basin Supply and Demand Study.

Groundwater, Low Flows and Climate

Change

Interaction between groundwater and surface water

Trends in late summer streamflow and groundwater levels

From Alley et al., USGS Circular 1186, 1999

A. Gaining – groundwater contributes to stream

- Upwelling water has relatively constant temperature and contains nutrients from underground, but is lower in dissolved oxygen

B. Losing – surface water contributes to groundwater

• Downwelling water is high in dissolved oxygen but temperature varies daily and seasonally

Streams may gain groundwater in some reaches and lose in others, and the patterns can change seasonally.

GW-SW Interactions

Pumping enhances loss.Pumping can reverse direction of water

movement.Becomes a losing stream.

Recharge Area

Str

eam

Recharge Area

Str

eam

Str

eam

Str

eam

Gaining Stream Losing Stream

Conflict Between Water Users

#*#*#*

#* #* #*#*#*

#*#*#*#*

#*

#*#*#*#*

#*#*

#*#*#*

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*

#*#* #*#*

#*#*

#*

Victoria

Golden

Duncan

Merritt

Cassidy

Osoyoos

83 Mile

Saanich

Mt.Kobau

Westwold

Kalawoods

Armstrong

Summerland

Stump Lake

Grand Forks

Salmon River

Mayne IslandDenman Island

Mission Creek

Carrs Landing

Fraser ValleyGaliano Island

Silverstar U

1976-1996

Groundwater Trends

September

#* < -0.5000

#* -0.49 - -0.2

#* -0.19 - -0.05

#* -0.049 - 0.05

#* 0.049 - 0.2

#* 0.21 - 0.5

#* 0.51 - 1.0

§Red tones: decreases

Blue tones: increases

Dominantly Negative Trends in September Groundwater Levels

Moore et al 2008 CCAF

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1976-1996

Streamflow Trend

September

" < - -0.5000

" -0.5 - -0.2

" -0.2 - -0.05

" -0.05 - 0.05

" 0.05 - 0.2

" 0.2 - 0.5

" 0.5 - 1.0

§Red tones: decreases

Blue tones: increases

More Negative Trends in September Streamflows

Moore et al 2008 CCAF

There are some indications that negative trends in late summer groundwater levels may be related to negative trends in summer baseflow

Given that groundwater is the main contributor to baseflow it is important to consider linkages between the groundwater system and the surface water system Aquatic habitat

protection Avoid user conflict

Science Needs on GW-SW Interaction

There have been some significant success stories with respect to knowledge translation and uptake in BC.

But, academic research is largely disseminated in the peer refereed literature and often does not lead to informing policy development.

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

Students:Jacek Scibek (MSc), Mike Toews (MSc), Jessica Liggett (MSc), Dan Mackie (MSc), Megan Surrette (MSc), Laurie Neilson-Welch (PhD), Mary Ann Middleton (PhD)

Collaborators:Geological Survey of Canada (Murray Journeay, Shannon Denny, Sonia Tolwar)Environment Canada (Basil Hii, Gwyn Graham, Paul Whitfield, Alex Cannon)BC MoE (Mike Wei, Vicki Carmichael, Kevin Ronneseth)