Hydrogeological characterisation of the Calgary-Lethbridge Corridor to inform land use planning Liggett, J.E. and Atkinson, L.A.

WaterTech 2016 - 7 April 2016

AGS

South Saskatchewan Region

South Saskatchewan Regional Plan

Land Use Planning Framework

Groundwater Management Framework

Enhanced GW Monitoring Network

(AEP)

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• 21 159 km2

• Shape defined by 8 sub-

basins limited by the deformation belt to the west

Calgary-Lethbridge

Corridor

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Hydrogeology

Geology

Regional Hydrogeological

Analysis

AGS

Geology

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Regional Hydrostratigraphy

Bedrock

Surficial

High Low

AGS

Hydrostratigraphy of the CLC

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AGS

Unconsolidated HSUs

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• Simplifications of the Neogene-Quaternary succession were made to establish the vertical sequence of three hydrostratigraphic units (HSUs) above bedrock

Upland planation surface

AWWID well record

AGS

Unconsolidated HSUs

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Unconsolidated HSUs

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Conceptual Model

Image at 30 x vertical exaggeration

S1

C

S2

AGS

3D Geological Framework of Alberta

3D view of the Belly River Group

20x vertical exaggeration

Subsurface stratigraphic pick

Image taken from the 3D Geological Framework of Alberta

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AGS

Hydrostratigraphic Model

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Geology

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• Hydraulic • Quality • Recharge/Discharge

Hydrogeology

• Bedrock • Surficial Geology

Regional Hydrogeological

Analysis

AGS

Versatile Soil Moisture Budget Model (VSMB)

1D

Used in Canadian Prairies by ARD/ACIS and UofC

Precipitation

Snow

Evap

otran

spira

tion Runoff

Recharge

AGS

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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Recharge

70 of 144 simulations had recharge

Previous estimates for south AB range ~ 5 – 40 mm/yr

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24 mm/y 10 mm/y

58 mm/y

34 mm/y

AGS

Recharge

Highly variable year to year (0-100+ mm range) and seasonally

Depression focused recharge important (UofC)

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AGS

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 C

AGS

20

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HSU S1

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AGS

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AGS

S1 Cross Section

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Bedrock Units

AGS

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AGS

27

Unconsolidated

Scollard/ Willow Creek Fm

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Distribution of Permeable Bedrock

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Bedrock topography

Lea Park/ Pakowki Fm

(model base)

North

South

East West

Top • Shallow depths (< 150 m): slice mapping complements existing water well data

• Deeper depths (>150 m): slice mapping provides info where data may be lacking

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Hydrogeology

Precipitation

Snow

Evap

otran

spira

tion Runoff

Recharge

AGS

Regional hydrostratigraphic characterization

Summary

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AGS

Summary

Foundation for defining sub-regional aquifer units (& properties) and GW management units

Helps focus: • Priority areas of interest • GW monitoring network • Robust assessment of GW availability • SW/GW interaction studies

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South Saskatchewan Regional Plan

Land Use Planning Framework

Groundwater Management Framework

Enhanced GW Monitoring Network

AGS

AGS -

Alberta Environment and Parks

Alberta AgroClimatic Information Service

UofC - Dr. Masaki Hayashi

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Acknowledgements

• G. Hartman • N. Nakevska • S. Mei • K. MacCormack

• D. Palombi • P. Glombick (formerly at AGS) • D. Bechtel (formerly at AGS)