| Title | Hydrostratigraphic and groundwater flow models of a complex unconsolidated aquifer system, Nanaimo Lowlands, British Columbia, Canada |
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| Author | Benoit, N; Paradis, D ; Bednarski, J; Russell, H |
| Source | Conference program and abstracts, IAH-CNC 2015 Waterloo; 2015 p. 170-171 |
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| Year | 2015 |
| Alt Series | Earth Sciences Sector, Contribution Series 20140418 |
| Publisher | International Association of Hydrogeologists - Canadian National Chapter |
| Meeting | IAH-CNC Conference 2015; Waterloo, ON; CA; October 27-30, 2015 |
| Document | book |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper; on-line; digital |
| File format | pdf |
| Province | British Columbia |
| NTS | 92F/07; 92F/08; 92F/10 |
| Area | Vancouver Island |
| Lat/Long WENS | -125.0000 -124.2500 49.6333 49.2500 |
| Subjects | hydrogeology; surficial geology/geomorphology; regional geology; stratigraphy; geophysics; Nature and Environment; Science and Technology; groundwater resources; aquifers; groundwater flow;
hydrostratigraphic units; models; modelling; geophysical logging; geophysical surveys; seismic reflection surveys; sediments; sands; clays; gravels; silts; glacial deposits; tills; bedrock geology; lithology; sedimentary rocks; siltstones;
sandstones; Nanaimo Lowlands; 3-D modelling; geological mapping; aquitards; glaciomarine sediments |
| Program | Groundwater Geoscience,
Aquifer Assessment & support to mapping |
| Released | 2015 10 01 |
| Abstract | To support sustainable groundwater management, tridimensional (3D) hydrostratigraphic and groundwater flow models were developed for an unconsolidated aquifer system in the Nanaimo Lowlands, British
Columbia (Canada). The study area is a coastal strip on eastern Vancouver Island (~580 km2). A 3D hydrostratigraphic model was developed using existing well logs and published cross sections as well as new data from rotosonic coring, borehole
geophysics, seismic reflection surveys and surficial geology mapping. The detailed surficial geology consists of 31 different units that are grouped into 8 major hydrostratigraphic units, of which 5 correspond to aquifers and 3 to aquitards. These
are (from the surface down): Capilano-Salish (sand), Capilano glaciomarine (silty clay), Vashon-Capilano (sand and gravel), Vashon (till), Quadra (sand), Dashwood-Cowichan (compact silt), Mapleguard (sand), and siltstone to sandstone bedrock. This
succession of Late Pleistocene to Holocene sediments is up to 140 m thick and is present over most of the study area, thinning to the southwest with rising topography and bedrock outcrops. Capilano-Salish and Vashon-Capilano units are shallow
aquifers with relatively high vulnerability to surface contamination and low groundwater potential due to their limited thickness. The Quadra sand is the most exploited aquifer unit. It underlies the ubiquitous low permeability Vashon till and
overlies Dashwood-Cowichan aquitard or the bedrock. The Quadra has a thickness of up to 50 m in place and it is predominantly above sea level, which minimizes issues of seawater intrusion. However, only about one-third of its thickness is saturated
likely due to: (1) the covering by the Vashon aquitard that limits groundwater replenishment and (2) its deep incision by modern rivers that substantially drain its flanks. The relatively low permeability sedimentary rock aquifer is also extensively
exploited, but only in areas where the Quadra aquifer is not present. Results of 3D groundwater flow modelling based on the hydrostratigraphic model show that baseflow to major rivers is provided mostly by groundwater seepage from heavily incised
Quadra sand. Different regional groundwater flow patterns are also observed reflecting stratigraphic controls: flow within the Quadra aquifer generally follows surface water drainage basin with discharge to rivers, whereas flow in underlying
Mapleguard and bedrock aquifers is directed towards the Strait of Georgia without significant hydraulic connection with rivers. Hydrogeological insights gained through this study shows that the complexity of this aquifer system can make groundwater
management challenging and that each system component should be carefully understood to ensure sustainable management. |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
This paper focuses on the development of mathematical models of the regional hydrostratigraphy and groundwater flow for Nanaimo (BC). Nanaimo regional
aquifers represent one of the key aquifers considered by the ESS Groundwater Geosciences Program. The paper summarises the current hydrogeological knowledge and allows for visual representation of the main concepts and hydrogeological parameters for
the study area. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 295802 |
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