| Title | Numerical modelling - a key tool to support water management decisions in Ontario |
| Download | Download (whole publication) |
| |
| Licence | Please note the adoption of the Open Government Licence - Canada
supersedes any previous licences. |
| Author | Holysh, S; Marchildon, M; Martin, P; Kassenaar, D; Neville, C; Gerber, R; Hodgins, E |
| Source | Regional-scale groundwater geoscience in southern Ontario: an Ontario Geological Survey, Geological Survey of Canada, and Conservation Ontario geoscientists open house; by Russell, H A J ; Ford, D; Priebe, E H; Holysh, S; Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 8363,
2018 p. 19-20, https://doi.org/10.4095/306537  Open
Access |
| Year | 2018 |
| Publisher | Natural Resources Canada |
| Meeting | Regional-Scale Groundwater Geoscience in Southern Ontario: Open House; Guelph; CA; February 28 - March 1, 2018 |
| Document | open file |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | on-line; digital |
| Related | This publication is contained in Regional-scale groundwater
geoscience in southern Ontario: an Ontario Geological Survey, Geological Survey of Canada, and Conservation Ontario geoscientists open house |
| File format | pdf |
| Subjects | hydrogeology; modelling; groundwater; aquifers; groundwater resources; resource management; resource estimation; governments; groundwater movement; groundwater regimes; groundwater flow; flow regimes;
surface waters; Decision making; Water management; Phanerozoic; Cenozoic; Quaternary; Paleozoic; Silurian |
| Program | Groundwater Geoscience Aquifer Assessment & support to mapping |
| Released | 2018 02 16 |
| Abstract | Since about 2000, Ontario's municipalities, conservation authorities, provincial ministries and consulting firms have been variously engaged in preparing technically sophisticated numerical models for
the purposes of managing and protecting water supplies. Not only have these models led to an improved understanding of water quantity and water movement within the province's watersheds, but the work has also led to a comprehensive synthesis of water
related information across much of the province.
A resultant ongoing challenge for all parties is one of maintaining this new knowledge based infrastructure for future use. The challenge is a difficult one, in light both of the limited finances,
as well as the limited technical modelling expertise available within the province. However to not make use and build upon the important work that has been undertaken, would be a disservice to Ontario's citizens. It is therefore incumbent on the
community of practitioners to figure out a strategic path forward.
The goal of this half-day session will be to initially shed light on the ability of numerical models to provide insights into flow system behaviour and thereby be a valuable tool
for water resources management. The follow up panel discussion will touch upon various issues related to broadening the use of numerical models. One specific topic of interest will be model management, this being a very new endeavour, having only
recently arrived at Ontario's doorstep in a significant way following on the extensive technical work undertaken through Source Water Protection.
Through the construction and use of numerical models, consultants assemble a tremendous understanding
of the how water moves in the subsurface and how it interacts with the surface water environment. The entirety of this understanding can never be fully conveyed in a summary report. Drawing upon their considerable expertise in the construction and
use of numerical models, the speakers will highlight various instances where numerical models have been used, or could be used, to reveal flow system behaviours that can assist Ontario to improve water management related decisions.
Following upon
the talks, stick around after the break for an engaging and insightful panel discussion that will address a broad range of current issues surrounding the use of numerical models in water management decision-making. Can any numerical model be
re-used/re-purposed for future decision-making given that it has been built for a specific purpose? Should models be considered out dated and obsolete once they have served their initial purpose? What are the limitations to such re-use and how should
they be conveyed? Is it that only certain elements of a numerical model be used into the future? Who should ensure models are up-to-date and reflect the most current understanding prior to their re-use? How can high level technical and policy
managers be made aware of the considerable insights that numerical models can bring to bear on water management decisions? As a community of technical practitioners, is there a need to train colleagues and staff at provincial ministries,
municipalities, conservation authorities and consulting firms, to be more comfortable with the insights and analyses offered up through numerical modeling? How is this best achieved? Will this lead to increased use of numerical models as a key input
to guide decision making? Is there perhaps a role for a structured peer review system whereby credible modelling experts are retained to assist in model re-use/re-purposing? |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
Proceedings for a workshop in Guelph Ontario as part of the program S&T exchange. Abstracts have been contributed by Ontario Geological Survey, Ministry
of Environment and Climate Change, Conservation Authorities, Universities, private sector, and Unites States Geological Survey. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 306537 |
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