CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Allard, R.; Geller, D.; Foley, J.; and Green, M.
Date : 2008.
Title : Regional characterization of groundwater in the Okanagan Basin.
Publication : One Watershed – One Water Conference. British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Water Resources Association and the Okanagan Basin Water Board. October 21 to 23, 2008. Kelowna, British Columbia.
Issue : Conference Proceedings
Page(s) : 48.
Abstract
A significant goal of the Phase 2 Okanagan Basin Water Supply and Demand Project is to develop an overall basin water balance that incorporates groundwater. This paper presents an overview of the groundwater portion of the water balance study, specifically the methodology used to characterize aquifers in the Basin as well as to quantify monthly flow and changes in storage over a ten year period from 1997 to 2006. When the Project began in early 2008, approximately 80 alluvial and bedrock aquifers in the basin had been identified and mapped by the Ministry of Environment, representing approximately 20 % of the geographic area. The Study Team developed a concept to assess aquifers across 100% of the basin and re-mapped alluvial and bedrock aquifers based on geology and surface water catchment relationships. As the majority of the bedrock aquifer areas lacked hydrologic and hydrogeologic data, it was necessary to conduct a regional analysis to infer key spatial water balance relationships. Where data existed, for example at discrete observation well hydrograph locations, aquifer hydraulic data from drilling and pumping tests at well locations and at stream flow hydrograph locations, the Study Team assessed aquifer recharge and discharge relationships based on regional climate data and literature sources. This enabled spatial relationships to be developed specifically for the Basin, relating surface runoff to groundwater recharge and net water availability as a function of precipitation, elevation and evapotranspiration. The Study developed individual water balances for over 300 separate bedrock and alluvial aquifers and the sensitivity of various input parameters in the water balance calculations, including hydraulic conductivity, gradient and saturated thickness were analyzed to determine relative influence. The output of this study increased the level of understanding of potential aquifer yield and surface water/groundwater relationships throughout the Basin. The information could be used for the development of more detailed conceptual and numerical groundwater flow models in selected areas, as well as a tool to support water management planning in the Basin.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology