ABSTRACT: Hydrostratigraphy and hydrogeological maps of granular aquifers in the laurentian piedmont, Québec

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Abstract

A geological and hydrogeological mapping project was undertaken in 1995 by the Quebec Geoscience Centre in partnership with the Quebec Ministry of Environment and the Portneuf MRC, in order to develop hydrogeologic map formats that will provide the required integrated geoscientific information needed by the MRC's to consider groundwater protection and management within their land use plan. Four thematic plates containing various maps and sketches were assembled to provide different sets of information tailored for different needs. The first plate presents the information related to Quaternary geology, the second and the third plates deal, respectiveley, with the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the groundwater resource while the fourth plate presents the information on vulnerability, landuse and wellhead protection. The hydrostratigraphic context and the groundwater resource quantity thematic plate are presented here. The quantitative groundwater resource thematic plate presents four maps and two cross sections. The central map is a piezometric map and is presented at the scale of 1:100 000. This map shows the water table elevation contours and the groundwater flow directions in the main unconfined granular aquifers of the region. These aquifers are included in the sand and gravel deltaic formations located along the Saint-Anne and the Jacques-Cartier Rivers. They constitute the most productive and extensively exploited aquifers of the region. The water table elevation contours are solely presented in areas where significant sand and gravel thicknesses are found (>2m). In areas where these deposits are absent the digital elevation model (DEM) is presented as background information. Complementary informations on municipal and private groundwater catchments are also portrayed on this map. Three complementary maps such as the depth to bedrock map and the upper sand and gravel thickness map as well as the aquifer delineation map are presented on the side at the 1:150 000 scale. The depth to bedrock map (or total sediment thickness map) outlines the main sedimentary basins of the region using 10 meters thickness contour intervals. The main hydrogeologic significance of this map is that it indicates the probable location of buried valleys where thick granular deposits and confined aquifers might be encountered. The upper sand and gravel thickness map gives an appreciation of the potential use of groundwater resource. The subdivision of the main regional sand and gravel unit into distinct aquifers was done using the hydrologic network and the upper sand and gravel thickness map.

Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology