A geophysical study of alpine groundwater processes and their geologic controls in the southeastern Canadian Rocky Mountains ...

Groundwater storage is essential for maintaining steady stream flows and temperatures in mountain watersheds, yet catchment-scale hydrogeological processes remain poorly understood. This study characterizes the hydrogeology of a new site in Kananaskis Valley of southeastern Canadian Rocky Mountains....

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Christensen, Craig William
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:unknown
Published: Graduate Studies 2017
Subjects:
Online Access:https://dx.doi.org/10.11575/prism/24746
https://prism.ucalgary.ca/handle/11023/3960
Description
Summary:Groundwater storage is essential for maintaining steady stream flows and temperatures in mountain watersheds, yet catchment-scale hydrogeological processes remain poorly understood. This study characterizes the hydrogeology of a new site in Kananaskis Valley of southeastern Canadian Rocky Mountains. Three different geophysical methods (electrical resistivity tomography, seismic refraction tomography, and ground penetrating radar) imaged structures such as thick, heterogenous talus, permafrost, and a buried overdeepening. Bedrock topography, overburden heterogeneity, and overburden thickness are the most important controls on groundwater flow paths and storage, and may explain anomalously high winter base flows at the site. Comparing the talus deposits to those at a contrasting site in Yoho National Park points to a causal link between hydrogeological characteristics and physiographic variables, hinting at possible spatial patterns in groundwater storage potential. These results will help water resource and ...