Flow Modeling of a Syncrude North East In-Pit Hummock for the Sandhill Fen in Fort McMurray, Alberta ...

The groundwater flow of a reclamation site in Alberta’s Oil Sands was modeled using the MODFLOW 3D code. The site was simulated to determine the flow characteristics of a reclamation hummock. Such hummocks are required to maintain a mounded water table to sustain plant life placed on top as a part o...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Preston, Ryan
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: The University of British Columbia 2009
Subjects:
Online Access:https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0053583
https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0053583
Description
Summary:The groundwater flow of a reclamation site in Alberta’s Oil Sands was modeled using the MODFLOW 3D code. The site was simulated to determine the flow characteristics of a reclamation hummock. Such hummocks are required to maintain a mounded water table to sustain plant life placed on top as a part of reclamation. Sensitivity analysis was conducted initially by varying the water table depth. The hydraulic conductivity of the material, and recharge were then varied, in addition to adding a low conductivity cover layer, in order to monitor the water table response. Modeling found that a lower than predicted hydraulic conductivity value would be required to maintain a desired mounded water table at 1.5m depth. Additionally the hummock was found to be sensitive to flooding and drought conditions. Design topography such as swales and ridges were found to function as desired, by acting as areas of discharge and recharge respectively. ...