Alberta oil sands hydrological research

• Main Author: Conservation and Utilization Committee
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 1974
• Subjects: Research Needs; Hydrology; Oil sands; Tar Sands; Alberta; Athabasca River
• Online Access: https://era.library.ualberta.ca/items/d30ebcab-bcd5-4956-a0fc-278edffdf0ac; https://doi.org/10.7939/R3JC10

Extraction of bitumen from the Alberta Oil Sands by surface mining will have a major impact on the hydrology of the areas immediately adjacent to each mine, and an impact on any drainage system receiving discharge from the mining or processing areas. Conversely, the hydrology will have a major impact on the mining operations. The exact nature of the impacts is difficult to evaluate, because: (a) both surface and subsurface hydrologic systems of the lower Athabasca River basin are poorly known, (b) the exact nature, amounts and ultimate fate of effluent and tailings materials are uncertain, (c) the degree of utilization of the waters within each basin and the possible physical changes to each basin ate essentially unknown, and (d) the nature and stability of the post-mining landscape, including particularly the success of reclamation and revegetation is open to speculation. In fact, at present we cannot predict even the simpler natural hydrologic characteristics of the river, nor do we have any real idea of the effect of the effluents produced by the oil sands plants. In this context, we generally conclude that the main initial emphasis of hydrologic studies should be on gathering sufficient information that the questions implied in items (a), (b) and (c) can be answered, and hence item (d) appraised. Sufficient data are needed to simulate surface runoff through the mining areas and to simulate groundwater flow systems in the mining areas; background data are needed on the physical and chemical characteristics of rivers and streams to determine present status, and so that pollution loads and other changes can be monitored. It is necessary to know, among other things: flood flows, to decide on the needs for and designs of stream diversions; the low-flow characteristics streams, for pollution control; and the severity of ice runs, again for flood information and diversion designs. To obtain this information, a general two-phase approach is needed: (1) an inventory of the hydrologic resources in the drainage basins ...