Water Stewardship Information Sources

Resource Name The impact of gravel extraction on groundwater dependent wetlands and lakes in the Boreal Plains, Canada
Unique File Number 359
Information Type applied Research
Surface Water A
Aquatic Ecosystem
Groundwater A
Groundwater & Surface Water A
Management for Natural & Industrial Hazards
Strengths examination of gravel extraction effects on hydrology of down-gradient lakes and wetlands
Limitations
Challenges
Outstanding Research Questions
Outstanding Research Questions
Information Subtype groundwater-surface water interactions
Organization HEAD Project
Resource Name Smerdon, BD et al. 2012. The impact of gravel extraction on groundwater dependent wetlands and lakes in the Boreal Plains, Canada. Environmental Earth Sciences 67: 1249-1259.
Resource Purpose The impact of gravel excavation on a groundwater dependent ecosystem (GDE) in a glacial outwash plain was determined using a combination of time-series stable isotopic measurements (δ2H and δ18O) and a numerical flow model of lake–groundwater interaction. Isotopic analyses of the lake and groundwater indicated a shift from a dominance of evaporative enrichment to more meteoric conditions, confirming the hypothesis of increased recharge following forest clearing and gravel extraction from an esker on the outwash plain. The effect of these land-use changes on source water for the GDE was quantified by simulating the lake water budget, seepage, and groundwater conditions for a period spanning pre- and post-mining activity. Enhanced cycling of shallow groundwater, driven by increased recharge in the gravel excavation area, was predicted to cause annual groundwater discharge pulses greater than baseline conditions for the groundwater-fed lake. The additional groundwater discharge represents approximately 4% of the annual lake budget, increasing the flushing rate of the lake. The influence of regional groundwater conditions, represented by variation of water table gradient and outwash hydraulic conductivity, and an alternative excavation location were investigated in a sensitivity analysis. Simulation results illustrate that a simple groundwater capture zone analysis for the GDE could be used to determine a location for gravel excavation that would reduce impact on GDE water source.
Type of Information article
How does this help decision making?
Program Status complete
NE Coverage boreal Plains
Drinking Water
Ecosystem y
Fish
Groundwater y
Public Safety
SW Quality
SW Quantity y
Link http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12665-012-1568-4
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