| Resource Name |
Potential for Freshwater Bedrock Aquifers in Northeast British Columbia: Regional Distribution and Lithology of Surface and Shallow Subsurface Bedrock Units |
| Unique File Number |
42 |
| Information Type |
Applied Research |
| Surface Water |
|
| Aquatic Ecosystem |
|
| Groundwater |
A |
| Groundwater & Surface Water |
|
| Management for Natural & Industrial Hazards |
|
| Strengths |
Detailed stratigraphic studies have been published on many of the bedrock formations that are prospective
for fresh groundwater. |
| Limitations |
The depth to the base of fresh groundwater is unknown almost everywhere in northeast BC because
of the data gap between the base of water wells (generally less than 150 m deep) and top of logged and
sampled oil and gas exploration wells (generally greater than 300 m deep). |
| Challenges |
Classifying and delineating the many unidentified aquifers because of low data density. This data gap can be addressed by obtaining new lithological and geochemical data from the upper few hundred metres in a representative number of exploration oil and gas wells. |
| Outstanding Research Questions |
Are there bedrock units with significant potable water yields outside the Peace River valley in those areas where shale gas development continues. |
| Outstanding Research Questions |
Water quality (lower in dissolved solids) is generally better in the Rocky Mountain Foothills and poorer
on the plains in the Peace River valley, where significant data exist. Does this continue to the north of the Peace River valley? |
| Information Subtype |
geoscience |
| Organization |
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas |
| Resource Name |
Potential for Freshwater Bedrock Aquifers in Northeast British Columbia: Regional Distribution and Lithology of Surface and Shallow Subsurface Bedrock Units |
| Resource Purpose |
Identify data sources and previous work that provide tools for freshwater resource exploration and describe the characteristics of shallow (<600 m) bedrock units in terms of their predicted hydrostratigraphic properties (i.e., aquifer versus aquitard), lithology and distribution. |
| Type of Information |
Stratigraphy, lithology, deliverability |
| How does this help decision making? |
Support oil and gas industry water demand with information on potential subsurface water sources |
| Program Status |
Complete |
| NE Coverage |
Specific to NE BC |
| Drinking Water |
Y |
| Ecosystem |
|
| Fish |
|
| Groundwater |
Y |
| Public Safety |
|
| SW Quality |
|
| SW Quantity |
|
| Link |
http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Geoscience/PublicationsCatalogue/OilGas/OGReports/Documents/2012/Riddell.pdf |
| Text Query |
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| Google Earth |
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| iMap Path Link |
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| Spatial Metadata |
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| Map |
|
| Contact Email |
[email protected] |
