| Resource Name |
Conceptual Water Model for the Horn River Basin, Northeast British Columbia (Parts of NTS 094I, J, O, P) |
| Unique File Number |
80 |
| Information Type |
Applied research |
| Surface Water |
Y |
| Aquatic Ecosystem |
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| Groundwater |
Y |
| Groundwater & Surface Water |
Y |
| Management for Natural & Industrial Hazards |
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| Strengths |
consideration of information available and data needs for hydrogeologic modelling of water in the Horn River Basin |
| Limitations |
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| Challenges |
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| Outstanding Research Questions |
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| Outstanding Research Questions |
This paper has identified the important features forinclusion in any hydrogeological model(s) in the HRB. However, the transition from this conceptual model to a representative numerical model requires more information in the following areas: 1. Muskeg: The identification of wetland and delineation of fens and bogs. Muskeg in the HRB allows very little downward infiltration of water. Fens channel water laterally towards the basin outlet, whereas bogs retain water within the basin. Some basins in the HRB are identified as having more than 25% wetland. The appropriate characterization of wetland will dramatically affect the accuracy of the model. 2. Permafrost: Location and distribution of discontinuous permafrost. In permafrost areas, water flows in a shallow horizon with little storage capacity, while in nonpermafrost areas water may infiltrate to depth and directly affect the water table. Permafrost dictates regions of surface water–groundwater interaction. Better delineation of fens and bogs will aid in identifying potential permafrost locations. 3. Climate: The spatial distribution of evapotranspiration. Evapotranspiration is one of the largest parameters affecting water balance and is poorly understood across most of the HRB. It varies spatially with the distribution of vegetation type (e.g., upland forest, fen, bog), lakes and water-table depth. 4. Stream discharge: Increased monitoring of stream levels and watershed discharge. Greater ground-based
knowledge will help calibrate any numerical model(s). 5. Water table: Increased monitoring of water-table levels basin-wide. Greater ground-based knowledge will help calibrate any numerical model(s). It will also identify spatial sensitivity to seasonal climatic variation. Water- table height dictates evapotranspiration and lateral flow. Lowering of the water-table fragments subsurface channels in fens and causes shallow lakes to disappear. 6. Topography: Delineation of lake depth. Understanding lake bathymetry will clarify the volume of water stored in lakes. 7. Lake-wetland interconnection: Identification of lakes that are connected to wetland via subsurface lateral flow and those that are isolated. Lakes are often identified as ready, replenishable water sources. Identifying isolated lakes will focus water withdrawal toward lakes that can better support the demand. 8. Identification of thermokarst lakes: Thermokarst lakes form where permafrost melts and tend to be associated with a transition to fen. |
| Information Subtype |
|
| Organization |
MEMPR |
| Resource Name |
Johnson, E. (2010): Conceptual water model for the Horn River Basin, northeast British Columbia (NTS 094O, parts of 094P, J); in Geoscience Reports 2010, BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, pages 99–121 |
| Resource Purpose |
Work was undertaken to develop a conceptual water model for the Horn River Basin (HRB). Water models are needed for resource management because of a rapidly growing water demand associated with shale gas development in northeast British Columbia. Lumped-parameter models are easier to generate, but for the scale of watersheds in the HRB, distributed-parameter models are more appropriate. |
| Type of Information |
article |
| How does this help decision making? |
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| Program Status |
Completed |
| NE Coverage |
NE BC specific |
| Drinking Water |
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| Ecosystem |
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| Fish |
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| Groundwater |
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| Public Safety |
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| SW Quality |
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| SW Quantity |
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| Link |
http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Geoscience/PublicationsCatalogue/OilGas/OGReports/Documents/2010/2010_Johnson.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 |
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| Contact Email |
[email protected] |
