L24 Groundwater Flows

Lecture 24: Groundwater Flows (November 6th, 2024)
Learning Objectives
After this session, students should be able to:
 List differences between aquifers and aquicludes
 Define the concept of Transmissivity (T)
 Define the concept of Storativity (S)
 Describe the relation between equipotential pressure lines and groundwater

flows
 Illustrate and explain the major features of the hydrogeology of Manitoba
 Describe major groundwater flow systems in Manitoba
 Associate regional groundwater flows with surface-subsurface flow

interactions
Definitions
Canadian hydrologists have a long-standing tradition of making fundamental

contributions to the science of groundwater as it relates to the hydrologic cycle,
such as the concept of nested flow systems (Tóth, 1963), physically based
distributed hydrological models (Freeze and Harlan, 1969; Freeze, 1974) and
tracer-based hydrograph separation (Sklash and Farvolden, 1979). Since
groundwater science has a wide variety of applications in diverse fields of
knowledge, it’s impractical to cover all aspects of Canadian groundwater research in
a short review. Therefore, the scope of this paper is limited to scientific studies of
groundwater in the context of the hydrologic cycle, excluding those studies that are
primarily focused on groundwater contamination, water resource evaluation, and
other engineering aspects of groundwater.
Water has been termed the ‘resource of the new millennium’ and maintaining clean,
viable resources has been brought to the forefront of public attention within the last
few decades. After water tainted with E. coli bacteria in Walkerton, Ontario in 2000
killed E. coli bacteria in Walkerton, Ontario in 2000 killed E. coli seven and caused
illness in 2,300 others, and with the threat of contaminated water in Saskatchewan,
delivery of clean water has become a political priority. Groundwater comprises 97%
of the world’s freshwater (Sampat, 2000). As world-wide demand for water is
continuously increasing and surface water resources are becoming threatened or
over-taxed, groundwater use as a resource will invariably grow. Whereas river
water takes an average of 20 days to renew, groundwater takes on average 1,400
years (Sampat, 2000). The time for an aquifer to renew depends on several factors,
such as recharge to the system, natural and manmade discharges, and the
hydrogeological properties. When groundwater is pumped, it is potentially being
removed from the system for many years (Sampat, 2000), depending on the nature
of the aquifers. Therefore, proper groundwater management is at the forefront of
water resources issues and requires an in-depth knowledge of complicated
hydrogeological.
Groundwater is a vital resource in Manitoba. It provides a water source to more

than 30% of Manitobans. In addition to a drinking water source for private well
owners and many municipal water providers, groundwater is an important water
source for the agricultural and industrial economy and provides a medium for
heating and cooling. Groundwater also sustains many ecosystems, including
providing base flow to rivers and streams.
Aquifers in Manitoba
Groundwater is available from two main aquifer types in Manitoba:

 bedrock aquifers
 sand and gravel aquifers
Note that the aquifer boundaries provided in the maps are approximate and based
on data available up to 1986.
The geological framework of aquifers in Manitoba including a description of the
major aquifer units in Manitoba has been described by Betcher (1985).
Groundwater information for specific areas of the province is also available in the
reports and maps sections, or available as part of an Integrated Watershed
Management Plan. A map has been developed showing flowing and high water
levels in Manitoba for your reference.
Reports and Maps:
Click on the respective links to access available groundwater reports and maps.
For information on flowing and high water levels in Manitoba wells, click here.
Well Water Fact Sheets
The Groundwater Program works closely with the Office of Drinking Water on a
number of matters including development of factsheets and maps identifying
naturally occurring trace elements in well water that have Guidelines for Canadian
Drinking Water Quality.
Requests for Data
Requests for groundwater level data and hydrogeologic information can be directed
to Groundwater Management by email at [email protected].
Groundwater Resource Links
Links to groundwater related associations and agencies:

 Manitoba Water Well Association is an industry association representing
water well drillers, pump installers and manufacturers.
 Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance is an industry association representing
geothermal drillers, installers and manufacturers.
 Manitoba Conservation Districts Association provides a leadership role and
unified voice between districts, Manitoba Agriculture and partners in
watershed management for Manitobans.
 National Groundwater Association makes available fact sheets and resources
for well owners, teachers, students, regulators and the well drilling industry.
 Groundwater Canada provides links to current news stories and resources
for the well drilling industry.
 Natural Resources Canada Geological Survey Groundwater Program has
publications on Canadian groundwater resources and federal groundwater
reports.
References
GROUNDWATER IN MANITOBA: HYDROGEOLOGY, QUALITY CONCERNS,

MANAGEMENT (Posted in UMLearn)
Government of Manitoba,
https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/water/groundwater/wells_groundwater/index.html
Paula L Kennedy & Allan D Woodbury (2005) Sustainability of the Bedrock Aquifer
Systems in South-Central Manitoba: Implications for Large-Scale Modelling ,
Canadian Water Resources Journal / Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques,
30:4, 281-296, DOI: 10.4296/cwrj3004281
Masaki Hayashi & Garth van der Kamp. (2009) Progress in Scientific Studies of
Groundwater in the Hydrologic Cycle in Canada, 2003-2007 . Canadian Water
Resources Journal / Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques 34:2, pages 177-186.

L24 Groundwater Flows

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

L24 Groundwater Flows

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

L24 Groundwater Flows

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lecture 24: Groundwater Flows (November 6th, 2024)

After this session, students should be able to:

 List differences between aquifers and aquicludes

 Define the concept of Transmissivity (T)

 Define the concept of Storativity (S)

 Describe the relation between equipotential pressure lines and groundwater

 Illustrate and explain the major features of the hydrogeology of Manitoba

 Describe major groundwater flow systems in Manitoba

 Associate regional groundwater flows with surface-subsurface flow

Canadian hydrologists have a long-standing tradition of making fundamental

Groundwater is a vital resource in Manitoba. It provides a water source to more

Groundwater is available from two main aquifer types in Manitoba:

Reports and Maps:

Requests for Data

Groundwater Resource Links

Links to groundwater related associations and agencies:

GROUNDWATER IN MANITOBA: HYDROGEOLOGY, QUALITY CONCERNS,

You might also like