1. Water Science Research: Challenges and Success Stories in Knowledge Translation Diana M. Allen Department of Earth Sciences Simon Fraser University Department of Earth Sciences

2. The Growing Demand on Water Groundwater is becoming an attractive resource to meet the growing water needs in many regions of BC As the demand for groundwater increases, it will become increasingly important to consider: the threats to this resource in terms of sustainability and vulnerability to contamination Conflict between water users, including ecosystems Potential impacts of climate change As water scientists, we need to communicate these risks to decision makers more effectively than we have done in the past.

3. Overview Examples of case studies throughout BC that aimed to further our understanding of groundwater systems Grand Forks The Gulf Islands Okanagan Basin Demonstrate the importance of groundwater data Highlight the successes and challenges in knowledge translation Low flows, groundwater and climate change

4. Groundwater (Well) Data Observation wells provide groundwater level time series data that can be used to understand groundwater processes. Well records provide lithological information taken at the time of drilling. These two forms of well data are invaluable for characterizing and modelling aquifers.

5. Okanagan Basin Gulf Islands Grand Forks

6. Grand Forks Scibek and Allen, 2006; WRR Scibek et al., 2007; JH

7. Grand Forks Aquifer N E S W Granby River Grand Forks city Washington State BC Kettle River

9. Groundwater Wells (BC database) Standardized lithology Boreholes with lithology information

10. Aquifer Vulnerability Map Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

11. Potential well yield Assumptions: Homogeneous K, Ss Fully penetrating, 100% efficient wells 70% safe available drawdown Recharge within 100 days of pumping Jacob’s equation applicable Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

12. well database

13. Cross-section layout (selection of boreholes)

14. Cross-section interpretation

15. Bedrock surface model (bottom of valley sediment fill)

16. Deep sand

17. Clay / Till

18. Silt / silty sand

19. Sand (“aquifer”)

20. Gravel (“aquifer”)

21. Aquifer Geologic Model Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

22. Overall Modeling Approach aquifer geological model Climate model downscaling river discharge precipitation and temperature numerical model river flow models recharge model (spatially distributed) scenario simulations Scibek and Allen 2006 Scibek et al. 2007

23. Groundwater level (sand unit) –non-pumping scenario Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

24. Groundwater level (sand unit) –pumping scenario Zone 3 Zone 4 Zone 1 Zone 2 Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

25. Inflow Outflow Water Budget Information Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

26. Modeled Capture Zones for Major Community Wells Wei et al. 2010 BC MoE

27. Climate Change Impacts Spatially-varying recharge highlights areas where climate change impacts may be more significant Scibek and Allen, 2006; WRR

28. earlier peak flow longer low flow higher flow in winter (more snowmelt / rain) lower baseflow

29. 2040-2069 2010-2039 May 11 June 29 Difference in water levels between historical and future climate scenarios Aug 29 Scibek et al. 2007 Scibek and Allen 2006 Nov 1

30. Knowledge Translation The various maps that characterize the Grand Forks aquifer are situated on the BC Water Resources Atlas. Well capture zones were intended for use in a Wellhead Protection Plan, but as yet, this plan has not been developed by the community. Climate change impacts results have remained largely in the academic literature.

31. Okanagan Basin Gulf Islands Grand Forks

32. Gulf Islands Gabriola Vancouver Galiano Saltspring Mayne Saturna BC Pender WA Victoria

33. Interbedded Sandstones / Mudstones Sandstones Fault / Fracture Zones

34. Our Conceptual Understanding of the Geological Framework Allen et al. 2002 Mackie MSc thesis 2002 Surrette and Allen 2008 GSA Bull Surrette et al. 2008 HJ Figure courtesy of Geological Survey of Canada

35. Does groundwater come from Mount Baker?

36. The aquifers are recharged by precipitation on an annual basis; most recharge occurs in the late fall and winter months. Significant variability Longer term cycles are evident in the historic record Trends in groundwater level must be examined keeping in mind these variations.

37. Allen and Suchy 2001 CJES Allen 2004, GW Saturna Data

38. 1000 years of submergence approx. 12,000 years ago 6000 years before today Today Liteanu and Allen 2008

39. Vulnerability Mapping with GSC Vulnerability Mapping for southern GI was done to identify potential recharge zones or zones that might be prone to saltwater intrusion problems Denny et al. 2007 HJ

41. R- (Net) Recharge

42. A- Aquifer media

43. T - Topography (slope)

44. S- Soil media

45. I - Impact of Vadose Zone Media

46. C- Conductivity (Hydraulic) of Aquifer.

47. Fm- Fractured mediaFigure courtesy of Geological Survey of Canada

48. Input Datasets Bedrock Geology Soil characteristics Digital Elevation Model Water Well Database, Faults and Fractures Figure courtesy of Geological Survey of Canada

49. Faults and Fractures Final fault dataset represents a combination of digital lineament analysis and faults and fractures mapped in the field. Lineament analysis performed by combining satellite imagery and a DEM Figure courtesy of Geological Survey of Canada

50. Low susceptibility Aquifer Vulnerability Map Denny et al. 2007

51. Figure courtesy of Geological Survey of Canada

52. Knowledge Translation Many island residents still believe their groundwater comes from Mount Baker Vulnerability maps are being used by the Islands Trust for planning Research has provided much of the science understanding for the development of the GI Waterscape Poster

53. Okanagan Basin Gulf Islands Grand Forks

54. Okanagan Basin Kelowna Oliver

55. Goals of Okanagan CWN Project To contribute to science knowledge about groundwater, particularly groundwater recharge To partner with Smart Growth on the Ground in Oliver to ensure that this knowledge was effectively transferred to local decision makers. “A Basin Approach to Groundwater Recharge in the Okanagan: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Policy”

56. Oliver: A Focal Point Vulnerability mapping Groundwater model development Climate change impacts Partnering with local government and Smart Growth on the Ground (SGOG)

57. DRASTIC Example: Vulnerability = (5)D + (4)R + (3)A + (2)S + (1)T + (5)I + (3)C

58. Aquifer Vulnerability in Oliver Liggett and Allen accepted, EES

59. Groundwater Model Toews and Allen 2009, ERL

60. Lions Park (WTN 83010) Probability of particle origin 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 60 day 365 day 382 m 155 m 500 m 500 m Toews and Allen 2007, BC MoE

61. Fairview (WTN 21867) Probability of particle origin 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 60 day 365 day 237 m 96 m 500 m 500 m Toews and Allen 2007, BC MoE

62. Climate Change Absolute change in mean temperature Relative change in monthly precipitation Relative change in solar radiation Changes in growing days (10°C) Toews and Allen 2009, JH

64. More potential evapotranspiration earlier in season8.6 km 80 mm/yr 45 Toews and Allen 2009, JH

65. Using Groundwater Information in Land Use Planning Smart Growth on the Ground took place in the Greater Oliver Area Principles of creating tangible, built examples of smart growth Facilitators help to establish a vision, principles, priorities, goals and targets for smart growth through a charrette process (May 2006) Municipal officials, developers, local residents all took part Designs for housing mix, transportation routes, commercial opportunities, trail networks, etc. Water scarcity and water quality identified as key priorities to be incorporated into the OCP

66. 2041 2031 2021 2011 2001

67. Use of Science for Local Decision Making Land Use Allocation Model (LUAM) was developed to help identify areas of desirable growth, and the aquifer vulnerability maps were included. Well capture zones for use in wellhead protection planning are identified in the new Oliver OCP Climate change impacts on groundwater recharge have been assessed although not explicitly incorporated into the LUAM Most of the research on groundwater within the Oliver region was not considered during the recent Okanagan Basin Supply and Demand Study.

68. Groundwater, Low Flows and Climate Change Interaction between groundwater and surface water Trends in late summer streamflow and groundwater levels

70. Recharge Area Stream Stream Recharge Area Stream Stream Conflict Between Water Users Gaining Stream Losing Stream Pumping enhances loss. Pumping can reverse direction of water movement. Becomes a losing stream.

71. Dominantly Negative Trends in September Groundwater Levels Red tones: decreases Blue tones: increases Moore et al 2008 CCAF

72. More Negative Trends in September Streamflows Red tones: decreases Blue tones: increases Moore et al 2008 CCAF

74. Given that groundwater is the main contributor to baseflow it is important to consider linkages between the groundwater system and the surface water system

75. Aquatic habitat protection

77. Acknowledgements Students: Jacek Scibek (MSc), Mike Toews (MSc), Jessica Liggett (MSc), Dan Mackie (MSc), Megan Surrette (MSc), Laurie Neilson-Welch (PhD), Mary Ann Middleton (PhD) Collaborators: Geological Survey of Canada (Murray Journeay, Shannon Denny, Sonia Tolwar) Environment Canada (Basil Hii, Gwyn Graham, Paul Whitfield, Alex Cannon) BC MoE (Mike Wei, Vicki Carmichael, Kevin Ronneseth)