Granular Aquifers

Hydrogeological Context

Version Metadata
684f32d9-5d6e-4e06-8d6c-467a544cc6c1
Project
Chaudiere

Datasets

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Granular Aquifers unit description

Update:2014-02-13
The granular aquifers are composed of coarse fluvial valley sediments. The surficial aquifers are found in the alluvial and glaciofluvial deposits which mostly occur in the actual alluvial plains. The alluvial deposits are composed of sand, sandy gravel or silt. Those sediments overlie the aquitard form by the Champlain Sea sediments unit. The glaciofluvial sediments deposited in a subglacial environment or in contact with ice are mainly composed of stratified and deformed sand and gravel. The glaciofluvial sediments deposited in an outwash cones environment include gravel, sand and/or silt and till or diamicton. The glaciofluvial sediments overlie the bedrock. Chaudiere bedrock has a relatively complex geology, including sedimentary, intrusive, and volcanic rocks. The hydrogeological unit thickness varies from 0 to 51 m. The granular aquifers are unconfined, thus their vulnerability is moderate to high. The granular aquifers, located along the river show the highest simulated recharge rates. The percolated water rapidly convey to nearest surface water body. Those aquifers have excellent characteristics; however, their extent is often limited which makes them rarely practical for municipal groundwater use. Groundwater quality is good. The most frequently exceeded standards are for: total coliforms, pH, E-coli, hardness and manganese.
Physiography
Hydrogeological regionAppalachians
Hydrogeological context
ReliefThe rock aquifer is bounded by the contact between two distinct physiographic provinces: the south-eastern margin of the Appalachian Piedmont to the North and the Appalachian Uplands to the South. North-northwest of Sainte-Marie, in the direction of the St. Lawrence River, the terrain is horizontal to sub-horizontal with slopes rarely reaching 5%. To the south, the relief is much more rugged and transforms from undulating to mountainous. The topography ranges from sea level at the river mouth, up to 1185 m at the extreme south of the area.
Area342.00 km2
Lithology
DescriptionThe granular aquifers are composed of coarse river valley sediments. Their extent and thickness vary throughout the area. The surficial aquifers are found in the alluvial and glaciofluvial deposits which mostly occur in the actual alluvial plains. The alluvial deposits are composed of sand, sandy gravel or silt. Those sediments overlie the aquitard form by the Champlain Sea sediments unit. The glaciofluvial sediments deposited in a subglacial environment or in contact with ice are mainly composed of stratified and deformed sand and gravel. The glaciofluvial sediments deposited in an outwash cones environment include gravel, sand and/or silt and till or diamicton. The glaciofluvial sediments overlie the bedrock. Chaudiere bedrock has a relatively complex geology, including sedimentary, intrusive, and volcanic rocks.
Source
Aquifer
AquifersList of aquifers granular aquifers

Unit properties

Surficial aquifer media
Typical value:porous
Description The granular aquifer is found in alluvial and glaciofluvial sediments.
Source Hydrogeology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Chaudière River Watershed Aquifers, Québec, Canada
Confinement
Typical value:unconfined
Source Hydrogeology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Chaudière River Watershed Aquifers, Québec, Canada
Surficial sediment thickness
12.33738 m Range: [0 to 132.0309] m
Source Hydrogeology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Chaudière River Watershed Aquifers, Québec, Canada
Hydrogeological unit thickness
4.894292 m Range: [0.000533 to 50.77601] m
Source Hydrogeology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Chaudière River Watershed Aquifers, Québec, Canada
Well depth
34.4 m Range: [0.9 to 182.9] m
Source Hydrogeology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Chaudière River Watershed Aquifers, Québec, Canada
Groundwater depth
4.1 m Range: [-0.63 to 91.463] m
Source Hydrogeology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Chaudière River Watershed Aquifers, Québec, Canada
Regional precipitation
1110 mm/y
Regional evapotranspiration
406.1101 mm/y Range: [222.813 to 591.299] mm/y
Source Hydrogeology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Chaudière River Watershed Aquifers, Québec, Canada
Regional recharge
288.1537 mm/y Range: [27.184 to 537.877] mm/y
Description In simulation, the granular aquifers located along the river valleys shows highest recharge rates.
Source Hydrogeology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Chaudière River Watershed Aquifers, Québec, Canada
Methode The typical numerical value correspond to the mean recharge rate of the hydrogeological unit. The recharge rates have been calculated from HELP simulations.
Regional discharge
Description The granular aquifer found along river valleys rapidly convey infiltrated water to nearest surface water body.
Source Hydrogeology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Chaudière River Watershed Aquifers, Québec, Canada
Aquifer vulnerability
128.2164 Range: [46 to 195]
Source Hydrogeology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Chaudière River Watershed Aquifers, Québec, Canada
Groundwater Quality
Typical value:fresh - hard
Description Groundwater quality is good. The most frequently exceeded standards are for: total coliforms, pH, E-coli, hardness and manganese.
Source Hydrogeology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Chaudière River Watershed Aquifers, Québec, Canada