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Implications for Hydrogeology in the Upper Cretaceous Dunvegan Formation

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Implications for Hydrogeology in the Upper Cretaceous Dunvegan Formation Evolution of Stratigraphic Models in a Fluvial Deltaic Wedge: Implications for Hydrogeology in the Upper Cretaceous Dunvegan Formation by Nathan Glas A Thesis presented to The University of Guelph In partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science in Engineering Guelph, Ontario, Canada © Nathan Harrison Glas, May, 2021 ABSTRACT EVOLUTION OF STRATIGRAPHIC MODELS IN A FLUVIAL DELTAIC WEDGE: IMPLICATIONS FOR HYDROGEOLOGY IN THE UPPER CRETACEOUS DUNVEGAN FORMATION Nathan Glas Advisor: University of Guelph, 2021 Professor Beth Parker This study investigates the Dunvegan Formation, an important aquifer system within the Liard Basin and Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). Concerns surrounding contamination of fresh groundwater resources within the Northwest Territories (NWT) arose due to potential unconventional oil and gas development within their borders and adjacent past and active development. These concerns resulted in a comprehensive baseline study to characterize groundwater quality and quantity within the NWT portion of the Liard Basin near the Hamlet of Fort Liard, currently reliant on groundwater. This study utilizes historic and newly collected data from surface geophysics, outcrop descriptions and rock core drilling to update the conceptual model for the Dunvegan Formation across the WCSB and within the Liard Basin, and better document aquifer and aquitard properties. The proposed sequence stratigraphic conceptual model of the Dunvegan Formation provides a 3D framework for future groundwater characterization and monitoring system installations in the Liard Basin. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my supervisor Dr. Beth Parker for her continued support throughout this degree and for providing me the opportunity to work on this project. Her passion for field-focused research and her expertise in fractured bedrock hydrogeology have greatly contributed to this project and helped make it a meaningful and highly educational experience. I would also like to thank my advisory committee members Dr. Colby Steelman for his valuable perspective and insight throughout this degree, and Dr. Janok Bhattacharya for agreeing to contribute his time and knowledge to this endeavour. This research project was funded in part through a Northwest Territories (NWT) Environmental Studies Research Fund (ESRF) grant and through the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Transboundary Waters Program. This project involved collaboration with many partners, including the GNWT, the Hamlet of Fort Liard, Liard River Consulting, the Acho Dene Koe (ADK) First Nation, ADK Corporation and their subsidiary, Beaver Enterprises. I would like to extend my gratitude to Isabelle de Grandpre, Anna Coles, Casey Beel and Christopher Cunada of the GNWT; Al Harris of the Hamlet of Fort Liard; Irvin Perreault of Liard River Contracting; Sylvia Bertrand of ADK Corporation; and Barney Dohm, Tom Wezelman, Warren Cumberland and Pete Fantasque of Beaver Enterprises for their time, expertise and continued assistance throughout this work. The success of this project is owed in large part to the G360 team that participated in this research. I am incredibly grateful for the expertise and assistance of my Project Manager, Amanda Pierce, and the rest of the field team Dr. Jonathan Munn, Oliver Conway-White and Marina Nunes for various aspects of project management and data collection related to this project. Additionally, many members of the G360 Office of the Director, field and lab staff deserve my gratitude for their contributions including Jen Hurley, Luis Rios, Tarju Dweh-Chenneh, Vinu Raj Vijayakumaran, Ryan Kroeker, Maria Gorecka and Wayne Noble. Thank you for your efforts. Furthermore, thanks are owed to the various laboratories and scientists that provided inkind support and/or research rates for work completed, some of which is included within this document and some of which forms the basis for future work. This includes Kim Janzen of the McDonnell Hillslope Hydrology Lab (University of Saskatchewan), Dr. Frank Barone of Golder Associates Ltd., Michael Nightingale and Dr. Bernhard Mayer of the Applied Geoscience Group (University of Calgary), Dr. Ian Clark of the Advanced Research Complex (University of Ottawa), Dr. William Matthews of the Geo- and Thermochronology Lab (University of Calgary) and Martin Ouellette of the Petrographic Thin-Section Laboratory (Brock University). I am also incredibly grateful for the community of family and friends who have supported me throughout this endeavor. Whether in Canada, the US, or elsewhere, you’ve kept me motivated, grounded and engaged. Thank you for sticking by me and providing much-needed distractions. Fellow G360 students, current and alumni, whether through volleyball, trivia, potlucks, ski trips or nights out, you made grad student life enjoyable and I look forward to running into you down the iv road. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, time, and the not-so-occasional beer. Cheers to long and fruitful careers in the world of water and rocks. I especially would like to acknowledge my parents, Marnie Wortzman and Tom Glas; sisters, Abby and Tori Glas; and girlfriend, Molly Mackenzie. Without your love and support I would not have made it here. Finally, this research was prompted by and completed in partnership with local First Nations and Métis people. I would like to acknowledge the Dehcho First Nation, Acho Dene Koe First Nation, and Liard First Nation on whose traditional territory this research was conducted, with much respect for their enduring knowledge and wisdom. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ v List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ vii List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. viii List of Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................... ix 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Motivation ............................................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Study Objectives ................................................................................................................... 4 2.0 Approach and Methods ............................................................................................................. 5 2.1 Site Description ..................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Study Approach .................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Methods................................................................................................................................. 7 2.3.1 Bedrock Characterization ............................................................................................... 7 2.3.2 Core Logging and Sampling .......................................................................................... 8 2.3.3 Downhole Natural Gamma Logging .............................................................................. 8 2.3.4 Sequence Stratigraphic Analysis.................................................................................... 8 2.3.5 Physical Property Analysis ............................................................................................ 8 2.3.6 Porewater Hydrochemistry ............................................................................................ 9 2.3.7 Surface Electrical Resistivity Surveys ........................................................................... 9 3.0 Results & Discussion .............................................................................................................. 10 3.1 Stratigraphic Architecture of the Dunvegan Formation ...................................................... 10 3.1.1 Upper Dunvegan Formation ........................................................................................ 10 3.1.2 Lower Dunvegan Formation ........................................................................................ 12 3.1.3 Lithostratigraphic Model of the Dunvegan Formation ................................................ 13 3.1.4 Sequence Stratigraphic Model of the Dunvegan Formation ........................................ 14 3.1.5 The Dunvegan Formation within the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin ................ 16 3.2 Hydrogeology of the Dunvegan Formation within the Liard Basin ................................... 18 3.2.1 Hydrogeologic Implications of the Sequence Stratigraphic Conceptual Model .......... 18 vi 3.2.2 Spatial Extent of the Dunvegan Formation near Fort Liard
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