Video recording of Paul McLauchlin's presentation on water issues in the Gilby Community Hall on October 16,2025
Posts
In a saturated aquifer, what percentage of total volume is occupied by free water for sand, gravel, sandstone, silt, etc.?
Saturated Aquifer Free Water Content In a saturated aquifer, the percentage of total volume occupied by free water varies significantly depending on the material type. Understanding this requires distinguishing between total porosity (all void space) and specific yield (water that drains freely under gravity). Total Porosity vs. Free Water When an aquifer is fully saturated, all pore spaces are filled with water. However, not all of this water is "free" to move or drain. The total water content equals the porosity , while the freely draining water is measured by specific yield . pubs.usgs +1 The relationship is expressed as: Porosity = Specific Yield + Specific Retention \text{Porosity} = \text{Specific Yield} + \text{Specific Retention} Porosity = Specific Yield + Specific Retention where specific retention represents water held by capillary and molecular forces that cannot drain by gravity. pubs.usgs +1 Free Water Content by Material Type Based on com...
It is likely that a lot an glacial melt water saturated the Paskapoo formation aquifers in the Sundance (Medicine River) Valley
Based on my research, I can provide a comprehensive analysis of the glacial meltwater saturation of Paskapoo Formation aquifers in the Sundance (Medicine River) Valley area. Glacial Meltwater Saturation of Paskapoo Formation Aquifers in the Sundance Valley The evidence strongly supports the hypothesis that glacial meltwater significantly saturated the Paskapoo Formation aquifers in the Sundance (Medicine River) Valley region. This saturation occurred through multiple mechanisms during deglaciation events, particularly involving both Cordilleran and Laurentide ice sheets. The Paskapoo Formation as a Major Aquifer System The Paskapoo Formation is one of Alberta's most important groundwater resources, covering over 66,000 km² of southwestern Alberta. This Paleocene-aged formation consists primarily of fluvial sandstone, siltstone, and mudstone deposits that were transported eastward from the Canadian Cordillera during the late stages of the Laramide Orogeny. The formation contains...
Sundance (Medicine) River Hydrology
The Medicine River valley in central Alberta represents a significant hydrological system within the Red Deer River watershed, characterized by complex interactions between surface water, groundwater, and diverse geological formations. This comprehensive overview examines the key hydrological features and processes that define this important watershed. Watershed Characteristics and Scale The Medicine River subwatershed encompasses approximately 289,943 hectares and is strategically located in the northwest portion of the Red Deer River watershed. The system spans across multiple counties including Clearwater, Lacombe, Ponoka, and Red Deer, creating a diverse administrative and ecological landscape. The river itself originates at Medicine Lake, north of Rocky Mountain House, and flows southeast for approximately 80 kilometers before joining the Red Deer River north of Innisfail at the Medicine Flats confluence. rdrwa +3 Geological Foundation and Aquifer Systems The hydrological ch...