| Groundwater recharge is focused through depressions in the Spy Hill glacial till of Calgary, Alberta. Recharge to the regional aquifer occurs through a thick deposit of unsaturated gravel and is estimated to be 3-4 mm/year based on chloride mass balance.; Depression-focused recharge replenishes the local water table mounds and increases the recharge rate to the regional aquifer. This local recharge occurred as a result of snowmelt runoff to the depressions in 2003. In 2004, recharge was generated by a significant rainstorm on June 6. delta 18O analysis indicates that approximately 77% of groundwater is composed of winter precipitation. Therefore, recharge is usually generated by snowmelt runoff. However, it does not occur every year.; Conversion of the land to agricultural fields causes an increase in the rate of snowmelt and ground thaw, and greater runoff, but a decrease in the total snow cover. However, recharge rates are comparable between the two land use zones. |
