Regional Hydrogeology of Southwestern Saskatchewa

Twelve deep aquifers and 12 aquitards were defined in southwestern Saskatchewan. Four major water types were identified: Type 1 (Ca-SO4 ) freshwaters, found in Paleozoic aquifers; Type 2 (Na-Cl) brines, found in all aquifers; Type 3 (Na-SO4) waters, mixture of Type 1 and Type 2 waters; and Type 4 (Na-HCO3) meteoric waters, found mainly in Mesozoic aquifers. Total Dissolved Solids range from >300 g/L in Paleozoic aquifers to <25 g/L in Cretaceous and shallow aquifers. Fluid flow in the Paleozoic aquifers is directed towards the north. Water in the Lower Cretaceous aquifers flows from the Alberta Basin towards the east and northeast. Fluid flow in the Upper Cretaceous aquifer is controlled by local topography. Significant density effects exist in the Lower Paleozoic aquifers only. Hydrodynamic effects on hydrocarbon accumulations have been observed in the Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous aquifers.