Presentation topics at the Groundwater and Geology: Foundation for Watershed Planning workshop include:

Surficial Aquifer Mapping

Details of state-of–the-art tools and techniques used to define the location and extent of aquifers in glacial materials. Fundamental information for the construction of source protection plans and the identification of undeveloped aquifers. Brought to life for use by professionals and non-geologists by the utilization of new software and tools such as Google Earth.

Bedrock Controls on Groundwater

Regional and local case studies from south-central Ontario on how the Paleozoic stratigraphy and nature of the bedrock formations control the quality and quantity of groundwater. Information on how recognizing where you are in the bedrock sequence can increase drilling efficiency and add to the reliability of groundwater models.

Karst

A first of its kind overview of the nature, distribution and development of karstic bedrock in southern Ontario, including insights on placing it in a stratigraphic context. Field-based observations on how karst affects regional aquifer systems and increases groundwater vulnerability.

Buried Channel/Valley Aquifers

Results of investigations on the aquifer potential of buried bedrock valleys and in-filled channels in sediments in southern Ontario. Examples of approaches and tools that are being used in finding and assessing deep groundwater resources.

Ambient Groundwater Investigations

The interim findings of the first systematic, provincial-scale ambient groundwater survey of both bedrock and overburden aquifers. Conducted using research grade analysis the work is revealing the expected and unexpected controls and influences of geology on groundwater chemistry and characteristics.

Regional Groundwater Studies

Case studies demonstrating the value and need to understand depositional processes and how these are critical to sound groundwater management. Implications related to the assessment of watershed scale groundwater budgets and links to planning and regional development will be addressed.

Presenters for the main program include (in alphabetical order):