Distribution of Total Dissolved Solids in the Wapiti / Belly River Hydrostratigraphic Unit

This map depicts the distribution of total dissolved solids (TDS) in groundwater in the Wapiti / Belly River hydrostratigraphic unit (HSU). The map is a result of a simple kriging technique using publicly-available water chemistry data from Alberta Environment and Parks' (AEP) Alberta Water Well Information Database (AWWID) and formation water chemistry data from oil and gas well drillstem tests and production fluids.

The TDS surface was mapped at a regional scale using many years of data, thus providing a good indication of regional water chemistry within the unit rather than site specific values. The uncertainty of prediction is depicted on an inset map, which shows the residual values (predicted value minus measured value) plotted at each location to indicate where underprediction and overprediction occurs compared to the measured TDS values. Two additional inset maps show the distribution of hydraulic heads and the results of water driving force analysis, respectively. The geometry and variable thickness of the Wapiti / Belly River HSU are illustrated on schematic cross-sections.