Developing Integrated Surface and Groundwater Model in Moose Lake Area of Athabasca Oil Sands Region

There is a clear need to develop an integrated surface water-groundwater model in the Moose Lake area of the Athabasca oil sands region to support the protection of the hydrosphere and maintain watershed function and integrity. Such a model would enhance the understanding of the potential impacts of land disturbance, climate change and groundwater use on surface and groundwater interactions, and surface water quantity and quality in the Moose Lake area. Meanwhile, the model would be used to inform monitoring programs and decision-making by energy and land use regulators and oil sands operators. As such, a proof of concept, integrated surface and groundwater model was recently developed in this area using MIKE SHE. A preliminary model calibration using available hydrograph and lake water level data was conducted to demonstrate model performance. In addition, preliminary sensitivity analysis shows that the baseflow and groundwater recharge are highly dependent on the hydraulic conductivity of near-surface Quaternary sediments. As one of the key pathways for surface and groundwater interactions, a more detailed and updated representation of the Quaternary succession is required to improve the model performance in further model development.