GRADUATE STUDENT INTERNSHIP / CO-OP PROJECT FORM
TITLE:
PROJECT
LOCATION:
South Surrey, South Langley, White Rock, BC
TERM:
6-8 weeks
FROM: Flexible, May 2015
NAME:
Christy Juteau
TITLE:
A Rocha Canada
BRANCH / SECTION:
ORGANIZATION:
PROJECT
SPONSOR
Little Campbell River Watershed Groundwater Capacity Assessment
ADDRESS:
EMAIL:
PHONE:
TOPIC OR RESEARCH
QUESTION:
TO: Aug 2015
Stewardship Coordinator
19353 – 16 Avenue, Surrey BC V3Z9V2
Christy.juteau@arocha.ca
604-542-9006
FAX:
What is the capacity of the groundwater aquifers supplying surface water to the Little Campbell River to sustain flows during summer dry periods?
How do we quantify current extraction rates and estimate extraction capacity to sustain surface flow at a watershed scale?
(Briefly describe the research
question being addressed
through this project)
KEYWORDS:
(List key words to describe the
field of study and project)
Freshwater conservation
Summer low flows
Groundwater-surface water interactions
Sustainable extraction
PROJECT DESCTIPTION &
RELEVANCE:
(Provide an overview of the
context for the internship / coop project and why it is
important. Describe the project
and its tangible, intended
outcomes.)
Overview:
This project aims to address water quantity concerns in the Little Campbell River (LCR). The LCR is a 30 km groundwater-fed system, flowing through south
Langley, south Surrey and White Rock into Boundary Bay. Multiple aquifers underlie the watershed, including both confined and unconfined. The LCR is one of
the last remaining undyked lowland rivers in the lower mainland, has a high level of intact fish and wildlife habitat, and is home to five salmonid populations,
and a high number of aquatic and terrestrial species at risk. The LCR watershed is threatened by a number of factors including land conversion, lack of riparian
vegetation, agricultural impacts, loss of diversity, water quality and quantity concerns. In 2008, the LCR was listed as one of BC's twelve most endangered river
systems by the Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia. The LCR watershed contains several large and regionally-important wetland and forest areas
and is a transboundary watershed. It has been identified as a priority watershed for action by the Shared Waters Roundtable (includes Canadian and U.S.
members), Environment Canada, B.C. Ministry of Environment, and the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
The LCR watershed is dominated by rural land use and residents are reliant on groundwater extraction for domestic and agricultural (irrigation) purposes.
During summer approx. 1.5km of the river mainstem disappears underground, leaving the river bed dry, creating a barrier that prevents aquatic life from
migrating through upstream reaches during summer months (typically Jul-Sep). Little is known about available groundwater resources in BC and extraction has
not been licensed up to this point, so it is difficult to assess the capacity of aquifers to sustain current or future withdrawals. Recent changes to the Water Act
will involve closer management of groundwater use through establishing licensing processes. This project will provide a case study of how to assess sustainable
groundwater capacity and will help to inform government process as they implement initial phases of the new Water Sustainability Act.
A Rocha is an international nature conservation organization that is committed to environmental action through community-based conservation projects,
promoting the stewardship of species and their habitats. A Rocha’s approach to conservation includes three elements: (1) scientific research, (2) communitybased conservation, and (3) environmental education. A Rocha delivers stewardship projects in 19 countries on six continents and is partnered with the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
A Rocha Canada, established in 2000, has been actively involved in habitat stewardship in the Little Campbell River watershed since 2003. Our work in the
watershed includes species inventories and habitat assessments, habitat stewardship and restoration (often working in partnership with other organizations and
private landowners), and environmental education (focused on school and community groups). Brooksdale Environmental Centre functions as a hub for
research, community agriculture, sustainable living, and environmental education, and hosts over 2000 students per year.
Project Details:
The project will:
(1) compile available data (current groundwater extraction, aquifer recharge, baseflow, streamflow, geology,etc) and develop a conceptual model of
the watershed,
(2) using either a numerical flow model (ideally) or analytical solutions, characterize the groundwater-surface water interactions within the LCR
watershed,
(3) develop a water budget for the watershed using the above,
(4) define a sustainable low flow target for the LCR,
(5) estimate sustainable extraction rates based on this target,
(6) work with municipal and provincial government partners to develop the above, and
(7) provide complete case study to Little Campbell Watershed Society, municipal and provincial government partners to inform future groundwater
license process.
The student will be working directly under the supervision of A Rocha Canada’s Stewardship Coordinator, Christy Juteau, RPBio. He/she will work closely with
Mrs. Juteau at the A Rocha office on a daily basis for approximately 6 weeks. The student may also work remotely – communicating daily with Mrs. Juteau. The
student will be expected to work on the project in partnership with the Little Campbell Watershed Society, Township of Langley, City of Surrey and BC Ministry
of Environment; conduct an assessment of the groundwater-surface water interactions in the watershed and write a report, presenting the findings. This work
will involve analysis of well records, collaborative work with partner organizations, background research and a written report.
Long-term outcomes include:
(1) Restoration of sustainable low flows to improve habitat for aquatic life in the LCR watershed
(2) Improved understanding of groundwater extraction capacity for Lower Mainland rivers (case study provides template for future assessments)
AVAILABLE FUNDING:
NO
YES
IF YES, THEN LIST AMOUNT:
$2,000
PROJECT TYPE (Check the relevant type(s) of work to be undertaken for this internship / co-op project)
FIELD WORK
GIS ANALYSIS (potentially if the student has the skills and interest)
RESEARCH PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT
POLICY ANALYSIS
LITERATURE REVIEW
SURVEY DESIGN
SHORT STUDY / ASSESSMENT
MODEL DEVELOPMENT (research prioritization framework)
DATA COLLECTION
OTHER
please describe:
DATA / STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
EXPECTED DELIVERABLES:
Numeric flow model of the Little Campbell River Watershed
(Summarize the intended
project deliverables, e.g.,
research report, data analyzed,
and presented in a spreadsheet
format, etc.)
Assessment report describing sustainable flow for the LCR – presented to A Rocha Canada, Little Campbell Watershed Society, Township of Langley,
City of Surrey and BC Ministry of Environment.
SKILLS NEEDED, SUPPORT
AVAILABLE:
Experience building numerical hydrological models would be ideal. A Rocha will be able to provide assistance, but not training in this area. If the
student does not have any experience using numerical flow models, the project could be refined to just be more of a water budgeting exercise (i.e.,
estimating all of the inputs and outputs to the system).
(Summarize the key
skills/capabilities needed, and
the training or support available
for technical components of the
project)
Revised April 2009