Linking Pleistocene glacial processes and modern groundwater dynamics: a case study of the sediment–bedrock interface in Guelph, Ontario

Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for the City of Guelph, but understanding how it flows underground is complicated by the region’s glacial history. During the Pleistocene, glaciers repeatedly moved across southern Ontario, shaping the land and overlaying sediments onto the underlying bedrock. The resulting sediment?bedrock interface is vital because it influences how water moves underground and how bedrock aquifers recharge.
This research investigates how this interface was modified under glaciers and how it now affects groundwater systems in Guelph. Using a 3D geological model constructed from thousands of boreholes and high-resolution geophysical and hydrological data from select bedrock cored holes in the area, the study will analyze the physical and hydraulic properties of the sediment?bedrock interface. Theories about how water flowed under glaciers will be tested, providing insights into how these historical processes influence modern water flow. Findings will be used to refine existing groundwater models to improve predictions about how water moves underground.
The findings will help the City of Guelph manage its groundwater resource sustainably, ensuring reliable water supplies as the population grows. This research also has broader implications for other regions shaped by glaciers, offering a new approach to studying groundwater systems in these areas. By connecting the glacial past to present-day water challenges, this work will provide tools for better groundwater quality and quantity management.

Faculty Supervisor:

Emmanuelle Arnaud;Beth Parker

Student:

Partner:

Montrose Environmental

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Guelph

Program: