Investigation of groundwater flow pathways in an alpine catchment using a coupled snowmelt-groundwater flow model

Abstract

Alpine environments form the headwaters of many large river systems that supply a significant proportion of the world's population with water. In these regions shallow, unconfined alluvial aquifers have the ability to regulate both the timing and magnitude of peak discharge as they are often dominant transfer mechanisms in the routing of runoff to outflow streams. These groundwater flow dynamics are studied for an alpine catchment near Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park, British Columbia using a coupled snowmelt­groundwater flow model. Spatiotemporal snowmelt patterns are simulated with a calibrated degree-day snowmelt model and are subsequently applied as recharge boundary conditions in a transient groundwater flow model. Through modifications to hydrogeological parameters, subsurface model structure, and ultimately the conceptual groundwater model itself, conclusions are made regarding potential features and controls on hydrologic response in this watershed.