Section 1: Project Information
Project Name
New Tools for Northern Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment
Led by
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Lead 1
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Lead 2
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Lead 3
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Lead 4
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Name
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Jeffrey McKenzie
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David Rudolph
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Institution
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McGill University
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University of Waterloo
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Role
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PI
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Co-I
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Contact Information
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jeffrey.mckenzie@mcgill.ca
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drudolph@uwaterloo.ca
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Classification (e.g., "GWF Pillar 3", "CCRN", etc.)
GWF Pillar 1 Ph2
Project Websites
Project Description
The reliance on groundwater resources in northern Canada is rapidly increasing, yet the understanding of its occurrence and vulnerability is very poorly understood. The unique characteristics of both the climatic and subsurface conditions in the north (e.g. extreme cold, permafrost, etc.) significantly influences groundwater systems and their vulnerability.
In this project, major groundwater stakeholders ranging from Territorial and municipal governments, indigenous communities, and private water users are directly engaged with the research team to co-create groundwater management and vulnerability assessment strategies specific to the challenges of the North. The major focus is on developing a novel methodology for Northern Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment for aquifers and wells in the Yukon and Northwest Territories (NWT).
Two pilot locations have been selected for implementation and evaluation of the selected/developed vulnerability assessment methods:
- the Riverdale Aquifer in the Yukon Territories, which provides water for Whitehorse (pop. 32,000), and
- the Community of Whatì, NWT (pop. 500), a member community of the Tłı̨ chǫ government.
Both rely completely on groundwater for their drinking water supplies. The utility and performance of the vulnerability assessment approaches will be evaluated at both sites by the research team and the collaborating stakeholders.
Project Participants
Jeffrey McKenzie | PI | McGill University |
David Rudolph | Co-I | University of Waterloo |
Current Status of this Project