Highlights of OGS-GSC collaboration on regional groundwater studies: 2017-2018
Authors: Russell H A J , Dyer R D 
Published: February 2018

The Ontario Geological Survey and Geological Survey of Canada groundwater collaboration in Southern Ontario is finishing the fourth year of a five year project cycle ending March 31st 2019. Following earlier updates on work completed this summary will be provided
under five principal themes.
1. Framework for Sustainable Groundwater Use: The 3D bedrock modelling activity has developed the 5th iteration of the formation level working model. Final QA/QC is being completed during the winter of 2018. An animation on the salient features of the model and viewing options was published. The
surficial modelling work has been delayed due to efforts on the bedrock model; however progress is underway and iterative QA/QC on a preliminary 8 layer model is progressing.
2. Supporting Great Lakes Water Accords: Work has advanced on development of a conceptual framework for evaluating groundwater - surface water interactions and impacts on the quality and quantity of water and ecosystems. A contract was awarded for a fully coupled regional numeric groundwater -
surface-water "proof-of-concept" model for southern Ontario in the Hydrogeosphere modelling environment.
3. Methods Development for Regional Groundwater Studies: Methods are being advanced through analysis of seismic reflection data processing, and downhole geophysics. A new initiative this year was preliminary work with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance tools. Progress continues on regional methods for soil
moisture studies using RadarSat II and SMOS. Work was initiated on a hydrogeophysical study over part of the Vars-Winchester esker to explore the potential extrapolation of hydraulic parameters using high-resolution multi-component seismic data and electrical resistivity data.
4. Case Studies: Data collection has been completed in a number of areas. Sample analysis for the chemostratigraphic framework using samples from continuous core has been expanded to include Dundas Valley, Brantford, and London. A geostatistical approach is being applied to develop a hydraulic
parameter estimation for a 3D model of the Innisfil Creek sub-watershed. Characterization of Newmarket Till cementation is ongoing and is being supplemented by porewater chemistry analysis. A range of data consolidation work has been advanced on GSC, OGS datasets and technical reports related to
municipal wells and aquifers contributed by conservation authorities. Work is ongoing on the hydrostratigraphic classification of wells within the PGMN with most monitors screened in surficial deposits having received a preliminary classification.
5. Science and Technology Exchange: Manuscript submission is finished for a special issue of Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences with 8 published articles and 3 manuscripts in review. Project results are available via OGS - GSC publication streams, conference proceedings, and journal publications.
Three overview documents on bedrock modelling, chemostratigraphy, and data consolidation were published in the Ontario Geological Survey Report of Field Work and Other Activities for 2017.