Module 1 — Understanding Groundwater
3
Types of Aquifers in Alberta
There are two main types of aquifers in Alberta:
Surficial
Bedrock.
The amount of water available in each type varies depending on the geological makeup
of the area.
Surficial aquifers
are shallow sand and gravel aquifers that typically occur between
10-30
m (33-100 ft.). They are important sources of water for many parts of Alberta.
Buried valleys are much like our river system. In Alberta, there is a vast network of
interconnected valleys located beneath the land surface. These buried valleys appear to
have been carved into the upper portion of the underground rock formations and sometimes
contain extensive deposits of sand and gravel. They range in depth from 15-90 m (50-300 ft.)
and in width from under .4 km (1/4 mi.), to over 16 km (10 mi.).
Figure 2 Types of Aquifers