Olds’ Water Crisis: A Geological Perspective EarthCache

The Geological Water Supply Challenge of Olds, Alberta

The small town of Olds, Alberta, has long been in a struggle to secure a reliable source of clean water. As Olds grew in size and demand, so did the need to explore more sophisticated and sustainable water solutions. This story is more than just about pipes and reservoirs; it’s about the geology beneath the ground—the groundwater that feeds the town, the way it moves, and how geologists have played an integral role in understanding and harnessing this valuable resource. In this article, we’ll explore the geological foundations of Olds’ water supply challenges, the importance of groundwater movement, and how this knowledge has led to the creation of systems like constructed wetlands to help protect water quality.

A Geological Overview: Olds’ Location and Water Supply

Nestled on the Central Alberta Plains, Olds sits just 89 kilometers north of Calgary, at an elevation of about 1,044 meters (3,425 feet). The town is located near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and lies at the boundary between prairie grassland and partially wooded parkland. This area is characterized by hilly terrain. Olds High serves as a distinct water divide for the smaller intermittent streams in the area. The drainage patterns radiate outward from the hills. Creeks that flow to the north, northwest, and west feed into the Little Red Deer River. Meanwhile, water that moves southwest and south contributes to the Rosebud River system. Lonepine Creek collects runoff from the areas between the southeast and northeast. Together, all these waters eventually empty into the Red Deer River and are part of the Red Deer River watershed.

Historically, Olds sourced its water from local lakes and gravel pits. Early on, water was piped from Barrie Lake into nearby gravel pits, where the water would naturally percolate through the sand and gravel, artificially recharging the aquifers beneath. However, this system proved unreliable during the winter months due to freezing conditions, and during summer months, the water required heavy chlorination to make it safe for consumption. Moreover, there were concerns about depleting the levels of the shallow lakes. This prompted the town to seek alternatives.

Efforts to tap into the nearby Little Red Deer River were abandoned, leading to the consideration of piping water from the Red Deer River, a daunting 18 miles away. This quest for a consistent water source underscores the geographical and geological challenges that characterize Olds.

Groundwater Geology: The Heart of the Problem Water Supply Challenges: A Historical Perspective

By the early 1960s, the town was grappling with an acute water crisis, driven by increased demand and dwindling supplies. The water beneath the surface is vital to life, as it plays a key role in the water cycle that eventually provides our drinking water. We are fortunate to have a steady supply of this essential resource. However, the quantity of water doesn't matter if you cannot collect it, use it, and properly manage what you don’t need. The early settlers of Olds, Alberta quickly learned this lesson. A pioneer family of four used around 100 gallons of water daily—watering the garden, tending to animals, and meeting household needs. At over 8 pounds per gallon, this added up to a heavy and time-consuming chore! After discovering that wells wouldn't be viable, they had to figure out a way to pump and transport water uphill (since water doesn’t flow uphill naturally), store it for future use, and work with neighbors to collect, distribute, and manage wastewater. It’s clear that establishing a reliable water system was far more complicated than it seemed!

An unconfined aquifer is one where the water table marks the upper boundary. When water is pumped from an unconfined aquifer, it causes the water table to drop, a process known as drawdown. This creates a cone-shaped depression, often referred to as a cone of depression, in the water table.

https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/cone-depression-pumping-a-well-can-cause-water-level-lowering

The existing supply wells yielded marginal results, prompting an exploration strategy that focused on the geological framework beneath Olds. As rainfall permeates the surface, it recharges the aquifers beneath, but Olds’ reliance on these resources is complicated by the region's topography. The Olds High serves as a triple water divide, directing drainage away from the high elevation and rolling hills of the Town of Olds into various tributaries, including the Little Red Deer River, Rosebud River and Lonepine Creek. 

This also meant that the Town of Olds being situated at a higher elevation than the surrounding wetlands, including Copeley Lake, Innis Lake, Johnson Lake, and Bickham’s Slough (also known as Bloxham’s Slough or Barrie Lake) that gravity could not naturally feed water flow down a concrete pipe into a town reservoir for drinking water.

In 1963, the town sought assistance from the Research Council of Alberta, leading to an innovative investigation into the hydrostratigraphy of the area. The results revealed four distinct hydrostratigraphic units at depths of approximately 25 meters: glacial till, fractured coal seams, and various layers of shale—each with unique hydraulic properties influencing water availability.

In order to solve Olds' water supply issues, geologists had to dive into the groundwater geology beneath the surface.   The groundwater beneath Olds is housed in two primary geological formations: the Paskapoo Formation (Tertiary age) and the Quaternary glacial drift.

1. Paskapoo Formation:The Paskapoo Formation has a fluvial origin and is mainly composed of sandstones, siltstones, and mudstones, with smaller amounts of pebble-conglomerate, coal, and trace bentonite. These sediments were sourced from the Canadian Cordillera during the tectonic uplift and erosion that occurred in the final stages of the Laramide Orogeny. They were then carried eastward by river systems and deposited in river and floodplain settings.

• Shallow Aquifer (A1): Composed of glacial till, fractured coal, and shale bedrock.
• First Aquitard (T1): A layer of fractured, discontinuous shale bedrock that restricts water flow.
• Coal Aquifer (A2): A significant coal seam acting as an aquifer.  Coal can also function as an aquifer, as water can flow freely through its porous and permeable layers within the rock formation
• Basal Aquitard (T2): A layer of unfractured shale bedrock that prevents water movement.

2. Quaternary Glacial Drift: The surface layer in the Olds area consists of glacial till, formed from the movement of glaciers during the last ice age. These deposits are often a mixture of sand, gravel, clay, and silt, and are more permeable than the underlying Paskapoo Formation. Glacial meltwater created the valleys and lowlands that fill with water, forming lakes, rivers, and aquifers. This surface material plays a crucial role in the recharge of local groundwater systems.

Understanding the movement of water through these rock units is key to solving Olds' water supply issues. The groundwater in the area follows a flow system determined by the local topography. Water naturally moves from high areas (where it recharges) to lower areas (where it discharges), following the path of least resistance through the porous glacial drift. Groundwater moves more slowly than surface water because it travels through layers of soil, sediment, and rock. This process, where rainwater seeps through the soil into the underlying layers of sediment and rock, is known as infiltration. The rate at which water infiltrates the ground is determined by the amount of space between the particles in the soil or rock. The groundwater flow near Olds is classified as a local flow system because it is influenced by the topographic high near the town and the surrounding drainage basins.  The absence of continuous, confined aquifers in the Paskapoo Formation meant that groundwater movement was largely unconfined and dictated by local topography.  The extensive glacial deposits and volcanic ash from past geological events shape the region's current landscape but also hint at vulnerabilities in water availability.

A confined aquifer is a layer of groundwater that is trapped between two impermeable layers, like layers of shale or unfractured rock. When an artesian well taps into this aquifer, the pressure from the trapped water can force the water to rise to the surface naturally, without the need for pumping. This was an important research project for a town like Olds because that would have provided a reliable and sustainable water source. The geological research did not yield access to a confined aquifer.

The Role of Geologists: Mapping Groundwater Movement

The role of geologists is crucial in understanding how water moves through the ground. Water follows flow paths, moving from areas of high pressure (where it accumulates) to areas of low pressure (where it naturally discharges). Geologists analyze this movement by studying the characteristics of the rock and sediment layers, the permeability of different materials, and the way water flows in a region’s hydraulic system.

In the case of Olds, geologists used this knowledge to predict where to drill wells that could extract groundwater in a sustainable way. They recognized that shallow depressions in the area, like Bickham’s Slough  alternately called Bloxham’s Slough and Barrie Lake, were crucial sources of water recharge. This wetlands, along with other bodies of water Copeley Lake, Innis Lake, and Johnson Lake in the Rosebud River watershed, helped replenish the groundwater of the area. The movement of groundwater was also understood to be closely tied to local features alternatively named the "Triple Point Watershed,"  "Olds Divide, or "Olds High (a topographic high elevation creating a local or regional water divide) and surrounding valleys.

This geological knowledge led to a series of water management strategies, including the use of artificially recharged gravels and careful monitoring of water consumption and well performance historically. However, the increasing demand for water as the town grew required even more sophisticated solutions.

The Solution: Constructed Wetlands and Sustainable Water Management

As Olds continued to face water challenges, geologists and environmental scientists started to look into the conservation of natural wetlands and the creation of constructed wetlands as part of the solution. These man-made wetlands mimic natural processes to filter and clean water, making them an ideal option for improving water quality. Constructed wetlands use layers of soil, plants, and microbial communities to remove impurities from wastewater and stormwater before it reaches natural water sources.

For Olds, constructed wetlands serve two key purposes:

1. Water purification: They help filter out pollutants and excess nutrients from wastewater before it enters the surrounding groundwater system or surface water.
2. Groundwater recharge: Wetlands also act as natural water recharge zones, allowing water to slowly filter back into the groundwater system, helping to replenish aquifers that Olds depends on for its water supply.

These wetlands are designed to enhance local hydrological cycles by promoting the natural movement of water through the landscape. They provide an additional layer of environmental protection, ensuring that both surface and groundwater resources are sustainably managed.

Key Geological Takeaways: Why Geology Matters

The story of Olds' water supply problem is a perfect example of why understanding geology is essential to managing water resources. Groundwater is not just a resource that comes from underground; it is a complex system influenced by the geological history of an area. By studying the Paskapoo Formation, the glacial drift, and the flow systems of groundwater, geologists can help towns like Olds find sustainable water solutions.   From the glacial sediments and buried valleys beneath Olds to the vast network of water supply systems managed by the Mountain View Commission, the story of Olds’ water is intertwined with the region's deep geological history.  The Anthony Henday Water Treatment Plant is one of the crown jewels of the Mountain View Regional Water Services Commission’s infrastructure. This facility sources water from the Red Deer River, one of Alberta's major rivers, which provides a reliable, continuous source of fresh water to the surrounding municipalities.

Olds’ solution to its water problem is a combination of carefully managed reservoirs, groundwater monitoring, and environmentally friendly solutions like constructed wetlands. These systems not only provide a clean and reliable water supply but also contribute to the health of the entire watershed. Through the integration of geology and earth sciences, Olds is learning how to manage its water for both today and the future—an example of how understanding the earth beneath our feet can lead to smarter, more sustainable solutions.

Visiting Olds: A Geological Exploration

For anyone interested in geology, Olds offers a fascinating opportunity to learn about the hydrological and geological processes that shape our water resources. Visitors to the town can explore the glacial deposits, learn about the role of the Paskapoo Formation in groundwater flow, and visit local lakes like Barrie Lake, Innis Lake, Johnson Lake or Copeley Lake—all while gaining a deeper appreciation for how geology impacts our daily lives.

Drought: A Looming Crisis

As Alberta faces increasingly severe droughts, the historical perspective becomes vital. The province has been warned for years about its precarious water situation—David Schindler, a prominent water scientist, famously stated that “looking ahead is like the view from a locomotive, 10 seconds before the train wreck.” With groundwater levels hitting record lows and major reservoirs falling well below capacity, communities like Olds are now forced to reckon with their dependency on dwindling resources.

The consequences of prolonged drought have ripple effects across the region: dying vegetation, stressed ecosystems, and increased competition for water among agricultural, industrial, and municipal users. This urgent situation compels a reevaluation of water use practices and resource allocation, especially in light of demands from the oil and gas industry, which has come under scrutiny for its significant water consumption.

Vital Points of the Water Crisis in Alberta:

• Current Water Crisis: Alberta is experiencing severe drought conditions, with snowpack levels in major river basins like the Oldman and Bow rivers plummeting by 33-62%. This highlights the urgent need to comprehend the region's hydrology and geology.
• Impact of Climate Change: Ancient glaciers, essential for summer river flow, are melting at unprecedented rates due to rising temperatures. This rapid change significantly impacts the Rosebud River and its tributaries, necessitating awareness of shifting water sources.
• Groundwater Depletion: Groundwater levels across Alberta are alarmingly low, posing serious risks for rural communities that rely on wells. This situation connects directly to Bickham's Slough and the broader watershed, emphasizing the importance of sustainable water management.
• Environmental Stress on Ecosystems: Reduced water levels are harming local flora, with cottonwoods and willows along riverbanks suffering and dying. This stresses the relationship between geological features and ecological health, underscoring biodiversity concerns.
• Competing Water Demands: There is increasing conflict among agricultural, municipal, and industrial water use, particularly from the fracking industry, which permanently removes water from the local cycle. This raises concerns about the long-term viability of water resources in the area, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of local geology and hydrology.
• Historical Warnings: Scientists like David Schindler have long warned of impending water scarcity due to geographic and climatic factors. This historical perspective frames the current crisis as the culmination of previously identified challenges.
• Geographical Disparities: A significant geographical imbalance exists, with 80% of Alberta's population located in the drier southern region, while most water flows north. This disparity underscores the need for strategic water resource management informed by the region's geological characteristics.

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For more information:

The Olds Water Supply Problem

Town of Didsbury Flood Risk Mapping Study Alberta Flood Risk Mapping Program

Regional Water Transmission Line Town of Olds to Town of Crossfield ISL Engineering

Gravitational Systems of Groundwater Flow Theory, Evaluation, Utilization

Groundwater Geology, Movement, Chemistry, and Resources near Olds, Alberta

Alberta’s Brutal Water Reckoning

Geology of Red Deer and Rosebud Sheets

Reducing the Uncertainty in Groundwater availability and its sensitivy to land-use and climate variability

Some characteristics and Physical Properties of Alberta Tills

Groundwater Geology, Movement, Chemistry, and Resources near Olds, Alberta Alberta Geological Survey.

Water within the Geosphere: Groundwater