Modelling Palaeohydrological Controls in Postglacial Mountain Drainage Basins

Quaternary glacial processes were a driving factor in the formation of the landscape of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Modelling of basin scale hydrology in glaciated mountain regions, including the associated morphology and sedimentology, has not previously been undertaken. The present study investigates drainage basin hydrology for the Kananaskis Valley immediately after glaciation. Low order drainage basins are analyzed to define a prototypical basin to facilitate groundwater modelling. The surface and groundwater modelling software HydroGeoSphere is used to model the prototypical drainage basin hydrology. Results show that glaciated mountain valley morphology and glacigenic sediments are pertinent controls on both the surface and groundwater dynamics in low order drainage basins. Sediments with high hydraulic conductivity were found to play the most significant role for the fate of precipitation in mountain drainage basins. Understanding how a history of glaciation affects mountain drainage basins is crucial for fully conceptualizing the hydrology of these regions.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geography

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Klassen, Peter

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Martin, Yvonne

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Johnson, Edward
• Sjogren, Darren
• He, Jianxun

• Geology
• Hydrology
• Physical Geography

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/26960

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/4229