Geophysical Surveys Over a Terminal Moraine

Alpine watersheds represent the headwaters of many major rivers in western Canada. Consequently, understanding the hydrological cycle within these watersheds is critical for modeling the effects of climate change on water resources in western Canada and for developing informed water management strategies. Terminal moraines represent a significant hydrological response unit within many alpine watersheds in western Canada. Recent studies suggest that these features may provide sites for water storage. The preliminary results of a geophysical survey of a terminal moraine exhibiting geomorphological characteristics suggesting an ice-core will be presented. It is hypothesized that bedrock topography and the presence of ice creates barriers and channels groudwater flow. The focus of the survey was to delineate the hydrologically significant features within the moraine using electrical resistivity imaging (ERI), seismic refraction, and ground penetrating radar (GPR). Buried ice was easily detected using ERI due to high resistivity of over 1 MOhm-m. However, it was not as extensive as expected. Seismic refraction proved to be most useful in detecting the underlying bedrock. GPR images showed many reflection fragments but were noisy and difficult to interpret. Regions of relatively high electrical conductivity suggest some degree of channelization of groundwater in the vicinity of a tarn.