EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08

Static Water Levels and

Completion Details of Nested
Piezometers in the
Quaternary-Tertiary(?)
Succession, Athabasca Oil
Sands (In Situ) Area, Alberta
Static Water Levels and
Completion Details of Nested
Piezometers in the
Quaternary-Tertiary (?)
Succession, Athabasca Oil
Sands (In Situ) Area, Alberta
T.G. Lemay and G. Jean
Alberta Geological Survey

December 2002
©Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Alberta, 2002

The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board/Alberta Geological Survey (EUB/AGS) and its employees and
contractors make no warranty, guarantee or representation, express or implied, or assume any legal
liability regarding the correctness, accuracy, completeness, or reliability of this publication. Any digital
data and software supplied with this publication are subject to the licence conditions (specified in
'Licence Agreement for Digital Products'). The data are supplied on the understanding that they are for
the sole use of the licensee and will not be redistributed in any form, in whole or in part, to third parties.
Any references to proprietary software in the documentation, and/or any use of proprietary data formats
in this release, do not constitute endorsement by the EUB/AGS of any manufacturer's product.

If this product is an EUB/AGS Special Report, the information is provided as received from the
author and has not been edited for conformity to EUB/AGS standards.

When using information from this publication in other publications or presentations, due
acknowledgment should be given to the EUB/AGS. The following reference format is recommended:
Lemay, T.G. and Jean, G. (2002): Static water levels and completion details of nested piezometers in the
Quaternary-Tertiary (?) succession, Athabasca Oil Sands (in situ) Area, Alberta; Alberta Energy and
Utilities Board, EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08.

Published December 2002 by:

Alberta Energy and Utilities Board
Alberta Geological Survey
4th Floor, Twin Atria Building
4999 – 98th Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T6B 2X3

Tel: (780) 422-3767 (Information Sales)

Fax: (780) 422-1918

Web site: www.ags.gov.ab.ca

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • ii

Contents
Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................................................iv
Abstract........................................................................................................................................................v
1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................1
2 Study Area ............................................................................................................................................1
3 Test Hole Details, Piezometer Completion and Water-Level Information ....................................1
3.1 Site WR 99-1 ..................................................................................................................................1
3.2 Site WEPA 00-1 ..............................................................................................................................4
3.3 Site WEPA 00-3 ..............................................................................................................................4
4 Comment on Vertical Gradients at the Piezometer Sites ................................................................4
5 Conclusions ..........................................................................................................................................4

Tables
Table 1 Monthly water level elevations in metres above sea level, November 2000 –
November 2001 ............................................................................................................................7
Table 2 Calculated Vertical Gradients......................................................................................................15

Figures
Figure 1 Study area map ..........................................................................................................................2
Figure 2 Location map of AGS piezometers ..........................................................................................3
Figure 3 Water-table well-construction details: WR 99-1-8(WT) ..........................................................5
Figure 4 Piezometer-construction details: WR 99-1-230 ........................................................................6
Figure 5 Water-table construction details: WEPA 00-1-15(WT) ............................................................8
Figure 6 Piezometer-construction details: WEPA 00-1-41......................................................................9
Figure 7 Piezometer-construction details: WEPA 00-1-76....................................................................10
Figure 8 Piezometer-construction details: WEPA 00-1-120 ..................................................................11
Figure 9 Water-table construction details: WEPA 00-3-17(WT) ..........................................................12
Figure 10 Piezometer-construction details: WEPA 00-3-79....................................................................13
Figure 11 Piezometer-construction details: WEPA 00-3-158..................................................................14

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • iii

Acknowledgments
Test hole drilling and piezometer installation were funded jointly by the Government of Alberta, through
the Energy and Utilities Board, and by the Government of Canada, through the Ministry of Western
Economic Diversification under the Western Economic Partnership Agreement. This Geo-Note is one in
a series of Geo-Notes detailing the results of the work completed as part of this project.

The stratigraphic test holes were drilled by the Layne Christiansen Company and by McAuley Drilling
Ltd. The piezometer installations were completed by Elk Point Drilling Corp.

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • iv

Abstract
The Alberta Geological Survey (AGS) completed the installation of nine piezometers in 2000. The
piezometers were completed within both Quaternary drift aquifers and a Quaternary-Tertiary buried
channel aquifer. Water levels were measured within these piezometers. The results of these
measurements indicate that, at all three sites, vertical hydraulic gradients are downwards. At one of the
sites (WEPA 00-1), the calculated vertical gradients between three of the nested piezometers are small.
This may indicate that the three stratigraphically distinct aquifers monitored by these piezometers may
be part of a larger, vertically connected aquifer system, even though they are separated by intervening
till packages.

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • v

1 Introduction
Between 1999 and 2001, the Alberta Geological Survey conducted a groundwater-sampling program in
northeastern Alberta. The purpose was to document baseline groundwater conditions in advance of oil
sands development in the area. This project was jointly funded by the Government of Alberta, through
the Energy and Utilities Board, and by the Government of Canada, through the Ministry of Western
Economic Diversification under the Western Economic Partnership Agreement. This Geo-Note is one in
a series of Geo-Notes detailing the results of the work completed as part of this project.

Much of the area of investigation is sparsely populated and, as such, water well and stratigraphic
information is difficult to obtain for these areas. To fully understand and characterize the Quaternary and
Quaternary-Tertiary hydrogeological systems in northeastern Alberta, several stratigraphic test holes
were drilled by the AGS. Detailed stratigraphic and chemical analyses were performed on the collected
core material. These analyses are reported in other Geo-Notes of this series. Subsequently, nine
piezometers were installed to various depths at three of these sites to characterize water chemistry and
capture water-level information from selected aquifers. The purpose of this document is to provide
piezometer completion details and document water levels measured in each piezometer at various times
between November 2000 and November 2001. Official driller’s reports for each piezometer are on file
with Alberta Environment.

2 Study Area
The study area is located in the northeastern portion of Alberta. It is bounded on the west by the
Athabasca River, to the north by the Athabasca and Clearwater rivers, to the east by the Alberta-
Saskatchewan provincial border and to the south by the Mostoos Uplands (Figure 1). This area
encompasses the southeast portion of the EUB-designated Athabasca Oil Sands Area.

3 Test Hole Details, Piezometer Completion and Water-Level Information

Latitude, longitude and elevation values were determined using the Locus GPS instrument system by
Ashtech Precision Products Limited. One receiver was located over a point of known coordinates, such
as an Alberta Survey Control Marker (ASCM), and a second receiver was located at the top of the
piezometer’s casing. GPS positions are referenced to the WGS84 ellipsoid and modelled against the
earth-fixed X, Y, Z Cartesian coordinate system. Ground elevation was established using a steel tape to
measure from the top of the casing to ground level.

Water levels were measured using an electric water level tape. For each piezometer, the depth of water
from the top of the casing is recorded. The elevation of the water level is determined by subtracting the
measured depth to water value, and the height of the casing above ground surface from the top of casing
elevation determined during surveying.

3.1 Site WR 99-1

Stratigraphic test hole WR 99-1 was drilled in December 1999 to a depth of 253.7 m. The test hole site
is located approximately 45 km north of Wandering River, Alberta (Figure 2). In November 2000, two
piezometers were installed at this site, WR 99-1-8(WT) and WR 99-1-230. WR 99-1-8(WT) was
completed within the Quaternary drift. WR 99-1-230 was completed within a Quaternary-Tertiary buried
channel aquifer of the Wiau Channel. Completion diagrams for the two piezometers are presented in

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • 1

Figure 1. Study area location map.
EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • 3
Figure 3 and Figure 4. Water level data are presented in Table 1.

3.2 Site WEPA 00-1

Stratigraphic test hole WEPA 00-1 was drilled in October 2000 to a depth of 173.5 m. The test hole site
is located approximately 20 km southwest of Conklin, Alberta (Figure 2). In November 2000, four
piezometers were completed at this site, all within Quaternary drift aquifers. The piezometers are
designated WEPA 00-1-15(WT), WEPA 00-1-41, WEPA 00-1-76 and WEPA 00-120. Completion details
are presented in Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8. Water level data are presented in Table 1.

3.3 Site WEPA 00-3

Stratigraphic test hole WEPA 00-3 was drilled in October 2000 to a depth of 182 m. The test hole site is
located approximately 30 km east-northeast of Conklin, Alberta (Figure 2). In November 2000, three
piezometers were completed at this site, all within Quaternary drift aquifers. The piezometers are
designated WEPA 00-3-17(WT), WEPA 00-3-79 and WEPA 00-3-158. Completion details are presented
in Figure 9, Figure 10 and Figure 11. Water level data are presented in Table 1.

4 Comment on Vertical Gradients at the Piezometer Sites

At all three piezometer sites, vertical gradients are downwards. Vertical gradients were calculated using
the average hydraulic head elevations for each piezometer. Table 2 summarizes these calculated values.

The greatest vertical gradient, 0.30 m/m, is between WR 99-1-8(WT) and WR 99-1-230. The lowest
vertical gradient is 0.03 m/m between WEPA 00-1-41 and WEPA 00-1-76. The average calculated
vertical gradient is 0.16 m/m and the median value is 0.19 m/m.

At site WEPA 00-1, the vertical gradients between the three deepest piezometers are very similar and
approach 0 m/m. This may indicate that the three stratigraphically distinct aquifers monitored by these
piezometers may be part of a larger, vertically connected aquifer system, even though they are separated
by intervening till packages.

5 Conclusions
Nine piezometers were installed as part of a recent Alberta Geological Survey groundwater characteriza-
tion project. The piezometers were completed in both Quaternary drift aquifers and a Quaternary-
Tertiary buried channel aquifer. Hydraulic head measurements were taken between November 2000 and
November 2001. Vertical gradients vary between 0.30 m/m to 0.03 m/m and show that groundwater flow
at the various locations is downwards. There are indications that the three deepest aquifers at WEPA 00-
1 may be vertically connected, even though they are separated by till packages.

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • 44

Well Name: WR99-1-8(WT)
Location (DLS): 07-36-77-15W4
Latitude: 55.7143976oN
Longitude: 112.1878725oW
Datum: NAD83
Surveyed Ground Level: 663.15 m
Elevation Lithology WR 99-1-8
(masl) Top of casing elevation: 663.77 m
0 Fill, peat & silt Drillhole diameter: 14 cm
660 Sand Bentonite chips: 0 - 4.5 m
655 5.08 cm diameter Sch 80 PVC pipe
Sandpack: 4.5 - 8.4 m
20 Till PVC 5.08 cm, 3 row, 0.0508 cm
slot size screen: 5.1 -8.2 m
635 Sand 5.08 cm PVC washdown valve on
screen bottom
40
Silt & clay
615
Till
Sand
60
595 Till

80 Sand
Sand
575 Sand
Till
100 Clay
Sand & gravel
Depth (m)

555
Silt & clay
120 Silt
Sand
535
Sand
140
515 Clay
Sand & gravel
160
Sand & clay
495

180 Sand, silt & clay

475

200 Sand

455 Gravel
Sand
220
435 Sand & gravel
230
Figure 3. Piezometer-construction details: WR99-1-8(WT).

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • 5

Well Name: WR99-1-230
Location (DLS): 07-36-77-15W4
Latitude: 55.7143794oN
Longitude: 112.1879148oW
Datum: NAD83
Surveyed Ground Level: 663.07 m
Elevation Lithology WR 99-1-230
(masl)
0 Fill, peat & silt Top of casing elevation: 663.75 m
660 Sand
655

20 Till
635 Sand
40 Drillhole diameter: 14 cm
Silt & clay
615 5.08 cm diameter Sch 80 PVC pipe
Till
Sand Bentonite grout: 0 - 222.4 m
60
595 Till

80 Sand
Sand
575 Sand
Till
100 Clay
Sand & gravel
Depth (m)

555
Silt & clay
120 Silt
Sand
535
Sand
140
515 Clay
Sand & gravel
160
Sand & clay
495

180 Sand, silt & clay

475

200 Sand

455 Gravel
Sand Sandpack: 222.4 - 230.8 m
220
PVC 5.08 cm, 3 row, 0.0508 cm
435 Sand & gravel slot size screen: 227.5 - 230.6 m
230
5.08 cm PVC washdown valve on
screen bottom
Figure 4. Piezometer-construction details: WR99-1-230.
EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • 6
Table 1. Monthly water level elevations in metres above sea level, November 2000 - November 2001.

Date WEPA 00-1-15(WT) WEPA 00-1-41 WEPA 00-1-76 WEPA 00-1-120 WEPA 00-3-17(WT) WEPA 00-3-79 WEPA 00-1-158 WR 99-1-8(WT) WR 99-1-230
5-Nov-00 662.934 658.748 657.567 655.738
9-Nov-00 608.339
10-Nov-00 636.851 620.4 608.349
16-Nov-00 593.608
17-Nov-00 661.226
21-Nov-00 662.944 658.748 657.567 655.748 637.031 624.55 608.399 661.526 593.648
6-Dec-00 662.894 658.748 657.577 655.788 637.061 624.55 608.409
7-Dec-00 661.406 593.608
5-Feb-01 662.664 658.608 657.467 655.698 636.991 624.55 608.389
7-Feb-01 661.286 593.588
19-Mar-01 662.504 658.543 657.407 655.658 636.951 624.59 608.419 661.246 593.628
24-Apr-01 662.424 658.468 657.337 655.588 636.916 624.56 608.359
25-Apr-01 661.476* 593.608
7-May-01 662.434 658.478 657.347 655.588
10-May-01 636.901 624.56 608.369
22-May-01 662.454 658.498 657.367 655.608
23-May-01 636.911 624.5 608.379 661.626* 593.618
21-Jun-01 662.614 658.608 657.437 655.638 637.011 624.52 608.389 661.706 593.628
25-Jul-01 663.354 658.718 657.517 655.698 637.181 624.53 608.449 661.536 593.598
27-Aug-01 663.114 658.698 657.517 655.688 637.391 624.5 608.419 661.436 593.578
25-Sep-01 662.914 658.668 657.497 655.688 637.581 624.52 608.389 661.416 593.578
25-Oct-01 662.784 658.638 657.467 655.648 637.511 624.5 608.319 661.466 593.538
26-Nov-01 662.684 658.618 657.457 655.658 637.561 624.5 608.299 661.366 593.508
Well Name: WEPA 00-1-15(WT)
Location (DLS): 06-33-074-09W4M
Latitude: 55.4514162oN
Longitude: 111.3298313oW
Datum: NAD 83
Surveyed Ground Level: 666.83 m

Elevation Lithology WEPA 00-1-15

(masl)
Top of casing elevation: 667.64 m
0 Drillhole diameter: 14 cm
665
Oxidized till Bentonite chips: 0 - 7.5 m
5.08 cm diameter Sch 80 PVC pipe
Till Compressed bentonite pellets:
Till & Sand 7.7 - 8.3 m
Till Sandpack: 8.3 - 15.54 m
20 Silt & clay
PVC 5.08 cm, 3 row, 0.0508 cm
645 slot size screen: 9.34 - 15.44 m
5.08 cm PVC washdown valve on
screen bottom
Till

40 Sand
625

Sand
Depth (m)

60
605

Gravel

80
585

Till
100
565

Sand
120
Figure 5. Piezometer construction details: WEPA 00-1-15(WT).

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • 8

Well Name: WEPA 00-1-41
Location (DLS): 06-33-074-09W4M
Latitude: 55.4513766oN
Longitude: 111.3298244oW
Datum: NAD 83
Surveyed Ground Level: 667.01 m

Elevation Lithology WEPA 00-1-41

(masl)
0 Top of casing elevation: 667.77 m
665
Oxidized till
Drillhole diameter: 14 cm
Till Bentonite grout: 0 - 35.5 m
Till & Sand 5.08 cm diameter Sch 80 PVC pipe
Till
20 Silt & clay
645
Compressed bentonite pellets:
Till 35.5 - 36.0 m
Sandpack: 36.0 - 41.0 m
PVC 5.08 cm, 3 row, 0.0508 cm
40 Sand slot size screen: 37.9 - 41.0 m
625
5.08 cm PVC washdown valve on
screen bottom

Sand
Depth (m)

60
605

Gravel

80
585

Till
100
565

Sand
120
Figure 6. Piezometer construction details: WEPA 00-1-41.

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • 9

Well Name: WEPA 00-1-76
Location (DLS): 06-33-074-09W4M
Latitude: 55.4513830oN
Longitude: 111.3299586oW
Datum: NAD 83
Surveyed Ground Level: 666.99 m

Elevation Lithology WEPA 00-1-76

(masl)
0 Top of casing elevation: 667.76 m
665
Oxidized till

Till
Till & Sand
Till Drillhole diameter: 14 cm
20 Silt & clay
645

Till Bentonite grout: 0 - 71.2 m

5.08 cm diameter Sch 80 PVC pipe

40 Sand
625

Sand
Depth (m)

60
605 Compressed bentonite pellets:
71.2 - 71.8 m
Sandpack: 71.8 - 79.2 m
Gravel
PVC 5.08 cm, 3 row, 0.0508 cm
slot size screen: 72.4 - 75.3 m
5.08 cm PVC washdown valve on
80
585 screen bottom

Till
100
565

Sand
120
Figure 7. Piezometer construction details: WEPA 00-1-76.

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • 110

Well Name: WEPA 00-1-120
Location (DLS): 06-33-074-09W4M
Latitude: 55.4513762oN
Longitude: 111.3298897oW
Datum: NAD 83
Surveyed Ground Level: 666.92 m

Elevation Lithology WEPA 00-1-120

(masl)
0 Top of casing elevation: 667.68 m
665
Oxidized till

Till
Till & Sand
Till Drillhole diameter: 14 cm
20 Silt & clay
645

Till Bentonite grout: 0 - 116.3 m

5.08 cm diameter Sch 80 PVC pipe

40 Sand
625

Sand
Depth (m)

60
605

Gravel

80
585

Till
100
565

Sandpack: 116.3 - 121.9 m

Sand PVC 5.08 cm, 3 row, 0.0508 cm
120 slot size screen: 117.3 - 120.3 m
5.08 cm PVC washdown valve on
screen bottom
Figure 8. Piezometer construction details: WEPA 00-1-120.

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • 111

Well Name: WEPA 00-3-17(WT)
Location (DLS): 16-04-075-05W4M
Latitude: 55.4730401oN
Longitude: 110.7072983oW
Datum: NAD83
Surveyed Ground Level: 648.17 m

Elevation Lithology WEPA 00-3-17

(masl)
Top of casing elevation: 648.78 m
0
645 Oxidized till Drillhole diameter: 14 cm
Till 5.08 diameter Sch 80 PVC pipe
Bentonite chips: 0 - 6.0 m
Sand
Sandpack: 6.0 - 17.7 m
20 630
PVC 5.08 cm, 3 row, 0.0508 cm
slot size screen: 11.2 - 17.3 m
5.08 cm PVC washdown valve on
screen bottom

40 610
Till

60 590

Sand
Depth (m)

570 Till & clay

80
Till
Sand

100 550
Till

120 530
Sand & gravel
Till & sand
Sand
Till
140 510
Till & Sand
Till
Silt
490 Sand
160

Figure 9. Piezometer-construction details: WEPA 00-3-17(WT).

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • 12
Well Name: WEPA 00-3-79
Location (DLS): 16-04-075-05W4M
Latitude: 55.4730068oN
Longitude: 110.7073184oW
Datum: NAD83
Surveyed Ground Level: 648.26 m

Elevation Lithology WEPA 00-3-79

(masl)
Top of casing elevation: 648.84 m
0
645 Oxidized till
Till
Sand
630 Drillhole diameter: 14 cm
20

5.08 diameter Sch 80 PVC pipe

40 610
Till
Bentonite grout: 0 - 75.6 m

60 590
Compressed bentonite pellets:
75.0 - 75.6 m
Sand Sandpack: 75.6 - 80.0 m
Depth (m)

570 Till & clay PVC 5.08 cm, 3 row, 0.0508 cm

80 slot size screen: 76.6 - 79.6 m
Till 5.08 cm PVC washdown valve on
screen bottom
Sand

100 550
Till

120 530
Sand & gravel
Till & sand
Sand
Till
140 510
Till & Sand
Till
Silt
490 Sand
160
Figure 10. Piezometer-construction details: WEPA 00-3-79.

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • 13

Well Name: WEPA 00-3-158
Location (DLS): 16-04-075-05W4M
Latitude: 55.4729752oN
Longitude: 110.7073340oW
Datum: NAD83
Surveyed Ground Level: 648.20 m

Elevation Lithology WEPA 00-3-158

(masl)
Top of casing elevation: 648.87 m
0
645 Oxidized till
Till
Sand
630 Drillhole diameter: 14 cm
20

5.08 diameter Sch 80 PVC pipe

40 610
Till
Bentonite grout: 0 - 150.5 m

60 590

Sand
Depth (m)

570 Till & clay

80
Till
Sand

100 550
Till

120 530
Sand & gravel
Till & sand
Sand
Till
140 510
Till & Sand
Compressed bentonite pellets:
Till 150.5 - 151.0 m
Silt Sandpack: 151.0 - 160.0 m
490 Sand PVC 5.08 cm, 3 row, 0.0508 cm
160 slot size screen: 155.4 - 158.8 m
5.08 cm PVC washdown valve on
Figure 11. Piezometer-construction details: WEPA 00-3-158. screen bottom
EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • 14
Table 2. Calculated vertical gradients.

Interval
Calculated Top Piezometer Bottom Piezometer
Vertical Gradient
(m/m)
0.30 WR 99-1-8 WR 99-1-230
0.20 WEPA 00-1-15 WEPA 00-1-14
0.03 WEPA 00-1-41 WEPA 00-1-76
0.04 WEPA 00-1-76 WEPA 00-1-120
0.22 WEPA 00-3-17 WEPA 00-1-79
0.19 WEPA 00-3-79 WEPA 00-1-158

EUB/AGS Geo-Note 2002-08 (December 2002) • 15