HGIS: Oak Ridges Moraine Policy Initiative

Hydrogeology and Hydrogeochemistry

November 8, 2001

Oak Ridges Moraine Policy Initiative
Database Revision and Updating and Preparation of Profiles and Maps

HUNTER AND ASSOCIATES, together with Earthfx, has been retained by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to revise and update legacy hydrogelogical databases related to the Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM)¹, and prepare groundwater mapping. Hunter and Associates was chosen to conduct this work based on their extensive hydrogeological knowledge of the ORM. Over the period of 1992 to 1995, the firm completed a comprehensive Hydrogeological Evaluation of the ORM area on behalf of the Oak Ridges Moraine Technical Working Committee. Key hydrogeological features of the Moraine were identified, characterized and delineated.
A number of databases resulted from the ORM Hydrogeological Study, all of which were archived by Hunter and Associates. The goal of this current project is to build on these substantial databases using newly acquired information. New data will be obtained from recent submissions of water well records, new studies of water and groundwater resources, and urban development applications. The Ministry of the Environment will use these databases to aid in the identification of policy, and development of planning and decision making tools necessary to protect the natural heritage, water resources and ecological functions in the ORM area.
Data sets to be updated and integrated include: bibliography, water well records, high quality observation well data, Permits to Take Water, groundwater monitoring data, hydrogeochemistry, stream water quality, stream flow, landfill plumes, and climate. Hunter and Associates will web-enable and host these data sets for remote (password) access by individual stakeholders.
Mapping to be prepared includes groundwater recharge, groundwater discharge (cold water streams), groundwater sensitivity and groundwater vulnerability.

¹The Oak Ridges Moraine landform is a 160 km long ridge of sand and gravel located in south-central Ontario, Canada. It runs from the Niagara Escarpment in the Town of Caledon east to Trenton and contains the headwaters of large number of rivers and streams.