The Milk River Transboundary Aquifer
The Milk River Aquifer straddles southern Alberta (Canada) and northern Montana (USA) in a semi-arid region considered water-short. This confined sandstone aquifer corresponds more specifically to the Virgelle Member of the Milk River Formation, also called the Eagle Formation in Montana.
The intensive use of this resource over the 20th century has led to a major drop in water levels locally and some flowing artesian wells stopped flowing. Concerns about the sustainability of the resource have been raised since the mid-50s.
The need for a transboundary study
A depletion study of the aquifer (AGRA, 1998) was followed by a 5 years conservation program (link) . However, the Milk River Aquifer is still solicited on both sides of the international border in the absence of an agreement between the USA and Canada on the use of this shared resource.
Since 2009, the Milk River Aquifer is part of the ISARM-UNESCO inventory. ISARM is an initiative which encourages riparian states to work cooperatively towards the sustainable use of the shared resource.
Although the Milk River Aquifer has been the object of many studies over the 20th century, most of the previous studies were limited by the Canada/USA border , thus preventing a full understanding of the aquifer dynamics.
To assess the conditions needed for the sustainable use of the Milk River Aquifer, a comprehensive study of the aquifer across its international boundary is necessary!
Since 2009, the Milk River Aquifer is part of the ISARM-UNESCO inventory. ISARM is an initiative which encourages riparian states to work cooperatively towards the sustainable use of the shared resource.
Although the Milk River Aquifer has been the object of many studies over the 20th century, most of the previous studies were limited by the Canada/USA border , thus preventing a full understanding of the aquifer dynamics.
To assess the conditions needed for the sustainable use of the Milk River Aquifer, a comprehensive study of the aquifer across its international boundary is necessary!
The Project
The objective of MiRTAP (Milk River Transboundary Aquifer Project) is to overcome transboundary limitations by providing a unified portrait of the Milk River Aquifer.
The term “unified” means that the study follows the natural limits of the aquifer and is not interrupted by the international border.
The Unified Conceptual Model of the aquifer consists in several components such as the Groundwater flow system, the 3D Unified Geological model and the Groundwater quality and dating.
We consider the unified conceptual model as a prerequisite for a transboundary hydrogeological numerical model, which in turn will lead to recommendations for the sustainable use of this shared resource.
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The term “unified” means that the study follows the natural limits of the aquifer and is not interrupted by the international border.
The Unified Conceptual Model of the aquifer consists in several components such as the Groundwater flow system, the 3D Unified Geological model and the Groundwater quality and dating.
We consider the unified conceptual model as a prerequisite for a transboundary hydrogeological numerical model, which in turn will lead to recommendations for the sustainable use of this shared resource.
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