19 

 3.3.2 Ground-Water Levels 



3.3.2.1 Saskatchewan 



There does not appear to be any major changes in the cone of depression in the Hart Coal seam 

 as a result of the supplementary supply project. The 1 m drawdown contour is at or near the 

 International Boundary, much as it has been for the past several years (Figure 3.11). As a result 

 of the map for 1996 being generated by a computer contouring package, there are some differences 

 in the manner in which the contours are drawn, but these differences are minor. The reasonably 

 consistent drawdowns over the past several years (over which the volumes pumped have been 

 fairly consistent) indicate the aquifer system has approached a semi-equilibrium state. 



The December 1995 drawdown map for the Empress sands (Figure 3.12) indicates that there was 

 a significant increase in both the extent and magnitude of drawdowns from salinity project 

 pumping. This increase occurred even with a slight reduction of pumping, which demonstrates 

 the impacts of fluctuations in recharge on the project. Recharge in 1995 was lower than in 1993 

 and 1994. The goal of the project is to lower water levels in the Empress sands below the 

 reservoir by 2-3 metres. This had been established prior to the significant recharge which started 

 in June 1993, and led to drawdowns below the targeted level of 2-3 metres. The drawdown map 

 shows that a 2-3 metre drawdown cone has been re-established on the west side, while drawdowns 

 are 1-1 V2 metres on the east side. Pumping will target maintenance of the present drawdowns on 

 the west side and expansion of drawdowns on the east to 2-3 metres. 



