Numerical modelling of the impacts of water abstraction for hydraulic fracturing on groundwater–surface water interaction: a case study from northwestern Alberta, Canada

Abstract

ABSTRACT The temporal dynamics of groundwater–surface water interaction under the impacts of various water abstraction scenarios are presented for hydraulic fracturing in a shale gas and oil play area (23 984.9 km2), Alberta, Canada, using the MIKE-SHE and MIKE-11 models. Water-use data for hydraulic fracturing were obtained for 433 wells drilled in the study area in 2013 and 2014. Modelling results indicate that water abstraction for hydraulic fracturing has very small (<0.35%) negative impacts on mean monthly and annual river and groundwater levels and stream and groundwater flows in the study area, and small (1–4.17%) negative impacts on environmental flows near the water abstraction location during low-flow periods. The impacts on environmental flow depend on the amount of water abstraction and the daily flow over time at a specific river cross-section. The results also indicate a very small (<0.35%) positive impact on mean monthly and annual groundwater contributions to streamflow because of the large study area. The results provide useful information for planning long-term seasonal and annual water abstractions from the river and groundwater for hydraulic fracturing in a large study area.