Hayashi, MasakiHe, Jesse2021-06-282021-06-282021-06-16He, J. (2021). Groundwater processes and properties of surficial deposits in the Canadian Rockies (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.http://hdl.handle.net/1880/113547Alpine surficial deposits such as moraine and talus are important conduits and reservoirs of groundwater and are capable of contributing large fractions of stream runoff. This work describes a combined fieldwork and modeling investigation, aimed toward characterizing the properties and hydrogeological function of various surficial deposits present within a headwater watershed in the Canadian Rockies. Hydrogeological properties such as hydraulic conductivity are highly heterogeneous between and even within surficial deposits. However, a moraine deposit located at the watershed outlet has a dominant influence on groundwater storage and flow. Restriction of discharge by this moraine “gatekeeper” has the effect of bolstering storage and baseflows over the low flow period. The function of this gatekeeper may also allow watershed-scale behavior to be well represented by simple relationships and data-frugal models which do not require detailed characterization of a site. Optimal model design must carefully select a level of complexity to avoid swinging between being over-parameterized and overly simplistic.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.HydrogeologyGroundwater ModelingAlpineHydrologyGeologyHydrologymaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/38952