A 3D esker geomodel for groundwater research: the case of the Saint-Mathieu-Berry Esker, Abitibi, Québec, Canada

As part of a groundwater thematic study by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC 2005), a 3D geomodel (24 x 11 km) was developed for a continuous esker segment in the Abitibi area of Québec, Canada (Figure 1). This segment was chosen because it is representative of a glaciated environment where the ice retreated in contact with a large water body, here Glacial Lake Ojibway. The esker is water bearing, and the high groundwater quality and conflicting usage of the esker, such as sand and gravel exploitation, commercial water bottling, etc., have raised concerns from the principal user, Amos: a municipality of 14 000 people. Our goal is to understand the architecture of the surficial geology in relation with groundwater circulation patterns in the esker and surroundings to provide local authorities with a decision making tool for regulating activities on and near the esker.