HYDROLOGY REPORT

Vancouver, Canada

In Partial Completion of Course Requirements for CE141-2

Prepared by:

Saliganan, John Robert

Santos, Clarence Mari

Santos, Ivana Janina

Santos, Keen Dyan

Tamba, Sandra Lee

Torres, Zoe Marie

Valenzuela, Recy Lyn

Villanueva, David Kier

Viloria, Jan Mari Andrei

Wanky, Jose Luis

Submitted to:

Prof. Fibor Tan

October 2020
Contents
Background of Study Area..........................................................................................................3
Environmental Features.............................................................................................................4
Objectives of the report.............................................................................................................5
Significance of the Study............................................................................................................6
Scope and Limitations................................................................................................................6
Hydrological Characterization....................................................................................................7
Surface Geography.................................................................................................................7
Modern Sediments in Lowlands.........................................................................................8
Bedrock in Mountains.........................................................................................................9
Watersheds.................................................................................................................................9
CAPILANO WATERSHED AND RESERVOIR.........................................................................11
SEYMOUR WATERSHED AND RESERVOIR..........................................................................11
COQUITLAM WATERSHED AND RESERVOIR......................................................................12
Wetlands...............................................................................................................................13
Groundwater Conditions..........................................................................................................14
Hydrological Information.........................................................................................................18
Climate..................................................................................................................................18
Humidity...............................................................................................................................21
Temperature.........................................................................................................................21
Precipitation.........................................................................................................................23
Snow.....................................................................................................................................23
Runoff Characteristics...........................................................................................................24
Application of Hydrology..........................................................................................................26
River and Lake Ice Monitoring..............................................................................................26
Flood Mapping and Monitoring...........................................................................................26
Snowpack Monitoring..........................................................................................................28
DEFINITION OF TERMS.............................................................................................................30

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Vancouver, Canada
 Chapter 1

Background of Study Area

Vancouver is a city of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is considered as the
major urban center of western Canada and the focus of one the country’s most populous
metropolitan regions, with a population of 631,486 (based on 2016 census). Vancouver lies
between Burrard Inlet, an of arm of the Strait of Georgia, to the north and the Fraser River
delta to the south, just opposite of Vancouver Island. The city is just north of the U.S. state of
Washington. The city’s coordinates are 49.246292 in latitude and -123.116226 in longitude.

Fig.1 Map of Vancouver, Canada

Vancouver is primarily known as a large port and a transportation hub connected

with almost all the cities and parts of the planet. It is also known as a part of Canada where
a multitude of nationalities live and is famous for being a melting pot of different cultures.
Internationally, Vancouver is well known as a home of many cultural establishments and
venue for many important cultural and social events. It is also a city considered as a center
of cinema production which earn Vancouver the moniker of “The Northern Hollywood”.

Environmental Features
Vancouver City is known as the greenest city or a renewable city. The city’s
environmental footprint is currently three times larger than the Earth can sustain. There are

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Vancouver, Canada
different programs being implemented in Vancouver to enhance their environmental
features.

1. Climate Emergency Action Plan – we are starting to face the growing impacts of
climate crisis that gives us a greater challenge as the planet continues to warm.
Vancouver announced their new climate emergency action plan that will improve
climate preparedness measures.
2. Greenest City Action Plan – the city wants to have a stable leading edge of urban
sustainability. The vision of this action plan is to have a strong local economy, vibrant
and inclusive neighborhoods, and internationally recognized city that meets the
needs of generations to come.
3. Zero Emissions Building – it would mean a lot to all the residents in Vancouver
because it is highly energy efficient and uses renewable energy.
4. Zero Waste 2040 - the plan includes forward looking policies and actions to help
stimulate, support, and allow Vancouver to become a zero-waste community.
5. Climate Change Adaptation Strategy – these actions will bring us many steps to closer
to zero carbon, zero waste, and healthy ecosystems.

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Objectives of the report
This report provides an overview of Vancouver’s hydrological conditions and features
as well as providing information on the application of hydrology being utilized by Vancouver,
Canada for managing hydrological features, the resources they derive from such features,
and the way they manage situations such as natural phenomena that is well within the
scope of hydrology. The following are the specific objectives of the report:

 To be able to demonstrate the course concepts, methods, design criteria and

standards as well as applications in Vancouver, Canada.
 To be able to provide a report that outlines the hydrological features and conditions
of Vancouver, Canada.
 To be able to provide a report that demonstrate the understanding of the group on
the concepts and methods discussed in class.

Significance of the Study

The study conducted to create this hydrological report on Vancouver, Canada is
significant due to it being a means for us researchers, as students undertaking the course of
Hydrology to further our understanding on the lessons being discussed in the course. It also
allows us to apply our understanding of the concepts discussed all the while getting to know
the hydrological conditions and features of the area of interest in contrast with those known
for the Philippines and its islands.

Being an area that is relatively close to the coast area and an area where the cold
Arctic winds as well as warm Pacific winds meet, the hydrological conditions found and
experienced by the populace of Vancouver, its study is quite interesting. Putting also into
consideration that the climate and weather systems of Vancouver is very different to that of
the Philippines and allows the researchers to compare conditions between the two areas. In
doing so, we as researchers can hopefully understand the unique features and/or conditions
of hydrology in Vancouver and see how such things affect their environment, people, and
most importantly their water resources and how they manage the circumstances that comes
with it.

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Vancouver, Canada
Scope and Limitations
The Hydrology Report on Vancouver, Canada is based on the information appropriate
and fitting about hydrological features and conditions specific to Vancouver, Canada. The
researchers based the parts of this report on the discussions and directions given during
class hours of HYDROLOGY.

The area of interest is confined to Vancouver, Canada, and its immediate vicinity. The
researcher did not and will not delve into the matter of other areas of Canada that is not
within the immediate vicinity of the area of interest. As for the content of this paper, the
content would focus solely on the hydrological features, conditions, methods, and
applications pertaining to and/or specific to the area of interest. Assumptions to be made
along the course of completing this report would be based on sound facts and reasoning
specific to the area of interest. Having said that, the researchers are still within bounds to
draw understanding from previous discussions to reinforce the information being written
into this report.

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 Hydrological Characterization
Surface Geography
The area of Vancouver, Canada has two distinct geographical areas, the Coast
Mountains (Fig. 2) and the Fraser Lowland that extends to the Canada-USA border. The
Coast Mountains of Vancouver is the famous backdrop of rugged mountains that rises from
the North Shore and extended 1700km to the Yukon. On the other hand, the Fraser Lowland
is a flat-topped upland separated by wide, flat-bottomed valleys. The Fraser River and Fr It is
underlain by different geological materials with different properties. The properties and
characteristics of these materials are needed to know the capacity of structures, potential
calamities, hazards, and contained resources. The geological materials that are found in
Vancouver are categorized by units: Modern Sediments in Lowlands, Ice Age Sediments in
Uplands, and Bedrock in Mountains.

Fig.2 Coast Mountains of Vancouver, one of the two distinct geographical areas

Modern Sediments in Lowlands

This category covers half of the Fraser Valley in Canada. It is underlain by loose,
water-saturated sediments that are less than 10,000 years old.
a. Landfill
b. Peat
c. Silt and clay
d. Sand and silt
e. Gravel and sand
Ice Age Sediments in Uplands

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Vancouver, Canada
 This category are Ice Age sediments that were deposited during the Pleistocene
Epoch of the Fraser Valley. Most sediments date to the last glaciation, 25,000 to 11,000 years
ago. Upland sediments are good foundation materials and are not susceptible to
liquefaction.
a. Silt and clay
b. Sand
c. Gravel and sand
d. Till
e. Steepland sediments
Bedrock in Mountains
These solid bedrocks form the Coast and Cascade Mountains, as well as smaller
mountains around Vancouver. Bedrock is commonly mantled by several meters of till, sandy
gravel, or rock fragments. Less than 10% of the mountain area is exposed rock.
a. Volcanic rock
b. Sandstone
c. Granitic rock
d. Foliated sedimentary and volcanic rock
The earthquake-prone areas in Vancouver have structural designs that are based on
the anticipated peak horizontal ground acceleration and velocity. Earthquakes also affect
loose water-saturated silts and sands at shallow depth. These may lose their strength and
turn into a fluid. Deeper sediments are less likely to liquefy, however. Liquefaction brought
by earthquakes are dangerous because it can trigger landslides and damage structures,
highways, gas lines, and buried sewer. In Vancouver, liquefaction has a low chance of
occurrence because it has more Ice Age upland sediments.

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Vancouver, Canada
 Fig.3 A picture taken over Fraser Valley

Watersheds
Watershed is an area of land that takes care of all the water running under it and
depleting off it into a waterway. It consolidates with different watersheds to shape an
organization of waterways and streams that continuously channel into larger areas of water.

Vancouver draws its drinking water from the Capilano, Seymour, and Coquitlam
Watersheds. Pipelines distribute water drawn from these locations all throughout the
Vancouver Area. Landslides usually occur in each of the three watersheds most notably
during heavy rains. This allows mud to be washed into the reservoirs where it becomes one
with the water system. See fig.4 for a map of the three (3) watersheds.

The rain and softening snow stream downhill through the watersheds' rivers and
streams into enormous assortment lakes called reservoirs. The Capilano, Seymour, and
Coquitlam reservoirs provides a clean, reliable, and affordable supply of drinking water with
over 2.6 million residents.

Metro Vancouver's stores are additionally supported by water from three high lakes:
Burwell Lake, Palisade Lake, and Loch Lomond. These feeder lakes are ordinarily utilized in
mid-summer to enhance the flexibly of water accessible in the Capilano and Seymour
supplies. The water from these profound, cold lakes is especially high caliber and adds to an
expansion in downstream oceanic living space, especially during times of dry spell.

Though, these watersheds are close to the public to prevent it from contamination,
disintegration, fire, and different dangers, except for enlisted visits.

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Vancouver, Canada
Fig.4 Shows a map of the three watersheds, where Vancouver’s drinking water is sourced.

CAPILANO WATERSHED AND RESERVOIR

North Vancouver's Capilano Watershed supplies 33% of the area's drinking water.
The Capilano Reservoir is contained by the Cleveland Dam developed in 1954, additionally
worked by Metro Vancouver. This repository sits in the steepest of the three watersheds that
gracefully our drinking water.

Fig.5 Capilano Watershed and Reservoir

SEYMOUR WATERSHED AND RESERVOIR

Situated in the North Shore Mountains, the Seymour Watershed supplies 33% of the
area's drinking water. In spite of the fact that the supply is shut to community, the
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Vancouver, Canada
woodlands south of the repository, called the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (LSCR)
are available to general society, offering numerous outside encounters, and the LSCR trails
associate with numerous other well-known path on the North Shore.

The Seymour - Capilano Filtration Plant, which treats water from both Seymour and
Capilano, is obvious from the LSCR's primary parking garage.

Fig.6 A view of Seymour Watershed and Reservoir

COQUITLAM WATERSHED AND RESERVOIR

The Coquitlam Reservoir supplies 33% of the area's drinking water. This gracefully
extent can increment to roughly 50% of the area's flexibly throughout the mid-year top
interest season.

The watershed sits only north of the city of Coquitlam and has been a civil drinking
water source since the last part of the 1890's around then, for the City of New Westminster.
BC Hydro possesses and works the Coquitlam Dam and has a concurrence with the Province
for power. Metro Vancouver has a concurrence with BC Hydro for drinking water.

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Vancouver, Canada
 Fig.7 Coquitlam Watershed and Reservoir

Wetlands
Wetlands are areas that are covered with water for all or part of the year. Swamps,
marshes, bogs, and vernal pools are common in the Greater Vancouver Region. Swamps and
marshes are wet nutrient rich habitat, found near streams, creeks, lakes, and ponds. Sedges,
grasses, rushes, and reeds characterize swamps and marshes. Bogs on the other hand are
nutrient poor acidic wetlands dominated by peat. Bog vegetation includes low shrubs,
sundews, cranberries, and tree species such as shore pine. Vernal pools are temporary
wetlands that are wet in the spring and dry in the summer. These moist conditions provide
unique habitat for plant and wildlife communities.

The largest bog in the Greater Vancouver Region is Burns Bog, located in Delta. It
represents one of the few domed bogs in the world. Other major wetlands include Blaney
Bog and Codd Island Wetlands in Pitt Meadows. Some of the most significant marshes can
be found at Colony Farm and Minnekhada Regional Park in Coquitlam, Pitt Addington near
Pitt Lake and Burnaby and Deer Lakes in Burnaby. Vernal pools are more difficult to locate
due to their temporary nature, but generally occur wherever seasonally wetted depressions
occur. This important habitat be found throughout the Greater Vancouver Region.

Wetland Ecosystems are threatened, not just in the Greater Vancouver Region, but
nationally. Approximately 14% of Canada is covered in wetlands. These unique ecosystems

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Vancouver, Canada
are declining rapidly. British Columbia has a history of land conversion that has led to over
80% of wetlands being drained or filled for development or agricultural. Wetlands provide
food, cover, shelter, and breeding habitat for a wide diversity of plants and animals. Greater
Vancouver’s marshes are an important component for birds using the Pacific flyway for
breeding, nesting, and wintering habitat. Predators such as otters, short-eared owls, and
blue heron highly dependent upon wetlands and adjacent ecosystems. In addition, many
amphibians are almost exclusively reliant upon wetlands for breeding. Smaller mammals
also depend on wetland habitat for food and shelter.

Fig.8 Bogs Burn, the largest bog in the Greater Vancouver, highlighted in green

Groundwater Conditions
The percentage of observation wells with declining water levels due primarily to
human activities increased from 10% in 1965-1970 to 14% in 1995-2000. Declining water
levels related to human activities are mostly a result of intensive local groundwater pumping
for industry, agriculture and municipal water supplies and, in urbanized areas, decreased
recharge due to impervious surfaces.

A critical key to understanding the significance of groundwater use is to understand

groundwater supply and rechargeability.

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Vancouver, Canada
Level Of Dependence On Groundwater
On a national scale, the degree of Canadians’ dependence on groundwater is significant and
has been noted by the federal government:

 In Canada, 8.9 million people, or 30.3% of the population, rely on groundwater for
domestic use. Approximately two thirds of these users live in rural areas.
 Wells produce more reliable and less expensive water supplies than those obtained
from nearby lakes, rivers, and streams.
 Note: Vancouver is set in province British Columbia (BC)
Groundwater use in Canada

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 Fig.9Municipal Use of Groundwater (Municipalities with populations >1000 only)

Fig.10 Total average municipal daily flow, groundwater/combined sources, in (m3

/day)

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Vancouver, Canada
 Fig.11 Municipal and other groundwater takings, by province

Groundwater Uses and Impacts

Canada utilizes groundwater through a variety of uses in the industrial sector

 Manufacturing sector, Paper and allied products, food and primary metals
manufacturing are the biggest users of fresh groundwater. The thermal power
generation industry in Canada is one of the significant industrial users of
groundwater
 Mining sector, Large withdrawals of groundwater take place as mines are
dewatered in preparation for mining. British Columbia withdraws the highest
volume of water, at 27.5% of the total, or 142.5 MCM/year
 Aquaculture, Used in fish-out ponds, supply hatcheries and aquaculture
operations.
 Public waterworks (Municipal systems), Prominent use in residential
buildings, dwelling commercial, industrial operations, pulp and paper
production, industrial processing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
 Agriculture, Crop irrigation and watering of livestock. Groundwater provides
nearly all of the water used to produce livestock in Canada.

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  Water Bottling, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick and
Newfoundland and Labrador all specifically track allocations for bottled water
operations.

No regulation of groundwater takings in British Columbia

In British Columbia, the most noticeable issue around groundwater use is that
its taking is unregulated - which may partly explain why BC’s takings are so
voluminous, relative to the other provinces. The lack of regulation of groundwater
takings in British Columbia has led to some conflict.

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Vancouver, Canada
 Hydrological Information
Climate
Vancouver, Canada lies 34 m above sea level, having warm and temperate climate. It
has winter months, characterized by being much rainier than the summer months. Also,
winter months are also mild in terms of snow, with winter months having little snow
compared to other Canadian cities. This is due to the cold Arctic air that sweeps over Canada
in winter being unable to reach Vancouver due to the Rocky Mountains blocking it.

Fig.12 July is the driest month, while July record 36 mm of precipitation in

July. Most precipitation falls in December, with an average of 198 mm
rainfall recorded.

The location of Vancouver also plays a role in its warm winters unlike many Canadian
cities. Other than the Rocky Mountains blocking cold Arctic winds, Vancouver is also right in
the proximity of the Pacific Ocean’s “shore”. The warmer winters of Vancouver than other
cities in Canada can be seen evidently in the snow depths. Toronto’s snow depth of < 1cm
can be seen for about 65 days while Vancouver’s snow depth of < 1 cm is only seen for about
10 days.

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Vancouver, Canada
 Fig.13 Average Temperatures of Vancouver. July is considered as the warmest moth with
an average of 17.7 degree Celsius while January is the coldest with average temperatures
of 2.5 degrees Celsius.

Fig.14 Tabulation of climate/weather data of Vancouver monthly

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Vancouver, Canada
Humidity
Being a temperate city, Vancouver’s humidity is quite high. The month January is
considered as the most humid month average with 80% relative humidity. July with an
average of 60% relative humidity on the other end is least humid month of the year in
Vancouver. Overall, the annual average relative humidity of the city hits 70%.

Fig.15 Average Relative Humidity of Vancouver, Canada

Temperature
Despite normally semi-mild winters due to the onshore air flow over the North
Pacific Current, occasional cold arctic outflows (sinking cold continental air that flows down
through the Fraser Valley coastward) in winter can sometimes last a week or more. These
arctic outflows occur on average one to three times per winter. The cool season lasts for 3.7
months, from November 12 to March 4, with an average daily high temperature below 48°F.
The coldest day of the year is January 2, with an average low of 35°F and high of 42°F.

With snow being an infrequent occurrence over a typically mild winter, many cold
hardy flowers remain in bloom and are common in gardens and office exteriors throughout
the winter. The arrival of spring is often first noticed in February with slightly milder
temperatures and the return of flowering perennials.

The Greater Vancouver region is also subject to significant variations in summer

temperatures, which can differ by as much as 5–10 °C (9–18 °F) between inland areas of the
Fraser Valley and the ocean-tempered coastal regions when localized on-shore breezes are
in effect. Conversely, winter temperatures tend to be cooler inland by a couple of degrees.
The warm season lasts for 2.9 months, from June 14 to September 10, with an average daily high

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Vancouver, Canada
temperature above 67°F. The hottest day of the year is July 31, with an average high
of 73°F and low of 58°F.

Fig.16 Average Temperatures per month in Vancouver

Vancouver is located near a large body of water (e.g., ocean, sea, or large lake). This
section reports on the wide-area average surface temperature of that water. The average
water temperature experiences some seasonal variation over the course of the year.

The time of year with warmer water lasts for 3.0 months, from June 15 to September
14, with an average temperature above 58°F. The day of the year with the warmest water
is August 1, with an average temperature of 61°F.

The time of year with cooler water lasts for 4.5 months, from November 20 to April
4, with an average temperature below 48°F. The day of the year with the coolest water
is January 29, with an average temperature of 44°F.

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Vancouver, Canada
 Fig.17 Water Temperatures per month

Precipitation
Precipitation is quite abundant, in fact, it amounts to 1,200 millimeters (47 inches)
per year, but in the northern suburbs, closer to the mountains, it reaches 1,600 mm (63 in).
It is more frequent in the period from November to March; summer is the driest season.
Vancouver is not exactly on the ocean coast, since it is protected by the island of the same
name and overlooks the Strait of Georgia. In the west of the island, on the coast of the
Pacific Ocean, it rains much more since precipitation exceeds 2,500 mm (98 in) per year.

Fig.18 Precipitation records of Vancouver per month

Snow
Vancouver experiences some seasonal variation in monthly liquid-equivalent
snowfall. The snowy period of the year lasts for 2.4 months, from December 1 to February
14, with a sliding 31-day liquid-equivalent snowfall of at least 0.1 inches. The most snow falls
during the 31 days centered around December 29, with an average total liquid-equivalent
accumulation of 0.3 inches.

The snowless period of the year lasts for 9.6 months, from February 14 to December
1. The least snow falls around July 10, with an average total liquid-equivalent accumulation
of 0.0 inches
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Vancouver, Canada
 Fig.19 Snowfall of Vancouver, with the average snow depths being used as measures

Runoff Characteristics
In a highly active runoff system in Vancouver, Canada, the variability in monthly
runoff and the impact of summer water temperatures are analyzed. In a hydrometer data,
including their extremes and months of occurrences, and trends in their variability, provide
variations in monthly runoff. Stream temperatures and their runoff relationships are also
assessed. There is a steady rise in monthly runoff from the central plateau to higher altitudes
of glacier-fed alpine stream peaks. During May to June and February, respectively, maximum,
and minimum monthly runoff usually occur. In July runoff, there is a tendency towards
higher variability. Higher water temperatures are associated with low flows, while high flows
are associated with cooler ones, all of which can have a negative effect on salmon.

In determining the runoff reduction effects of green roods, precipitation, and

evaporation play an important role, while soil type, soil characteristics and plant selection
influence plant health and development and affect irrigation requirements. With annual
rainfall more than green roofs are an important stormwater in Vancouver, Canada, where
they can minimize significant runoff, particularly in the downtown area. There are few green
areas that are capable of consuming stormwater from impermeable surfaces covering them.
Calculations of the rates of evapotranspiration suggest that potentially, green roofs could
reduce runoff by 29% to 58% in Vancouver. Analyzing the soil water, however, the balance
shows that only plants with low water usage can dry the roofs in Vancouver that are ideal for

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Vancouver, Canada
green roofs. The summer seasons mean that there is little water available for the months of
April through September.

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Vancouver, Canada
 Application of Hydrology
River and Lake Ice Monitoring
River ice affects natural processes and human activities and therefore represents a
significant component of the environment in northern countries like Canada. Information on
river ice cover supports science, engineering and management activities including hydraulic
modelling, breakup forecasting, ice road routing, industrial water intake / discharge, hazard
management, and wildlife management. River ice cover variables of interest typically include
coverage, type, thickness, and condition.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites make potentially outstanding tools for
collecting up-to-date information on river ice thanks to their capability to routinely and
systematically image extensive remote areas independent of weather and daylight
conditions. During winter, when the ice is frozen solid, SAR satellites offer sensitivity to the
physical structure of ice because radar waves will penetrate ‘dry’ ice cover and interact with
features that define its internal properties.

The duration of seasonal lake ice cover has declined across Canada over the past five
decades due to later ice formation in fall and earlier spring breakup (high confidence).
Seasonal maximum lake ice cover for the Great Lakes is highly variable since 1971 (very high
confidence), with no significant trend.

Flood Mapping and Monitoring

The North Arm of the Fraser River is one of three arms of the river and lies along the
City’s southern boundary. Flooding along this reach, close to the river mouth, is dominated
by winter tides as opposed to freshet flooding of upstream reaches. Land use along the
shoreline has historically been industrial, recreational, and low ‐density residential in the
Southlands area. However, there is increasing development of higher density residential
communities such as in the East Fraserlands. Flood protection along this reach consists of a
mix of non‐standard structural approaches, including use of rock revetments and retaining
walls.

Potential flood hazards in the Vancouver coastal‐dominated system that were assessed in
the study include:

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Vancouver, Canada
  Overland inundation of Burrard Inlet areas during extreme high‐water conditions
(high tide, storm surge and wave runup).
 Influence of extreme winter tide on Fraser River water levels
 Influence of rainstorms on overflow of the sewer network.

Initial hydrodynamic modeling of tides indicated low spatial variability of tidal water level
within the Burrard Inlet. The tidal water levels within English Bay are spatially consistent
within about 10 cm, and so may be represented accurately by the tidal elevation at the Point
Atkinson tide gauge. The tidal water levels within the Inner Harbour are also spatially
consistent within about 10 cm, so may be accurately represented by the tidal water level at
the Vancouver Harbour tide gauge.

Five scenarios were developed in consultation with the City and the Technical Advisory
Group that encompass possible future SLR conditions to 2200 combined with design storm
events:

 Scenario 1, Year 2013, 0.0 m SLR, 1:500-year storm hazard

 Scenario 2, Year 2100, 0.6 m SLR, 1:500-year storm hazard
 Scenario 3, Year 2100, 1.0 m SLR, 1:500-year storm hazard
 Scenario 4, Year 2100, 1.0 m SLR, 1:1,000-year storm hazard
 Scenario 5, Year 2200, 2.0 m SLR, 1:10,000-year storm hazard

Fig.20 A table outlining flooding scenarios

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Vancouver, Canada
 Fig.21 Damaged Buildings per scenario

Fig. 22 Level of damage under scenarios 1 through 4

Snowpack Monitoring
Metro Vancouver is pursuing to improve snowpack monitoring beyond the district for
them to be able to adjust with the changes in climate and to keep the sustainable
consumption of water resources secured for the future use. A next creation of snowpack
monitoring is foreseen to be utilizing satellite imagery, drones, aerial Light Detection and
Ranging (LiDAR) analysis, and further manual snow inspections in order to evaluate
developing technologies that can be used for enhancing snow surveys.

To determine snowpack in the North Shore mountains, Metro Vancouver has been
directing snow surveys from the time of 1936. Snow surveys are organized to evaluate
snowpack's depth and density to distinguish the volume of water to be added to the
drinking water supply. A Standard Federal Snow Sampler is used to organize snow surveys. It
is composed of various graduated aluminum tubes which are put together and directed into
the snowpack. The water content of the snowpack is being discovered through extracting

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Vancouver, Canada
and weighing a core sample of the whole snowpack. Over time, snowpack's measurement
differs significantly that is why difficulties are experienced upon measuring snowpack. The
measurements on one location is possible to be distant from the other measurements taken
even from a location that is merely few meters away.

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Vancouver, Canada
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Coquitlam – is a city in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. It is mainly a suburban city,
the sixth largest city in the province with a population of 139,284 in 2016 and one of the 21
municipalities comprising Metro Vancouver.

Groundwater – water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock.

Hydrological condition – is an analysis results in an understanding of the interrelationships

among meteorological, surface and groundwater, and physical and biological factors that
influence the flow, quality, and/or timing in water.

Hydrological features – are the unit of water information required to convey identity of real-
world water-objects through the data processing chain from observation to water
information.

Hydrological methods – is a research can inform environmental engineering, policy, and

planning.

Liquefaction – takes place when loosely packed, water-logged sediments at or near the
ground surface lose their strength in response to strong ground shaking.

Peat – a brown deposit resembling soil, formed by the partial decomposition of vegetable
matter in the wet acidic conditions of bogs and fens, and often cut out and dried for use as
fuel and in gardening.

Pleistocene Epoch – is typically defined as the time period that began about 2.6 million
years ago and lasted until about 11,700 years ago. The most recent Ice Age occurred then, as
glaciers covered huge parts of the planet Earth.

Precipitation – falling products of condensation in the atmosphere, as rain, snow, or hail.

The amount of rain, snow, hail, etc., that has fallen at a given place within a given period,
usually expressed in inches or centimeters of water.

Sandstone – is a sedimentary rock composed of sand-size grains of mineral, rock, or organic

material.

Snowpack – the accumulation of winter snowfall, especially in mountain or upland regions.

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Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver – a city of southwest British Canada, on the Strait of Georgia opposite Vancouver
Island. The largest city in the province, it developed as a port and commercial center
beginning with the arrival of the railroad in 1887-1898.

Vernal pools – are seasonal depressional wetlands that occur under the Mediterranean
climate conditions of the West Coast and in glaciated areas of northeastern and midwestern
states.

Watershed – an area of ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins,
or seas.

Wetlands – are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface
of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the
growing season.

Hydrology Report 30
Vancouver, Canada