Hydrological Modelling of Alberta

Long term (1985-2007) average distribution of green water flow (actual and potential evapotranspiration).
Long term (1985-2007) average distribution of green water flow (actual and potential evapotranspiration).

The main objective of this research study is the quantification of Alberta’s water resources, including all components of the water balance at a sub-basin spatial and monthly temporal scale, and includes:

blue water flow (river discharge plus deep aquifer recharge)
green water flow (evapotranspiration)
green water storage (soil moisture)
aquifer recharge

Using the SWAT Model

The research study uses the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in combination with the Sequential Uncertainty Fitting Program (SUFI-2) to calibrate and validate a hydrologic model of Alberta’s river discharges. The study was funded by the Alberta Water Research Institute, and was conducted by:

Karim C. Abbaspour, EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
Monireh Faramarzi, Departement of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran
Elham Rouholahnejad, EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology

The report Hydrological Modelling of Alberta – Using the SWAT Model (February, 2011) provides a strong basis for further studies on water and food security, water resource management, and for understanding the impacts of climate change on blue and green water resources in Alberta.

Contact us, if you have a question for the authors on the report Hydrological Modelling of Alberta.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Ross Douglas

Ross Douglas

Board Member

Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.

Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Brian Mergelas

Brian Mergelas, PhD, ICD.D

Board Member

Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market.   With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry. 

Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector. 

He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency. 

Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field. 

Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation.   As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.