A fen is a peat-accumulating wetland described as having a water table at or near the surface consisting of mineral-rich water from either groundwater or surface water. Fen wetlands comprise a large proportion of the wetlands typical of Athabasca Oil Sands region, however full construction of a fen and surrounding watershed have not been attempted previously in the post-mining landscape in this region. Syncrude Canada's Sandhill Fen Watershed is one of the first fens to be established in a mined out area. It is also the first time that the entire watershed has been specifically designed to support a wetland and will be the first to be constructed on a soft tailings deposit. As a result, a full hydrologic site investigation, a conservative landform design (with controls over surface water and groundwater/seepage inputs) and parallel research programs were initiated to monitor and adjust the fen design for field conditions. Fen design elements, along with early results from construction activities are summarized.

To register, please contact Carol Edwards on or before Wednesday, March 31st: Phone: 780-426-3990, ext. 2368 Email:cedwards@apega.ca

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Next Branch Luncheon:
Tuesday, May 11 – Edmonton LRT Plans Adam Laughlin, P.Eng., Director of Strategic Planning, Transportation Department, City of Edmonton