Ehattesaht Tribe
Queen’s Cove Ground Water Supply Program
In the spring of 2010, Chatwin Engineering was retained by the Ehattesaht Tribe to start an investigation to determine ground water source potentials for a new potable water supply for the Chenahkint Indian Reserve #12 at Queen’s Cove.
Water supply for the reserve at Queen’s Cove was historically provided from a local creek located above the village at an elevation of approximately 70m .The creek was damned using a wooden head wall. Water from the creek was then supplied to the reserve by gravity using plastic piping.Previous investigations of the water supply had observed that the creek would run dry during summer months.When water did flow, it was heavily stained with tannins.The watershed basin for the creek is within a spruce and peat forest. For these reasons an alternative source would be needed to provide the village with an adequate and safe drinking water supply.
On April 9, 2010, Chatwin staff member Chris Zamora, R.P.Bio. and Matt Cleary,P.Geo a staff geologist with Piteau Associates Engineering Ltd. (Piteau) completed a site visit of the Queen’s Cove reserve and lands to the north, located at the head of Queen’s Cove and within the area locally known by the Doctors Lodge.The purpose of this visit was to select locations for test well construction.
Two locations were chosen. The first was located in the village close to the existing dwellings. The second located approximately 1.5km north of the village adjacent to the newly constructed access road to Queen’s Cove. It was hoped that the village test well would be successful, but the second location was considered to have a higher probability to produce adequate flow.
The drilling program began on August 11, 2010 on the first well. An 8 inch hole was drilled to a depth of 332 ft in material consisting mainly of bedrock. It was determined that no significant water bearing zones had been encountered and drilling was thereby terminated. It was then decided to drill the second well.
The second well (TW10-02) located 1.5km north of the village along the access road was drilled to depth of 238 ft. This 8 inch well was cased to 50ft in material that consisted of silty sands and gravel and then drilled into bedrock.
A water bearing fracture was encountered in this well and thereby pump tested to determine the safe yield of the well. It was determined that an estimated safe yield of 5 US gallons per minute could be sustained. This would be enough to supply the village with a projected 20-year water demand.
As the funding for the drilling program was provided by Indian and Northern Affairs (INAC), the Ehattesaht Tribe must now work together with INAC to determine the next steps in the evolution of this project. In order to proceed with construction of an adequate water system water system, detailed design must be prepared. Chatwin Engineering will assist the Tribe with their wishes to proceed with this water supply option and hope to get commitment from INAC to continue with the next phase of this project.
It is expected that a strategy meeting between INAC, Ehattesaht and Chatwin will occur in the coming weeks to move this project to the next stage. Subsequently we hope to assist you in constructing a safe and reliable water supply system for the Chenahkint Indian Reserve12 at Queen’s Cove.
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