Groundwater Research
Flowing Forward:
Chisasibi Youth Exploring Groundwater
Wachiya!
The Chisasibi Groundwater Project is a collaborative initiative between the Cree Nation of Chisasibi, UQAT, and research partners. This project aims to enhance our understanding of Chisasibi’s groundwater systems to ensure the long-term protection and sustainable management of this vital resource.
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By integrating Cree traditional knowledge with scientific research, the project explores local aquifers, spring water, and the effects of climate change on water quality and availability. It also provides meaningful opportunities for Cree youth and community members to develop technical skills and take part in environmental monitoring and research.
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Together, we are building the knowledge needed to protect the waters that sustain the Chisasibi territory, today and for generations to come.
About the Project
The Chisasibi Groundwater Project is part of a broader effort to advance the understanding and protection of natural springs and hydrogeological systems across Eeyou Istchee. Led in partnership by the Cree Nation of Chisasibi, the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), and regional collaborators, the project focuses on studying groundwater flow, aquifers, and water quality within the Chisasibi territory to support long-term water security and sustainability.
Building on the success of the Eastmain Groundwater Project under the Groundwater Knowledge Acquisition Program (PACES), this initiative expands hydrogeological research northward into the Chisasibi territory. It addresses an important knowledge gap in a region where hydroelectric development has significantly altered surface water systems and where communities are becoming increasingly reliant on groundwater for safe and sustainable drinking water. By deepening our understanding of Chisasibi’s aquifers and groundwater flow, the project aims to support informed water management, protect vital freshwater resources, and strengthen local resilience in the face of environmental and climatic changes.
Using advanced hydrogeological tools and mapping technologies such as GIS software, ground-penetrating radar, YSI probes, and Guelph permeameters, the project identifies and analyzes groundwater sources to assess their composition and potential contaminants. The findings provide insight into how aquifers respond to environmental changes like snowmelt and climate variation, supporting more sustainable and informed water management in the Chisasibi territory
Community engagement and training are key elements of the project’s approach. Cree youth and local technicians participate directly in hydrogeological fieldwork, sample collection, and digital mapping, gaining hands-on experience in groundwater science. This involvement builds local expertise and fosters stewardship, ensuring that knowledge and capacity remain within the community.
By combining traditional Cree knowledge with modern hydrogeology, the Chisasibi Groundwater Project promotes a holistic understanding of the land and water. The results will guide land use planning, groundwater protection strategies, and community decision-making, helping safeguard clean and sustainable water sources for future generations.
Project Structure
Phase 1:
Phase 1 of the Chisasibi Groundwater Project has been successfully completed. During this stage, existing data on groundwater, geology, and water quality were collected and organized into a comprehensive georeferenced database. Preliminary hydrogeological maps were produced, laying the groundwork for identifying potential aquifers and supporting sustainable water management in the community.
Phase 2:
Phase 2 Adaptation and application of the approaches developed within the framework of the Eastmain project for the protection of aquifers and groundwater dependent ecosystems in the territory of Chisasibi and Eastmain;
Phase 3:
Phase 2 Development of numerical simulations for evaluating the inertia of the Eastmain and Chisasibi aquifers in the context of climate change (2021-2051 horizon)
The work of step 1 of the project concerns the collection of pre-existing data and the creation of an exhaustive georeferenced hydrogeological database over the entire territory of the community of Chisasibi. Activities associated with step 2 of the project will focus on the application of approaches targeting the protection of aquifers as part of land use planning. The activities associated with step 3 concern the development of quantitative approaches based on geographic information systems (GIS) and numerical modeling for evaluating the sensitivity of the territory's aquifers to climate instabilities. The work will be done to promote knowledge transfer between the community of Eastmain, the community of Chisasibi, the MELCC and UQAT. Table 1 provides a summary of the activities and deliverables associated with each step of the project. In addition, Table 2 presents a summary of the timelines for each activity.