Join us for the Joint CGU and IAH-CNC Annual Meeting 2026, themed Advancing Knowledge in Earth and Environmental Science, hosted at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from May 24–27, 2026.
This joint meeting brings together geoscientists, hydrogeologists, engineers, and researchers from across Canada and around the world to share research, foster collaboration, and strengthen connections across the geosciences and hydrogeology communities.
DATE: MAY 24–27, 2026
LOCATION: DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
The conference will feature a diverse and engaging program, including:
Presentations showcasing current research across geoscience and hydrogeology
Opportunities to highlight Canadian research in a global context
Recognition of CGU award and student paper winners
Recognition of IAH-CNC career and student award winners
Invited and plenary talks from leading voices in the field
Information sessions hosted by granting agencies
Geoscience and professional development workshops
Formal and informal networking opportunities
Together, the Canadian Geophysical Union (CGU) and the International Association of Hydrogeologists – Canadian National Chapter (IAH-CNC) invite you to take part in this collaborative event and contribute to advancing Earth and environmental science.
This year’s program will include several sessions of particular interest to the hydrology and hydrogeology community, two of which are chaired by Aquanty’s Steve Berg and Steve Frey:
IAH6 – Surface water–groundwater interactions through recharge, discharge, and contribution to ecosystems, chaired by Steve Berg, Emmanuel Dubois, UQAM, Marie Larocque, Stephanie Wright
Description
From infiltration at the soil surface to groundwater discharge zones, groundwater resources sustain various anthropic uses and groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Understanding the complexities of surface water–groundwater interactions, especially through recharge and discharge, is crucial to link groundwater dynamics with these uses, especially in Canadian cold climates where strong seasonality shapes hydrological processes. However, global change – including shifts in climate, altered precipitation patterns, warming temperatures, and intensifying land-use pressures – threatens the current balance and impacts human uses and groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Alternatively, Nature-based solutions are increasingly implemented to mitigate these pressures on water resources by harnessing ecosystem services. Consequently, a deeper understanding of the processes involved in surface water-ecosystem-groundwater feedbacks is urgently needed. This session explores methodological developments and process characterization related to groundwater recharge, flow, discharge, and their interactions with ecosystems. We invite contributions on monitoring and data acquisition, field investigations and hydrogeophysical methods, data-driven approaches, remote sensing, GIS analyses, and modeling — from conceptual to fully integrated numerical tools — that improve our ability to assess groundwater availability, surface–groundwater interactions, and ecosystem responses under changing conditions. Contributions on the design, implementation, and performance assessment of Nature-based solutions are also welcome, as they offer pathways to strengthen connections between groundwater and surface water and enhance the resilience of groundwater-dependent ecosystems.
IAH8 – Assessing Groundwater Quantity in a Changing Climate: Models, Data, and Uncertainty, chaired by Steve Frey, Melissa Bunn, Natural Resources Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, Brian Smeardon, Stephanie Bringeland, Georgia Fotopoulos, Hazen Russell
Description
Groundwater quantity responds to long-term climate change and shorter-term regional climate oscillations. These climate drivers alter the complex interconnections of the terrestrial water cycle, including recharge, evapotranspiration, and groundwater interaction with surface water. Yet temporally and geographically sparse monitoring, and the delayed response of groundwater leads to gaps in our understanding of how groundwater quantity evolves under changing climatic conditions. The impacts of climate variability are intensifying across Canada and globally, so the goal of this session is to explore approaches to climate integrated groundwater quantity assessment. This session invites contributions that quantify interactions between climate drivers and groundwater quantity. We welcome presentations that: (1) demonstrate methods for integrating climate projections into applied groundwater models; (2) illustrate how climate-groundwater integration improves forecasting, planning, and adaptive management; (3) advance methods for quantifying and communicating uncertainty; and (4) reflect on the challenges and opportunities in applying different approaches under conditions of climatic change. By bringing together methodological advances and case studies from diverse settings, this session will showcase how quantitative groundwater-climate integration is advancing. The session will emphasize how models, methods, and data analysis can support adaptive strategies and sustainable decision-making in the face of a changing climate.
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION:
Abstract submissions are invited for inclusion in this year’s program.
Extended Deadline: Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
Visit the conference website for session descriptions, abstract submission details, and registration information.
DATE: May 24-27, 2026
LOCATION: Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Visit the conference website by clicking the links below, and discover the full speaker list, and registration details.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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