Technical Tours
GeoCalgary 2022 is pleased to offer the following technical tours in addition to the official conference program:
- Tour No 1: A Day in the Rockies!
- Tour No 2: Springbank Off-stream Reservoir Project, Calgary, Alberta
Tour No 3: Oil Sands Tour, Fort McMurray, Alberta
GeoCalgary 2022 reserves the right to cancel the tour should the minimum number of registrants not be reached. In the event of a cancellation, registrants will be notified by email and offered a full refund.
Technical tour fees are in Canadian Dollars and are subject to GST tax of 5%.
Tour No 1: A Day in the Rockies!
Date: Thursday, October 6, 2022
Time: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm*
Duration: 10 hours
Cost: Full/Student $150 (Early Bird Registration) / $175 (Late Registration)
Led by: Dale Leckie, Ph.D., P. Geol.
Supported by: Rocky Cho
A visit to Calgary is not complete without a trip to the Canadian Rocky Mountains of Alberta! This tour includes a visit to the Town of Canmore to view the flood mitigation measures implemented after the 2013 floods. The tour then continues west to terminate at Moraine Lake, a glacially fed lake located in the heart of Banff National Park. Other highlights include Bow Falls in Banff townsite, Mount Norquay lookout, and majestic Lake Louise. Along the way you will also see spectacular views of the rugged Rocky Mountains, Alpine glaciation, and wildlife control measures implemented along the highway.
The tour will depart from Hyatt Regency at 8 AM sharp and we will aim to be back at the hotel by 6 to 7 PM, depending on the traffic. Bagged lunch will be provided. The tour will proceed rain or shine so dress for the weather and sturdy hiking shoes are strongly recommended. A detailed itinerary will be provided closer to the tour date and may change depending on site accessibility and weather conditions.
*Return time may vary depending on weather and road conditions.
Tour No 2: Springbank Off-stream Reservoir Project, Calgary, Alberta
Date: Thursday, October 6, 2022
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm*
Duration: 6 hours
Cost: $80 (Early Bird Registration) / $100 (Late Registration)
Led by: Andrew Bayliss
Supported by: Behnam Fonouni
The Springbank Off-stream Reservoir (SR1) Project is intended to provide flood protection along the Elbow River in Calgary. It is designed to reduce flood risk for the city as well as other communities downstream while protecting the river, critical habitats, fish and wildlife. Construction is expected to start in Spring 2022. Tour participants will get a firsthand look at various aspects of the project including construction of the low-level outlet, access tower, and embankment dam fill placement; excavation for the 4.2 km long diversion channel; foundation and grouting for the diversion structures; and, bridge construction.
The tour will depart from Hyatt Regency at 9am sharp and will aim to be back at the hotel no later than 3pm. Boxed lunch will be provided for tour participants. The tour will proceed rain or shine so please dress for the weather. PPE requirements, as applicable, will be communicated closer to the date. The itinerary proposed may vary somewhat depending on-site accessibility.
Tour participants are requested to bring following PPE for the tour: Steel toe boots, hard hat, high visibility vest or stripes and safety glasses.
*Return time may vary depending on weather and road conditions.
Tour No 3: Oil Sands Tour, Fort McMurray, Alberta
Due to the increased cost of airfare this tour has been cancelled.
Refunds will be provided to all existing reservations.
Date: Thursday, October 6, 2022
Time: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm*
Duration: 14 hours
Cost: $650
Oil Sands! Though these crude oil deposits are found around the world (including US, Russia, and Venezuela), the one located in Alberta’s Athabasca region is the largest of its kind and is home to some of the most developed as well as technologically advanced mining operations globally. The scale of the operation as well as the complexity of the challenges being addressed can only truly be appreciated in person. And this tour intends to provide just that!
Participants will have the opportunity to look at various aspects of mining, tailings, and reclamation operations. The field stops will include a shovel pit depicting the geology of the area, an out of pit overburden dump under construction, a tailings dam in operation, as well as a visit to areas currently undergoing reclamation and closure activities. An overview of the entire process from mining to refining will be provided as well during a sit down lunch break.
This tour will be held at an oil sands facility north of Fort McMurray, Alberta and will require air travel from Calgary. A detailed itinerary for the tour and PPE requirements, as applicable, will be communicated closer to the date. This tour is contingent upon meeting a minimum number of registered participants and final approval from the oil sands operator.
*Departure and return times are an estimate. Exact times to be provided closer to the date after flight reservations are finalized.
