Water Wells in the Red Deer River Watershed: A Comprehensive Analysis

The Red Deer River watershed contains thousands of water wells that tap into diverse aquifers across central Alberta's varied landscapes. These wells serve as critical infrastructure for rural communities, agricultural operations, and various industries throughout the watershed. This report examines the distribution, characteristics, and management of water wells within this important watershed, exploring both the physical hydrogeology that supports these water sources and the human systems that manage them.

The Red Deer River watershed occupies approximately 8% of Alberta's landmass, spanning 49,650 square kilometers across central Alberta. Home to approximately 300,000 people, this watershed serves as a vital water source for both urban and rural communities16. The Red Deer River originates in the Skoki Valley of Banff National Park and flows eastward over 724 kilometers before joining the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatchewan, ultimately contributing to a river system that reaches Hudson's Bay611.

The watershed encompasses remarkable geographical diversity, traversing five natural regions: Rocky Mountains, Foothills, Boreal, Parkland, and Grassland16. This diversity is further reflected in the watershed's division into five distinct zones (Upper Headwaters, Lower Headwaters, Central Urbanizing, Central Agricultural, and Dry Grasslands) and 15 smaller sub-watersheds16. The watershed's only major dam, Dickson Dam, is located upstream of the City of Red Deer and primarily serves for flow regulation, significantly influencing downstream water management considerations6.

Understanding this geographical and hydrological context is essential for comprehending water well distribution and management throughout the watershed. The watershed's complex mosaic of land uses and natural areas creates an intricate interplay between surface water, groundwater, and human activities that directly impacts water well quality and sustainability.

The Alberta Water Well Information Database (AWWID) serves as the primary repository for water well information across the province, including the Red Deer River watershed. Maintained by the Groundwater Information Centre (GIC), this database contains approximately 500,000 records with about 3,000 new records added annually28. The database provides comprehensive information on water well drilling reports, chemical analysis reports (up to 1986), springs, flowing shot holes, test holes, and pump tests conducted on water wells28.

While the database offers valuable historical and current data, it's important to note that mandatory reporting of water well drilling only began in the mid-1970s. Consequently, older wells may not appear in the database12. Most drillers now submit their reports electronically, allowing for rapid updating of the database, though some still submit paper copies which take longer to process12. This digital transition has improved data accessibility, allowing residents and researchers to access water well information online.

The watershed's groundwater resources are monitored through the Groundwater Observation Well Network (GOWN), with monitoring wells strategically placed throughout the region4. These wells are categorized by depth (shallow, intermediate, and deep) and provide crucial data for tracking groundwater conditions over time. The monitoring network helps identify trends in water levels and quality, supporting informed water management decisions across the watershed.

The hydrogeology of the Red Deer River watershed varies considerably across its expanse, influenced by the diverse geological formations underlying different regions. Most water wells in the Red Deer area tap into near-surface bedrock strata composed primarily of bentonitic siltstones and extensive medium- to coarse-grained, friable, calcareous and bentonitic sandstone beds of the Paskapoo Formation, as well as bentonitic siltstones, thin bedded sandstones, coal, and carbonaceous shales of the Edmonton Formation10.

Surficial deposits, with the exception of sand and gravel deposits in preglacial valleys, are generally not significant groundwater sources in the Red Deer area10. The bedrock aquifers throughout the watershed include various formations such as the Paskapoo, Bearpaw, Horseshoe Canyon, Oldman, Scollard, and Hand Hills Formations47. These formations were deposited between 65 and 80 million years ago when much of North America's interior was covered by a shallow sub-tropical sea, creating the complex sedimentary layers now exploited for groundwater7.

Groundwater yield varies substantially across the watershed. Anticipated yields range from over 500 imperial gallons per minute (igpm) in some areas to less than 1 igpm in the eastern portions of the region10. This variation significantly impacts the viability of water wells for different purposes, with higher-yield areas supporting agricultural, municipal, and industrial uses, while lower-yield areas may only sustain rural domestic and livestock supplies.

The chemical characteristics of groundwater also show distinct patterns. Near-surface groundwaters are predominantly sodium bicarbonate and sodium sulfate types, with total dissolved solids generally below 1000 ppm in western portions of the watershed, increasing eastward to over 2000 ppm in southeastern areas10. These chemical variations have important implications for water treatment requirements and potential uses of well water throughout the watershed.

Groundwater recharge—the process by which surface water infiltrates to replenish aquifers—varies significantly across the Red Deer River watershed. Annual recharge rates range from less than 10 mm in some areas to over 100 mm in others, reflecting the diverse precipitation patterns, soil types, and geological conditions throughout the region4. This spatial variation in recharge creates fundamentally different groundwater dynamics across the watershed.

The western highland areas generate groundwater flow systems of local to regional scale, with evidence of discharge appearing as springs, salt deposits, and flowing wells10. In contrast, the eastern portions of the watershed exhibit low local relief and limited groundwater discharge features, indicating relatively sluggish groundwater flow systems and generally poorer groundwater resources10. This east-west variation creates distinct challenges for water well users in different parts of the watershed.

The relationship between groundwater demand and recharge is a critical factor in sustainable water well management. In some areas of the watershed, groundwater withdrawal approaches or exceeds recharge rates, creating potential sustainability concerns4. Map 22 from the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance technical reports illustrates areas where demand as a percentage of recharge is particularly high, highlighting locations where careful groundwater management is most critical4.

In Alberta, private water well owners bear responsibility for managing and maintaining their water wells, a principle that applies throughout the Red Deer River watershed13. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure continued water safety and to monitor for contaminants, with experts recommending annual inspection and testing of wells for mechanical problems, cleanliness, and water quality issues13. Additional testing is advised when changes in taste, odor, or appearance of water are noticed.

Red Deer County, one of the 18 rural municipalities within the watershed, offers several programs to support responsible water well management. These include Working Well Workshops to educate private well owners about proper well care and the Safe Water Wells Program, which provides up to $1,000 to help landowners properly plug unused and abandoned wells13. These abandoned wells represent significant public safety and environmental hazards, potentially providing direct pathways for contaminants to enter aquifers.

The City of Red Deer, the watershed's largest urban center, manages hydrant and water use permits, offering temporary water supply options for construction and other purposes9. While municipal water systems primarily rely on surface water—the City of Red Deer draws its drinking water directly from the Red Deer River11—understanding the interaction between surface water and groundwater systems remains important for comprehensive watershed management.

The Red Deer River watershed hosts extensive industrial activities that potentially impact groundwater quality and quantity. Agricultural operations occupy approximately 53% of the human footprint in the watershed, with about 43% of the watershed used to grow crops on approximately 13,000 farms16. These agricultural activities generate specific groundwater concerns, particularly related to nutrient management and chemical applications.

The watershed also contains significant oil and gas infrastructure, with over 130,000 oil and gas wells and approximately 78,000 kilometers of pipelines1. The density of these wells varies considerably across the watershed, with some areas having more than 40 wells per square kilometer4. Hydraulic fracturing activity has been concentrated in the Lower Headwaters and Central Urbanizing Zones1. These energy development activities create potential pathways for contaminants and may influence groundwater flow patterns around water wells.

A 2012 pipeline rupture along the Red Deer River spilled 3,000 barrels of oil into the river, which then flowed into Gleniffer Reservoir7. While this incident primarily affected surface water, it illustrates the vulnerability of water resources in the watershed to industrial accidents. Such events underscore the importance of robust groundwater monitoring and protective measures for water wells throughout the region.

Several challenges face water well users and managers in the Red Deer River watershed. Water quality varies considerably across the watershed, with the 2009 State of the Watershed report indicating that five sub-watersheds received a poor watershed health grade, eight received a fair grade, and only two received a good grade1. Surface water nutrient levels, land cover changes, linear developments, and oil and gas activity were identified as indicators of particular concern1.

The relationship between groundwater and surface water presents another management challenge. While these are often treated as separate resources, they form an interconnected system. Actions affecting one inevitably influence the other, requiring integrated management approaches. The Red Deer River Watershed Alliance has recognized this interconnection in developing its Integrated Watershed Management Plan, which aims to maintain and improve both surface water and groundwater quality13.

Climate change poses an emerging challenge for water well management in the watershed. Changing precipitation patterns, increased evaporation rates, and more frequent extreme weather events will likely alter groundwater recharge patterns and potentially affect well yields and water quality14. Adapting to these changes will require enhanced monitoring systems and flexible management approaches.

A significant recent development in watershed management is a mapping project led by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in partnership with the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance (RDRWA). Launched in 2019 and completed in early 2025, this project mapped hydrologically significant areas (HSAs) in the Red Deer River watershed and created a user-friendly online mapping tool to explore watershed features5.

The project utilized open-source spatial data to identify areas in the watershed that, if conserved, would benefit water quality, flood mitigation, and drought resiliency5. By engaging stakeholders from various sectors and developing a comprehensive report titled "Prioritizing Hydrologically Significant Natural Assets," this initiative provides valuable resources for land-use decisions that may impact groundwater resources and water wells throughout the watershed5.

This mapping tool represents an important advancement in integrated watershed management, providing planners, conservation organizations, and individual landowners with improved information to make decisions that protect groundwater resources. By identifying and prioritizing hydrologically significant areas, the project supports more effective conservation and management of the natural systems that sustain groundwater recharge and quality across the watershed.

Conclusion

Water wells in the Red Deer River watershed represent a critical resource for thousands of residents, businesses, and agricultural operations across central Alberta. The diverse hydrogeological conditions throughout the watershed create varying well yields, water quality characteristics, and management challenges across different regions, requiring localized approaches to well development and maintenance.

The complex interplay between natural systems and human activities in the watershed necessitates ongoing monitoring, careful resource management, and increased public awareness about groundwater protection. As climate change and continuing development place additional pressures on water resources, the importance of sustainable groundwater management will only increase. Initiatives like the hydrologically significant areas mapping project demonstrate promising approaches to integrating groundwater considerations into broader watershed management.

Moving forward, maintaining and improving the comprehensive data collection systems for water wells, enhancing public education about well management, and developing more integrated approaches to surface water and groundwater protection will be essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of water wells in the Red Deer River watershed. Through these efforts, this vital resource can continue to support the diverse communities and ecosystems throughout central Alberta for generations to come.

Citations:

1. https://rdrwa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Blueprint_Phase1_WaterQuality_Online_Final.pdf
2. https://open.canada.ca/data/en/dataset/e8c42d2b-f8e4-4c7f-8540-9f7b3681ee41
3. http://rdrmug.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Source-Water-Quality-Primer-1.pdf
4. https://rdrwa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/O2_RDRWA_BTR3_MAPSUpdated_20130910.pdf
5. https://www.watercanada.net/new-project-maps-hydrologically-significant-areas-in-red-deer-river-watershed/
6. https://rdrwa.ca/our-watershed/
7. https://albertawilderness.ca/issues/wildwater/red-deer-river/
8. https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-water-well-information-database
9. https://www.reddeer.ca/city-services/water-wastewater--stormwater/water/hydrant-permits/
10. https://ags.aer.ca/publications/all-publications/esr-1971-01
11. https://www.reddeer.ca/city-services/water-wastewater--stormwater/water/where-does-our-drinking-water-come-from/
12. https://groundwater.alberta.ca/waterwells/d/
13. https://www.rdcounty.ca/628/Water-Wells-Septic-Systems
14. https://rdrwa.ca/resources/
15. https://www.aer.ca/data-and-performance-reports/activity-and-data/general-well-data
16. https://rdrwa.ca
17. https://elc.ab.ca/Content_Files/Files/Water_Rights.pdf
18. https://www.reddeer.ca/media/reddeerca/city-services/garbage-recycling-amp-organics/2021-and-2022-Groundwater-and-Soil-Vapour-Monitoring-Report---LTCHS.pdf
19. https://www.alberta.ca/water-act-licences
20. https://rdrwa.ca/state-of-the-watershed/
21. https://www.reddeer.ca/media/reddeerca/city-services/garbage-recycling-amp-organics/2021-Groundwater-and-Soil-Vapour-Monitoring-Report---RDM.pdf
22. https://www.reddeer.ca/media/the-bridge/city-departments/legislative-services/policies-and-procedures/council-policies/1000/1013-C-Appendix-1-for-Water-and-Watershed-Management-Policy-1000.pdf
23. https://ags.aer.ca/publications/all-publications/map-098
24. https://www.rdcounty.ca/782/Drought
25. https://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=d59fc4ef7d52462f8666ece2d696b0cb
26. https://ags.aer.ca/document/BUL/BUL_031.pdf
27. https://rdrwa.ca/maps/
28. https://waterportal.ca/water-maps/
29. https://rdrwa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/rdr_sowr_0_0_frontmatter4.pdf
30. https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/data_availability_e.html?type=historical&station=05CA008¶meter_type=Level
31. https://engage.sylvanlake.ca/new-water-wells
32. https://static.ags.aer.ca/files/document/ESR/ESR_1971_01.pdf
33. https://rdrwa.ca/rdrwa-reports/
34. https://environment.extranet.gov.ab.ca/apps/GIC/Report/ViewReport.aspx?wellreportid=96684&IsMetric=0
35. https://www.cochraneeagle.ca/rocky-view-news/local-tributaries-of-the-red-deer-river-under-pressure-5989041
36. https://rivers.alberta.ca/Contents/WaterSupply/2009/9/red-deer-river-basin
37. https://ags.aer.ca/document/ESR/ESR_1966_04.pdf
38. https://rdrwa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/O2_RDRWA_BT3_GW_SW_20130913.pdf
39. https://rdrwa.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/RDRWA-HF-Fact-Sheet_final_Apr2020.pdf
40. https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/414fd0b6-984a-49e7-835b-61773b25a203/resource/2700d5a2-3e5b-4cad-aa97-96977dad89d9/download/5829.pdf