Overview of Rocky View County Water Well Monitoring Program

Rocky View County operates a community-based groundwater monitoring program known as Rocky View Well Watch, in partnership with the University of Calgary. The program began in 2008, driven by drought conditions and the need for sustainable groundwater management as surface water resources in southern Alberta have become fully allocated. It relies on volunteer well owners across the county who periodically measure and report their water levels to support long-term data collection and analysis.rockyview+3

Objectives and Importance

• Groundwater Sustainability: The program aims to monitor trends in well water levels to assess aquifer sustainability, especially as most residents in Rocky View County depend on groundwater for household and agricultural needs.groundwaterconnections.weebly+1

• Community Engagement: Landowners play a crucial role by collecting data from their wells, helping build a robust dataset on groundwater and aquifer health. This collaborative, education-focused approach increases public understanding and stewardship.rockyview+1

• Environmental Impact: Data from monitored wells also support environmental research by tracking the connection between aquifer water levels and baseflow in prairie creeks, which are often fed by springs. This helps maintain aquatic habitats, particularly in dry years when creek flows rely on groundwater contributions.rockyview+1

Current Status and Findings

• There are 24 active wells in the Rocky View Well Watch network, with records dating back to 2008.bighillcreek

• Drought and low recharge in recent years (2021–2023) have led about half of the monitored wells to record their lowest water levels since the program started, though most remain within the expected normal range for their aquifers. Scientists caution that continued drought could pose a significant risk to groundwater sustainability if dry conditions persist for several more years.rockyview+1

• Data and Trends: Annual summary newsletters provide updates on well locations, water level trends, and the relationship between groundwater recharge and environmental health. The program also maintains a publicly accessible online database with water level data and maps for each monitored well.gwfnet

How It Works

• Volunteers measure well water levels at regular intervals using standardized procedures. Data is submitted to researchers, who compile and analyze the information.

• Results are disseminated to participants, local government, and the public through reports, online visualizations, and educational outreach.gwfnet+1

• The program is used as a methodology model for other Alberta municipalities interested in instituting similar monitoring networks.gwfnet

Where to Find Data

• Rocky View Well Watch interactive map and database: Data for each well can be viewed or downloaded from the program’s website.gwfnet

• Annual newsletters and reports summarize findings and trends, and are available through the county or Groundwater Connections website.bighillcreek+1

• For technical information on private wells or to search historic well reports, residents can use the Alberta Water Well Database.groundwater.alberta

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In summary: Rocky View County’s water well monitoring program is a long-running, volunteer-driven initiative that supports groundwater management, environmental protection, and community involvement in one of Alberta’s most water-dependent rural regions. Recent years of drought highlight the importance of ongoing data collection and adaptive resource planning for both household and ecosystem water needs.groundwaterconnections.weebly+2

1. https://www.rockyview.ca/watersheds
2. https://www.rockyview.ca/Portals/0/Newsletter_Mar2023_low_res.pdf
3. https://groundwaterconnections.weebly.com
4. https://groundwaterconnections.weebly.com/community-connections.html
5. https://bighillcreek.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Newsletter_Jan2024_low_res.pdf
6. https://gwfnet.net/rockyview
7. https://groundwater.alberta.ca/waterwells/d/
8. https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6f36edb6d53241f9a85f653f0db1c3a8/page/Groundwater
9. https://www.rockyview.ca/drinking-water
10. https://www.rockyview.ca/Portals/0/Files/Agriculture/RVC-Groundwater-Study.pdf