| Rapid expansion of subdivisions, climate change, and poor understanding of local groundwater are raising concerns about the sustainability of groundwater resources in Alberta. High costs of installing bedrock water wells up to 100 m deep often make it unfeasible to establish much-needed watershed-scale monitoring well networks. The objective of this project was to establish a monitoring network of rural wells in the 250-km2 watershed of West Nose Creek, Alberta. The network was designed for use in characterizing the groundwater regime and calibrating a watershed-scale hydrogeological model.; Based on appropriate criteria, twenty-seven wells were selected from a database of about a thousand water well records. Once well owners were located, their approval was obtained by informed consent. Well and spring water age, chemical composition, and water levels were measured. If proper protocols are followed, this approach is cost-effective and practical. Along with characterizing the watershed, broadening of community awareness and public education were positive outcomes of this approach. |
