Groundwater Observation Well Network

Purpose
The Groundwater Observation Well Network (GOWN) is an Alberta Environment owned network of groundwater monitoring wells located in various aquifers throughout the province. Most of these wells are fitted with specialized electronic equipment that continually record groundwater levels. In addition, many of these wells are pumped and sampled for water quality analysis. Historical groundwater level information for the active wells in the network can be accessed below.

For drillers reports and other groundwater well data, the newly renamed Alberta Water Well Information Database (AWWID) can be accessed at:

http://www.envinfo.gov.ab.ca/GroundWater/

History of the GOWN
The Alberta Research Council started the network in 1957 with three wells in Drayton Valley, Leduc and Milk River. In 1982 the network was transferred to Alberta Environment which had expanded to 145 wells. At that time there were 55 wells distributed around the province for general groundwater level monitoring along with 90 wells for monitoring groundwater levels and quality in the oil sands region around Fort McMurray. The network has since expanded for better provincial coverage. Today there are over 250 GOWN wells, with about 200 wells being monitored for levels and 160 wells for quality.

Current Operations of the GOWN
Regional technologists from Alberta Environment offices in Lethbridge, Calgary, Edmonton and Grande Prairie maintain the wells, collect the data, sample the wells and archive the data into departmental databases.

Groundwater Observation Well Network Water Level Data and Well Information

To extract the data chart and well information for wells in the network:

If you know the well name:
Select a well name to view the groundwater levels for the associated observation well.
 

If you know the well number:
Select a well number to view the groundwater levels for the associated observation well.
 

To select information using a map Click Here
GOWN Map Tool The map icon at left, or link above, will open an interactive tool that will show a map with observation well points. Selecting a point will open a page with the associated groundwater levels and well information.


Location Map of Groundwater Observation Wells used for Water Quality sampling
Wells are sampled by pumping periodically for routine, metals, bacteria and gas parameters

Location Map of Groundwater Observation Wells used for Water Level data collection
Water levels are recorded electronically each hour by datalogger / pressure transducer in each well. The data is downloaded from the loggers twice per year (spring and fall)