CBC News - Climate scientists raising concerns over Alberta's groundwater levels amid Prairie drought
“The lowest water levels are all in the last seven years and the levels are much lower now than they were in the ‘70s and ‘80s,”
Kananaskis Country, in southern Alberta, is where the Marmot Creek well is located. It's one of the few groundwater monitoring wells that Alberta has in the mountains. (Lauren Krugel/The Canadian Press)
In a recent report highlighted by CBC News, concerns are raised over Alberta's groundwater levels amidst persistent drought across the Prairie region. John Pomeroy, a water scientist at the University of Saskatchewan, points to the Marmot Creek well in Kananaskis Country, noting its lowest levels in seven years as a stark climate signal.
As climate change models predict prolonged droughts in southern Alberta, the province's focus on surface water management may overlook the plight of the 600,000 Albertans dependent on groundwater. Despite a network of 200 monitoring wells, some areas like Rocky View County near Calgary report record-low groundwater levels due to consecutive dry years.
Paul McLauchlin of Rural Municipalities of Alberta highlights concerns over depleted wells and calls for improved understanding and management of groundwater resources. Alberta Environment confirms increased monitoring efforts and support for well owners to ensure access to safe drinking water in rural areas.
As Alberta navigates the complexities of groundwater sustainability in changing climatic conditions, ongoing initiatives like the Canada1Water project (C1W) provide crucial research and data for informed resource management strategies.
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“We have to make sure we’re managing groundwater and surface water as a common resource,”