Watershed Information Groundwater — Groundwater Monitoring
Index
Overview
The RVCA has recently established groundwater monitoring programs in the watershed. These programs will help us observe trends and establish important parameters related to groundwater and its use. Data will help in implementing new strategies for groundwater conservation and evaluating effectiveness of existing plans and policies in groundwater protection. Monitoring programs have been established by combined efforts of many partners including the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and RVCA.
Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network
In June 2000, the Government of Ontario announced $6 million to establish the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network. In partnership with with Ontario's 36 Conservation Authorities, the network hosts data on groundwater levels and water quality from wells across the province. Data collected from these wells will help us better understand our groundwater resources.
Currently, 15 monitoring wells are in place within Rideau watershed. The collected data serves the ongoing critical need for baseline groundwater data in order to:
carry out drought assessment and contingency planning
define emerging issues, trends toward water shortage and contamination
meet demands of the public and business concerns for data on groundwater supply
and quality
provide scientific data to guide water taking and land use policy
Interior of Telemetry monitor. Click picture to view monitor with labeling.
Telemetry monitors are fitted with a cellular data exchange setup and automatically upload the collected data into the Central Database Management System via cellular network at regular intervals.
Interior of Telemetry monitor. Click picture
to view monitor with labeling.
Water Level Measurements
Water levels from the PGMN stations are available in hourly, daily and monthly basis. Data is available both in tabular and graphic formats. Water levels are corrected for barometric pressure and temperature changes before being made available. All water levels are in metres above sea level.
Water Quality
Each monitor is visited during March-October to collect a water sample. This sample is analysed for different water quality parameters. The water quality analysis conducted during March-October 2003 is available in the DATA section.
Well Logs
Each monitor is visited during March-October to collect a water sample. This sample is analysed for different water quality parameters. The water quality analysis conducted during March-October 2003 is available in the DATA section.
The RVCA has recently established groundwater monitoring programs in the watershed. These programs will help us observe trends and establish important parameters related to groundwater and its use. Data will help in implementing new strategies for groundwater conservation and evaluating effectiveness of existing plans and policies in groundwater protection. Monitoring programs have been established by combined efforts of many partners including the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and RVCA. 
