The CreekWatch Program
CreekWatch promotes collaborative, timely, and low-cost water quality monitoring focused on improving our urban stormwater quality. Click below to find out more about our program and how to get involved.
CreekWatch is aimed at creating a knowledgeable public in Alberta that is able to understand science-based management of urban rivers and streams. Many people have no idea how their actions impact the water quality of our rivers and streams, nor how they can help.
A large part of the project is connecting volunteers to the outdoors, increasing environmental knowledge, and providing participants with a means to make a stewardship difference in their community.
Most creek monitoring is done during high flow wet events on limited budgets with limited manpower.
- The City of Calgary Water Resources monitors 30 stations established on rivers, streams, and reservoirs in the Calgary region on a monthly basis.
- In Edmonton, efforts are focused on times of high flow. During 2014, a total of two samples were collected from each of the Edmonton urban tributaries – one was collected during the spring runoff, the other during a summer rainfall event. The 2013 NSR Report emphasized recommendations on increased tributary sampling efforts for more accurate and apparent trends from a larger dataset.
The purpose of the CreekWatch is to collect frequent and reputable data on tributaries that feed our larger rivers in Alberta. Through such data collection, a consistent baseline set of information will be established and shared with all stakeholders.
Acknowledging the budget and manpower constraints in each major Alberta city, CreekWatch resources are used to collect frequent and reputable data on urban tributaries that feed our larger rivers in Alberta. Through the program, a consistent baseline set of information can be established. This information can then be used by officials within each city, as well as made publicly available to citizens.
Water sampling will be completed during the open-water season in Alberta, from May-October. The goal each year is to train 10 volunteer citizen scientists in Edmonton, and 10 in Calgary.
Our trained volunteers will collect Level One data using standard equipment. This will involve the use of manual Hach kits that are housed in wheeled coolers for ease of transport and access. We are expecting each individual to collect data on their own free time at least 7 times throughout the open-water season.
Level Two data will be collected on a weekly basis between March-October by a Citizen Science Coordinator in both Edmonton and Calgary. This will involve professional electronic measuring equipment purchased from Hoskin Scientific Ltd.
The collection of Level Three data involves the submission of water samples to Exova for laboratory-based testing. All three levels of data were collected at the same time, allowing for a unique comparison between the three different data levels to verify accuracy and consistency.
The chart below depicts what physical and chemical parameters will be measured at each level of monitoring.
A unique element of this project will be the comparison of three different levels of monitoring techniques. There are advantages and disadvantages associated with each type of monitoring that include:
- Instrument complexity
- Overall sampling technique cost
- Calibration and equipment maintenance
- Technique accuracy and precision
- Replacement costs of damaged equipment
- Transportability
Through the collection of three different levels of monitoring, a comparison will be available between each of the techniques. This will offer valuable insight into the degrees of accuracy between each technique. Noting that lab analysis will be the most accurate and most expensive, a comparison will determine the realistic feasibility of using manual and electronic water quality monitoring equipment to acquire accurate and presentable data.
At the conclusion of each open-water sampling season, reports are written detailing the specific outcomes and trends that can be identified throughout that year. Reports are made publicly available.