CREEKWATCH MUNICIPAL

Cost-Effective Water Monitoring for Urban and Rural Communities within a Social Enterprise Model

 

30 years of Watershed Education is in our DNA.

CreekWatch was established in 2015 as the citizen science arm of the RiverWatch Institute of Alberta, a registered charity founded in 1995. In 2025, RiverWatch proudly celebrates 30 years as a leader in interpretive water education and science-based river experiences, impacting over 175,000 students since its inception. As Western Canada’s largest interpretive river float operation, serving 14,000 guests annually, RiverWatch is a leader in workforce development in environmental science. Each year, we provide 20–30 post-secondary students with hands-on experience in watershed education, ecology, and outdoor leadership through interpretive river guide and CreekWatch technician summer positions.

Over the past decade, CreekWatch has evolved into an award-winning water monitoring initiative, empowering communities, watershed groups, and volunteers to track the health of stormwater and watershed basins. As a trusted partner in water quality monitoring, CreekWatch provides accessible, science-based insights that drive local stewardship and environmental sustainability.

In Fall 2023, CreekWatch Municipal was launched to offer rural and urban municipalities a cost-effective water monitoring solution through a social enterprise model. Following AEPA methodologies, this innovative approach delivers high-quality environmental data to support informed water management decisions. At a time when municipalities face increasing environmental challenges and financial constraints, CreekWatch Municipal provides a sustainable, science-driven solution that integrates rigorous water monitoring within a not-for-profit framework—going beyond the bottom line to create lasting environmental impact.

Why Choose CreekWatch Municipal?

✅ A Scalable, Efficient, Cost-Effective Social Enterprise Model with Community Impact – CreekWatch Municipal combines professional staff, university students, and citizen science volunteers to deliver high-quality water monitoring at a fraction of the cost of traditional consulting firms. This hybrid model ensures scientific rigour and regulatory compliance while maximizing efficiency. Additionally, project revenue is reinvested back into our Citizen Science and RiverWatch School Science Float programs, allowing municipalities and consulting groups to access reliable environmental data and support the next generation of water stewards.

✅ Experienced Environmental Science Staff – CreekWatch is led by qualified environmental science professionals who oversee all monitoring activities to ensure scientific accuracy and AEPA methodology compliance. Our team provides expert oversight and analysis, ensuring municipalities receive high-quality data they can trust. We work with municipalities, wastewater operators and consulting groups.

✅ Our SWEET SPOT: Stormwater Monitoring and Collection – Our expertise is in stormwater monitoring and sample collection for regional analysis. We help deliver precise, reliable data to support decision-making on stormwater infrastructure, environmental policies, and regulatory compliance. This ensures scientifically informed insights that drive effective planning and management.

How It Works – Regional StormWater Monitoring Partnerships

  • CreekWatch collaborates with municipalities directly and/or their consultants to provide regular water monitoring and sample collection from spring runoff through the end of fall.
  • Monitoring and collection occur during key environmental events, including spring runoff, rain events, and ongoing assessments as municipalities require.
  • Weekly monitoring efforts range from 8 to 20 hours per week, depending on requirements and environmental conditions.

Structured Seasonal Service Agreements ensure reliable and consistent water monitoring, covering:

  • Water quality monitoring and sample collection for laboratory analysis.
  • Flow meter readings to track water movement and hydrological changes.
  • Data collection and reporting in accordance with AEPA-standard methodologies.

Hydrometric Station Installation & Maintenance (Specialized Service)

  • Our team also provides installation, monitoring, and maintenance of hydrometric stations for both short- and long-term projects, ensuring continuous data collection on water levels, flow rates, and real-time assessment of water flow, stormwater impacts, and overall watershed health.
  • CreekWatch manages the entire process for regional municipalities, from site selection and permitting to regulatory approval and on-site installation.
  • Municipalities select station locations based on monitoring needs and infrastructure planning and cover the cost of the hydrometric station itself.

CreekWatch Municipal: Cost-Effective Water Monitoring for Regional Communities. At a time when municipalities face increasing environmental challenges and financial constraints, CreekWatch Municipal offers a cost-effective, data-driven alternative to expensive water monitoring and collection. CreekWatch Municipal delivers high-quality environmental data while fostering responsible watershed stewardship within a social enterprise model. This dual benefit goes beyond the bottom line to support the next generation of water stewards.

For more information on CreekWatch Municipal and how we can help your region with cost-efficient stormwater management, please contact Michelle at michelled@creekwatch.ca.

 

PROJECT HIGHLIGHT – WaterSHED Program Expansion to Urban
Creeks

CreekWatch/EPCOR Partnership and WaterSHED Program Expansion

The WaterSHED (Water: Saskatchewan Headwaters Edmonton and Downstream) program is a collaborative water monitoring initiative designed to address knowledge gaps and enhance understanding of watershed processes. It focuses on examining the relationships between water quality, quantity, and ecosystem function. This program is made possible through partnerships with Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP), EPCOR, the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance, and the City of Edmonton. As part of its commitment to water stewardship, EPCOR has funded an expansion of the program to monitor tributary creeks of the North Saskatchewan River within the Edmonton area, assessing the impact of urban environments on water quality and quantity.

Given the RiverWatch Institute of Alberta’s (RIOA) expertise in water monitoring through our CreekWatch program, its staff play a key role in the project, frequently collaborating with AEP and EPCOR. Through regular meetings and knowledge-sharing, EPCOR and AEP have supported RIOA in launching the urban tributary expansion by providing resources, technical expertise, and hands-on training. This support includes loaned equipment such as sondes, technical guidance, and field shadowing opportunities. Water quality samples collected by RIOA are analyzed by the same laboratories used by AEP, ensuring consistency in data quality. All collected data is submitted directly to both AEP and EPCOR to inform decision-making and contribute to the broader objectives of the WaterSHED program.

RIOA’s Role in Water Monitoring Expansion

In November 2023, RIOA entered into a three-year contract with EPCOR to expand the WaterSHED program. This contract formalizes RIOA’s responsibilities, which include:

  • Conducting routine water quality and quantity monitoring of seven urban creeks.

  • Sampling water at 12 designated sites, as outlined by EPCOR.

  • Ensuring all data collected aligns with provincial and federal water monitoring standards.

Through this partnership, RIOA is enhancing the region’s understanding of how urban tributary creeks contribute to the health of the North Saskatchewan River, supporting long-term watershed sustainability and informed water management decisions.

CreekWatch Scope of Work

1. Expertise and Protocol Development

As part of the expansion project, RIOA provides EPCOR with expertise in monitoring urban streams by:

1.1 Developing a Water Testing Manual

  • Outlining methods and protocols currently practiced by:

    • Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP)

    • The federal Water Survey of Canada (WSC)

  • Serving as a reference for RIOA employees to follow established protocols.

  • Helping EPCOR standardize future water monitoring initiatives.

1.2 Ensuring Data Quality and Integration

  • Collecting Class A data on EPCOR’s behalf to maintain high standards.

  • Uploading collected data to AEP’s water quality monitoring portal as part of the WaterSHED Program.

2. Hydrometric Station Installation and Monitoring

RIOA is responsible for overseeing the setup and management of hydrometric stations at key urban creeks.

2.1 Station Coordination and Management

  • Coordinating the installation and operation of hydrometric stations at three urban creeks selected by EPCOR.

  • Ensuring proper data collection and reporting procedures.

2.2 Long-Term Data Collection and Integration

        • EPCOR’s goal is to collect long-term flow data for integration into the Alberta River Basins website.

        • Monitoring discharge and water levels at the following locations:

          • Gold Bar Creek

          • Wedgewood Creek

          • Horsehill Creek