In the heart of the Kootenays, BC lies the Columbia River Basin, where glacial deposits have created a complex network of aquifers. Living Lakes Canada, a water science and stewardship non-profit, is pioneering a groundwater monitoring program to protect underground water resources in the basin. This mountainous region, shaped by millions of years of geological forces, contains hundreds of small aquifers. Some of these are interconnected with each other, while others are connected with surface waters that serve as crucial water sources for the surrounding ecosystems and communities. The bedrock geology ranges from ancient metamorphic rocks to younger sedimentary formations, creating a challenging water management and monitoring environment.

In this complex hydrogeological landscape, many residents rely on groundwater as their primary water source, making effective monitoring not just beneficial but essential. Before Living Lakes’ program, groundwater monitoring in the region was fragmented at best. The province monitors several wells in the Columbia River Basin as part of the Provincial Groundwater Observation Well Network, but these do not cover the full range of aquifer types and climatic conditions that exist across the region. There are isolated monitoring efforts by various consultants working on different projects, but these data are generally not publicly accessible for collaborative analysis and are typically collected over short time periods.