Many of the pristine landscapes throughout the world become impaired because of the volumes of people who want to benefit from those unique and beautiful amenities. The Madison Valley is also a victim of its open, unique and grand landscape. A topic of discussion among long time and new residents of the valley is the increasing pressure of growth and development. We are like all other areas of great natural beauty, those who discover that beauty and move here are reluctant to have others move in after them. We are usually not cognizant of how our presence changes an area from what it was pre-me. But we are very sensitive to the changes on our landscape as others follow. As growth occurs, are there steps that can minimize the undesirable results visually, economically and socially? How might we minimize the conflict that inevitable growth causes?
There have been many battles fought in the west over water. It continues to be a source of conflict and litigation today as rapidly expanding urban areas desperately look for adequate sources of quality drinking water. The need for increasing water supplies will continue to put great demands on historical water rights and use. The Madison valley seems far removed from Southern California, Denver and the lower Missouri River Basin. But, this is the source of good quality and quantity water.
As growth continues in the valley and around us there is a heightened concern for the local relationship of ground and surface water. Surface water is what we see in streams, rivers and lakes. Ground water is what we find in wells and springs. The valley has numerous aquifers which hold water in pockets, pools or streams underground. With changes in irrigation, drought and increasing numbers of wells occuring it would be valuable to know what is happening to these aquifers.
An easy way to monitor water levels is to periodically measure static water levels in existing wells. When wells are drilled there is a well log submitted to the state of Montana which lists the depth of the well, static level of water and how much water the well will produce. Most wells are never measured again to determine consistency of production or changes in ground water level.
MVRG is proposing an on going process of gathering baseline data to give a historical record of new and existing well production and potential. If there were 100 wells being monitored to track static water level, we could see if aquifers are responding to changes in irrigation practices, drought and more wells. If 25 wells were measured four times a year every four years, there would be 100 wells providing a broad-based and consistent record of aquifer activity.
There are a couple of ways to monitor wells. One way is to install automated monitoring equipment. This requires replacing a battery occasionally and plugging in a unit which reads the results. These units cost in excess of $1,000. The other way is through manual units which consist of a cable that is lowered into the well and sends a signal when it reaches water level, this is read on a monitor at the other end of the cable. These units cost in the neighborhood of $800. Obviously, one could drop a rock into the well, time how long it takes for the rock to splash and then guestimate the depth to water. This lacks scientific repeatability. For the sake of historical baseline data it will require consistent and scientifically repeatable measures to establish trust in the results.
If, over time, there are significant changes in static water levels in existing wells, then that information will be beneficial in determining future impacts on aquifers and water supplies. It seems critical that steps be taken to initiate a process of gathering this base line data. We need local residents to volunteer their wells for measuring and we need volunteers to assist in the actual measuring of the wells. If you would like to participate at either level please contact us at 682-3259.