This article is contributed to the GSA blog by Sonoma Resource Conservation District.
Member of the Sonoma RCD staff measuring groundwater data using an electrical sounding tape. This is a different tool than the sonic water level device available for loan.
October tends to be a busy time, with the seasons changing and squeezing in as many outdoor projects as possible before November rains. For us at the Sonoma Resource Conservation District (RCD), October also marked the launch of the first round of data collection for the LEVEL UP! Voluntary Well Monitoring Program across all three groundwater basins in Sonoma County.
As the last month before the rainy season, October is an ideal time to observe groundwater levels and compare them to data collected in April, typically considered the end of the rainy season. With the support of partners, we served as a “checkout” site for program participants who borrowed a sonic well level meter to measure their groundwater levels. It was a great chance to meet individual well owners and community leaders involved in local data collection. We were able to learn more about what motivated people to participate and had meaningful conversations about the future of groundwater in Sonoma County.
The first thing people shared was how easy to use the tool was! Will Spangler, a project manager at Gold Ridge RCD, created a helpful how-to video that gave participants the confidence to use it on their own.
Individual well-owners were enthusiastic for the program’s launch and eager to begin collecting data. When asked why he signed up, one participant shared, “I want to ensure for myself and my community that we have a healthy water supply for generations to come. The management of the program was seamless, from the orientation to the equipment rental. I’m looking forward to seeing the data produced through our collective efforts this season and learning more about how I can protect Sonoma County’s groundwater.”
“the selected technology is very easy to use”
One of the sonic water level measuring devices well owners can check out of the Sonoma RCD office.
Communities across Sonoma County were equally enthusiastic, finding the collective experience of data collection rewarding and motivating. One individual checked out the device for a weekend, dedicating his Sunday to do well-monitoring throughout his neighborhood. He shared, “the selected technology is very easy to use” and that each site only took 5-10 minutes. He even suggested highlighting this in the program outreach materials, as some of the neighbors were surprised at how simple and noninvasive the process was and how useful the data could be. The community was eager to support the effort, with several participants offering to encourage their neighbors to sign up for the program. Some even offered to be neighborhood leaders for the next round of measurements!
In talking with this group, we learned that many participants joined due to concerns about potential impacts from municipal or commercial water pumping. One individual mentioned that their well had run dry in the past, and they feared it could happen again with new construction. Many of those interested in monitoring had past experiences with dry wells or were curious to understand groundwater trends. It was a reminder of both the personal and collective benefits of understanding groundwater levels in our basins. For the community member who checked out the tool, he said, “He said, “it was a reminder of the interconnectivity of this resource. We usually think of our well as an isolated piece of infrastructure, a straw into our own property. But showing my neighbors that their wells are at the exact same level as mine is a powerful reminder that we are all tapped into a shared asset.”
“It was a reminder of the interconnectivity of this resource…showing my neighbors that their wells are at the exact same level as mine is a powerful reminder that we are all tapped into a shared asset.”
In addition to running the monitoring device checkout site, we collected data at about 15 sites within the Petaluma Valley Basin, where we’ve been monitoring water levels for the past ten years. Each year, we create a hydrograph with the data to track changes in groundwater levels. You can see one of these hydrographs below!
While October was a busy month of monitoring, it provided wonderful opportunities to connect with community members and work together on gathering data on our groundwater health. We are curious to compare this data to our April findings and track progress in future years. A huge “Thank You!” to the individuals and communities participating—your efforts help us assess the health of our aquifers and work toward sustainable solutions for groundwater in Sonoma County for years to come.
For questions or more information, reach out to Maria Wnorowski, Sonoma RCD’s Community Engagement Program Manager, at mwnorowski@sonomarcd.org.