Well Watch Program

The Well Watch Program (WWP) first began in 1991 with the drilling of the first groundwater monitoring well at Eaton Elementary School. Two more wells were drilled in 1992 and 14 more were added by 1995. The Central Colorado Water Conservancy District (CCWCD) spearheaded this program and the drilling of the monitoring groundwater wells. Various drilling and construction partners donated project time, labor, permitting, and equipment. The wells ranged from Eaton to Pueblo. Due to lack of technology to store and analyze data collected by students, interest in the project waned and it unfortunately became less of a priority for science teachers. 

Without the support of all these organizations, the Well Watch Program would not have been able to reach the 1,200 students it interacted with in 2018. The 600+ hours coordinators time would also not have been possible without their support. At this time there are 10 schools, 15 teachers, and 7 school districts actively involved in the WWP. This program is unique. There is nothing in the science curriculum of any of these schools that cover this content with the hands-on experience that the Well Watch Program offers. 

 The Well Watch Program would not be experiencing the level of success it has seen if not for the financial and professional support it has received from its supporters. Central Colorado Conservancy District has been a big financial and professional supporter of this program from its very beginning. Greeley Waste Water Treatment Department has helped the WWP with thousands of dollars’ worth of supplies since 2014. Quality Well and Pump has been very gracious by the donation of drilling time and supplies from the beginning of the WWP and is continuing today! We look forward to their help with the new drilling in Ft. Lupton and Brighton in 2019! A new supporter of the WWP is Nutrien of Loveland. Their financial support has made a strong impact on helping the new schools that will be joining the program this fall. A very big “Thank You” to their Community Investment Team for taking a chance on a program they just learned about but obviously realize has a very big impact on students! Just recently, our co-coordinator, Ivonne Morales, secured a $10,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Greeley and Weld County, Littler Youth Fund. Support like this is also evidence we are providing a valuable support to teachers and students in their understanding of conservation of Colorado’s most precise resource, water!  

For more information about the Well Watch Program and the data students have collected for the last five years please visit our website at: WellWatchProgram.org

For more information or if you would like to get involved with the Well Watch program, please contact Ivonne Morales at IMorales@plcoutdoors.org.