It seems fall is making up for spring.
Last week we were still doing surveys in W.SK and AB with no frost in most areas and expect to do more later this week. We are now caught up on all the fall bookings with most clients now calling to book for spring and early summer. The late freeze up has however prompted some to still try and get done this year to be ready to drill first thing in the spring.
Our updates will be less frequent thru the winter but we do have more time to review news bits on groundwater issues across the west which we will continue to post to the blog if we think they are of interest.
For those visiting our site now and thru the winter that are considering surveys for 2010 we will continue to book at this years prices up to January 31, 2010 at which time with our accountants advice we make our pricing adjustments for next year.
For those in BC it is particularly important to book early. We start our first round of surveys as soon as frost is out usually in Alberta and than complete a loop thru S SK , MB N SK back to AB and finish up in BC usually taking the first 4-6weeks of spring. We allow for about 5- 6 surveys in each province on the first round so spring callers from BC may have to wait for the 2nd round of surveys to get done which could take still late June.
Check back for updates thru the winter!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
October 30th, 2009 Update
This update is a little slow as it it took longer to get through SK and into MB done than we planned. With an intent to finish all the jobs in SK on the way back to Calgary we started in SE SK , worked 2 days and than got rained out and with the forecast looking the same for a few days, and warmer this week we headed back to the Calgary Office to get caught up on reports and work here.
The good news is that we are down to only 3-4 more clients that would prefer to have the survey before freeze up so they are ready in spring and the rest are " optionals" giving us till the spring if needed to complete the surveys. That said I expect we may get a few calls yet to fit in on the last loops . So right now we hope to head back to SK next week get done what we left behind and than finish the season in AB.
Happy Halloween !
The good news is that we are down to only 3-4 more clients that would prefer to have the survey before freeze up so they are ready in spring and the rest are " optionals" giving us till the spring if needed to complete the surveys. That said I expect we may get a few calls yet to fit in on the last loops . So right now we hope to head back to SK next week get done what we left behind and than finish the season in AB.
Happy Halloween !
Thursday, October 8, 2009
October 8 update Snow that will go
OK this snow in Calgary is just temporary right?
We were feeling pretty much on schedule for the fall but we have had a flurry of calls and are finding out we may not get as cleaned up as we thought a couple of weeks ago. At the end of September our intent was to pretty much clear the dance card before freeze up , even for more recent bookings and those clients that had given us optional survey completion for May of 2010. That was then.
Gratefully many clients that book early are looking to drill next summer and if we locate now that's great, but they want to make sure they are ready for the driller come June 1 which still gives us some flexibility to do a few rush jobs this year. Every fall there are those where the dugouts got lower than expected, have wells that just stopped, or those that thought they had it covered with a driller booked but than did dry holes after the driller showed up. We understand how this happens and we do what we can .
We will catch up in AB early next week and head into SK and MB again hoping to complete the fall surveys before month end. Weather is now the main factor though right now we should be able to meet all the commitments we have made by pushing off the fall/spring optionals to spring if we have too. With good weather it will all work and even let us slip in a few more. That said May is starting to look pretty full so here's hoping for an early April start for AB like we had in 08.
We were feeling pretty much on schedule for the fall but we have had a flurry of calls and are finding out we may not get as cleaned up as we thought a couple of weeks ago. At the end of September our intent was to pretty much clear the dance card before freeze up , even for more recent bookings and those clients that had given us optional survey completion for May of 2010. That was then.
Gratefully many clients that book early are looking to drill next summer and if we locate now that's great, but they want to make sure they are ready for the driller come June 1 which still gives us some flexibility to do a few rush jobs this year. Every fall there are those where the dugouts got lower than expected, have wells that just stopped, or those that thought they had it covered with a driller booked but than did dry holes after the driller showed up. We understand how this happens and we do what we can .
We will catch up in AB early next week and head into SK and MB again hoping to complete the fall surveys before month end. Weather is now the main factor though right now we should be able to meet all the commitments we have made by pushing off the fall/spring optionals to spring if we have too. With good weather it will all work and even let us slip in a few more. That said May is starting to look pretty full so here's hoping for an early April start for AB like we had in 08.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
September 27 Back in Alberta, SK next than MB
We completed surveys as far south as Naramata, and got west to Pritchard completing our last survey in Vernon on Saturday. The goal for the next week to 10 days is to complete pending surveys here in AB before leaving again for SK.
Having enjoyed a very warm week in BC for this time of year the temperature in Calgary last night and this morning was somewhat refreshing. A strange year from beginning weather wise, we are hoping the warm spells come back again allowing us to work into late November. Might be wishful thinking sparked by the exceptional weather in BC but it would help make up for the summer that took forever to arrive.
While we were in BC callers asked if we would be back yet this fall. Our reply was it is a good possibility and will depend on confirmed bookings in the next week or 2 and of course the weather. We encouraged them to book ASAP.
Having enjoyed a very warm week in BC for this time of year the temperature in Calgary last night and this morning was somewhat refreshing. A strange year from beginning weather wise, we are hoping the warm spells come back again allowing us to work into late November. Might be wishful thinking sparked by the exceptional weather in BC but it would help make up for the summer that took forever to arrive.
While we were in BC callers asked if we would be back yet this fall. Our reply was it is a good possibility and will depend on confirmed bookings in the next week or 2 and of course the weather. We encouraged them to book ASAP.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
September 16 Update
The fall rush is on and though the weather has been great we know winter is on it's way.
We were a little slow coming out of SK but got back last weekend. There are still a few post- harvest jobs to tackle this week in AB but than we will be on the way to Southern BC. Without any rain days that should likely be Monday. We will be touching base the next few days to confirm bookings there.
On return we will be catching up in AB before we head back to SK again sometime early October and than into MB. Book now as we expect that to be the last major loop after which time it will be harder to avoid mileage surcharges in some areas where we get less clients.
We were a little slow coming out of SK but got back last weekend. There are still a few post- harvest jobs to tackle this week in AB but than we will be on the way to Southern BC. Without any rain days that should likely be Monday. We will be touching base the next few days to confirm bookings there.
On return we will be catching up in AB before we head back to SK again sometime early October and than into MB. Book now as we expect that to be the last major loop after which time it will be harder to avoid mileage surcharges in some areas where we get less clients.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
September 3 2009 Update
We have been working in SK and MB for most of August and expect to pick up a few more jobs next week both in SK and eastern AB on the way back to Calgary. Our intent is to get to BC for the last half of September working there long enough to clean up all currently booked surveys before the snow.
After BC we will work in AB and than head back east for what we expect, by this years weather, might be the final big trip in thru SK and MB. Though we often work into well into November the surveys are further apart and at times require extra mileage charges depending on the number of late bookings in a given area. To avoid those charges book as early as possible.
After BC we will work in AB and than head back east for what we expect, by this years weather, might be the final big trip in thru SK and MB. Though we often work into well into November the surveys are further apart and at times require extra mileage charges depending on the number of late bookings in a given area. To avoid those charges book as early as possible.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
August 1, 2009 Late Summer Update
We hit our goals and arrived in MB for the long weekend pretty much current with our jobs in AB and BC except for the post harvest jobs and a couple of sub-division developments awaiting approvals.
Since arriving we have seen rain showers daily and cool temperatures. Crops look good in SE MB but some heat would help.
We hope to complete the booked MB and SK surveys in August letting us focus on AB and BC again in September. That will let us hit SK and MB one more time in fall to do the fall bookings and finish jobs that will still have standing crop in August.
Book early as we always have a back log going into September as many of our cleints have surveys done in the fall to identify potential well locations to drill on in spring.
Since arriving we have seen rain showers daily and cool temperatures. Crops look good in SE MB but some heat would help.
We hope to complete the booked MB and SK surveys in August letting us focus on AB and BC again in September. That will let us hit SK and MB one more time in fall to do the fall bookings and finish jobs that will still have standing crop in August.
Book early as we always have a back log going into September as many of our cleints have surveys done in the fall to identify potential well locations to drill on in spring.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
July Update
We are back in Alberta and except for the post harvest bookings for surveys on cropped land we should have most booked surveys cleaned up here by about the 25th which will take us into SK and MB again for the first half of August. We expect to hit BC sometime in late August.
Post harvest gets a little busy as it combines with the fall rush of clients wanting to get wells in before freeze up or at least know where to drill first thing in spring so they can book the well driller early. Land development work also increases in the fall with cleints wanting to get an idea of groundwater available on land for the next years sub-divisions.
It’s best to book and get surveyed early as every fall we seem to end up running right into freeze up and at times need to push off a few late fall bookings to spring, due to frost conditions or increasing costs. As frost gets deeper it has an increasing effect on our data collection capability and though we can work in some areas most of the winter it becomes more difficult to identify shallow ground water and more expensive due to not having as many surveys to group across the west increasing travel cost and work required to get the job done when its below freezing.
If you would like any references just give us a call and we will be happy to provide names of past clients and/or well drillers.
Post harvest gets a little busy as it combines with the fall rush of clients wanting to get wells in before freeze up or at least know where to drill first thing in spring so they can book the well driller early. Land development work also increases in the fall with cleints wanting to get an idea of groundwater available on land for the next years sub-divisions.
It’s best to book and get surveyed early as every fall we seem to end up running right into freeze up and at times need to push off a few late fall bookings to spring, due to frost conditions or increasing costs. As frost gets deeper it has an increasing effect on our data collection capability and though we can work in some areas most of the winter it becomes more difficult to identify shallow ground water and more expensive due to not having as many surveys to group across the west increasing travel cost and work required to get the job done when its below freezing.
If you would like any references just give us a call and we will be happy to provide names of past clients and/or well drillers.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Almost Current
Current for us means we can complete most surveys in SK, AB, and MB within 2- 4 weeks of receiving the booking. Other than a bit of a flurry of bookings late summer and fall that slows the prairie loops up a little we should maintain that timing now thru till freeze up. Depending where we are when you book we can sometimes be there within a few days.
We didn't get quite as far this last week as planned though still making headway in AB. We have a couple more to do here in AB and than we should be in BC for a quick loop most of next week. That will leave us with time to pick up a few AB jobs on the way thru to SK and MB towards the end of the month. We expect to work thru N MB, SK and AB early July.
We didn't get quite as far this last week as planned though still making headway in AB. We have a couple more to do here in AB and than we should be in BC for a quick loop most of next week. That will leave us with time to pick up a few AB jobs on the way thru to SK and MB towards the end of the month. We expect to work thru N MB, SK and AB early July.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Back IN AB, Frost AND Snow
With the rain starting in central SK by Saturday morning , one look at the radar and we knew we may as well head back to Calgary as we wouldn't be working there for a few days.
So we are back in Alberta, hope to get caught up here this week before heading into BC. Looks like AB most of this week, BC the week after , SK again for the the last week of June and first part of July.
So we are back in Alberta, hope to get caught up here this week before heading into BC. Looks like AB most of this week, BC the week after , SK again for the the last week of June and first part of July.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
June 4rth update, Fishing and drilling, and frost
No.. not really fishing, but staying at the Harbour View B&B in in Main Prize Park, S. SK to complete some nearby surveys where I did fish the last time I stayed here. Tonight just dreaming.
On the road as much as I am, I have come to greatly appreciate a breakfast that just can't be beat and I will glady travel a few extra miles for one of Valerie's and Merle's breakfasts. Merle also just happens to be the Rafferty Reservoir Outfitter. Merle had me catching more walleye in an afternoon last summer than I have caught in the last three years and that includes fishing in MB this last long weekend at Winnipegow! Who knew you could catch that many walleye in S. SK. ?http://www.harbourviewbandb.ca/
We are getting close to caught up with surveys in SK and MB and even AB should be, within a few days, all except for a few N.SK and N.AB surveys. We will soon head back to Alberta for some patient folks back home and than into BC, for the really patient clients some who have waited since late last year. No question, due to spring that seemed to go forever, we were behind but an exceptionally understanding and supportive wife, and working thru a few weekends has helped get us on track and we should be able to get most places within our normal lead time of 2-4 weeks now and thru this survey season. PLEASE DO STILL BOOK EARLY and do not book your driller first. We have been blamed more than once for dry holes, done blindly, because the driller showed up to drill and did, before we could get there and somehow the dry hole was our fault.
Call us, book a survey, wait for your report, know where(or if) to drill, than call your driller!
Is summer here? Frost warnings again for this week in S SK.
On the road as much as I am, I have come to greatly appreciate a breakfast that just can't be beat and I will glady travel a few extra miles for one of Valerie's and Merle's breakfasts. Merle also just happens to be the Rafferty Reservoir Outfitter. Merle had me catching more walleye in an afternoon last summer than I have caught in the last three years and that includes fishing in MB this last long weekend at Winnipegow! Who knew you could catch that many walleye in S. SK. ?http://www.harbourviewbandb.ca/
We are getting close to caught up with surveys in SK and MB and even AB should be, within a few days, all except for a few N.SK and N.AB surveys. We will soon head back to Alberta for some patient folks back home and than into BC, for the really patient clients some who have waited since late last year. No question, due to spring that seemed to go forever, we were behind but an exceptionally understanding and supportive wife, and working thru a few weekends has helped get us on track and we should be able to get most places within our normal lead time of 2-4 weeks now and thru this survey season. PLEASE DO STILL BOOK EARLY and do not book your driller first. We have been blamed more than once for dry holes, done blindly, because the driller showed up to drill and did, before we could get there and somehow the dry hole was our fault.
Call us, book a survey, wait for your report, know where(or if) to drill, than call your driller!
Is summer here? Frost warnings again for this week in S SK.
Monday, June 1, 2009
June 1 Update
After a few days in Calgary we will be heading to SK to try and complete the rest of the spring bookings there which should get us back to AB in about a week, with good weather.
After a somewhat slow start we were able to do continue working for almost 14 days rain free after the long weekend which has helped get us in better shape. With our current schedule by mid June we expect to be in a position to complete surveys in most of SK and AB within 3 weeks of booking or less in some areas just depending on where we are on our rounds when you call. Always best to book sooner rather than later.
After a somewhat slow start we were able to do continue working for almost 14 days rain free after the long weekend which has helped get us in better shape. With our current schedule by mid June we expect to be in a position to complete surveys in most of SK and AB within 3 weeks of booking or less in some areas just depending on where we are on our rounds when you call. Always best to book sooner rather than later.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Spring, It seems its finally here! AB,BC,SK updates
Hopefully the snow is behind us for this year.
We found ourselves somewhat behind from where we thought we would be going into May, due to the frost coming out (and snow) much later this year in most of the West than 07 and 08. Where as we have usually started spring surveys in S AB in early April, this year was a good 3 weeks later and though we did complete a couple in AB during late April, in early May we decided to head to SK to get away from the snow falls holding us up here. We went for a week intially expecting to do more in S AB but after rain and snow holding us back again near Calgary we headed east to get started on the first loop across the West.
We have been going all except for a few days of rain in SK and MB and tonight here in Westlock, AB we are nearing the end of our first western loop to MB and back, that started 3 weeks ago and should be back in Calgary for the weekend. We expect to do do 2-3 surveys near Calgary and than we will head back into SK next week to pick up a few winter bookings we could not get done on the first loop and than head back into AB to catch up here.
We expect we will head into BC for a loop sometime the last half of June or early July for the first time this year to get caught up on the bookings we have there.
Typically we try to be current on the winter and spring booking by the end of June and with good weather we might still make it. That said due to early booking by many of our client's that only need surveys completed before fall, we can make some openings available on our rounds when we gain some rain days so book as early as you can. In areas we might be only a week or 2 away. It just depends where we are when you call.
We found ourselves somewhat behind from where we thought we would be going into May, due to the frost coming out (and snow) much later this year in most of the West than 07 and 08. Where as we have usually started spring surveys in S AB in early April, this year was a good 3 weeks later and though we did complete a couple in AB during late April, in early May we decided to head to SK to get away from the snow falls holding us up here. We went for a week intially expecting to do more in S AB but after rain and snow holding us back again near Calgary we headed east to get started on the first loop across the West.
We have been going all except for a few days of rain in SK and MB and tonight here in Westlock, AB we are nearing the end of our first western loop to MB and back, that started 3 weeks ago and should be back in Calgary for the weekend. We expect to do do 2-3 surveys near Calgary and than we will head back into SK next week to pick up a few winter bookings we could not get done on the first loop and than head back into AB to catch up here.
We expect we will head into BC for a loop sometime the last half of June or early July for the first time this year to get caught up on the bookings we have there.
Typically we try to be current on the winter and spring booking by the end of June and with good weather we might still make it. That said due to early booking by many of our client's that only need surveys completed before fall, we can make some openings available on our rounds when we gain some rain days so book as early as you can. In areas we might be only a week or 2 away. It just depends where we are when you call.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Economists Article: World Water Rights to Control Waste
An interesting article discussing the merits of applying a value on water rights to control waste in other countries. Some people may be surprised to learn that surface water rights for irrigation have been used in Western Canada for years and sold or traded for considerable and continually increasing values either on their own or as part of the property sale. Its no surprise that a property with water rights is worth considerably more than that without. Will this one day apply to groundwater as well?
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13446737
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13446737
May is Here
Spring seems to have arrived though even yesterday there were still snow drifts here and there south of Calgary. Somewhat behind from the early April start last year we are gaining ground by working thru the weekends and making good headway on the early bookings. We did end up going into SK last week as it was drier there with no rain and worked right thru the weekend. We will end the week in S. AB and head back thru SK next week working our way to N SK and AB the week after.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Spring Surveys Underway
Coming out of MB this week with good weather we were happy to see the snow mostly gone right across the West though standing water in areas showed some frost was likely still in the ground. As we got closer to Calgary it started to snow and by Wednesday morning we were again blanketed. The site we planned to do Thursday had 10 inches of snow. It is a slow start this year and we are already 3 weeks behind from last years start but we are going. Hopefully the weather gets better.
We now expect to be working in central and southern AB till May 7th or 8th to do the rush jobs here and than go into central and south SK and MB the following 2 weeks for the early bookings there.
From there we should get to northern AB and SK by about May 27th working back into Calgary by early June.
We arrange our schedule allowing for rain days and with good weather and the flexibility we get from many of our clients we can at times fit in new bookings. We will try to particularly when it makes sense from a route and travel cost aspect so do try to book early!
We now expect to be working in central and southern AB till May 7th or 8th to do the rush jobs here and than go into central and south SK and MB the following 2 weeks for the early bookings there.
From there we should get to northern AB and SK by about May 27th working back into Calgary by early June.
We arrange our schedule allowing for rain days and with good weather and the flexibility we get from many of our clients we can at times fit in new bookings. We will try to particularly when it makes sense from a route and travel cost aspect so do try to book early!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Getting to Work
More Snow! We had intended to start the spring surveys just before the previous snow fall that blanketed us in southern AB, delaying starts to what we expected would be early this week but the snow yesterday will hold that off as well. It all worked out though as it allowed us to stay in MB an extra week to deal with overland flooding at our property there. The Red River flood water can get within 3 miles, but has never been a threat to us as whereas the fast thaw the last week brought run off water levels up for a few days covering most of the property and reaching to within a few feet of the house. As we had seen the forecast would like prevent survey work, we extended our stay and were here to open up the frozen culverts, and make sure the basement pump was working. We will get going in AB again next week and work there on the early bookings the rest of April before moving into S. SK for the spring work there.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Protect Your Well From Flooding
A link to a PFRA document on Protecting your well in case of potential flood.
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/plan_protect_sustain/groundwater/wells/factsheets/PFRA_wells_before_flood.pdf
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/plan_protect_sustain/groundwater/wells/factsheets/PFRA_wells_before_flood.pdf
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Frost Out?
It seems early to be mentioning this with today's temperature but last week we had a call from southern AB and the client suggested there was only inches of frost left in the ground. He was going to check, and I am sure its deeper now but just a reminder to booked clients that if its gone we'd like to know as that's where we going to go next. Please give us a call on the toll free number as it helps us to schedule.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Spring is here?
Welcome to Waterfind's Blog!
In the weeks and months ahead its our intent to use our new blog to keep you somewhat informed of our travels and results as we complete our surveys across Western Canada. In the past, often just after working in a given area a potential client would call and find out we had just completed a survey at a nearby neighbours saying "had we known that you were going to be that close we'd have gotten you to do a survey here too." At times particularly in remote areas missing the opportunity to combine surveys in an area can add mileage and surcharges for a client which we like to avoid whenever possible. This should help avoid some of those instances.
With the temperatures today being from -15 to -24 across the prairies it makes spring seem to be around a more distant corner but we know it can't be that far due to the number of calls we are getting. We anticipate our first job will be in southern AB as early as next week though the temperature the next week or so might push frost back down again forcing us to wait. Regardless it won't be long till we get started.
Right now we expect to work in southern AB till at least till early April, and than head east into southern and central SK for the spring rush jobs. From there we may work our way back in the south or if it gets really warm try to pick up the northern rush jobs. Which ever way we expect to be back and forth from Calgary to Winnipeg 2-3 times before the end of May. Many of our clients give us a 2 to 3 month window to complete their surveys so most often we can fit in a new booking if we are headed into an area so best to book as early as you can. If you already booked please call us when the frost is out.
Thank you for visiting our blog, feel free to add a comment, and please subscribe to our feed to keep informed.
In the weeks and months ahead its our intent to use our new blog to keep you somewhat informed of our travels and results as we complete our surveys across Western Canada. In the past, often just after working in a given area a potential client would call and find out we had just completed a survey at a nearby neighbours saying "had we known that you were going to be that close we'd have gotten you to do a survey here too." At times particularly in remote areas missing the opportunity to combine surveys in an area can add mileage and surcharges for a client which we like to avoid whenever possible. This should help avoid some of those instances.
With the temperatures today being from -15 to -24 across the prairies it makes spring seem to be around a more distant corner but we know it can't be that far due to the number of calls we are getting. We anticipate our first job will be in southern AB as early as next week though the temperature the next week or so might push frost back down again forcing us to wait. Regardless it won't be long till we get started.
Right now we expect to work in southern AB till at least till early April, and than head east into southern and central SK for the spring rush jobs. From there we may work our way back in the south or if it gets really warm try to pick up the northern rush jobs. Which ever way we expect to be back and forth from Calgary to Winnipeg 2-3 times before the end of May. Many of our clients give us a 2 to 3 month window to complete their surveys so most often we can fit in a new booking if we are headed into an area so best to book as early as you can. If you already booked please call us when the frost is out.
Thank you for visiting our blog, feel free to add a comment, and please subscribe to our feed to keep informed.
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