From Calgary take the Okotoks exit from Deerfoot 2 onto 2A take it to 7 and go eight on 7. Turn left at the STOP sign in BlackDiamond (follow 22 south) then you pass Bar U ranch with the big cowboy sign! Then you will go for 10 min. Or so and you will find the 786 with the green William Coulee Rd sign you know that you’re at the right spot if you go over a cattle guard/ramp thing… The spring will be on your left side of the road up the hill a little bit. You will know you found it as there is a long pipe. It’s been piped and all I know is that I have talked to natives and lots of people and its been there all year round for 20 years or more… always ice cold.
Hi Guys. Tonya, thank you very much for sharing this. I thought that I would add some more info here for those of you going to this spring. I also had the water tested so wanted to share it as well or if you wanted to add it to the spring profile. It is very good water!
The road on most maps and GPSs is the Township Road 162. Here are the LLs for anyone who uses GPS (these are approx, and from google earth)
I went to this spring on May 31st/2012… Pure, clean, cold water. Easy to miss the spring though… This spring is on your left down the small hill just before the “Welcome to M.D. of Willow Creek” sign. The old iron pipe has been replaced with a plastic pipe that empties into the trough. As well, there are a few other springs as you drive along. There is one to your right just as you drive over a drainage ditch. Water flow is about 1-2L/min when I visited.
dont drink this water i was just a the hospital 2 day after i first drank it i started getting sick (if you know what i mean) by day 5 i was sick about 15 times in one day i am being sent for a stool test and was put on antibiotics for a parasite called giardia and believe you and me it is not pleasant. so dont drik
it unless you have it tested
Hi Deborah. Are you sure it was the water? Did you have your water actually tested? Remember that Giardia is also commonly spread in food by infected food handlers. Its very rare for Giardia to make its way into underground aquifers. I would send a sample of the water to be tested along with your stool sample and see if it is from the same source. Please keep us posted on your test results. Thanks.
who is really sure of anything!!!! cody has me on a really strict diet i have been on this diet since feb of this year and my health has improved 100 % only after drinking the water i got really sick again he said it could be because my imune system is still weak and not able to fight this parasit but someone who is healthy could, my results should be back today or tomarrow. i also have dogs and they to are sick after drinking this water their stool is being tested today.i am just send a warning for anyone to test it befor you drink it. i will keep u posted on the results. have you drank this water, im pretty sure its the water cause the meat i have been eating has been the same for months i buy larg amounts at a time and all my vegies are orgnic and washed well befor eating them
hey florence my name is debbie and i live in okotoks went to this spring for the first time yesterday and i would be interested in carpooling with you. get back to me
i was just there Aug 16 had a little trouble finding it so i thought i would post the exact directions for everyone take 22 south go through longview till u see the big cow boy for bar u ranch then go 9.3 k on this road and look on the left for a small green street sign William coulee rd turn left on this road go 1.5 k up this road and you will see a turn off on the left you can drive down its really simple with the exact directions and the water is beautiful
Just headed out today July/3/2011. The pipe was running very cold, clean looking water. I filled up plenty of jugs. A few notes- the spring is only about 25-30ft from the turnoff inbetween the first and second cattle guards, I spent awhile searching further uphill and even found another spring used for horses/cattle-didnt look ideal for drinking though and was using a huge tire as a trough.
I also noticed the spring is near organic farming land and there are several signs reminding people not to spray pesticide because of that yay!
Those coordinates are wrong ,they take you to the muddle of the town of Longview . Not the spring everyone is commenting about on here.
The written directions however are correct for the spring shown in the photo of people in winter time standing around a water trough filling jugs of water . That Spring is on William Coulee Road ,less than 2 kilometers from hyw 22. The correct coordinates are 50202439N 114123464E . From the town of Longview ( after first stopping to see if a spring does exist in the middle of town as the map shows ) . Go south on hyw 22 . pass the sign saying BAR U Ranch . Still on hyw 22vfrom the BAR U sign go about 10 k farther south along 22 ,about 9 k or thereabouts . Look for a gravel ( dusty ) road going to your left ( south ) . it’s called several names ,township road 162 , William Coulee Road ,and 786 ave. A little green street sign is posted there . go left up around the bend and at thev cattle guard , look for an access on your left , but uit’s pruivate property ,so park by the road and take yiour jug to the spring ..
In another comment someone posted another incorrect coordinate for the spring ,that one gets you to a brush tangled slope south of hyw 533 ,and no spring or access . its 50339919N 114209074. But maybe I shouldn’t have posted it AS IT’S THE WRONG COORDINATES .
btw for you folks not familiar with coordinates , go to google map, find the general area we are talking about ,set the arrow at some point on the map ,them press down left ,or right click and the coordinates will appear .
To all the ignorant people that drive down in the bottom to the spring head in winter and after it rains. …. when your stuck and tearing up the LAND OWNERS PROPERTY…..you honestly get what you deserve… dry weather only!!!!!!!! Park up on the road and walk down the ditch…… I was out there today getting water and behold!!!!!! Idiot down in the bottom stuck in 2ft snow…….. tearing up the feild trying to get out….. and there he still sits. I’ve been going there over 30yrs. Pls do not destroy private property…… that spring trough is for owners cattle as well.
I was there yesterday, 5/21/17. Flow from the pipe was approx. 2.5 gpm, and water temp at the spout was +4C.
Used the “human sacrifice” of testing- I drank a litre or so on the way home. No ill effects,
Just went to the spring for the first time today. It was fantastic! Great flow rate, clear, clean, and COLD. I came at it from High River so took Hwy 543 to Hwy 22. Then followed the other directions from there. One point of clarity, the turnoff for the spring is off of Hwy 22. The mention of passing Bar U Ranch is a landmark, not an indication that you should turn there.
Been going to this the last 2 months… Haven’t tested it officially myself, however I have talked to some individuals who have been there at the same time as me. They have said its extremely pure and in fact the testing locations they took it too were astounded by the quality. Also met a local native man who said hes been drinking from it for 50+ years
went today – the green “William Coulee Road” sign is very low and small but once you’ve passed the Bar U “cowboy CUTOUT” sign (going south) its about 9 km south of the Bar U ranch (take the first left turn off the highway after passing the Bar U ranch) – you’ll drive over a cattle guard/ramp and you’ll find the spring in the DITCH on the LEFT side (in a grove of trees)- it’s LESS than 2 km from the highway turnoff (between the 1st and 2nd cattle guard/ramp). All you’ll find is a drain pipe in a TROUGH. THAT’S YOUR SPRING WATER SOURCE.
I just went there today and the water is cold and delicious! Directions were almost bang on except that it’s a left turn onto 786 heading south 🙂 There was no cowshit and it was clean and clear – tastes awesome!
Drinking pure spring water is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Our bodies are over 99% water at the molecular level, so water affects every aspect of our biology. Yet, not all water is created equal. Almost all the bottled spring water available is pasteurized for shelf stability, which neutralizes many of the powerful health benefits such as increased hydrogen, healthy probiotics, and crystalline structure. For more about why unprocessed spring water is the best water to drink, read this.
The best way to guarantee you are getting real unprocessed spring water is to collect it yourself. This is a short and simple guide filled with information about how to gather spring water. We will cover how to find a spring, how to collect the water, how to honor the spring, how to store the water properly and other tips.
FindASpring.org is the best resource for locating a spring near you. However, not all springs are on the map. First, check the map to see if there is a spring in your local area. If there is, look at the reviews and comments. Has anyone shared helpful information about flow rate or posted a water test result? Is the spring in a pristine area? Do a bit of research and make sure the spring is safe to drink from. If you have any doubt about the purity, don’t risk it and get a water test, HERE. If you don’t see a spring on the map in your area, there still might be some that aren’t listed yet. First, ask the older generation who have lived in your area a long time if they know. You can also ask people in your community who might already get spring water such as people at a health food store or at a farmers market. Another great option is to view A US forest service map, where many springs have been marked. You can view these maps through the Gaia GPS or All Trails hiking apps on your phone. The map overlay you want is USGS Topo. Not all are easily accessible or ideal for drinking, but some are and it can be a fun adventure to find them. We have found over half a dozen great springs this way.
Once you’ve found your spring, figure out how you are going to gather the water. Is it right on the side of the road and easy to access or do you have to hike to it? We recommend storing spring water in glass instead of plastic to preserve the purity of the water. It is better for the environment, your body, and the water. Even BPA free plastic has toxic chemicals that can leach into water and cause health issues. If you do want to use plastic for safety reasons when filling at the spring, we recommend transferring the water to glass as soon as possible. FindASpring is sponsored by Alive Waters, which offers beautiful reusable glass. They have a 2.5 gallon option, which is a convenient size for carrying that isn’t too heavy. They also sell handles that you can use to transport the jugs even more easily. If you have to hike to access the spring, we recommend putting the water jugs into an extra large backpack to hike the water out with ease. We use Osprey packs that hold 2 jugs each. You can also use a wheelbarrow or even a stroller depending on how easy a walk it is.
Filling 2.5 Gallon Alive Waters Jug
When you get to the spring, remember to first give back before you take. Springs are considered sacred in indigenous cultures around the world for their life giving water and also as a connection to the inner earth. A powerful and simple way to give back is to clean up. Is there any trash that needs to be collected? Could you move any dead leaves or sticks to improve the flow rate? Show up in service. Some other wonderful ways to give is with a moment of expressing verbal gratitude, singing songs to the water, offering the water an ethically sourced crystal, a feather, or some other physical gift. Flowers are a popular and beautiful thing to offer, but please be careful to source organic ones as most flowers from the store are sprayed with pesticides and can be toxic to put near a spring. Also, flowers can attract bugs as they decay, so it can be best to offer them to the flowing water directly or a little downstream from the spring head.
When gathering the water, fill the jug as close to the spring head as possible, never gather downstream. Be very careful as wet glass is extremely slippery. Make sure the lid is securely fastened. When transporting the spring water home, the jugs can sometimes slide around the car. Secure them in place or wrap them with towels or something so they don’t crash into each other.
How you store your spring water is essential. It is not pasteurized like spring water from the store, so it will start growing algae if left in direct sunlight. This is good because it means it’s alive! If the water you drink can’t even support the most basic life forms, how do you think it will support your body? Store your water in a cool, dark place such as a dark corner, pantry or closet. The fridge is ideal if you have room. Some people prefer to filter their water through a Berkey filter before drinking, but if the spring is pure, it’s not necessary. We drink our spring water completely unfiltered.
How long the water stays good for depends on how cold a temperature it’s stored at. Spring water is best fresh. We personally do not prefer to drink spring water past 2 weeks old. However, we know other people that will drink it at a month old. It’s great to get in a rhythm where you know how long the water lasts you and put your collection day on the calendar in advance.
I believe that water is calling us to reconnect with her in the deepest way, to gather our own water. Just like our ancestors did. Our ancestors didn’t have fancy water machines. They also didn’t create villages or settle where there was no water. Water was revered as the center of the community and the nodal point around which life could spiral out and take root.
Here’s to restoring the sacred connection with the waters of life.
Written by Dakota Chanel. Water Priestess and Ceremonialist. DakotaChanel.com
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Longview Spring, Longview, Alberta, Canada
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What kind of pipe???
I have been drinking this water for almost 5 years now. Love this water and easy access. Usually fill up a few jugs every time I am down that way.
Hi Guys. Tonya, thank you very much for sharing this. I thought that I would add some more info here for those of you going to this spring. I also had the water tested so wanted to share it as well or if you wanted to add it to the spring profile. It is very good water!
The road on most maps and GPSs is the Township Road 162. Here are the LLs for anyone who uses GPS (these are approx, and from google earth)
GPS Coordinates
Lat: 50°20’24.39″N
Long: 114°12’34.64″W
I had the water tested on July 31st 2011 and here were the results…
TDS: 302
PH: 7.6
Hardness (Cal & Mag): 22
Iron: 0
Nitrates: 0
Overall… a very nice drinking water!
Regards,
Jake
Would a check for harmful bacteria have been included in this test?
Hi Jake do you know if the water has been tested recently?
I can see how someone might contract giardia from this spring. Just came back and there was cow shit all over the pipe…even at the opening. Too bad.
I went to this spring on May 31st/2012… Pure, clean, cold water. Easy to miss the spring though… This spring is on your left down the small hill just before the “Welcome to M.D. of Willow Creek” sign. The old iron pipe has been replaced with a plastic pipe that empties into the trough. As well, there are a few other springs as you drive along. There is one to your right just as you drive over a drainage ditch. Water flow is about 1-2L/min when I visited.
dont drink this water i was just a the hospital 2 day after i first drank it i started getting sick (if you know what i mean) by day 5 i was sick about 15 times in one day i am being sent for a stool test and was put on antibiotics for a parasite called giardia and believe you and me it is not pleasant. so dont drik
it unless you have it tested
Hi Deborah. Are you sure it was the water? Did you have your water actually tested? Remember that Giardia is also commonly spread in food by infected food handlers. Its very rare for Giardia to make its way into underground aquifers. I would send a sample of the water to be tested along with your stool sample and see if it is from the same source. Please keep us posted on your test results. Thanks.
who is really sure of anything!!!! cody has me on a really strict diet i have been on this diet since feb of this year and my health has improved 100 % only after drinking the water i got really sick again he said it could be because my imune system is still weak and not able to fight this parasit but someone who is healthy could, my results should be back today or tomarrow. i also have dogs and they to are sick after drinking this water their stool is being tested today.i am just send a warning for anyone to test it befor you drink it. i will keep u posted on the results. have you drank this water, im pretty sure its the water cause the meat i have been eating has been the same for months i buy larg amounts at a time and all my vegies are orgnic and washed well befor eating them
I’m interested in ur results I was thinking about going there?
hey florence my name is debbie and i live in okotoks went to this spring for the first time yesterday and i would be interested in carpooling with you. get back to me
i was just there Aug 16 had a little trouble finding it so i thought i would post the exact directions for everyone take 22 south go through longview till u see the big cow boy for bar u ranch then go 9.3 k on this road and look on the left for a small green street sign William coulee rd turn left on this road go 1.5 k up this road and you will see a turn off on the left you can drive down its really simple with the exact directions and the water is beautiful
Has anyone accesed this lately? I am curious too? If there has been any visitors please let us know.
Just headed out today July/3/2011. The pipe was running very cold, clean looking water. I filled up plenty of jugs. A few notes- the spring is only about 25-30ft from the turnoff inbetween the first and second cattle guards, I spent awhile searching further uphill and even found another spring used for horses/cattle-didnt look ideal for drinking though and was using a huge tire as a trough.
I also noticed the spring is near organic farming land and there are several signs reminding people not to spray pesticide because of that yay!
I live in Okotoks and would not mind carpooling sometime. Do you go often? Are you from the Okotoks area?
Florence
it’s like a PVC pipe
Yes. I was there while it was -25 outside. Nothing but clean beautiful water was coming from the pipe… Enjoy 🙂
Anyone drink from this lately?
Those coordinates are wrong ,they take you to the muddle of the town of Longview . Not the spring everyone is commenting about on here.
The written directions however are correct for the spring shown in the photo of people in winter time standing around a water trough filling jugs of water . That Spring is on William Coulee Road ,less than 2 kilometers from hyw 22. The correct coordinates are 50202439N 114123464E . From the town of Longview ( after first stopping to see if a spring does exist in the middle of town as the map shows ) . Go south on hyw 22 . pass the sign saying BAR U Ranch . Still on hyw 22vfrom the BAR U sign go about 10 k farther south along 22 ,about 9 k or thereabouts . Look for a gravel ( dusty ) road going to your left ( south ) . it’s called several names ,township road 162 , William Coulee Road ,and 786 ave. A little green street sign is posted there . go left up around the bend and at thev cattle guard , look for an access on your left , but uit’s pruivate property ,so park by the road and take yiour jug to the spring ..
In another comment someone posted another incorrect coordinate for the spring ,that one gets you to a brush tangled slope south of hyw 533 ,and no spring or access . its 50339919N 114209074. But maybe I shouldn’t have posted it AS IT’S THE WRONG COORDINATES .
btw for you folks not familiar with coordinates , go to google map, find the general area we are talking about ,set the arrow at some point on the map ,them press down left ,or right click and the coordinates will appear .
To all the ignorant people that drive down in the bottom to the spring head in winter and after it rains. …. when your stuck and tearing up the LAND OWNERS PROPERTY…..you honestly get what you deserve… dry weather only!!!!!!!! Park up on the road and walk down the ditch…… I was out there today getting water and behold!!!!!! Idiot down in the bottom stuck in 2ft snow…….. tearing up the feild trying to get out….. and there he still sits. I’ve been going there over 30yrs. Pls do not destroy private property…… that spring trough is for owners cattle as well.
Just found the Longview spring. Here are the coordinates 50.339919,-114.209074
Apologies… I see Jake already provided the coordinates on August 1, 2011.
Thanks
Can someone please send me the coordinates for the Longview Spring (a cell phone photo with GPS data embedded would be great!)
I am compiling a list of spring in Alberta for a research project.
Thank you.
Since the last post is about 2 years ago. I was wondering if anyone has drank from this spring recently? Is it still safe to drink from?
I was there yesterday, 5/21/17. Flow from the pipe was approx. 2.5 gpm, and water temp at the spout was +4C.
Used the “human sacrifice” of testing- I drank a litre or so on the way home. No ill effects,
Has anyone been there recently? Has the water been tested in 2016?
Just went to the spring for the first time today. It was fantastic! Great flow rate, clear, clean, and COLD. I came at it from High River so took Hwy 543 to Hwy 22. Then followed the other directions from there. One point of clarity, the turnoff for the spring is off of Hwy 22. The mention of passing Bar U Ranch is a landmark, not an indication that you should turn there.
Just went to the spring today! Water tasted pure and wonderful!
Been going to this the last 2 months… Haven’t tested it officially myself, however I have talked to some individuals who have been there at the same time as me. They have said its extremely pure and in fact the testing locations they took it too were astounded by the quality. Also met a local native man who said hes been drinking from it for 50+ years
went today – the green “William Coulee Road” sign is very low and small but once you’ve passed the Bar U “cowboy CUTOUT” sign (going south) its about 9 km south of the Bar U ranch (take the first left turn off the highway after passing the Bar U ranch) – you’ll drive over a cattle guard/ramp and you’ll find the spring in the DITCH on the LEFT side (in a grove of trees)- it’s LESS than 2 km from the highway turnoff (between the 1st and 2nd cattle guard/ramp). All you’ll find is a drain pipe in a TROUGH. THAT’S YOUR SPRING WATER SOURCE.
I just went there today and the water is cold and delicious! Directions were almost bang on except that it’s a left turn onto 786 heading south 🙂 There was no cowshit and it was clean and clear – tastes awesome!
Any updates? How’s the water now? My question is how many springs in Longview?