Establishing Monitoring Networks in Karst Terrain

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Establishing Monitoring Networks in Karst Terrain
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Components of Water-Level Monitoring Program

• Site selection for observation wells
• Frequency of water-level measurements needed for
  purpose
• Implementation of quality-assurance
• Establishment of data-reporting and archival
  process

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Site SelectionWhy Monitor Water Resource?

• To establish baseline to measure against future
  change
• To measure variability over time
• To quantify water availability over time and over
  a range of climatic conditions
• To incorporate into land-use planning,
  engineering design
• For early-warning (drought) systems

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Time period for meaningful data
Typically, collection of water-level data over
one or more decades is required to compile a
hydrologic record that encompasses the potential
range of water-level fluctuations in an
observation well and to track trends with
time. Taylor and Alley, 2001, USGS Circular 1217
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What is the geographic range served by the
monitoring network?

• Site-specific
• Local
• Regional
• National

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LOCAL

• Jefferson and Berkeley Counties, WV

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Percentage of Population Served by Private Wells

• Jefferson County 58
• Berkeley County 35

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Public Water Supply Dependency on Ground Water

• Jefferson County 86
• Berkeley County 60

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Functions of ground-water system
Local , intermediate, and regional flow systems
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Rocks and Water
Primary openings
Well-sorted sand Poorly-sorted sand
Porous material
Secondary openings
Fractures in Caverns in Granite
Limestone
Fractured rock
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GW RECHARGE GW DISCHARGE
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Carbonate Rocks of Valley Ridge
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Locally, was the drought of 2001-2002 the worst
on record?
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Need for baseline data to measure against future
change

• Natural variability occurs on a variety of time
  scales daily, monthly, decadal, or longer
• Human activities can modify those trends at any
  of those temporal scales

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WATER-LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS CAUSED BY ET FROM
GROUND WATER
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Well Hydrograph Showing Climatic Effects
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http//groundwaterwatch.usgs.gov/StateMaps/WV.html
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Regional

• ICPRB network at
• http//www.potomacriver.org/water_supply/groundwat
  er.htm

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National

• USGS national network at
• http//groundwaterwatch.usgs.gov/

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Summary

• Ground-water monitoring networks should be
  designed for intended purpose
• Data should be quality-assured and archived for
  future use
• Continuous-data record of at least a decade
  provides best information
• Real-time transmission combined with historical
  record can give drought status