Index Well Program
(High Plains Aquifer Calibration Monitoring Well Program)
The index well program is a pilot study of an improved approach to measuring hydrologic responses at the local level. The program is expected to make a significant contribution to understanding the aquifer dynamics at scales appropriate to the definition and management of aquifer subunits, and ultimately, providing cost-effective improvements for long-term management. A subsidiary goal is to directly examine issues and areas of particular interest to the GMDs and the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Water Resources (KDA-DWR).
Information is also available on the Survey's Barometric Response Function Software, which computes a function describing the influence of barometric (atmospheric) pressure variations on water levels in wells and uses that function to filter atmospherically induced fluctuations from observed water levels. The software can also compute earth tide response functions and correct water levels for the influence of earth tides.
Three index wells have been installed in the Ogallala-High Plains aquifer, one in each of the three western Kansas GMDs, and are being continuously monitored. The sites are located in Haskell (GMD3), Scott (GMD1), and Thomas (GMD4) counties (see red dots on map below).
Results of the continuous monitoring are shown as hydrographs for each of the sites. The Haskell County hydrograph shows drawdowns greater than 120 ft during the pumping season. The Haskell County well is screened in a (semi-)confined zone at the base of the aquifer. In contrast to the Haskell County hydrograph, the hydrographs for the Scott County and the Thomas County wells show drawdows of on the order of 5 ft. These wells are screened in essentially unconconfined portions of the aquifer.
Progress Reports
Haskell County Site Data WIZARD page: http://hercules.kgs.ku.edu/geohydro/wizard/wizardwelldetail.cfm?usgs_id=373925100395301 Continuous
measurements: http://hercules.kgs.ku.edu/geohydro/wizard/wizardwelldetail_wl_con.cfm?usgs_id=373925100395301 Scott County Site Data WIZARD page: http://hercules.kgs.ku.edu/geohydro/wizard/wizardwelldetail.cfm?usgs_id=391404101010701 Continuous
measurements: http://hercules.kgs.ku.edu/geohydro/wizard/wizardwelldetail_wl_con.cfm?usgs_id=391404101010701 Thomas County Site Data WIZARD page: http://hercules.kgs.ku.edu/geohydro/wizard/wizardwelldetail.cfm?usgs_id=383132100543101 Continuous
measurements: http://hercules.kgs.ku.edu/geohydro/wizard/wizardwelldetail_wl_con.cfm?usgs_id=383132100543101 
PDF of Index Well Program Update Presentation at the Kansas Water Office April 5, 2011
PDF of Index Well Program Update Presentation at the Kansas Water Office March 3, 2009
This project is funded by the State of Kansas Water Plan Fund
Updated October 17, 2007
Comments to webadmin@kgs.ku.edu