Kansas Geological Survey

High Plains/Ogallala Aquifer Information

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).

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.

Two reports are available as PDF files that describe the project and results more completely: progress report 1 (2007) and progress report 2 (2008). Water-level data from the index well is available at the following links.

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 March 3, 2009

 

This project is funded by the State of Kansas Water Plan Fund
Kansas Geological Survey, High Plains/Ogallala Aquifer Information
Updated October 17, 2007
Comments to webadmin@kgs.ku.edu