Monitoring

The accuracy of any groundwater assessment of the Maryland Coastal Plain depends to a significant degree on the quality and spatial and temporal distribution of the available hydrologic monitoring data. These data include groundwater levels in the aquifer system and streamflow measurements in the surface-water bodies that serve as the discharge or recharge zones of the aquifer system. Groundwater-flow models are typically calibrated and later refined using a combination of both groundwater levels and streamflow data. Other uses of long-term hydrologic monitoring data include tracking changes and trends in groundwater levels and streamflow, assessing the impacts of the withdrawal of water from aquifers and streams, and determining the local effects of global climate change.

Progress: A reassessment of groundwater-level monitoring needs is currently underway and includes: (1) A review of the previous evaluations of the groundwater-level networks in the Maryland Coastal Plain; (2) a compilation of the wells in the current groundwater level networks with respect to Groundwater Appropriation Permit locations and quantities; and (3) a compilation of already existing wells that are not currently in the networks but may be available for adoption into the networks. To date about 150 well sites have been visited by MGS staff to assess suitability for the Synoptic Well Network. Approximately 50 of those wells have been actually added to the network.

MGS is preparing an Open-File Report summarizing our work over the past year, and will include recommendations for changes (additions and removals of wells) to the network.

NWIS Mapper

Click on image to view active monitoring wells in NWIS Mapper.

Monitoring Wells

In 2010, monitoring wells were drilled in the Monmouth, Aquia-Hornerstown, and Manokin aquifers on the Eastern Shore of Maryland to provide long-term water-level monitoring for resource assessment and flow-model calibration.

A Basic Data Report and Fact sheets describing the project can be found here.

Example of Network-Monitoring Data Application

The U.S. Geological Survey and the Maryland Geological Survey, as part of a joint agreement with the Power Plant Research Program of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, monitors water levels in a network of wells in Southern Maryland and portions of the Eastern Shore. The Water-level data are used to create potentiometric surface maps for the Aquia, Magothy, Upper Patapsco, Lower Patapsco, and Patuxent aquifers. The maps are used to help evaluate the response of aquifers to groundwater withdrawals and are a good example of the application of monitoring data for resource management. A list of the most current maps are provided below.

OFR 2010-1209
Curtin, S.E., Andreasen, D.C., and Staley, A.W, Potentiometric Surface of the Patuxent Aquifer in Southern Maryland, September 2009, 1p.

OFR 2010-1208
Curtin, S.E., Andreasen, D.C., and Staley, A.W, Difference Between the Potentiometric Surfaces of the Lower Patapsco Aquifer in Southern Maryland, September 1990 and September 2009 , 1p.

OFR 2010-1207
Curtin, S.E., Andreasen, D.C., and Staley, A.W, Potentiometric Surface of the Lower Patapsco Aquifer in Southern Maryland, September 2009 , 1p.

OFR 2010-1206
Curtin, S.E., Andreasen, D.C., and Staley, A.W, The Difference Between the Potentiometric Surfaces of the Upper Patapsco Aquifer in Southern Maryland, September 1990 and September 2009, 1p.

OFR 2010-1205
Curtin, S.E., Andreasen, D.C., and Staley, A.W, Potentiometric Surface of the Upper Patapsco Aquifer in Southern Maryland, September 2009, 1p.

OFR 2010-1204
Curtin, S.E., Andreasen, D.C., and Staley, A.W, The Difference Between the Potentiometric Surfaces of the Magothy Aquifer in Southern Maryland, September 1975 and September 2009 , 1p.

OFR 2010-1203
Curtin, S.E., Andreasen, D.C., and Staley, A.W, Potentiometric Surface of the Magothy Aquifer in Southern Maryland, September 2009 , 1p.

OFR 2010-120
Curtin, S.E., Andreasen, D.C., and Staley, A.W, The Difference Between the Potentiometric Surfaces of the Aquia Aquifer in Southern Maryland, September 1982 and September 2009 , 1p.

OFR 2010-1201
Curtin, S.E., Andreasen, D.C., and Staley, A.W, Potentiometric Surface of the Aquia Aquifer in Southern Maryland, September 2009, 1p.

Example potentiometric surface map:

2009 Aquia potentiometric surface map

Click on image to view 2009 potentiometric surface map of the Aquia aquifer.