|
|
|
 |
DEP and USGS staff with Todd Giddings in Spring
Creek Watershed.
Watch our videos online with Real Player. If you do not
have Real Player, click
here to download it for free.
Additional information on this week's topic provided below.
|
Monitoring our Groundwater Resources
 hen
you say the words 'groundwater' or 'aquifer' most of us would
have a difficult time understanding exactly what those terms
mean. Mostly because we have a hard time visualizing them.
 ur
groundwater resources are the most important water resources
we have, and they are some of the oldest. These underground
water storage tanks are replenished through the natural water
cycles occurring in nature; rain water, streams, rivers, etc.
However, when we remove water from these storage tanks by drilling
wells, diverting and changing stream channels, and by improperly
closing abandoned wells, we are robbing water from our storage
tanks. The result? Among other things, drought conditions.
 he amount of water resources available is subject to the amount of rain and snow we receive throughout the year, with the most important months being the winter months. The amount of snow received directly impacts possible drought conditions the following summer. That's something we can all relate to, as Pennsylvania has recently seen some of the worst drought conditions its seen in years.
hat
can we do to protect these valuable resources? There are many
preventive things that we, citizens, can do. Conserving water
in our daily routines is just the start. Being aware, and educating
ourselves about the sources of water is another. Supporting
organizations that are protecting our groundwater is also one
way of educating ourselves about our groundwater and learning
new ways to protect it.
he Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (Pa DEP), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) are working together to monitor our ground water levels and to implement procedures to protect it. The USGS monitors wells across the state with state-of-the-art equipment that not only reads the water levels in a well - but also reports that data back to the public, using real-time on-line technology.
ne
community that has been hit the hardest by drought conditions,
and still remains in a drought situation is the Spring Creek
Watershed in Centre County. Dr. Todd Giddings, a Hydrogeologist
has been working tirelessly with the Spring Creek Watershed
Association and other groups to track the drought situation
to try to rectify the problem. Most recently, Todd has taken
an extra step to help, by providing his own well to the USGS
and DEP to be used as a study site, using this new technology.
 SGS
Hydrologic Technicians from the Williamsport office set up the
monitoring equipment, with Bill Werkheiser District Chief, overseeing
the installation. The installation was finalized by Pa DEP Secretary,
David E. Hess who 'flipped the switch' to start the operation of
the equipment. Several community and watershed groups from the
Spring Creek Watershed were also at there to show their support.
You can check out the real-time, on-line data system by checking
out the USGS website at:
http://water.usgs.gov/realtime.html
Related Links:
http://www.srbc.net/hydroconsreport_oct01.htm
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission's monthly report on ground water resources. Click to see October's conditions.
http://www.state.nj.us/drbc/hydrorep.htm
The Delaware River Basin Commission's report on ground water resources. Click to see their reporting for October.
http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/subject/hotopics/drought/
The Pa DEP's web page devoted to drought conditions and information for Pennsylvania.
Spring
Creek Water Table Levels |
|
|
|
|
