Assignment Task: Discussion Instructions:
In this discussion we are going to look at groundwater table levels near where you live.
- Go to the USGS Groundwater Data site (Water Data: and click on blue button saying "Current Conditions." You will then see the following screen. Keep "USA Groundwater Table" set under Predefined displays.
- There are two ways to look up your local groundwater levels using the blue bar above:
1. SEARCH BY STATE: Scroll down and find a well in your state close to where you live (organized by state). Watch this short video on how to locate a well hydrograph by state.
2. SEARCH USING A MAP: Click on "show sites on map" (far right button on image) and search that way. If you use the map, be patient it is a bit clunky. Click on the red well marker you want to see data for, and then click on "Current/Historical Observations" to get to the correct screen. Watch this quick video on how to locate a well hydrograph using the map.
Check the output format is "Graph"
Set the Begin and End dates for your water levels for 2010 until present (see figure above).
Discussion Response:
First tell us where you live and the well ID that you looked up.
Add in a screen capture of your resulting hydrograph for the past 10 years or less depending on your well. Use the attach button or embed in text. To learn how to embed the image, look at this site: Community Canvas. Probably easiest to upload to your canvas files and embed from there.
How does the current water level in the well nearest you compare to recent and historic minimum and maxima? Is your area currently drier or wetter than usual? Any details about your region that might help explain your hydrograph?
*For this assignment you DO NOT need to include outside references or examples