MoDNR Topics
Groundwater-Level Observation Well Network
Groundwater is one of Missouri's most abundant and important natural resources. In many areas it is provides nearly all of the water that is used for private and public water supply. In other areas it mostly supplies rural residents and farm needs. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has been monitoring groundwater levels throughout Missouri since the mid-1950s. The network is operated by the department's Water Resources Center, and currently consists of more than 114 wells that vary from less than 30 feet deep to more than 1,800 feet deep. They monitor aquifers ranging from shallow, unconfined alluvial and glacial drift aquifers to deep confined bedrock aquifers. Some of these were constructed by the department specifically for measuring groundwater levels. Most, however, began as water supply wells whose use was later discontinued. They subsequently were loaned or donated to the department by cities, rural water districts, businesses, and private individuals who no longer needed them for supplying water.
The groundwater-level changes recorded at these installations are caused by many things; some natural and some man-induced. Naturally occurring events that affect groundwater levels can include precipitation, changes in river stage, drought, earthquakes, barometric pressure changes, and tidal effects. Man-induced changes are generally caused by water wells producing large quantities of groundwater.
Additional groundwater-level observation wells are being added to the network during 2008 to bring the total to about 155 wells. Several new wells that penetrate the Missouri River alluvial aquifer are being added to the network. The Missouri River and its alluvial aquifer provide drinking water to more than half of Missouri’s population, and its importance as a water supply source for agriculture, industry, and recreation as well as public water supply cannot be over stressed. Additional observation wells are being placed in areas of high groundwater use to help better document water-level changes caused by all types of development. Other observation wells will be placed in areas not currently monitored to help fill data gaps. Several of the wells are being placed in areas far from significant groundwater use to monitor the natural changes in groundwater level under ambient conditions.
| Clickable Map to Groundwater Observation Wells Information and Real Time Data or Tabular List of Observation Wells and Well Data PDF |
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