Water level measurements are made in 1,892 selected wells in 73 counties, which currently (1985) comprise the Kansas groundwater observation-well network. These measurements are made on a continuous, monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. Water level measurements have been made in observation wells since 1937 as part of a cooperative program among the Kansas Geological Survey , the Kansas State Board of Agriculture, the city of Wichita, and the U.S. Geological Survey. The objectives of the observation-well cooperative program are: (1) to provide long-term records of water level fluctuations in representative wells, (2) to facilitate the determination of possible water level trends that may indicate future availability of groundwater supplies, (3) to aid in the determination of possible changes in the base flow of streams, and (4) to provide information for use in water-resources research. This report lists for each well in the network the location, the first year of recorded water level measurement, the frequency and number of measurements, the land-surface altitude, hexagon-grid identifiers for wells in the High Plains aquifer, and the principal geologic unit(s) in which the well is completed. (USGS)

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USGS1986

January 1986 water levels, and data related to water-level changes, western and south-central Kansas

Hydrologic data related to water level measurements were made in observation wells in western and south-central Kansas. The measurements were made in midwinter when pumping was minimal and water levels had recovered, for the most part, from the effects of pumping during the previous irrigation season. Annual hydrologic data are provided for relating water-level changes from a ' base-reference year ' (predevelopment year), a year of abnormally large amounts of rainfall and minimum pumpage (1966 or 1974), and each of 7 consecutive years of measurement (1980-86). The ' base-reference year ' is designated as 1940 for the southwestern area, 1944 for the south-central area, and 1950 for the northwestern, west-central, and Equus beds areas. Data also are provided for relating the average annual water level changes, saturated thicknesses of the deposits, and percentage changes in saturated thickness. (USGS)

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USGS1985

January 1985 water levels, and data related to water-level changes, western and south-central Kansas

Hydrologic data related to water level measurements made in approximately 1,350 observation wells in western and south-central Kansas are shown in this report. The measurements were made in mid-winter when pumping was minimal and water levels had recovered, for the most part, form the effects of pumping during the previous irrigation season. Annual hydrologic data are provided for relating water level changes from a ' base-reference year ' (predevelopment year), a year of abnormally high rainfall and minimum pumpage (1966 or 1974), and each of 7 consecutive years of measurement (1979-85). The ' base-reference year ' is designated as 1940 for the southwestern area, 1944 for the south-central area, and 1950 for the northwestern, west-central, and Equus Beds areas. Data also are provided for relating the average annual water level changes, saturated thickness of the deposits, and percentage changes in saturated thickness. (USGS)

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USGS1984

January 1984 water levels, and data related to water-level changes, western and south-central Kansas

Water-level measurements were made, mostly during January 1984, in about 1,450 wells in western and south-central Kansas. The measurements were made in mid-winter when pumping was minimal and water levels had recovered, for the most part, from the effects of pumping during the previous irrigation season. Annual hydrologic data are provided for relating water-level changes from a ' base-reference year ' (predevelopment year), a year of abnormally high rainfall and minimum pumpage (1966 or 1974), and each of 7 consecutive years of measurement (1978-84). The ' base-reference year ' is designated as 1940 for the southwestern area, 1944 for the south-central area, and 1950 for the northwestern and west-central areas. Water levels for the ' base-reference year ' are established by measurements made during that year and by interpretation of maps showing water-level altitudes. Data also are provided for relating the average annual water-level changes, saturated thicknesses of the deposits, and percentage changes in saturated thicknesses.

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