Annual Water Level Measurements

Each year the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS), along with its partners, measures water levels with a steel measuring tape in over 1,400 wells across 47 counties in central and western Kansas. 

The data collected from these measurements provides areas, such as GMD1, with valuable information on regional trends in the aquifer which helps to guide management decisions. 

Data is collected then stored by KGS in the Water Information Storage and Retrieval Database (WIZARD). Ulization of the WIZARD search provides public information regarding water level data.

Click the KGS WIZARD Search button to be directed to the WIZARD search, or visit the link: https://geohydro.kgs.ku.edu/geohydro/wizard/

For more information such as how wells are selected, how wells are marked, quality control, and other frequently asked questions about annual water level measurements by the Kansas Geological Survey, please visit:  https://www.kgs.ku.edu/Geophysics/well.html

Index Well Program

In addition to annual water level measurements, the Kansas Geological Survey manages the Index Well Program. Index wells provide distinct trends of water levels throughout the pumping and recover seasons as they are continuously monitored. 

Within the GMD1 footprint, there are six index wells with continuous measurement data which can be found by going to:  https://www.kgs.ku.edu/HighPlains/OHP/index_program/index.shtml

Additionally, the GMD1 Continuous Monitoring Wells Expansion Project can found at: https://www.kgs.ku.edu/HighPlains/OHP/gmd_net/index.html