Standard Guide for Presentation of Water-Level Information From Ground-Water Sites

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Determining the potentiometric surface of an area is essential for the preliminary planning of any type of construction, land use, environmental investigations, or remediation projects that may influence an aquifer.
5.1.1 The potentiometric surface in the proposed impacted aquifer must be known to properly plan for the construction of a water withdrawal or recharge facility, for example, a well. The method of construction of structures, such as buildings, can be controlled by the depth of the ground water near the project. Other projects built below land surface, such as mines and tunnels, are influenced by the hydraulic head.
Monitoring the trend of the ground-water table in an aquifer over a period of time, whether for days or decades, is essential for any permanently constructed facility that directly influences the aquifer, for example, a waste disposal site or a production well.
5.2.1 Long-term monitoring helps interpret the direction and rate of movement of water and other fluids from recharge wells and pits or waste disposal sites. Monitoring also assists in determining the effects of withdrawals on the stored quantity of water in the aquifer, the trend of the water table throughout the aquifer, and the amount of natural recharge to the aquifer.
This guide describes the basic tabular and graphic methods of presenting ground-water levels for a single ground-water site and several sites over the area of a project. These methods were developed by hydrologists to assist in the interpretation of hydraulic-head data.
5.3.1 The tabular methods help in the comparison of raw data and modified numbers.
5.3.2 The graphical methods visually display seasonal trends controlled by precipitation, trends related to artificial withdrawals from or recharge to the aquifer, interrelationship of withdrawal and recharge sites, rate and direction of water movement in the aquifer, and other events influencing the aquifer.
Presentation techniques resulting from extensive...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers a series of options, but does not specify a course of action. It should not be used as the sole criterion or basis of comparison, and does not replace or relieve professional judgment.
1.2 This guide summarizes methods for the presentation of water-level data from ground-water sites.
Note 1—As used in this guide, a site is meant to be a single point, not a geographic area or property, located by an X,  Y, and Z coordinate position with respect to land surface or a fixed datum. A ground-water site is defined as any source, location, or sampling station capable of producing water or hydrologic data from a natural stratum from below the surface of the earth. A source or facility can include a well, spring or seep, and drain or tunnel (nearly horizontal in orientation). Other sources, such as excavations, driven devices, bore holes, ponds, lakes, and sinkholes, which can be shown to be hydraulically connected to the ground water, are appropriate for the use intended.
1.3 The study of the water table in aquifers helps in the interpretation of the amount of water available for withdrawal, aquifer tests, movement of water through the aquifers, and the effects of natural and human-induced forces on the aquifers.
1.4 A single water level measured at a ground-water site gives the height of water at one vertical position in a well or borehole at a finite instant in time. This is information that can be used for preliminary planning in the construction of a well or other facilities, such as disposal pits.
Note 2—Hydraulic head measured within a short time from a series of sites at a common (single) horizontal location, for example, a specially constructed multi-level test well, indicate whether the vertical hydraulic gradient may be upward or downward within or between the aquifer (see 7.2.1).
Note 3—The phrases "short time period" and "finite instant in time" are used throughout this guide to describe ...

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D 6000 – 96 (Reapproved 2002)
Standard Guide for
Presentation of Water-Level Information From Ground-Water
Sites
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6000; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
coordinated measurement).The judgment of what is a critical time period
1. Scope
mustbemadebyaprojectinvestigatorwhoisfamiliarwiththehydrology
1.1 This guide covers a series of options, but does not
of the area.
specify a course of action. It should not be used as the sole
1.5 Wherehydraulicheadsaremeasuredinashortperiodof
criterionorbasisofcomparison,anddoesnotreplaceorrelieve
time, for example, a day, from each of several horizontal
professional judgment.
locationswithinaspecifieddepthrange,orhydrogeologicunit,
1.2 This guide summarizes methods for the presentation of
or identified aquifer, a potentiometric surface can be drawn for
water-level data from ground-water sites.
thatdepthrange,orunit,oraquifer.Waterlevelsfromdifferent
NOTE 1—As used in this guide, a site is meant to be a single point, not
verticalsitesatasinglehorizontallocationmaybeaveragedto
a geographic area or property, located by an X, Y, and Z coordinate
a single value for the potentiometric surface when the vertical
positionwithrespecttolandsurfaceorafixeddatum.Aground-watersite
gradients are small compared to the horizontal gradients.
is defined as any source, location, or sampling station capable of
producingwaterorhydrologicdatafromanaturalstratumfrombelowthe
NOTE 4—The potentiometric surface assists in interpreting the gradient
surfaceoftheearth.Asourceorfacilitycanincludeawell,springorseep,
and horizontal direction of movement of water through the aquifer.
and drain or tunnel (nearly horizontal in orientation). Other sources, such
Phenomena such as depressions or sinks caused by withdrawal of water
as excavations, driven devices, bore holes, ponds, lakes, and sinkholes,
from production areas and mounds caused by natural or artificial recharge
whichcanbeshowntobehydraulicallyconnectedtothegroundwater,are
are illustrated by these potentiometric maps.
appropriate for the use intended.
1.6 Essentially all water levels, whether in confined or
1.3 The study of the water table in aquifers helps in the
unconfined aquifers, fluctuate over time in response to natural-
interpretation of the amount of water available for withdrawal,
and human-induced forces.
aquifer tests, movement of water through the aquifers, and the
NOTE 5—The fluctuation of the water table at a ground-water site is
effects of natural and human-induced forces on the aquifers.
causedbyseveralphenomena.Anexampleisrechargetotheaquiferfrom
1.4 A single water level measured at a ground-water site
precipitation. Changes in barometric pressure cause the water table to
gives the height of water at one vertical position in a well or
fluctuate because of the variation of air pressure on the ground-water
borehole at a finite instant in time.This is information that can
surface, open bore hole, or confining sediment.Withdrawal of water from
be used for preliminary planning in the construction of a well
orartificialrechargetotheaquifershouldcausethewatertabletofluctuate
or other facilities, such as disposal pits. in response. Events such as rising or falling levels of surface water bodies
(nearby streams and lakes), evapotranspiration induced by phreatophytic
NOTE 2—Hydraulic head measured within a short time from a series of
consumption, ocean tides, moon tides, earthquakes, and explosions cause
sites at a common (single) horizontal location, for example, a specially
fluctuation. Heavy physical objects that compress the surrounding sedi-
constructed multi-level test well, indicate whether the vertical hydraulic
ments, for example, a passing train or car or even the sudden load effect
gradient may be upward or downward within or between the aquifer (see
ofthestartingofanearbypump,cancauseafluctuationofthewatertable
7.2.1).
(1).
NOTE 3—The phrases “short time period” and “finite instant in time”
1.7 Thisguidecoversseveraltechniquesdevelopedtoassist
are used throughout this guide to describe the interval for measuring
several project-related ground-water levels. Often the water levels of in interpreting the water table within aquifers. Tables and
ground-water sites in an area of study do not change significantly in a
graphs are included.
short time, for example, a day or even a week. Unless continuous
1.8 Thisguideincludesmethodstorepresentthewatertable
recorders are used to document water levels at every ground-water site of
atasingleground-watersiteforafiniteorshortperiodoftime,
the project, the measurement at each site, for example, use of a steel tape,
a single site over an extended period, multiple sites for a finite
will be at a slightly different time (unless a large staff is available for a
or short period in time, and multiple sites over an extended
period.
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRock
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Ground Water and
Vadose Zone Investigations. The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
Current edition approved August 10, 1996. Published December 1996. this guide.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 6000 – 96 (2002)
NOTE 6—This guide does not include methods of calculating or
D4750 Test Method for Determining Subsurface Liquid
estimating water levels by using mathematical models or determining the
Levels in a Borehole or Monitoring Well (Observation
aquifer characteristics from data collected during controlled aquifer tests.
Well)
ThesemethodsarediscussedinGuidesD4043,D5447,andD5490,Test
D5092 Practice for Design and Installation of Ground
Methods D4044, D4050, D4104, D4105, D4106, D4630, D4631,
Water Monitoring Wells in Aquifers
D5269, D5270, D5472, and D5473.
D5254 Practice for the Minimum Set of Data Elements to
1.9 Many of the diagrams illustrated in this guide include
Identify a Ground-Water Site
notations to help the reader in understanding how these
D5269 Test Method for Determining Transmissivity of
diagrams were constructed. These notations would not be
Nonleaky Confined Aquifers by the Theis Recovery
required on a diagram designed for inclusion in a project
Method
document.
D5270 Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
NOTE 7—Use of trade names in this guide is for identification purposes StorageCoefficientofBounded,Nonleaky,ConfinedAqui-
only and does not constitute endorsement by ASTM.
fers
D5408 Guide for the Set of Data Elements to Describe a
1.10 This guide offers an organized collection of informa-
Ground-Water Site; Part 1—Additional Identification De-
tion or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
scriptors
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
D5409 Guide for the Set of Data Elements to Describe a
experienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithprofessional
Ground-Water Site; Part 2—Physical Descriptors
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
D5410 Guide for the Set of Data Elements to Describe a
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
Ground-Water Site; Part 3—Usage Descriptors
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
D5447 Guide for Application of a Ground-Water Flow
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
Model to a Site–Specific Problem
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
D5472 TestMethodforDeterminingSpecificCapacityand
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
Estimating Transmissivity at the Control Well
document means only that the document has been approved
D5473 Test Method for (Analytical Procedure for)Analyz-
through the ASTM consensus process.
ing the Effects of Partial Penetration of Control Well and
Determining the Horizontal and Vertical Hydraulic Con-
2. Referenced Documents
ductivity in a Nonleaky Confined Aquifer
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D5474 Guide for Selection of Data Elements for Ground-
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
Water Investigations
Fluids
D5490 Guide for Comparing Ground-Water Flow Model
D4043 Guide for Selection of Aquifer-Test Method in
Simulations to Site-Specific Information
Determining of Hydraulic Properties by Well Techniques
D 5609 Guide for Defining Boundary Conditions in
D4044 Test Method (Field Procedure) for Instantaneous
Ground-Water Flow Modeling
Change in Head (Slug) Tests for Determining Hydraulic
Properties of Aquifers Systems
3. Terminology
D4050 Test Method (Field Procedure) for Withdrawal and
3.1 All definitions appear in Terminology D653.
Injection Well Tests for Determining Hydraulic Properties
3.2 aquifer, n—a geologic formation, group of formations,
of Aquifer Systems
or part of a formation that is saturated and is capable of
D4104 Test Method (Analytical Procedure) for Determin-
providing a significant quantity of water. D 653 , D 5092
ing Transmissivity of Nonleaky Confined Aquifers by
3.3 aquitard, n—a confining bed that retards but does not
Overdamped Well Response to Instantaneous Change in
prevent the flow of water to or from an adjacent aquifer; a
Head (Slug Tests)
leaky confining bed. D 653
D4105 Test Method (Analytical Procedure) for Determin-
3.4 confined or artesian aquifer, n—an aquifer bounded
ing Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Nonleaky
aboveandbelowbyconfiningbedsandinwhichthestatichead
ConfinedAquifers by the Modified Theis Nonequilibrium
is above the top of the aquifer. D 4050, D4104, D 4105,
Method
D 4106, D 5269, D 5609
D4106 Test Method (Analytical Procedure) for Determin-
3.5 hydrograph, n—for ground water, a graph showing the
ing Transmissivity and Storage Coefficient of Nonleaky
water level or head with respect to time (2).
Confined Aquifers by the Theis Nonequilibrium Method
3.6 unconfined or water-table aquifer, n—an aquifer that
D4630 Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
has a water table (3). D 4050, D 4105, D 4106, D 5609
Storage Coefficient of Low Permeability Rocks by in Situ
3.7 water level, n—for ground water, the level of the water
Measurements Using the Constant Head Injection Test
table surrounding a borehole or well. The ground-water level
D4631 Test Method for Determining Transmissivity and
can be represented as an elevation or as a depth below the
Storativity of Low Permeability Rocks by in Situ Mea-
ground surface. D 4750
surements Using the Pressure Pulse Technique
3.8 water table (ground-water table), n—the surface of a
ground-water body at which the water pressure equals atmo-
spheric pressure. Earth material below the ground-water table
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08. is saturated with water. D 653, D 4750
D 6000 – 96 (2002)
4. Summary of Guide of withdrawal and recharge sites, rate and direction of water
movement in the aquifer, and other events influencing the
4.1 The Significance and Use section presents the relevance
aquifer.
of the tables and diagrams of the water table and related
5.4 Presentation techniques resulting from extensive com-
parameters.
putational methods, specifically the mathematical models and
4.2 A description is given of the selection process for data
the determination of aquifer characteristics, are contained in
presentation along with a discussion on water level data
the ASTM standards listed in Section 2.
preparation.
4.3 Tabular methods of presenting water-levels:
6. Selection and Preparation of Water-Level Data
4.3.1 Tables with single water levels, and
6.1 Water levels should be subject to rigorous quality-
4.3.2 Tables with multiple water levels (4).
control standards. Correct procedures must be followed and
4.4 Graphical methods for presenting water levels:
properly recorded in the field and the office in order for the
4.4.1 Vertical gradient at a single site,
water table to represent that in the aquifer.
4.4.2 Hydrographs,
6.1.1 Field-quality controls include the use of an accurate
4.4.3 Temporal trends in hydraulic head,
and calibrated measuring device, a clearly marked and un-
4.4.4 Potentiometric maps, changing measuring point, an accurate determination of the
altitude of the measuring point for relating this site to other
4.4.5 Change maps,
sites or facilities in the project area, notation of climatic
4.4.6 Water-table cross sections, and
conditions at the time of measurement, a system of validating
4.4.7 Statistical comparisons of water levels.
the water-level measurement, and a straight-forward record
4.5 Sources for automated procedures (computer-aided
keeping form or digital device.
graphics) for basic calculations and the construction of the
6.1.2 Digitalrecordingdevicesmustbecheckedregularlyto
water-level tables and diagrams are identified.
ensure that a malfunction has not occurred. A properly oper-
4.6 Keywords.
ating device that transfers the data directly to a digital
4.7 A list of references is given for additional information.
computershouldalleviateanyproblemswiththetransposingof
numbers.
5. Significance and Use
NOTE 8—Many permanently installed digital devices record water
5.1 Determining the potentiometric surface of an area is
levels at fixed intervals, for example every 15 min. Unless the device is
essential for the preliminary planning of any type of construc-
designed to be activated when sudden changes occur, events that cause an
tion, land use, environmental investigations, or remediation
instantaneous and short term fluctuation in the water table may not be
projects that may influence an aquifer.
recorded, for example, earthquakes and explosions. Continuous recording
5.1.1 The potentiometric surface in the proposed impacted analog devices are used to detect these types of events.
aquifer must be known to properly plan for the construction of
6.1.3 Much of the problem in preparation of water-level
a water withdrawal or recharge facility, for example, a well.
measurements occurs in the office as the result of transposing
The method of construction of structures, such as buildings,
numbers. This transposition can result when the numbers are
can be controlled by the depth of the ground water near the
manually transferred from a field form to an office data file,
project. Other projects built below land surface, such as mines
perhaps another form or a digital computer data bank. The
and tunnels, are influenced by the hydraulic head.
accuracy of this transfer
...

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