Large groundwater withdrawals in the Azraq Oasis area, Jordan, have contributed to declining water levels in wells. This map shows the withdrawal footprint and observed water-level trends (labeled triangular symbols, from Goode et al. 2013).
Areas on Map Intuitively Represent Volume of Pumping
The size of the the footprint is not arbitrary - It is defined by groundwater-resource metrics, or allocation limits, or other factors.
The size of the the footprint is not arbitrary - It is defined by groundwater-resource metrics, or allocation limits, or other factors.
Geospatial Information useful for Water Resource Managers
How much, and where, has groundwater pumping changed? The footprint differences visualize pumping reductions that can affect flow paths.
How much, and where, has groundwater pumping changed? The footprint differences visualize pumping reductions that can affect flow paths.
Well Withdrawal Rates are Related to Groundwater Depletion
The size of the well-withdrawal footprint is relative to user selected water-resource metrics or allocation limits through the depth-rate index scale.
The size of the well-withdrawal footprint is relative to user selected water-resource metrics or allocation limits through the depth-rate index scale.
A simple method for mapping groundwater withdrawals at wells provides an intuitive visualization of the magnitudes by displaying an area, the 'footprint', centered on each well to represent its volumetric rate. Footprints for closely spaced wells are combined to equitably display the area corresponding to the combined withdrawals. The size of the footprints on the map are controlled by a user-specified scale, the 'depth-rate-index', that can represent groundwater resource metrics, such as the recharge rate, or established withdrawal limits. Software and examples are provided.
Groundwater withdrawals at wells are often shown on maps as circular symbols at each well, with the size (area) of the symbol proportional to the volumetric rate of pumping. "WellFootprint" software has been developed to improve this visualization in two ways: first, overlapping symbols at two or more closely spaced wells, which visually under-represent withdrawals, are merged into an irregularly-shaped combined 'symbol', called a 'footprint', the area of which proportionally displays the combined withdrawals; second, the scale of the symbols ("Depth-Rate Index", DRI: the ratio of the volumetric rate to the area of the symbol) can be defined as a water-resource metric, such as the recharge rate, so that the map shows how large the withdrawals are relative to that metric. Input data needed are limited to well locations, withdrawal rates, and the user-defined DRI. ModelMuse preprocessor and WellFootprint were used to prepare example well withdrawal footprint maps. The footprint map does NOT show areas that contribute recharge to wells, or capture zones - it is solely a visualization of the withdrawal magnitudes, centered on the wells.
Related science.
Groundwater Availability and Use in Pennsylvania
The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center helps water providers assess the availability of groundwater for use in homes, on farms, and in industrial activities.
Groundwater Use
Groundwater refers to all subsurface water, specifically that part of groundwater which is in the saturated zone. Groundwater sources are called aquifers: geologic formations that contain sufficient saturated permeable material to yield significant quantities of water to wells and springs. For the purposes of the USGS water-use reports, groundwater with less than 1,000 milligrams per liter (mg/L)...
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Groundwater is one of our most valuable resource—even though you probably never see it or even realize it is there. Groundwater is essential for irrigation and human use in many parts of the country. The use of groundwater in the United States in 2015 is described below.
Related multimedia.
Also see a visualization of U.S. water use from 1950 to 2015.
Well-withdrawal footprint map, Azraq Oasis, Jordan
Large groundwater withdrawals in the Azraq Oasis area, Jordan, have contributed to declining water levels in wells. This map shows the withdrawal footprint and observed water-level trends (labeled triangular symbols, from Goode et al. 2013).
Related science.
Groundwater Availability and Use in Pennsylvania
The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center helps water providers assess the availability of groundwater for use in homes, on farms, and in industrial activities.
Groundwater Use
Groundwater refers to all subsurface water, specifically that part of groundwater which is in the saturated zone. Groundwater sources are called aquifers: geologic formations that contain sufficient saturated permeable material to yield significant quantities of water to wells and springs. For the purposes of the USGS water-use reports, groundwater with less than 1,000 milligrams per liter (mg/L)...
Groundwater Use in the United States
Groundwater is one of our most valuable resource—even though you probably never see it or even realize it is there. Groundwater is essential for irrigation and human use in many parts of the country. The use of groundwater in the United States in 2015 is described below.
Related multimedia.
Also see a visualization of U.S. water use from 1950 to 2015.
Well-withdrawal footprint map, Azraq Oasis, Jordan
Large groundwater withdrawals in the Azraq Oasis area, Jordan, have contributed to declining water levels in wells. This map shows the withdrawal footprint and observed water-level trends (labeled triangular symbols, from Goode et al. 2013).
Large groundwater withdrawals in the Azraq Oasis area, Jordan, have contributed to declining water levels in wells. This map shows the withdrawal footprint and observed water-level trends (labeled triangular symbols, from Goode et al. 2013).