Groundwater Monitoring Program for the Albany-Dougherty County Area, Georgia
South Atlantic Water Science Center
Long-term heavy pumping from the Claiborne, Clayton, and Upper Cretaceous aquifers, which underlie the Upper Floridan aquifer, has resulted in significant water-level declines in these deep aquifers in the Albany, Georgia area.
These declines have raised concern over the ability of the deeper aquifers to meet the increasing demand for potable water supply. To address these concerns USGS is working with Albany Utilities to monitor water-level declines and water-quality changes.
Problem
Long-term heavy pumping from the Claiborne, Clayton, and Upper Cretaceous aquifers, which underlie the Upper Floridan aquifer, has resulted in significant water-level declines in these deep aquifers in the Albany area. These declines have raised concern over the ability of the deeper aquifers to meet the increasing demand for potable water supply. To provide additional water and reduce the demand on the deeper aquifers, the Albany Water Gas, and Light Commission (WGL) has developed a large well field southwest of Albany. The supply wells at this location primarily tap the Upper Floridan aquifer, a karstic unit that is the uppermost reliable source of water in the area. Because of local recharge to the aquifer, water quality may be affected by land use. The groundwater flow system and water quality of the Upper Floridan aquifer in the vicinity of the wellfield is complex. Monitoring is necessary to detect changes in the water level and water quality. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with WGL, is conducting a monitoring program for early detection of water-level declines and water-quality changes.
Objectives
- Monitor water-level fluctuations in the four deep aquifers in the Albany area and relate water-level trends to changes in climatic conditions and pumping patterns.
- Describe the groundwater flow and water quality of the Upper Floridan aquifer near the new well field in the southwestern Albany area.
Groundwater Monitoring Network
Groundwater monitoring sites
This map shows all of the Groundwater-level recorders and monthly-monitoring sites in the Albany area. Select a well from the list to get a graph of water levels for the past year.
Select a well name to get a graph of water levels for the past year:
USGS Well Name , Site Name, Aquifer
----------------------------------------------------
- 11K003 (real time)—Nilo TW North, EPD, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 11L002 (real time)—EPD Albany Nursery, Clayton Aquifer
- 12K014 (real time)—Blue Springs OW, EPD, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 12K180 (real time)—City of Albany, MW-2, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 12L019 (real time)—City of Albany, Claiborne Aquifer
- 12L020 (real time)—City of Albany, Clayton Aquifer
- 12L021 (real time)—City of Albany, Providence Aquifer
- 12L277 (real time)—City of Albany, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 12L373 (real time)—City of Albany, MW-1, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 12M017 (real time)—EPD, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 13L002—EPD, Turner City 2, Clayton Aquifer
- 13L015 (real time)—Turner 2, Claiborne Aquifer
- 13L049—Turner 1, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 13L180 (real time)—MCLB Corehole 3, EPD, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 12L376 (monthly)—City of Albany, Surficial Aquifer
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Potentiometric Maps
December 2019
November 2011
November 2010
November 2009
November 2008
October 2007
October 2005
October 2004
September 2003

October 2002
November 2001
August 2000
March 1999
May 1998
Below are USGS publications containing information pertinent to the Groundwater Monitoring - Albany-Dougherty County Area project.
The Groundwater Conditions of Georgia application has interactive maps and graphs, that calculate water level trends over time. The application is a continuation of a series of reports begun in 1978.
Groundwater Conditions of Georgia
Groundwater quality and groundwater levels in Dougherty County, Georgia, April 2019 through March 2020
Groundwater conditions in Georgia, 2015–16
Hydrology of the Claiborne aquifer and interconnection with the Upper Floridan aquifer in southwest Georgia
Groundwater conditions in Georgia, 2012–14
Groundwater conditions in Georgia, 2010–2011
Hydrologic and water-quality conditions in the lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint and parts of the Aucilla-Suwannee-Ochlockonee River basins in Georgia and adjacent parts of Florida and Alabama during drought conditions, July 2011
Hydrologic conditions, groundwater quality, and analysis of sink hole formation in the Albany area of Dougherty County, Georgia, 2009
Groundwater conditions and studies in Georgia, 2008-2009
Groundwater Conditions and Studies in the Albany Area of Dougherty County, Georgia, 2008
Ground-Water Conditions and Studies in the Albany Area of Dougherty County, Georgia, 2007
U.S. Geological Survey Georgia Water Science Center and City of Brunswick–Glynn County Cooperative Water Program— Summary of activities, July 2005 through June 2006
Simulated Effects of Seasonal Ground-Water Pumpage for Irrigation on Hydrologic Conditions in the Lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, Southwestern Georgia and Parts of Alabama and Florida, 1999-2002
Groundwater Conditions of Georgia
The Groundwater Conditions of Georgia application has interactive maps and graphs, that calculate water level trends over time. The application is a continuation of a series of reports begun in 1978.
- Overview
Groundwater Monitoring Program for the Albany-Dougherty County Area, Georgia
South Atlantic Water Science CenterLong-term heavy pumping from the Claiborne, Clayton, and Upper Cretaceous aquifers, which underlie the Upper Floridan aquifer, has resulted in significant water-level declines in these deep aquifers in the Albany, Georgia area.
These declines have raised concern over the ability of the deeper aquifers to meet the increasing demand for potable water supply. To address these concerns USGS is working with Albany Utilities to monitor water-level declines and water-quality changes.
Problem
Long-term heavy pumping from the Claiborne, Clayton, and Upper Cretaceous aquifers, which underlie the Upper Floridan aquifer, has resulted in significant water-level declines in these deep aquifers in the Albany area. These declines have raised concern over the ability of the deeper aquifers to meet the increasing demand for potable water supply. To provide additional water and reduce the demand on the deeper aquifers, the Albany Water Gas, and Light Commission (WGL) has developed a large well field southwest of Albany. The supply wells at this location primarily tap the Upper Floridan aquifer, a karstic unit that is the uppermost reliable source of water in the area. Because of local recharge to the aquifer, water quality may be affected by land use. The groundwater flow system and water quality of the Upper Floridan aquifer in the vicinity of the wellfield is complex. Monitoring is necessary to detect changes in the water level and water quality. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with WGL, is conducting a monitoring program for early detection of water-level declines and water-quality changes.
Objectives
- Monitor water-level fluctuations in the four deep aquifers in the Albany area and relate water-level trends to changes in climatic conditions and pumping patterns.
- Describe the groundwater flow and water quality of the Upper Floridan aquifer near the new well field in the southwestern Albany area.
Groundwater Monitoring Network
Groundwater monitoring sites
Groundwater monitoring sites This map shows all of the Groundwater-level recorders and monthly-monitoring sites in the Albany area. Select a well from the list to get a graph of water levels for the past year. This map shows all of the Groundwater-level recorders and monthly-monitoring sites in the Albany area. Select a well from the list to get a graph of water levels for the past year.
Select a well name to get a graph of water levels for the past year:
USGS Well Name , Site Name, Aquifer
----------------------------------------------------- 11K003 (real time)—Nilo TW North, EPD, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 11L002 (real time)—EPD Albany Nursery, Clayton Aquifer
- 12K014 (real time)—Blue Springs OW, EPD, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 12K180 (real time)—City of Albany, MW-2, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 12L019 (real time)—City of Albany, Claiborne Aquifer
- 12L020 (real time)—City of Albany, Clayton Aquifer
- 12L021 (real time)—City of Albany, Providence Aquifer
- 12L277 (real time)—City of Albany, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 12L373 (real time)—City of Albany, MW-1, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 12M017 (real time)—EPD, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 13L002—EPD, Turner City 2, Clayton Aquifer
- 13L015 (real time)—Turner 2, Claiborne Aquifer
- 13L049—Turner 1, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 13L180 (real time)—MCLB Corehole 3, EPD, Upper Floridan Aquifer
- 12L376 (monthly)—City of Albany, Surficial Aquifer
—————————————————————————————————————
Potentiometric Maps
December 2019
Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, December, 2019. November 2011
Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, November, 2011.
November 2010
Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, November, 2010.
November 2009
Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, November, 2009.
November 2008
Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, November, 2008.
October 2007
Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, October, 2007. October 2005
Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, October, 2005.
October 2004
Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, October, 2004
September 2003
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Visit Media to see details.Map showing the Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, September 2003. October 2002
Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, October, 2002.
November 2001
Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, November, 2001.
August 2000
Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, August, 2000.
March 1999
Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, March, 1999.
May 1998
Potentiometric surface of the Upper Floridan aquifer, southwestern Albany area, Georgia, May, 1998.
- Publications
Below are USGS publications containing information pertinent to the Groundwater Monitoring - Albany-Dougherty County Area project.
The Groundwater Conditions of Georgia application has interactive maps and graphs, that calculate water level trends over time. The application is a continuation of a series of reports begun in 1978.
Groundwater Conditions of GeorgiaFilter Total Items: 22Groundwater quality and groundwater levels in Dougherty County, Georgia, April 2019 through March 2020
The Upper Floridan aquifer is the uppermost, reliable aquifer in southwest Georgia. The aquifer lies on top of the Claiborne, Clayton, and Cretaceous aquifers, all of which exhibited water level declines in the 1960s and 1970s. The U.S. Geological Survey has been working cooperatively with Albany Utilities to monitor groundwater quality and availability in these aquifers since 1977.During JanuaryAuthorsDebbie W. GordonGroundwater conditions in Georgia, 2015–16
The U.S. Geological Survey collects groundwater data and conducts studies to monitor hydrologic conditions, define groundwater resources, and address problems related to water supply, water use, and water quality. In Georgia, water levels were monitored continuously at 157 wells during calendar years 2015 and 2016. Because of missing data or short periods of record (less than 5 years) for severalAuthorsDebbie W. Gordon, Jaime A. PainterHydrology of the Claiborne aquifer and interconnection with the Upper Floridan aquifer in southwest Georgia
The U.S. Geological Survey conducted a study, in cooperation with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, to define the hydrologic properties of the Claiborne aquifer and evaluate its connection with the Upper Floridan aquifer in southwest Georgia. The effort involved collecting and compiling hydrologic data from the aquifer in subarea 4 of southwestern Georgia. Data collected for this studAuthorsDebbie W. Gordon, Gerard GonthierGroundwater conditions in Georgia, 2012–14
The U.S. Geological Survey collects groundwater data and conducts studies to monitor hydrologic conditions, better define groundwater resources, and address problems related to water supply, water use, and water quality. In Georgia, water levels were monitored continuously at 181 wells during calendar year 2012, 185 wells during calendar year 2013, and at 171 wells during calendar year 2014. BecauAuthorsMichael F. Peck, Jaime A. PainterGroundwater conditions in Georgia, 2010–2011
The U.S. Geological Survey collects groundwater data and conducts studies to monitor hydrologic conditions, better define groundwater resources, and address problems related to water supply, water use, and water quality. In Georgia, water levels were monitored continuously at 186 wells during calendar year 2010 and at 181 wells during calendar year 2011. Because of missing data or short periods ofAuthorsMichael F. Peck, Debbie W. Gordon, Jaime A. PainterHydrologic and water-quality conditions in the lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint and parts of the Aucilla-Suwannee-Ochlockonee River basins in Georgia and adjacent parts of Florida and Alabama during drought conditions, July 2011
As part of the U.S. Department of the Interior sustainable water strategy, WaterSMART, the U.S. Geological Survey documented hydrologic and water-quality conditions in the lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint and western and central Aucilla-Suwannee-Ochlockonee River basins in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia during low-flow conditions in July 2011. Moderate-drought conditions prevailed in this areAuthorsDebbie W. Gordon, Michael F. Peck, Jaime A. PainterHydrologic conditions, groundwater quality, and analysis of sink hole formation in the Albany area of Dougherty County, Georgia, 2009
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Albany Water, Gas, and Light Commission has conducted water resources investigations and monitored groundwater conditions and availability in the Albany, Georgia, area since 1977. This report presents an overview of hydrologic conditions, water quality, and groundwater studies in the Albany area of Dougherty County, Georgia, during 2009. HistoricAuthorsDebbie W. Gordon, Jaime A. Painter, John M. McCranieGroundwater conditions and studies in Georgia, 2008-2009
The U.S. Geological Survey collects groundwater data and conducts studies to monitor hydrologic conditions, better define groundwater resources, and address problems related to water supply, water use, and water quality. In Georgia, water levels were monitored continuously at 179 wells during 2008 and 181 wells during 2009. Because of missing data or short periods of record (less than 3 years) forAuthorsMichael F. Peck, David C. Leeth, Jaime A. PainterGroundwater Conditions and Studies in the Albany Area of Dougherty County, Georgia, 2008
The U.S. Geological Survey has been working cooperatively with the Albany Water, Gas, and Light Commission to monitor groundwater quality and availability since 1977. This report presents an overview of groundwater conditions and studies in the Albany area of Dougherty County, Georgia, during 2008. Historical data also are presented for comparison with 2008 data. Ongoing monitoring activities inclAuthorsDebbie W. GordonGround-Water Conditions and Studies in the Albany Area of Dougherty County, Georgia, 2007
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been working with the Albany Water, Gas, and Light Commission to monitor ground-water quality and availability since 1977. This report presents an overview of ground-water conditions and studies in the Albany area of Dougherty County, Georgia, during 2007. Historical data are also presented for comparison with 2007 data. Ongoing monitoring activities include cAuthorsDebbie W. GordonU.S. Geological Survey Georgia Water Science Center and City of Brunswick–Glynn County Cooperative Water Program— Summary of activities, July 2005 through June 2006
Since 1959, the U.S. Geological Survey has conducted a cooperative water resources program (CWP) with the City of Brunswick and Glynn County in the Brunswick, Georgia, area. Since the late 1950s, the salinity of ground water in the Upper Floridan aquifer near downtown Brunswick, Georgia, has been increasing, and its occurrence has been detected across an area of increasing size. Pumping of the UppAuthorsGregory S. CherrySimulated Effects of Seasonal Ground-Water Pumpage for Irrigation on Hydrologic Conditions in the Lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, Southwestern Georgia and Parts of Alabama and Florida, 1999-2002
To determine the effects of seasonal ground-water pumpage for irrigation, a finite-element ground-water flow model was developed for the Upper Floridan aquifer in the lower Flint River Basin area, including adjacent parts of the Chattahoochee and Apalachicola River Basins. The model simulates withdrawal from the aquifer at 3,280 irrigation, municipal, and industrial wells; stream-aquifer flow betwAuthorsL. Elliott Jones, Lynn J. Torak - Web Tools
Groundwater Conditions of Georgia
The Groundwater Conditions of Georgia application has interactive maps and graphs, that calculate water level trends over time. The application is a continuation of a series of reports begun in 1978.
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