Water level data from vertical French drains in South Miami Heights, Florida: August to October 2017 and February 2019 to February 2021

In the South Miami Heights area of Miam-Dade County, vertical French drains (VFDs) are drainage structures that collect and promote infiltration of runoff from streets, sidewalks and saturated surfaces. The VFDs consist of a shallow rectangular cement inlet connected to an approximately 9-inch diameter and 7-feet-deep hole. The vertical holes are not filled, they are cut directly into the limestone present a few feet below the topsoil. This data release contains records of water-level measurements from select vertical French drains (VFDs) in a medium-density urban area of Miami-Dade County. Also included are datasets of water-level measurements collected during drain-falling (DFHT) and drain-rising head tests (DRHT) in select VFDs. Data were collected as part of a study to improve understanding of neighborhood scale drainage, runoff, and recharge processes. VFD water-level data were used to evaluate water-level changes in these drains during precipitation events. The DFHT and DRHT data were used to characterize the recharge contributed to the aquifer by the drains. VFD water-level monitoring instrumentation included a non-vented pressure transducer attached to a PVC pipe which was secured by a galvanized steel support bar installed in the inlet of each VFD. For each VFD, the transducers were positioned in the deepest point in the drain. The data were logged continuously at a 15-minute interval. The VFD monitoring sites were serviced on an approximately two-month schedule to (1) collect manual depth-to-water measurements to confirm the accuracy of the pressure transducer readings, (2) download data from the pressure transducers, and (3) ensure the pressure transducers were functioning. The non-vented pressure transducer depth readings were converted to water levels using barometric pressure data and the manual depth-to-water measurements. Depth data recorded by the non-vented pressure transducers were also adjusted for drift based on the manual depth-to-water measurements. From August to October 2017, water level data were collected at 15-minute intervals at VFD sites DV2026 and DV6086. From February 2019 to February 2021, the continuous VFD water-level monitoring was expanded and included sites: DV2026, DV6086, DV1009, DV8046, DV9001, and DV3012. Fourteen DFHT and DRHT tests were conducted in 2020.