Present and proposed ground-water-level program in Maine

A statewide observation-well program was designed for Maine. Three networks were designed to provide reliable data to describe the effects of natural and manmade stress on water levels in the State. They are a climatic-effects network, a terrain-effects network, and a local-effects network. Review of the 32 observation wells in the current program showed that only 17 wells should be retained. Each of these wells was assigned to one of the three types of networks. Fourteen wells were deactivated because of reliability problems and one was deactivated because it provided redundant data. The installation of seven additional wells in climatic-effects network is the highest priority of the proposed program. The next priority is to install 22 additional wells in the terrain-effects network. Implementation of local-effects network sites will be responsive to increases in ground-water usage and the data needs of water-resources managers. (USGS)