Ground-water conditions in Georgia, 1994

Abstract

Groundwater conditions during 1994 and period of record in Georgia were evaluated using data from precipitation, groundwater level , and groundwater quality monitoring networks. Data for 1994 included in this report are from precipitation records from 10 National Weather Service (NWS) stations, continuous water-level records from 72 wells, and chloride analyses from 13 wells. Cumulative departure from normal precipitation in 1994 was above normal at 9 of the 10 NWS sites. Cumulative departure from normal precipitation for the 10-year period (1985-94) was above normal at 6 of the 10 stations. Annual mean groundwater levels in Georgia in 1994 ranged from about 2.3 feet (ft) lower to about 18.3 ft higher than in 1993. Of the 72 wells summarized in this report, 51 wells had annual mean water levels that were higher, 20 wells had annual mean water levels that were lower and one well had an annual mean water level that was the same in 1994 as in 1993. Record-high daily mean water levels were recorded in two wells tapping the surficial aquifer, one well tapping the Upper Floridan aquifer, one well tapping the Lower Floridan aquifer, two wells tapping the Claiborne aquifer, and one well tapping the Midville aquifer system. These record highs were from about 0.3 foot (ft) to about 1.8 ft higher than previous record highs. Record-low daily mean water levels were recorded in one well tapping the Clayton aquifer, and one well tapping the Dublin-Midville aquifer system. These record lows were from about 0.3 to 1.3 ft lower than previous record lows. Chloride concentration in water from the Upper Floridan aquifer in most of coastal Georgia was below drinking-water standards established by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and has not changed appreciably with time. However, chloride concentration in water from some wells that tap the Floridan aquifer system in the Brunswick area exceeds the drinking-water standards. Well-Numbering System Wells described in this report are numbered according to a system based on the USGS index of topographic maps of Georgia. Each 71/2 minute topographic quadrangle in the State has been assigned a six-digit number and letter designation beginning at the southwestern corner of the State. Numbers increase sequentially eastward and letters advance alphabetically northward. Quadrangles in the northern part of the State are designated by double letters; AA follows Z, and so forth. The letters "I", "O", "II", and "OO" are not used. Wells inventoried in each quadrangle are numbered consecutively, beginning with 01. Thus, the fourth well scheduled in the 11AA quadrangle is designated 11AA04.