BGS collects groundwater level data in many of our research projects and hosts the National Groundwater Level Archive, which is the UK’s national repository for groundwater level data. We are currently working to make groundwater level data available via this website. You can access data summaries and hydrographs through the map above, or go to each site via the table.
| Location | WellMaster ID | Grid ref | Aquifer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alstonefield | SK15/16 | 4129 3554 | Carboniferous limestone |
| Ampney Crucis | SP00/62 | 4059 2019 | Jurassic limestone |
| Ashton Farm | SY68/34 | 3661 0880 | Chalk |
| Aylesby | TA10/63 | 5194 4071 | Chalk |
| Bussels No. 7A | SX99/37B | 2952 0987 | Permo–Triassic sandstone |
| Chilgrove House | SU81/1 | 4835 1143 | Chalk |
| Chipstead GWL (Well House Inn) | TQ25/86 | 5258 1552 | Chalk |
| Clanville Lodge Gate | SU34/8D | 4322 1490 | Chalk |
| Dalton Holme | SE94/5 | 4965 4453 | Chalk |
| Didmarton 1 | ST88/62A | 3827 1874 | Inferior Oolite |
| Furness Abbey | SD27/6B | 3216 4717 | Permo–Triassic sandstone |
| Hucklow South | SK17/13 | 4177 3775 | Carboniferous limestone |
| Little Bucket Farm | TR14/9 | 6122 1469 | Chalk |
| Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd | SJ15/13 | 3137 3555 | Permo–Triassic sandstone |
| Lower Barn Cottage | TQ41/82 | 5437 1132 | Lower Greensand |
| New Red Lion | TF03/37 | 5088 3303 | Lincolnsire Limestone |
| Newbridge | NX97/2 | 2951 5788 | Permo–Triassic sandstone |
| Rockley | SU17/57 | 4165 1717 | Chalk |
| Skirwith | NY63/2 | 3613 5325 | Permo–Triassic sandstone |
| Stonor Park | SU78/45A | 4741 1892 | Chalk |
| Swan House | NZ21/29 | 4252 5199 | Magnesian limestone |
| Therfield Rectory | TL33/4 | 5333 2372 | Chalk |
| Washpit Farm | TF81/2A | 5813 3196 | Chalk |
| West Dean No. 3 | TV59/7C | 5529 0992 | Chalk |
| West Woodyates Manor | SU01/5B | 4016 1194 | Chalk |
| Wetwang | SE95/6 | 4957 4593 | Chalk |
Why monitor groundwater levels?
Groundwater level, as measured in an observation borehole, reflects the amount of water in storage in the monitored aquifer. When recharge exceeds natural discharge plus abstraction, groundwater levels rise.
When recharge is less than natural discharge plus abstraction, groundwater levels fall.
Comparisons of measured groundwater levels with long-term averages provide an indication of the state of groundwater resources within an aquifer. Observation over several years allows the prediction of aquifer response to current climatic and hydrological conditions.
The data from the archive are used to prepare archive products such as the monthly hydrological summaries, annual summaries and the statistics volume. The data are used for quantitative analyses, for instance of annual recharge, and provide a valuable source of data for the calibration of groundwater models.
How are groundwater levels measured?
Groundwater levels are measured manually using a dipper or automatically by a pressure transducer. Automatic readings may be stored in a datalogger that is visited periodically and downloaded by field staff, or sent automatically over the phone network to a database in a data centre (telemetry). However, errors in groundwater level measurement can occur.
Contact
Please contact BGS Enquiries for further information.