29 September 2014

Rachel Albertson
Moscow, ID 83843
Dr. Jerry Fairley
University of Idaho
McClure Hall 401c
Dear Dr. Fairley,
On 17 September 2014, you requested that my lab group and I perform a series of water level
measurements in several of the wells located at the University of Idaho Groundwater Field
Laboratory (UIGFL) located next to Perimeter Drive. Based upon the results of our
measurements, you requested a determination of whether the UIGFL is a recharge or discharge
zone. This report outlines the details of our measurements and the conclusion drawn from our
study.
My group and I began by using a sheet with data about each of the wells (See Appendix I) in
order to determine which shallow and deeps wells were a pair and therefore would provide us
with the best determination of hydraulic head for that area. We decided to take our measurements
at the following five wells: J16 D/S, Q16 D/S, V16 D/S, S12 D1&D2, and U3 D/S. We used an
Electronic Water Level Sounder (E-Tape) to measure the water level at each of the wells and
measurements were taken both at the Top of Casing (TOC) and Below Ground Elevation (BGE).
To ensure accuracy, we took three water level measurements at each well and every member of
the group took turns measuring the water level in the various wells. A complete list of the
measurements can be found in Appendix II. Based on our measurements and the elevation at
each of the wells, we calculated hydraulic head in each well in order to determine the gradient of
head between each of the wells. Based on these calculations, we determined wells J16 and U3
were recharge wells while Q16, V16 and S12 were discharge wells. Based on the variability of
discharge and recharge zones throughout the area, our conclusion is that the UIGFL as a whole is
neither recharging nor discharging.
Thank you for allowing my group and me to conduct this study of the water level and hydraulic
head throughout the University of Idaho Groundwater Field Laboratory. A map of the well
locations can be found in Appendix III and for an aerial photograph of the UIGFL see Appendix
IV. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions regarding our methods
or results. I look forward to working with you on any future projects you might have.
Sincerely,

Rachel L. Albertson
Undergraduate, Environmental Science
Geology 410 Fieldwork
Appendix II

Well

J16 D
J16 S
Q16 D
Q16 S
V16 D
V16 S
S12 D1
S12 D2
U3 D
U3 S

Elevation of
Water Table
[ft]
2545.60
2545.60
2545.10
2545.10
2543.46
2543.05
2545.95
2545.95
2547.65
2547.65

Average
Measurement
TOC [ft.]
46.54
9.83
9.60
10.02
6.77
7.89
21.33
46.77
48.57
7.64

Average
Measurement
BGE [ft.]
45.29
8.52
7.90
8.29
5.65
6.04
20.22
45.66
47.80
7.03

Hydraulic Head
[Elev.WT-BGE]
2500.31
2537.08
2537.2
2536.81
2537.81
2537.01
2525.73
2500.29
2499.85
2540.62

Discharge
or
Recharge
R
R
D
D
D
D
D
D
R
R