Research project of the University of Georgia, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Funding by the Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division

Project Objectives The specific research component of the EPD-supported research was entitled "Automated Monitoring of Agricultural Water Use in the Upper Floridan Aquifer." Development of the Flint River Basin Plan depended in part upon a geologic appraisal of surface water and groundwater flow, and the degree of their inter connectivity. The area of most concern was the Floridan Aquifer in the unconfined region known as the Dougherty Plain covering all or parts of 17 southwest Georgia counties. USGS was charged with the task of creating a groundwater flow model that would relate regional groundwater dynamics with inflow and outflow to or from specific segments of the area's stream. To accomplish this USGS built a high resolution transient flow model. Well pumping data were needed to parameterize that model. The objective of this study was to observe time, duration, and extent of simultaneous pumping from the Floridan Aquifer. Most of the unrecorded pumping at that time was from agricultural wells used for irrigation.

Dougherty Plain deployment area

Program Outline.
200 participants randomly selected from among 8,500 groundwater withdrawal permits in the Dougherty Plain.
Participation by permit holder was voluntary and reporting was anonymous.
UGA contracted with Pivotrac to install an automated monitor of the irrigation system power and water pressure status.
When water was turned on or off a message was automatically sent by way of cell phone towers and internet back to computers at NESPAL.
Optionally, the cooperator could arrange to receive a page each time the system turns on or off, providing automated, remote, tracking of pivot activity, including unexpected power or pressure failure.

Map of Dougherty Plain in Georgia (orange outline, above) and map showing location of Pivotrac Monitors (red dots) among the areas wells (blue dots)

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