Pope SWCD monitors 19 observation wells located throughout the County for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR monitors additional wells or has automated measurement equipment installed at additional sites throughout Pope County. The Observation Well Program began in Minnesota in 1942 through a cooperative program between DNR and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The results are used to measure the fluctuation of the water table in the counties’ irrigated sand plains. Pope SWCD has participated in this program since 1980.
To retrieve monitoring well hydrographs, well descriptions and water level data go to: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/groundwater_section/obwell/waterleveldata.html . To go directly to the list of wells statewide, click Retrieve Ground Water Level Data; Select a DNR Observation Well number from the dropdown list (Pope County wells begin with ‘61’). Once a well has been selected, choose between ‘Download ground water level data as a comma-separated value file’ or ‘Create a hydrograph automatically’. The report will provide the date that the well was installed, type of well, aquifer type, water levels from the time the well was put into service and other pertinent information.