Rockley
Measuring water levels in a Chalk valley, the Rockley site is considered a characteristic site for observing groundwater surface water interaction.
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Hydrograph
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Information about the well
| Rockley | |
|---|---|
| Wellmaster ID | SU17/57 |
| NGR | 4165 1717 |
| Datum | 146.57 m AOD |
| Monitoring details | |
| Type | Groundwater Level |
| Aquifer | Chalk |
| Confinement | Unconfined |
| Depth | 17.6 m |
| Record | |
| Monitored by | EA Thames |
| Records commence | 1932 |
| Records end | Active |
Hydrogeological setting
Rockley measures the water level in the Holywell Nodular Chalk Formation and New Pit Chalk Formation (undifferentiated). The well is located in a dry chalk valley not far from the River Kennet, and there is significant evidence of surface water groundwater interaction.
Well or borehole construction
An original well, 17.6 metres deep, brick lined with a diameter of 1.52 metres, was replaced in 1993 by a purpose drilled 60 metre deep observation borehole.
Hydrograph response
The Chalk is unconfined and the hydrograph has an annual sinusoidal response with a seasonal variation generally of about 12 m. At high water levels flow has been recorded in the dry valley. Low levels are thought to be controlled by a marl band within the Chalk.
Data issues
Mainly uninterupted weekly data since 1933. The drilling of the observation borehole in 1993 meant that it was possible to measure levels during drought that were previously not observable, as they were below the base of the well.
Acknowledgements
At a national level, groundwater level monitoring data is collected and managed by the Environment Agency (England), the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Natural Resources Wales and the Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland). Access to the data they collect (which includes many monitoring sites beyond those highlighted on these pages) and curate is online in England (DEFRA) and Scotland (SEPA).
Contact
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