Westdean No.3
The well measures water levels in the Chalk of the South Downs on the eastern margin of the Cuckmere valley.
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Hydrograph
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Information about the well
| Westdean No.3 | |
|---|---|
| Wellmaster ID | TV59/7C |
| NGR | 5529 0992 |
| Datum | 13.48 m AOD |
| Monitoring details | |
| Type | Groundwater Level |
| Aquifer | Aquifer |
| Confinement | Unconfined |
| Depth | 24.99 m |
| Record | |
| Monitored by | EA Southern |
| Records commence | 1940 |
| Records end | Active |
Hydrogeological setting
Thin head deposits (chalky, sandy and silty clay, locally pebbly) overlie the Seaford Chalk Formation at the site. The well is located in a dry valley on the eastern side of the Cuckmere valley. The well is at the lower end of its catchment, and water levels are only slightly above mean sea level.
Well or borehole construction
The borehole was drilled to 24.99 m in 1896 and water levels have been measured since 1904. It was plumbed as being 21.1 m deep (21.5 m below top of lining tubes) in 1972. Neither the drilled diameter of the borehole nor the length of the casing are known.
Hydrograph response
The Chalk is unconfined and the hydrograph has an annual sinusoidal appearance. The hydrograph exhibits a relatively flashy response, probably because of the relatively small size of the associated chalk blocks. Levels regress consistently to around 1.5 metres above sea level, normally peaking between 2.5 and 3.5 meters above sea level, but with occasional peaks above 4 meters, which may be considered indicative of localised groundwater flooding in the catchment.
Data issues
No data are available for 1971 (due to bees' nest in recorder) or 1972.
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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