Formative Assessment 2: Well Hydrograph Records

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Instructions

Answer each question in 2-3 complete sentences. Consider each question carefully and be sure to provide a complete answer.

Questions

Use the graphs below to answer the questions that follow.

Hydrograph: months on x-axis & depth of water level below land surface on y-axis. Data for CA well is in red zone ~10ft deeper than meanHydrograph: months on x-axis & depth of water level below land surface on y-axis. Data for PA well is in green zone similar to historical mean
Figures 30 and 31. Hydrographs for 2013-2014 for two monitoring wells: one near Sacramento, CA (top), and one in Centre County, PA near State College (bottom). The red diamonds show the water level (hydraulic head) measured in depth below the land surface. Black triangles show the historical mean, and colored bars show historical percentiles for water level (red=  <10%; orange = 10-24%; green = 25-75%; light blue = 76-90%; dark blue = >90%). Note that the water level in the Sacramento example is near the all-time historical low, whereas in Centre County the water level is near the historical mean.
Source: USGS, 10/4/2014

Questions:

  1. Examine the hydrographs in Figures 30 and 31 above. Are the data consistent with what you know or remember about the news and/or climatic conditions in these two areas over the past year? How so?
  2. Examine Figure 32. Note the cycles of water level superimposed on the long-term trend. What do you think causes these?
  3. The hydrograph in Figure 32 illustrates an overall decline in water level of about 25 feet, with a brief period from ~1997-2003 when the trend is temporarily reversed. What do you think causes these two trends?

Files to Download

There is no worksheet for this assignment. It is a writing assignment.

Scoring and Rubric

Each answer will earn a maximum of 5 points, as described in the rubric below.

Rubric
Work Shown Possible Points
Answer reflects careful consideration of the questions 2
Answer is appropriate in length 1
Answer is legible 1
Answer given in complete sentences; correct spelling and grammar 1

Submitting your Answers

Bring your written answers to class. If they are hand-written, be sure your writing is legible. If your handwriting is not clear, please type and print your answers.