Untitled DocumentMaking Arizona well and groundwater databases web-accessible
Macro Theme Area:
Knowledge Transfer [Project ID: K47]
PI:
Gary Woodard
CO-PI(s):
Ramon Vazquez
Basin focus:
Regional SW
Specific area in
basin /
field sites:
Arizona-wide
Summary/Goals: A number of databases in Arizona contain highly useful information about wells, depths to groundwater, and groundwater quality. Key databases have been developed and are maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality ADEQ), and the Arizona Geological Survey. The Arizona Wells web application currently makes accessible data from the Wells 55 and GWSI databases through a single intuitive user interface that supports a variety of search approaches. The site is being used by a variety of water professionals and the general public. A number of enhancements are currently being developed or planned.
Activities and outcomes during past year:
The current app. accesses ADWR and USGS GWSI databases and ADWR's Wells 55 database via a unified interface that supports searches by several map-based geographic approachess, as well as well ownership. Key data, including depth to water over time and pumpage are automatically graphed. A beta testing group provides input on further database work. We have teamed with ESRI to explore advanced methods of visualizing the data. We changed the interface to make it more user-friendly.
In 2006 we integrated the GWSI and Wells55 search forms allowing users to search both databases at the same time. In addition, the user interface received major enhancements, which allow users to select wells for which they want data in a variety of ways, including 2 map-based approaches (center and radius, township/range/section), entering a street address or zip code, entering a well owner's name or well ID number, or defining an area in terms of lat/long or cadastral. Key data, including depth to water over time and pumpage are automatically graphed. Methodologies for interpolating depths to groundwater between wells were worked out, and in collaboration with ESRI, were demonstrated at the Western Governors December 2006 meeting. Numbers of monthly site users are now substantial and continue to grow.
In 2007, we updated the databases with new data from ADWR's CDs. ADWR has not developed any mechanism that would allow us make more frequent updates. On the other hand we integrated depth to groundwater and water quality data from USGS to this website. The interface that includes the 3 services (ADWR-GWSI, ADWR-Wells55, and USGS) is still in beta but should be released before the year ends. Finally for this year, all data are now downloadable as an Excel file.
In 2008, a data upgrade was made for all 3 databases (i.e. GWSI, Wells55, and NWIS). We also introduced 2 new search methods: Line with buffer, and Polygon. The Line with Buffer search method lets the user to click on multiple points on the map to draw a line, then the user can define a distance from the line (the buffer) which draws an area for search. The Polygon search method also lets the user clicks on multiple points but then the user closes the area drawing a polygon of the search area. We continued working with ADEQ to get their water quality data. Unfortunately we had several problems working with the XML data they provided. It wasn't until the end of the year that they agreed to provide the raw data which we quickly imported into our database.
Plans for the upcoming year:
A mechanism for frequent updates will be developed to download data from USGS directly from their website.
We will look into automatic updating of underlying agency databases as soon as they provide these services.
ADEQ water quality data will be implemented when the AHIS has these services available.
-- 2009
Our priority for this year is to provide ADEQ's water quality from the raw data they provided towards the end of 2008. The second priority will be to update all databases to keep them current. We'll explore if ADWR has any web services we can tap to update our data.
Organization Involvement:
AWI is spearheading development of the Arizona Hydrologic Information System (AHIS), and the Wells web app. is a critical component.
Shared Resources / Joint Activities:
Working with ESRI to develop a demonstration app. on data visualization. Working to secure funds for integration of water quality data. Working to raise funds.
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA
URL: N/A
CUAHSI-HIS
Organization Involvement:
CUAHSI AHIS is a geographically distributed network of hydrologic data sources and functions that are integrated using web services so that they function as a connected whole.
