Great Smoky Mountain National Park Monitoring Wells: Proposed Inclusion into the North Carolina Statewide Monitoring Well Network.

Field Methods: Each proposed well will need to be accessed, video-logged, and equipped with a locking cap. Video-logging will allow the North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NCDWR) to assess factors such as well construction, well depth, well development needs (if applicable), whether well is screened or open bore, and possible aquifer source. A concrete survey monument shall be installed within a few feet of each well and surveyed using Survey Grade Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to determine the most accurate horizontal and vertical location data possible. Manual depth to ground water measurements will be collected quarterly, at a minimum, in the months of February (where obtainable), May, August, and November of each year. During times of drought, manual depth to water measurements may be collected monthly (except for those locations that are inaccessible at certain times of the year). Automatic water level data loggers may be placed in some or all of the wells and hourly water levels recorded. These data will be downloaded in the previously mentioned quarterly months, at a minimum, and uploaded to the NCDWR database (www.ncwater.org). Only the 6:00 AM readings are recorded in the database for public view. Information included in the database for the mountain physiographic province includes, but is not limited to, hydrographs, well coordinates, well construction information, depth to ground water levels, drought indicator well information, and site maps. Site maintenance will be performed on an as-needed basis to keep active well sites accessible and usable. Some wells may need developing (if applicable). Development removes fine-grained sediments from the vicinity of the well screen and ensures proper hydraulic connection with the aquifer. The appropriate Park Service personnel would be contacted for prior approval if needed, to conduct well development or monument installation.