Multilateral Working Group on Water Resources
Water Data Banks Project
Hydrogeologic Databases
U.S. Geological Survey
Project Profile
- Israeli Partner -- Hydrologic Service.
- Jordanian Partner -- Ministry of Water and Irrigation.
- Palestinian Partner -- Water Authority.
- External Support Agency -- U.S. Department of State.
Objectives
Help core party agencies develop hydrogeologic databases to store, quality assure, analyze and exchange geologic information related to ground-water resources of the region.Background
The Water Data Banks has conducted numerous activities to improve the databases of core parties, and to facilitate exchange of consistent and accurate data on regional water resources. In particular, the Palestinian Water Authority has developed water databases for the West Bank and Gaza with project support. All of the core parties have participated in activities to enhance their abilities to exchange data that is collected using comparable techniques, that has undergone quality assurance and quality control procedures, and that is digitally stored in a manner that permits exchange within and between institutions. Among other successes, these efforts led to publication of the report “Temporal Trends for Water-Resources Data in Areas of Israeli, Jordanian, and Palestinian Interest”, which includes joint regional analyses of changes over time in ground-water levels, ground-water quality, spring discharge and streamflow. |
| Stratigraphic Column (from 'Overview' report). |
Another class of water-resources data is ‘hydrogeologic’ data; that is, data about geologic formations relating to ground water. For example, the ‘Overview’ report contains a section on Geology that highlights regional structure (map and cross section) and identifies water-bearing properties of various rocks. Throughout the report are photographs of rock units in different physiographic settings. Descriptions of individual basins include lithologic borehole logs that indicate the depths at which the rock type changes. Other examples of hydrogeologic data might include hydraulic properties, such as transmissivity, measured in boreholes, or within isolated sections of boreholes. Large amounts of digital data can result from some hydrogeologic investigations, such as electrical resistivity cross sections or digital borehole-wall imagery. Hydrogeologic data can be either quantitative, such as an outcrop dip and strike measurement, or qualitative, such as a hydrogeologic cross section constructed by interpolation between borehole logs.
Improved capabilities to quantitatively analyze and use hydrogeologic data will contribute to improved management of scarce and fragile ground-water resources in the region. Such databases can contribute not only to traditional hydrogeologic activities, such as well siting, but also to advanced models of large-scale ground-water flow and transport. Advances in computer technology now allow realistic simulations of three-dimensional ground-water flow in fractured rock aquifers, and simulation of the coupled flow and transport of saline waters beneath fresh-water aquifers. However, the accuracy of such models is largely based on the extent to which hydrogeologic data, both quantitative and qualitative, is incorporated in the computer model input.
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| Well CA3029, near the Dead Sea, shows construction characteristics for a typical well completed in geologic unit Q1. Water is obtained from sand and gravel between the depths of 21 and 71 m, with a water level about 23 m below land surface, supplying an average 1 L/s (from 'Overview' report). Click on the image to see a larger image in a separate window. |
Hydrogeologic Databases will be established using comprehensive GIS software and using existing and planned core party databases. Database system design, standards and structure will be tested by constructing a test regional hydrogeologic database using core party data. Parallel construction of core party databases will ensure that the regional database standards are consistent with local needs. A forum for exchange of nomenclature and research on hydrostratigraphy and lithology in the region will be established. Capacity building throughout the project will occur as needed, starting with GIS training for hydrogeologists.
Implementation Plan
The Implementation Plan consists of three parts. The first part will establish common GIS systems in each core party and provide introductory training for hydrogeologists. The core parties will work together to design a hydrogeologic database structure that will be comprehensive and consistent with databases already in use. A test database will be constructed using hydrogeological data and information from the published 'Overview' report. A forum for exchange for scientific information on hydrostratigraphy and hydrogeology will be established.The second part of the implementation plan focuses on parallel construction of core party databases in order to ensure that the regional database structure and standards are compatible with existing databases, and to build capacity of the parties as needed in specific areas.
The final part of the plan includes construction of a joint regional hydrogeologic database and publication of high-quality hydrogeologic maps at the regional scale.
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