USGS North Carolina Water Science Center
Map of study area and data collection sites
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Brunswick County Ground-Water-Level Monitoring
Background Since 2000, the population of Brunswick County has grown by more than 22%, nearly three times the average 7.9% growth experienced by the State of North Carolina as a whole (NC State Demographics, 2006). A growth of this magnitude places significant stress on Brunswick County’s natural resources. County planners have recognized the potential consequences of land use changes associated with growth and the resulting increased demand on water resources by consolidating the many public utility providers into one organization and embarking on an aggressive utility expansion plan. In order to make informed water resource planning decisions, County officials need up-to-date water-resource information. To address concerns about the availability of ground water in the Brunswick County area, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Brunswick County initiated a cooperative water-resources program in 1998. Objective The principal study objective is to continue water-level data collection at the existing monitoring network to establish a long-term data set that can be used to monitor future changes in water levels and to aid in the future management of the county's ground-water resources. Approach As part of the cooperative ground-water study between the USGS and Brunswick County, a network of monitoring-well sites with ground-water-level recorders was established at various locations in Brunswick County (fig. 1). A summary of the wells and their locations for monitoring water-level conditions in the surficial, Castle Hayne, Peedee, and Black Creek aquifers is provided in table 1. Ground-water levels at each well are measured at 1-hour intervals, and the measurements are logged by a data recorder. Progress During fiscal year 2006, activities conducted for the Brunswick County Cooperative Program included:
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2006 Brunswick County Ground Water Conditions
Since 2000, ground-water levels in the Brunswick County area have been continuously monitored in 11 wells as part of the cooperative study (figure 1). Of the 11 wells, 3 monitor the surficial aquifer, 1 monitors the Castle Hayne aquifer, 1 monitors both the Castle Hayne and the Peedee aquifers, 4 monitor the Peedee aquifer, and 2 monitor the Black Creek aquifer.
Figure 1. Ground-water-level monitoring network in Brunswick County, North Carolina.
Location(figure 1) | Well | USGS Station # | Aquifer | Period of continuous record |
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Bear Pen | BR-107 | 340743078202006 | Peedee | May 2000 - present |
BR-106 | 340743078202002 | Black Creek | Oct. 1999 - present | |
Bolivia | BR-099 | 340416078084201 | Peedee | Jan. 2000 - Jan. 2004 |
BR-078 | 340416078084202 | Peedee | May 1987 - present | |
Calabash | BR-123 | 335334078352106 | Surficial | Oct. 2000 - present |
BR-116 | 335334078352102 | Black Creek | Oct. 1999 - present | |
Sunset Harbor | BR-080 | 335629078115407 | Surficial | Jan. 1987 - present |
BR-079 | 335629078115406 | Peedee | Mar. 1987 - present | |
Well Field | BR-100 | 335849078054301 | Castle Hayne/ Peedee | Mar. 1999 - present |
Southport #4 | BR-083 | 335631078003606 | Surficial | Oct. 1997 - present |
BR-082 | 335631078003605 | Castle Hayne | Nov. 1999 - present | |
BR-081 | 335631078003604 | Peedee | Nov. 1999 - present |
Reports