Shallow Groundwater Conditions in New Jersey

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has operated a network of observation wells in New Jersey since 1923 for the purpose of monitoring groundwater-level changes throughout the State. Long-term, systematic measurement of water levels in observation wells provides the data needed to evaluate changes in the groundwater resource over time. Records of groundwater levels are used to evaluate recharge, groundwater discharge, seasonal fluctuations, long-term climate change, and water-supply development. Water-level data are also used to develop groundwater models and to forecast trends.

In 2007, groundwater levels were measured in 199 network wells: 145 wells were equipped for continuous water-level monitoring, and 54 wells were measured manually from two to six times per year. Twenty-two of the continuously monitored wells are equipped with satellite data-collection platforms that provide near-real-time data.