Well Reading Routes

Black Hills
Brookings Summer East
Brookings Summer West
Data Logger North
Data Logger South
Summer Pierre North
Summer Pierre South
Summer Watertown North
Summer Watertown South
West River
Special Considerations

Tools

Zoom To
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Search
Field Logic Value
Date
To search by multiple    
 And
Observation Well?
parameters, use:    
 Or
Section?
Township?
Range?
Designator
County? =
Aquifer?
Well Type =
Summer Run =
Summer Run Number
Yield GPM
Zoom to Search Results
Water Level on Hydrograph
Elevation on Hydrograph
Hide search panel after searching
MAP BASED SEARCH
Radius (miles): Enable click on map to search

Please conduct a search.

Please select a well for viewing.

Please select a well for viewing.

Observation Wells

The observation well network consists of 1,556 state-owned wells used to measure ground water levels throughout South Dakota. The data provides geologic and hydrologic information which is used to evaluate the effects of climatic conditions, effects of water use from the state's aquifers, and availability of water for ground water users. Information regarding the well construction and subsurface formations encountered during the well construction is also available. If you have any questions about interpreting the data, please call the Water Rights Program at 605.773.3352.

Commonly Asked Questions
Further Assistance

How do I print a hydrograph? Back to top

There are two ways to get a printer friendly hydrograph.
  1. Conduct a search
  2. Click the check in the “Results” tab next to the wells you want.
  3. Click the “Download ☑” button on the upper right hand side of the “Results” tab.
  4. An image of the hydrograph will download along with other data about that well.

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What do the numbers on the pins mean? Back to top

The numbers on the pins are the number of wells in the cluster. Due to the large number of wells observed they are clustered by proximity, as you zoom in and out the clusters will dynamically change until you have single pins with the Observation Well name on it.

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What are the red dots? Back to top

The red dots are the individual wells in each cluster, if you click on one, you'll pull up information about the well at that specific location. The dot's location is where the well actually is.

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How do I move the popup? Back to top

You can move the popup around by clicking on the Titlebar, the black bar with the Observation Well name in it, and moving it around. This can allow you to view the entire cluster.

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Why can I not see the "Observation Wells" layer on the map? Back to top

If you are unable to see the layers the service may be temporarily down. Please try again at a later time. You may contact us at: Email

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What is a map "layer"? Back to top

A map "layer" is a layer of information on the map. For example, when you use a street map it has several layers such as city boundaries, streets, highways, and interstates. In the map, there are also several layers such as "Observation Wells", and "Observation Well Readings". Each layer contains either shapes or points that are connected to information specific for that location.

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How do I zoom into or out of the map? Back to top

There are several ways to zoom in and out of the map.
  1. Hover your mouse over the map and scroll the wheel forward to zoom in and back to zoom out.
  2. Use the(zoom in), (zoom out), and the (zoom to original extent) icons in the upper left hand corner of the map.
  3. Key commands: Hover your mouse over the map and press the following key combinations.
    1. Windows:
      1. Zoom in: "Control" and "+" buttons
      2. Zoom out: "Control"and "-"buttons
      3. Zoom to original extent: "Control" and "0" (zero)
    2. Mac:
      1. Zoom in: "Command" and "+" buttons
      2. Zoom out: "Command" and "-" buttons
      3. Zoom to original extent: "Command" and "0" (zero)

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What is the "Observation Wells" layer? Back to top

The "Observation Wells" layer identifies wells observed by South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DANR).

This layer contains each well's name, aquifer it is located in, total depth, total casing, USGS ID (If also observed by USGS), the legal description, and the latitude and longitude of the well, and the current run it is on.



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How do I conduct a search? Back to top

There are several search options. You can search by one or any combination of the following: observation well name, county, PLSS legal description, and aquifer.

Other options include "And" and "Or"

  • "And": Search results must contain all of the parameters selected. For example, wells in the Brule Creek aquifer and located in Union County.
  • "Or": Search results contain any of the parameters selected. For example, wells in the Brule Creek aquifer or wells located in township 094N

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How do I view or download data? Back to top

There are several ways you can view or download the data from this page.
  1. To view/ download data in a popup on the map:
    1. Click a point on the map this will bring up a popup containing data tied to that point.
    2. In each popup there are buttons that allow you to download the data for the point or view the data in the tables at the bottom of the page.
    3. Each data type is identified with different symbology.
  2. To view/ download data in the tables at the bottom of the map:
    1. To view "Hydrograph", and "Well Data":
      1. Conduct a search. This populates the "Results" tab at the bottom left of the page.
      2. Click the "view Graph/Data" button for the well you wish to view.
      3. Click on the "Results", "Hydrograph", or "Well Data" tab to view your data.
    2. To download all the tables and a hydrograph for an observed well:
      1. Conduct a search. This populates the "Results" tab at the bottom left of the page.
      2. In the "Results" tab click the check box next the well or wells you want to download.
      3. Then click the "Download Selected" button.
    3. To download selected data for a observed well:
      1. Conduct a search. This populates the "Results" tab at the bottom left of the page.
      2. In the "Results" tab click the "View Graph/Data" button next to the well you'd like to view. This populates the other tabs with data.
      3. Click on the "Well Data" tab.
      4. Click the "Download" button.

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What is the "Streets" button? Back to top

The Streets or sometimes 'Imagery with Labels' button changes the basemap for the map.

A basemap is the background map that provides reference information for the other layers. It allows you to easily identify where points are located. You may want to change the basemap. For example, you may prefer to use a street map vs. an imagery map so you can easily find your house.

Clicking on this button will switch between a street and imagery basemap.

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I can't find the well I am looking for... Back to top

If the well does not appear in the list, then that well may have been destoryed. Please contact the Water Rights Program at (605) 773-3352 or send an Email if you have further questions.

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I found a mistake in a well reading measurement... Back to top

If you find a mistake or some other correction is needed, please contact the Water Rights Program at (605) 773-3352 or send an Email.

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I found the well but I have a question... Back to top

If you have a question about an observation well, please contact the Water Rights Program at (605) 773-3352 or send an Email.

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DISCLAIMER

Though we make efforts to provide and maintain accurate, complete, usable, and timely information at our websites the user should understand that the information is not guaranteed to be correct or complete. Conclusions or actions taken (based upon the maps and the information contained therein) is the sole responsibility of the user.