Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2002KS1B

High Plains Aquifer Information Network

Institute: Kansas
Year Established: 2002 Start Date: 2002-03-01 End Date: 2005-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $32,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $64,817

Principal Investigators: Gary Clark, Margaret Townsend, David Young

Project Summary: A web-site framework and database will be developed with information related to the High Plains aquifer in Kansas. The web site will be developed with the understanding that users will have various backgrounds, levels of expertise, and hydrological and agricultural knowledge. Information will be displayed in text, graphical, and tabular formats and will be accessible to the public, private industry, and local, state and federal agencies. This site will build on the experience of both Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) and Kansas State University (KSU) personnel in developing web sites at both institutions for specific topics such as the drip irrigation and mobile irrigation web sites at KSU and the Hutchinson and High Plains aquifer project web sites at KGS. The Kansas Geological Survey and the Data Access and Support Center (DASC) are already repositories for state geologic and geographic information systems data. Access to the statewide water well-log file and water-level monitoring network already exists. Development of convenient pathways to specific subsets of data for the High Plains aquifer, such as by Groundwater Management District (GMD) and by county within the area of the High Plains aquifer, will permit more rapid access for potential users (see attached Database Shell). Acquiring and housing available datasets at the Kansas Geological Survey would enable a stable and consistent site for future management and upgrading of databases. Access links will be created with other agencies that have sources of data related to the High Plains aquifer. The need exists to have password-protected sites for access to "raw" data and to have interpretive datasets, maps, and information sheets available for the general public. The site will contain a bibliographic database of High Plains related reports and research from agencies across the state and will be developed in coordination with other known electronic and physical repositories of High Plains information including the Great Plains Institute, USGS, and agencies in Kansas and other states.