Shallow observation wells were recently constructed at 19 sites in the Water and Atmospheric Resource Monitoring (WARM) network, scattered across the state.  The wells will provide information on the depth to the water table and will augment climatological data currently being collected at the sites.

Thirty-seven observation wells, constructed in earlier drilling seasons in Lee, Whiteside, Henry, and Bureau counties, are being monitored on a routine basis.  Approximately 10 water-level measurements are made at each well per year, in order to monitor the effect of large-scale irrigation in the region.

Focused Groundwater Investigations
A long-term project continues in the Metro-East area to assess well conditions, monitor water levels, and develop operational management schemes for dewatering wells adjacent to topographically low sections of Interstate and State Highways.

The city of Shelbyville operates two well fields southwest of the city.  As part of its groundwater management plan, the city enlisted the services of the Water Survey to delineate the 5-year recharge area for its wells, using a groundwater flow model and graphical interface.

A study is nearing completion that will help resource managers make decisions with respect to aquifer protection in McHenry County, .  The study, done in conjunction with the Illinois State Geological Survey, is mapping the hydrologic and geologic framework of the principal aquifers, including potentiometric surfaces and capture-zone analyses.

Public and Industrial Groundwater Supply Studies
The city of Springfield is currently analyzing the feasibility of developing additional water sources to supplement Lake Springfield.  Among the alternatives being investigated are the development of groundwater supplies from the Sangamon River bottomlands near the city, the Illinois River bottomlands in portions of Morgan and Scott Counties, and the Havana Lowlands area of Mason county.

Investigations for Bloomington-Normal have focused on the feasibility of developing additional water supplies from the Sankoty aquifer in the McLean-Tazewell County area.  Studies are underway to develop a computer model of the aquifer to simulate various pumping scenarios at several potential sites.

Controlled aquifer tests were conducted to determine the potential for developing groundwater supplies for the village of Homer (in Champaign County) and in the Embarras Valley bottomlands of Jasper county for the E. J. Water Corporation, a not-for-profit rural water company.