Wells & the Weir
At the Shale Hills observatory, water plays an important role.
There are two important concepts concerning water: flow and storage. Flow refers to the movement of water, while storage refers to places where water is not moving.
There are two important concepts concerning water: flow and storage. Flow refers to the movement of water, while storage refers to places where water is not moving.
To monitor the flow and storage of water in this area, scientists have drilled several boreholes and set up wells in the area.
There is a stream passing through the valley close to the wells.
They have discovered that the level of underground water is correlated with rainfall – the more rain we get, the higher the water level in the wells will become, as shown in the pictures blow.
There is a stream passing through the valley close to the wells.
They have discovered that the level of underground water is correlated with rainfall – the more rain we get, the higher the water level in the wells will become, as shown in the pictures blow.
Wells with no rain
Wells with rain
In the area, there is also a small weir being used to control the flow and storage of the water along the stream. Rainfall will also change the water in the weir. The weir holds back the flow of water and creates a storage of water.
Weirs take in water from streams and the flow of water underground. When it rains, the flow of water increases both in streams and underground, therefore the water level in the weir will raise too. Look at the pictures below to see the change in water storage.
Weirs take in water from streams and the flow of water underground. When it rains, the flow of water increases both in streams and underground, therefore the water level in the weir will raise too. Look at the pictures below to see the change in water storage.
Weir with no rain
Weir with rain