Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Queen Anne's County Observation-Well Network

Project Details

The Queen Anne's County water-level network is one of three county observation-well networks maintained by MGS and funded through county cooperative agreements. Other counties include Anne Arundel and Charles counties.

The primary objective of these networks is to monitor the effects of water-supply withdrawals on groundwater levels at both a local (well field) and regional scale. More specifically the water-level data are used to help assess (1) long-term sustainability of the water supply; (2) well interference (drawdown at each well in a multiple-well system added to drawdowns at the other wells); (3) potential for increased development of the aquifers; (4) potential for salt-water intrusion, where applicable; and (5) the role of ground-water extraction in land subsidence.

The Queen Anne's County observation-well network was initiated in 2000 and is currently funded through a cooperative agreement between Maryland Geological Survey and Queen Anne's County Department of Public Works. The network consists of 26 wells located mainly in the western (Kent Island) portion of the County. Aquifers monitored include the Surficial (Columbia) (2 wells), Aquia (16 wells), Magothy (1 well), Upper Patapsco (3 wells), Lower Patapsco (3 wells), and Patuxent (1 well). Frequency of measurement ranges from 12 times a year to semiannual (spring and fall).



Current Water Level Trends


Surficial aquifer

Water levels were measured in two wells in the unconfined surficial aquifer (at Barclay and Grasonville). Water levels fluctuate seasonally up to approximately 4 feet and respond to precipitation and drought. Current water levels range from 66.66 ft above sea level at Barclay (QA Cg 69) to 11.63 ft above sea level at Grasonville (QA Ec 1). Water-level trends show a relatively flat and stable water table.

Aquia aquifer

Water levels were measured in seventeen wells in this aquifer, thirteen of which are located on Kent Island. Most wells continued to fluctuate seasonally by less than 2 feet as in previous years. The largest fluctuations occurred at Centerville (QA De 27) where the water levels varied as much as 18 feet due to regional irrigation withdrawals. Current water levels range from 14.91 ft above sea level at Kingstown (QA Be 17) to 27.01 ft below sea level at Centreville (QA De 27). Overall water levels in the Aquia aquifer exhibit a flat trend.

Magothy aquifer

Water levels were measured in one well in the Magothy aquifer (Natural Resources Academy in Matapeake, QA Ea 27). The most recent low water level was 22.17 ft below sea level. Water levels in this well have exhibited a continued flat trend in the past year.

Upper Patapsco aquifer

Water levels were measured in three wells completed in this aquifer. Current water levels range from 18.23 ft to 28.17 ft below sea level, both recorded in a well at Kingstown (QA Be 16). Over the past year, water levels at Kingstown (QA Be 16) fluctuated as much as 10 feet. Overall water levels exhibited a slightly declining or flat trend in the past year.

Lower Patapsco aquifer

Water levels were measured in three wells completed in this aquifer. Current water levels range from about 8.74 ft below sea level at Kingstown (QA Be 15) to about 35.38 ft below sea level at Chester (QA Eb 112). Water levels in wells at Kingstown (QA Be 15) and Chester (QA Eb 112) continue to decline at approximately 1 foot per year.

Patuxent aquifer

Water levels were measured in one well in the Patuxent aquifer at Chester (QA Eb 110). The most recent low water level was about 15.28 ft below sea level. The steep decline starting in 2012 was a result of withdrawals from the Arnold well field in Anne Arundel County. Recently, water levels have declined about 1 foot per year with periods of stasis, as in the past year.