WSC - Water surface elevation (WSE) and water table depth (WTD) from 14 points at the Wibu field site, 2012-2013 growing seasons
Abstract
Observation wells were installed for the purpose of continuously monitoring the water table level during the 2012 and 2013 growing seasons at the Wibu field site. These data were then used to study the yield response of corn to water table depth, soil texture, and growing season weather conditions (Zipper et al., in prep). The Wibu field site is a commercial agricultural field, which grew corn in the 2012, 2013, and 2014 growing seasons. See Zipper and Loheide (2014) Ag. For. Met. for more information about the field site. The 2012 growing season was characterized by severe drought, and the water table fell below the bottom of most wells in late June/early July.
Contact
Core Areas
Dataset ID
313
Data Sources
Date Range
-
LTER Keywords
Maintenance
completed
Metadata Provider
Methods
Each well consisted of a casing and a pressure transducer. Casings were made of 1.5 diameter PVC pipe. Each casing consisted of a screened interval, approximately 0.61 m in length, and continuous casing from the top of the screened interval to the land surface. Wells were installed via hand augering to greater than 1.5 meters below the water table at the time of installation. Where augering was impeded by subsurface rocks and gravel, steel drive point wells were used. Pea gravel was used to backfill the hole to the top of the screened interval, after which soil removed during the well installation process was re-packed to approximately the same density as prior to installation. A 5 cm layer of bentonite was installed at the land surface to prevent preferential flow down the borehole. After installation, wells were pumped to reduce the risk of fine sediment clogging the well screen, and then Onset HOBO U20 water level loggers were installed in each well. Of the 14 total wells, 9 wells were installed during the 2012 growing season (WIBU-1,2,3,5,7,8,9,10,11) and an additional 5 wells installed during the 2013 growing season (WIBU-4,12,13,14,15). Wells within the field were installed following planting and uninstalled prior to harvest for each growing season; the individual installation and start/end dates are evident in the data. Locations of individual wells are available in the Point Locations dataset. Note that some wells move between years due to uninstallation prior to harvest.
NTL Keyword
NTL Themes
Version Number
14