The Piedmont and Mountain Aquifer Compartment

Ground-water conditions are easier to analyze
If we first outline a compartment as to size
A compartment is a distinctive topographic space
Among similar ones on the ground we can trace.

It is the aquifer system lying beneath a hilltop and creek
It may be further bounded by small lateral spurs that peak.
Compartments represent slopes and gentle topographic lows
Into which local insulated ground water gathers and flows.

Not naturally affected by adjoining compartments,
Each has its own distinctive but similar departments.
Thus, there are thousands of mini-aquifers in each county
Some similarities of each can represent a study bounty.

Knowledge of general factors of a compartment to a degree
Offers transfer knowledge to other compartments, we see
We should not collect data about a compartment uselessly
If our generalized model shows equivalent information readily.

The Wonderful Topographic Map

For Piedmont an Mountain ground-water insight
The local topographic map gets it right
The topographic contours conveyed on the ground
Reveal much about water behavior that is sound.

A subdued replica of the surface of the land
Is the water table below, going hand-in-hand.
The crude similarity is rather easy to see
Rendering many interpretations that should be.

Recharge, transmission, and discharge we surmise
And inferences from the map are no surprise.
Studying ground water in the region is prolonged
If we do not use topographic maps all along.

We can readily note ground-water seepage and springs
By using deduction that a topographic zone brings.
We should start our study with a thinking cap
And the appropriate topographic map in our lap.

Aquifer Protection

An aquifer is an unwelcome host to wastes that we generate
Protection of aquifers is a subject we highly often debate
A concise method of protection is obscure
We wish it were simple and pure.
We must first map the plumes and recognize their fate.

Some aquifers store water readily, but recharge can be slow
In this case heavy ground water use will let us know
That progressively lowering the water table
Will prevent sustainability to be able
To leave our descendants enough water to bestow.

Aquifer protection is a philosophy we try to follow
But in real practice our hopes tend to be hollow.
Impacts of population tend to increase
As other desires of humans don’t cease
And sacrifice to protect aquifers is hard to swallow.

Is Another Exodus on the Way?

Moses traveled far to find a well
He smote the rock in a distant dell
We treasure water as much today,
But we find water in a skillful way.

May we face another exodus from semi-arid states
If water does not come at reasonable rates?
Drought conditions may be quite severe
If effects of global warming should soon appear.

Limited aquifer recharge from rain or snow
May lead to subsequent scarcity of water and woe
If human use and water associated action
Don’t balance the recharge and discharge faction.

A water budget program in a semi-arid land
Needs management that is of a restricted brand
Irrigation from wells for crops has been a blessing
But declining ground-water levels breeds lessening.

Well water is desirable because of its useful location
And the aquifer is pleased to offer modest inspiration.
The proud pump beckons water from round about
And the aquifer is recharged after each drought.

Yin and Yang in Ground Water

Ground water almost everywhere faces yin and yang
Where opposing but complementary principles hang
Where good conditions exist there may be bad
And where bad conditions exist some good may be had.

Convenience but poor yields characterize wells on hills
Better yields in valleys face inconvenience still
Waste sites on hills may contaminate nearby wells
Yet creeks may be contaminated by wastes in dells.

Contrariness in ground water management is faced
Because both desirable and undesirable conditions are based
Win-win or perfect conditions are not expected
But useful ground-water results should be respected.

We are optimistic about long-range sustainability
Because the water table has seasonal rechargeability
Yin and yang are parts of ground-water evaluation
Striving for ground-water benefits is a proclamation.

Ground Water and Regulatory Agencies

The regulatory agencies try hard
To keep the public on guard
For aquifer problems that may arise
Yet, the rules sometime fail to be wise.

The rules are strict and presumably fair
Yet, some people tend to despair
When there are harsh demands to comply
With certain rules that should not apply.

Ground-water conditions are quite variable
Rendering some rules not easily playable
An aquifer absorbs wastes as a ready receptacle
But contamination spots are not easily detectable.

Costly, intensive groundwater tests are too often mandated
Whereas adequate and skillful studies may be best tolerated.
Excessive work is devoted to some sites selected
While most contaminated sites and problems go undetected.

Risk Assessment and Decision Making

We may not always be treated merrily
Because ground water may act contrarily
Too little or too much ground water at a place
Is a situation people commonly face.

Skillful decisions we must not lack
To keep risk assessment always on track
Ground water thoughts at every turn
Favorable and unfavorable issues to learn.

Precise forecasts are very seldom sound
Many uncertainties and hedge terms abound
To explain whether a waste site has a favorability
Or a place in the context of comparability.

Better knowledge with less money to churn
Water supply or contamination a concern
Ground water moves in mysterious ways
We learn how the ground-water system behaves.