AGW03 Konza Prairie Long-term high frequency groundwater level and temperature from wells on N04d

The objectives of this project are to quantify the seasonably variable timing among meteoric precipitation, groundwater recharge, and groundwater temperature. Hypotheses are: 1. Because of the karst-like characteristics of the aquifers in N04d (and by extension, the entire region), recharge will be rapid during moderately large precipitation events where fractures are enlarged by dissolution and therefore highly conductive, except during the most active part of the growing season. 2. The recharge efficiency of the aquifers will be spatially variable, with highest hydraulic conductivity (because of solution enlargement of fractures) near the riparian zone. 3. Groundwater temperature will vary continuously over the year and also demonstrate abrupt changes after recharge-effective precipitation events when the precipitation temperature is different from the groundwater temperature. Because the aquifers are merokarst and recharge is rapid, data are recorded at high frequency (5 minute intervals).