Groundwater levels and dolomite - nuisance or necessity

Abstract

The significance and importance of groundwater level data in a karst environment, whilst acknowledged by geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists, is often not afforded the recognition it deserves. Within the ambit of a geotechnical site stability investigation, the esoteric nature of groundwater affords it a perceived nuisance value, especially when compared to more tangible and concrete site-specific soil and bedrock information typically obtained from trial pits and exploration boreholes. The relevance of groundwater level data in a karst environment is explored on the basis of examples that show how such data can inform a better understanding of this envirionment. Since knowledge of the magnitude of groundwater level fluctuations in a karst environment enjoys particular geotechnical significance, response patterns evident in hydrographic data are looked at in terms of their reflection of natural and antropogenic stimuli. The paper concludes with a brief discussion on the legislative framework for groundwater level monitoring, and the collection, evaluation and presentation/reporting of the data