Davis Aerodrome Project (DAP) – Borehole Water Level Monitoring Data

Full description

The Davis Aerodrome Project (DAP) collected a range of environmental survey data over several field seasons to support a comprehensive environmental assessment of the proposed aerodrome. This data includes flora, fauna, soils, lake ecosystem, nearshore, marine, air quality and meteorological information which has been collected by a number of different methods, and extends across the current Davis Station, proposed aerodrome and supporting infrastructure footprint (Ridge Site), previous sites considered for the aerodrome (Heidemann Valley, Adams Flat), as well as locations across the Vestfold Hills away from any of the proposed developments.
This dataset contains long-term borehole water level monitoring data collected for the Australian Antarctic Division’s Davis Aerodrome Project (DAP). Eleven boreholes were established in the 2012/13 season during preliminary site investigations undertaken as part of the Capability Development Project. During this season field investigations were centred on the coastal site at Adams Flat and the boreholes were located within soil-filled valleys between outcrops of bedrock in the vicinity of Dingle Road. Monitoring of water levels in these boreholes has been undertaken since their establishment up until November 2021 under the Year-Round Aviation Access (YRAA) scoping project and DAP.

The original boreholes were drilled to a range of depths from 0.8 to 6.5 meters, and each hole was capped with a PVC casing standing approximately 20 cm above ground level. Ten sites had water well installations, with one site containing two wells. Water level measurements were taken approximately every 6-8 weeks, but more frequent measurements, generally weekly, occurring March through to May while the winter freeze occurred, and from mid-October to December when the ground water thawed. Measurements were taken using a 30m weighted tape measure from the water depth to the top of the casing with corrections made in the data table to adjust for the casing height and weighted extension to the tape measure.
Site Name Hole Depth (m recorded 12-13 in logs)
HP03 1.7
PDH02a 1.6
HAO2 0.9
HA03 0.8
PDH03a 1.45
PDH03b 3.7
HA10 1.35
PDH04 6.5
HA16 1.5
HA15 1.4
HA14 1.4

Site Names indicate the original installation method used, i.e., HP – Hand Pit, PDH – Percussion Drill Hole, HA – Hand Auger.

Site ID Easting Northing
HP03 378520 2392932
PDH02a 378445 2392916
HA02 378349 2392936
HA03 378244 2392810
PDH03a 377977 2392239
PDH03b 377981 2392235
HA10 377731 2392200
PDH04 377803 2392000
HA16 377802 2391628
HA15 377882 2391556
HA14 377820 2391499
(UTM Zone 44 D)

Lineage

Progress Code: completed

Statement: Water level monitoring was undertaken following a consistent methodology over the years of monitoring, however measurements were undertaken by different observers. The frequency of site visits varied between and within the years of monitoring.

Notes

Purpose
These installations aimed to provide information on, and monitor, ground water levels and temporal changes throughout the seasons to inform geotechnical and environmental assessment processes being undertaken by the Year-Round Aviation Access scoping project and Davis Aerodrome Project.