Scheme for development of monitoring networks for springs in Bavaria, Germany

The present groundwater monitoring network in Bavaria consists mostly of we lls and only a small number of natural groundwater springs, all of which ar e analyzed for mainly the common physical and chemical constituents in grou ndwater. In order to develop a longterm groundwater management plan for all the groundwater resources of Bavaria, the Bavarian State Office for Water Management intends to establish a separate spring-monitoring network throug hout the 11 groundwater provinces of the state. As a first step, significan t physicochemical parameters that show considerable annual fluctuation (aft er monitoring 1-3 years) were determined at 21 springs or spring systems to create a basic data set to guide future monitoring. A selection procedure was developed around four parameters: (1) geological units. which includes the principal aquifers; (2) rate of spring discharge; (3) land utilization within a catchment: and (4) approximate size of the subterranean catchment. However, in the initial phase of the study, only the first three parameter s were investigated. These parameters established a matrix for evaluating e ach groundwater region of Bavaria to aid in the selection of additional spr ings for the proposed monitoring network.