OWL, or Optimal Well Locator, is a simple tool to evaluate existing monitoring well networks and assist in the selection of new monitoring well locations. The program uses ground-water elevation measurements to evaluate variations in ground-water flow magnitude and direction over time and calculate corresponding plume migration paths. A simple analysis combining the potential locations of the plume and the coverage of monitoring wells at a site allows the user to evaluate whether existing monitoring wells are optimally located, and to optimize the placement of new monitoring wells to better characterize plume location and future movement. The program accomplishes these tasks using simple algorithms and typically available field data.

Minimum System Requirements

The OWL program requires the following hardware for reasonable performance:

• At least 32 MB of RAM
• 40 MB of free hard-disk space for the user directory

Downloads

OWL Setup File (EXE)(6 MB)

US EPA. (2004) "Optimal Well Locator (OWL), A Screening Tool for Evaluating Locations of Monitoring Wells." Publication No. EPA/600/C-04/017.