Monitoring movement in fluid-containing environment via variable heating

A geohydrology monitoring system is disclosed. In one example, the system includes a heating mechanism assembly including an array of heating elements disposed longitudinally within a fluid-containing environment so that portions of the heating mechanism assembly are at different positions lengthwise within the fluid-containing environment. The heating mechanism assembly is configured to impart energy to the fluid-containing environment such that heating provided at some locations varies from heating provided at other locations. The system includes a fiber optic distributed temperature sensor (DTS) disposed in proximity to the heating mechanism assembly and configured to sense temperature at a plurality of positions and at multiple times along the length of the fluid-containing environment. Based on output from the DTS, processing logic generates an output that indicates properties of, and movement of fluid within, the fluid-containing environment.