Hydrocamp
Hydrogeology Field Camp ESci 4971W/5971
photo by Logan Jacobs 2017
2024 DATES
July 24-July 26: Hybrid (Tate Hall, Minneapolis & Online synchronous)
(July 27: travel)
July 28-August 9: in-person (see below)
(Aug. 10: travel)
Aug 11-Aug 13: Hybrid (Tate Hall, Minneapolis & Online synchronous)
IN-PERSON LOCATION:
Lodging will be at the UMN Itasca Biological Station (https://cbs.umn.edu/itasca).
Fieldwork will take place at the UMN Hydrogeology Field Site near Akeley, MN.
**Contact Dr. Peter Kang (pkkang@umn.edu) and Dr. Crystal Ng (gcng@umn.edu) for more information**
See "How to Apply" for application form.
Enrollment is limited to 30 students in order to
maintain a low student to instructor ratio.
This field camp makes an effort to be accessible.
Our field area is relatively level grassy terrain and
most wells are within a 2 to 3 acre area.
Elevation of field area is about 1,400 feet above sea level.
The Itasca Research Station, where will be staying, meets ADA accessibility standards.
We will work with you to try to meet special needs or accommodations.
Please contact us with specific questions.
Our staff work with the University of Minnesota
Office for Equity and Diversity
utilizing Best Practices and Universal Design.
New in 2019:
Three dimensional glacial geologic mapping utilizing
LiDAR, gamma logging of wells, rotosonic core and soil pits,
combined with dGPS and total stations.
New in 2017:
We are working with the International Association for Geoscience Diversity (IAGD)
to create an accessible field camp. www.theiagd.org
For 2017 we spent the entire 3 weeks at Deep Portage
and at our Hydrogeology Field Site near Akeley, Minnesota.
Four new wells completed into the till between the
unconfined surficial aquifer and deep confined aquifer
and a second deep monitoring well installed.
New in 2016:
New deep monitoring well ready for confined aquifer tests.
We installed a full meteorology station
and will be adding a new module on
evapotranspiration and ground water recharge.
New in 2015:
We have drilled a rotosonic core to bedrock (490 feet down)
and set a screen in the deep confined aquifer at 210-230 feet
for a new pumping well.
A three week program offered each summer as either a
4 credit, writing intensive field course or as a
2 credit graduate level course.
Overview
An intensive three week field course (ESCI 4971W for 4 undergrad credits and 5971 for 2 graduate credits) that is offered each summer, typically from mid-July through the beginning of August. This 3 week field camp focuses on our field site near Akeley, MN in a glacial/fluvial aquifer system.
The course is designed to teach students how to evaluate hydrogeologic problems by collecting and analyzing hydrogeologic, physical, and chemical field data. Students gain proficiency using state-of-the-art equipment as they study the surface and subsurface flow within an heavily instrumented ground water flow system.
Specific field laboratories and field camp features include:
Hydrogeologic mapping and surveying using precision GPS and conventional surveying tools.
Surficial geologic mapping of glacial sediments.
Recognition, location and manipulation of hydrologic features and information in a GIS environment on laptops.
Application of LiDAR data to field mapping and analysis of hydrogeologic environments.
Water quality sampling: sampling, field tests, chemical analysis, interpretation and reporting.
Drill rig observation: split-spoon sampling, description and textural analysis, observation of well construction.
Bore hole geophysical techniques.
Single- and multiple-well aquifer testing techniques and data analysis using conventional and computational methods.
Analysis and identification of Quaternary glacial deposits.
Evapotranspiration and ground water recharge monitoring.
Stream gauging and surface water monitoring.
Analyzing Ground water/surface water interactions including lakes and wetlands.
Groundwater flow and pump test modeling using field data.
Time for write-ups and extra-curricula activities (e.g., beach volleyball, biking, canoeing, wood tick theater, climbing wall, ...)
Accommodation at Deep Portage Conservation Reserve for the 3 weeks where all meals are prepared for us and various resources are provided including a great common hall for work and play, a beach volleyball field, dorm rooms for about 5 students each, fire places, internet + phone access, an indoor climbing wall, and much more.
**Contact Dr. Peter Kang (pkkang@umn.edu) and Dr. Crystal Ng (gcng@umn.edu) for more information**