After taking this course, you should be able to solve practical,
quantitative problems related to groundwater supply and contamination
and to analyze new hydrogeologic settings and predict the direction
of groundwater flow and pathways for contaminant movement. You should
be able to gather and analyze data and write reports about the
hydrogeology of a site, and to critically read reports and articles
related to hydrogeology and groundwater contamination.
1. Introduction to the class and to hydrogeology.
2. The Hydrologic Cycle. Chapters 1, 2
Storage reservoirs for water and pathways by which water moves. Conservation of mass and the continuity equation. Delineating drainage basins.
3. Properties of Aquifers. Chapters 3, (8)
Hydraulic conductivity, Darcy's Law, hydraulic gradient; transmissivity, storativity, specific yield, specific storage; aquifer types; homogeneity, heterogeneity, isotropy, anisotropy.
4. Principles of Groundwater Flow. Chapter 4
Darcy's Law and the equations describing groundwater flow in the saturated zone; flownets.
5. Groundwater Flow to Wells. Chapter 5
Computing drawdown and estimating aquifer properties; Theis, Thiem, and Hantush-Jacob; pump tests, slug tests, hydrologic boundaries and well interference.
6. Soil Moisture and Groundwater Recharge. Chapter 6
Capillarity, pore water tension, flow in the vadose zone, and groundwater recharge.
7. Regional Groundwater Flow and the Geology of GW Occurrence. Chapters 7, 8
Flow system concepts and groundwater flow in different geologic settings; glaciated terrain, alluvial valleys, carbonate systems, coastal plain aquifers and saltwater intrusion.
8. Groundwater Chemistry and Contamination. Chapter (9), 10
Chemistry of natural waters; major ion chemistry; reaction types; water quality standards, monitoring, capture zone analysis, well head protection; overview of contaminant types, sources and remediation alternatives.
9. Groundwater Development and Management. Chapter 11
Safe yield, water law, protection of water quality, trends in water management.
*All readings are from: Applied Hydrogeology by C. W. Fetter (2001).