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IAH Canada 2012 Congress

Short Courses

The IAH 2012 Niagara Falls Congress is pleased to offer a choice of full-day short courses as part of the official conference program. All courses will be held on Sunday, September 16 and will take place at the Sheraton on the Falls Hotel unless otherwise indicated.

Critical Thinking in Pumping Test Interpretation
Instructor: Chris Neville (S.S. Papadopulous)
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Registration Price: Before June 16 - $350 (Students $150); On/After June 16 - $400 (Students $175)

Reliable interpretations of aquifer tests are essential for evaluating groundwater resources, predicting the effects of developing additional groundwater supplies, delineating wellhead protection areas, and designing remedial measures at contaminated sites. Aquifer tests are generally interpreted using methods based on highly idealized conceptual models of the subsurface. More often than not, when a hydrogeologist is charged with interpreting the results of an aquifer test he/she often discovers that the data do not look like those in a textbook. Data are typically noisy, do not approximate theoretical type curves, and frequently yield inconsistent estimates of aquifer properties.

This one-day short course is designed to assist in bridging the gap between theory and practice. The objective of the course is to hone the critical thinking skills of practicing groundwater professionals responsible for interpreting data from aquifer tests in natural complex settings. The course is structured as a set of formal lectures that include coverage of the underlying theory with extensive discussion of case studies. The course takes a rigorous yet practical approach towards the diagnosis of aquifer response and the estimation of representative aquifer properties from aquifer tests. The lectures and discussion are designed to go beyond the nuts-and-bolts of aquifer test interpretation and address concepts of diagnosis of aquifer response and assessment of the reliability of parameter estimates. The course is not devoted to any particular computer-assisted interpretation package, but such methods will be used to demonstrate some of the concepts.


Isotopes as Hydrologic Tracers
Instructors: Mike Wireman (EPA), Bob Michel (USGS)
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Registration Price: Before June 16 - $350 (Students $150); On/After June 16 - $400 (Students $175)

A critical step in completing a successful hydrogeologic assessment, water resource management plan or remedial design/implementation is the development of a sound conceptual model that describes the recharge, flow and discharge of source waters to aquifers and streams, springs, wetlands and lakes. Stable and radiaoactive water isotopes have proven to be very useful for characterizing sources of water and groundwater flowpaths. This course focuses on understanding the hydrochemistry of stable water isotopes and radioactive isotopes and their application in watershed scale hydrologic / hydrogeologic investigations. Case studies will emphasize acid mine drainage systems in mountain environments, but the material is also useful for other types of contaminant / water management issues. Once this fundamental knowledge is obtained, it will be possible to integrate this information, utilizing site specific hydrogeological data, into watershed/aquifer management plans, and/or characterization and remediation of contaminated water resources.

Michael Wireman currently serves as a National Ground-Water Expert for the US EPA in Denver, CO. He has a Master’s degree in hydrogeology from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, post MS work at the Colorado School of Mines and 25 years of experience in ground-water investigations in the Rocky Mountain west. In his current position he provides technical and scientific support to several EPA programs, other Federal agencies, International programs and ground-water protection/management programs in several western states. Mike also manages research projects related to mine-site hydrology/geochemistry, ground-water sensitivity/vulnerability assessment, isotope hydrology, ground-water/surface water interaction and aquifer characterization. Mike is a member of the Colorado Ground- Water Association, the National Ground Water Association, the Geological Society of America, and is the current President of the US Chapter of the International Association of Hydrogeologists.

Dr Robert (Bob) Michel presently works at the US Geological Survey Tritium Laboratory in Menlo Park, CA. He received his PhD from UC San Diego on the use of tritium in oceanography and spent several years working at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He joined the US Geological Survey in 1987 and became chief of the USGS Tritium laboratory. His career on use of isotopes in water chemistry has spanned over 40 years and included work in oceanography, glaciology and hydrology. His hydrologic studies have included the study of long-term isotopic data bases in hydrologic systems to estimate ages, unsaturated zone studies to look at recharge rates and the movement of pollutants through the vadose zone, and use of isotopes in contaminant studies such as acid mine drainage. He has also used isotopes on studies of timescales for nutrient cycling in watersheds. He has taught courses on the applications of isotopes to hydrologic problems for the US Geological Survey and the International Atomic Energy Agency.


The Art of Writing Successful Scientific Papers
Instructor: Nick Robins (BGS)
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Registration Price: Before June 16 - $50 (Students $35); On/After June 16 - $75 (Students $45)

This course will include the scrutiny of good and bad technical papers, a look at the difference between reports and papers, use of English and style, paper structure development using a real example, writing for speed reading, graphics, editors and peer review for conferences and journals.

Nick Robins is a hydrogeologist with the British Geological Survey at Wallingford with 35 years’ experience in the UK and overseas. Dr. Robins is interested in optimisation of groundwater resource potential and protection through the understanding of aquifer flow systems. Other activities include: Editor-in-Chief Books, International Association of Hydrogeologists; Books Editorial Committee , Geological Society, London; various journal editorial roles; various academic roles; lead or subordinate author or editor of 9 technical books, lead or subordinate author of 70 peer reviewed papers in the technical literature and of a further 50 conference papers, book chapters, etc. Dr. Robins received his Doctor of Science in 2000 from the University of Birmingham. For the past ten years written dissemination has become a focus which has resulted in Dr. Robins mentoring colleagues and providing formal tuition in preparing technical scientific papers and addressing technical recommendations.

Basic Hydrogeologic Field Methods
Instructors: John E. Moore, Joel Carillo, Robert Raynolds
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Registration Price: Before June 16 - $350 (Students $150); On/After June 16 - $400 (Students $175)

This course is a practical guide for hydrogeologists to evaluate commonly encountered problems in field investigations. The emphasis in this course is given to a practical “how to” rather than a textbook theoretical approach. Information is presented on hydrogeologic principles; conceptual models of hydrogeologic systems; sources of hydrologic information; surface investigations; subsurface investigations; well inventory; design and analysis of aquifer tests; streamflow measurements; report planning; report writing and review; and field case study; a glossary; and references for additional study. Major source references for this guide were the U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations and ASTM standards and guides for soil, rock, and groundwater. The second edition of John Moore’s Field Hydrogeology book (2011) will be presented and discussed.

John Moore earned a B.A. in geology from Ohio Wesleyan University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He is currently presents short courses for the Geological Society of America and the International Association of Hydrogeologists and has more than 50 years of experience as a scientist, technical advisor and senior hydrologist with the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Environmental Protection Agency. At the USGS he planned and directed hydrologic investigations, supervised well drilling, designed aquifer tests, investigated contamination, supervised writing and review of 1,500 reports each year, and presented hydrologic short courses in project planning, report review, and field hydrogeology.

Bob Raynolds is a Research Associate at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and received his B.A. and Ph.D. in geology from Dartmouth College. His current research is sedimentation in the Denver Basin, geometry of aquifers, and climate change. He is the author of publications on remote sensing, stratigraphy, sedimentation, volcanology, hydrogeology, and earth science education. Bob has done field work in Bolivia, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Malawi, Kenya, Botswana, Ethiopia, Egypt, China, Pakistan, Nepal, and Tibet and held a Fulbright Professorship in Pakistan. He is a fellow with the Geological Society of America, and a member of the International Association of Hydrogeologists.

Joel Carillo-Rivera earned an M.Sc. in hydrogeology from University College in Great Britain and a Ph.D. in geology from London University. He is a researcher at the Institute of Geography at UNAM, Lower House Advisor, member of the National Academy of Sciences, researcher and reviewer of CONACyT, European Community external advisor, and past president of the Mexican chapter of the International Association of Hydrogeologists. Teaching hydrogeology and tutoring thesis work in groundwater have been part of his major responsibilities in the Institute of Geography at the University of Mexico.

Southern Ontario Bedrock Hydrogeology Core Workshop
Instructors: Frank Brunton, Elizabeth Priebe (Ontario Geological Survey), John Piersol (Golder Associates)
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Niagara College - Niagara Falls Campus (Bus will leave from the Sheraton-on-the-Falls Hotel at 9:30 am)
Registration Price: Before June 16 - $350 (Students $150); On/After June 16 - $400 (Students $175)

This short course will highlight the regional bedrock aquifer mapping program of the Ontario Geological Survey. Since its initiation in 2005, the OGS’s bedrock aquifer mapping program has integrated stratigraphic relationships and understanding of tectonostratigraphic framework with detailed hydrogeologic testing information to improve conceptualization of regional groundwater flow and prediction of water supply potential and aquifer vulnerability.

Deep cores collected along the Niagara Escarpment region of southern Ontario will be laid out for a descriptive core logging session where both geologic and hydraulic properties of the rock will be discussed. This is an excellent opportunity to witness where water moves through these rocks, which is not always intuitive. Characteristics of the rock formations including mineralogy, rock chemistry, secondary permeability features and groundwater geochemistry will be discussed along with the insights gained from downhole geophysical logging, hydraulic testing and various multilevel systems such as FLUTe, Solinst and Westbay. The course will cover the challenges and important advancements made to extrapolate hydrogeological conditions across a complex tectonostratigraphic setting.

Drilling Technologies for Groundwater Extraction
Instructors: Arthur Becker (SGS North America)
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Registration Price: Before June 16 - $100 (Students $65); On/After June 16 - $150 (Students $90)

Although the machinery may seem different around the world, the fundamental technologies for water well or water borehole construction are nearly universal. This presentation will provide an in-depth review of the advantages and disadvantages of the following water well drilling technologies as each relates to geologic site conditions and depth to groundwater: dug, driven point, auger, boring, jet, cable tool, air rotary, mud rotary, down-the-hole hammer, dual rotary, sonic and reverse circulation rotary. Video will be utilized to explore air rotary, bucket, cable tool, down-the-hole hammer, dual rotary, sonic and reverse circulation drilling techniques.

A Certified Professional Geologist, Art Becker holds drilling licenses in 11 US states and is a National Ground Water Association (USA) certified Master Ground Water Contractor (MGWC). A geology graduate of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick (USA), he is chairman of the New Jersey State (USA) Well Drillers and Pump Installers Licensing and Examining Advisory Board and is the president-elect of the National Ground Water Association (USA).

New Approaches to Conceptual Modelling Development
Instructors: Thomas D. Krom (Touch Water), Thomas Cook (ARANZgeo)
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Registration Price: Before June 16 - $350 (Students $150); On/After June 16 - $400 (Students $175)

Developing a reasonable geological model is a key activity in many hydrogeological evaluations. This course will provide you with tools and skills for getting the most out of your data while constructing a conceptual hydrogeological model for your site. Additionally, the course will focus on how applying implicit modeling concepts allows you to do this faster by moving the focus onto building the conceptual model and using software tools to carry out the drudgery (like finding contacts in wells and data checking).

The course includes examples for water resources and contamination problems and will offer a series of hands-on modeling exercises in geological model construction as well as focusing on the methods available to transfer the geological model to MODFLOW and FEFLOW environments. Exercises also include using data verification tools for easy error-checking, 3D interpolation of data on screens. Volume calculations for contaminate plumes is also covered. There is a case study on how to use geophysical data directly in the model building process.

Leapfrog Hydro software www.leapfroghydro.com will be used and all participants will receive a limited-duration license for Leapfrog Hydro to hone their skills after the course.

NOTE: Registrants are required to supply their own laptop computer.

Thomas D. Krom, Ph.D. has worked as a groundwater modeller for over 20 years. He has extensive experience with many modelling packages such as Modflow, FEFLOW et al. The development of geological models and converting them to groundwater flow models has been a core activity in his career, including his Ph.D. work. Thomas is one of the architects behind Leapfrog Hydro and has worked on consulting projects in the USA, Europe, Central America and New Zealand.

Thomas Cook has worked as an environmental consultant for over 20 years. For the last 16 he has specialized in data management and data visualization. He has extensive experience with many environmental data management and visualization tools. He has created more than 100 visualization models. Thomas has been working with ARANZ Geo since 2011 and is the North American Technical Representative. Thomas has worked on consulting projects in the North America, Europe and Asia.

Integrated Conceptual and Numerical Modeling
Instructors: Wayne Hesch (Schlumberger Water Services)
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Registration Price: Before June 16 - $350 (Students $150); On/After June 16 - $400 (Students $175)

There is a large amount of environmental data available from a wide variety of sources that can be used to characterize the groundwater conditions in a study area. The first step in developing a groundwater model is to gather all of this data and develop a hydrogeologic conceptual model of the study area. Once the sub-surface conditions are well understood, the next step in the modeling process is to construct a numerical groundwater model of the study area.

Visual MODFLOW Flex (VMOD Flex) software provides an all-in-one environment for conceptual and numerical modeling for MODFLOW. VMOD Flex allows you to incorporate several types of GIS data into a three-dimensional conceptual model of the study area. The resulting conceptual model can be converted to one or more finite difference or finite element models. By following a conceptual approach, the tedious work of populating the grid or mesh are done automatically, and allows for assessing numerous numerical models in order to improve model stability and reliability.

This course starts with an introduction to the data that is needed to characterize the hydrogeology of a study area and the benefits of data management, borehole log design, cross-section development, and GIS mapping of model input parameters and boundary conditions. The course then discusses the development of a three-dimensional grid-independent conceptual model using VMOD Flex and the representation of model properties and boundaries as grid-independent objects within the conceptual model. Finally, groundwater flow is illustrated using various grid discretizations in order to effectively predict groundwater heads, pathlines, gradients, and water budgets. A comparison between the results of the two models will be reviewed, along with the benefits of each model. This course is well suited to groundwater modelers who wish to develop a more advanced understanding of conceptual model development and numerical model construction, as well as those who wish to advance their modeling knowledge as part of their responsibilities in groundwater model development, review, planning, and project management.

NOTE: Registrants are required to supply their own laptop computer.

Wayne Hesch, B.Sc. is the Senior Product Champion for Visual MODFLOW, at Schlumberger Water Services. Wayne has completed his Bachelor of Science Degree at University of Waterloo, and the Environmental Engineering Program at Conestoga College. Wayne has taught courses on conceptual modeling, groundwater modeling, and water quality data management for more than 7 years, for public and private organizations at venues around the world.