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Course Goals
Hydrogeology is the study of water in the earth’s subsurface. This course will focus on the flow of ground water, with minor attention given to the water cycle, surface water processes and water management. By the end of the course, you will be able to understand and use both graphical and mathematical representations of ground water flow. You will understand how properties of rocks and sediments affect ground water flow and transport of contaminants. You will be able to predict aquifer response to basic well dynamics, and use information from well tests to learn about aquifer properties. You will also become acquainted with selected geophysical tools and learn how they are used to study the subsurface environment.
Class time
There are many concepts in the science of hydrogeology that are mathematically based or conceptually not very intuitive. We will spend much of the class time working on these concepts. Therefore, I will not spend much lecture time on material that is presented clearly in the text and does not require detailed explanation. You are responsible for this material from the textbook (see below, quizzes). However, I welcome you to ask questions on ANY material presented in the book, and will generally set aside some class time to focus on issues you encountered in the reading. Therefore, I encourage you to bring questions to class or (even better!) to email your questions ahead of time.
Grade Basis
Weekly quizzes (13, lowest dropped): 15%
Weekly problem sets (12): 60%
Research Presentation/Writeup:10%
Final Exam:15%
Regular Assignments
Each week a problem set will be distributed, due one week later in class. This is a major portion of your grade – be sure to allow sufficient time to complete them. Assignments are due in class. Late assignments will be accepted for half-credit only. No credit will be given after one week late.
•Work alone, except as noted for particular problems or assignments. See me if you need help. Show your work for all problems.
•Odd problems: Since answers to odd problems are in the back of the textbook, show your work to get credit. Odd problems are also worked in detail on the textbook website. TRY each problem on your own and get good and frustrated (or figure it out!) before giving in to the temptation to look at the website. However, feel free to look after you are satisfied that either (1) you did it right or (2) you gave it your best shot. (Yes, that means you may get some free points on your assignments!)
Important: There is no penalty for using the website as long as you show work you did BEFORE visiting the web site as well as the final worked problem and answer. Cite the website for any problem where you use it. (Just say, “WEB”).
Regular Quizzes
Each week there will be a quiz during the first class period. Questions will be based on the previous week’s lecture material AND on reading assigned for the current class period. Hint for success: Do the reading before class! NO makeup quizzes will be offered except in cases of missing class due to serious illness or official university activity. Your lowest quiz score will be dropped.
Research
You will be required to make a short presentation to the class based on your research of a particular aquifer or hydrologic problem. A list of topics for you to choose from will be distributed early in the course. The research presentations will be conducted in a manner similar to the Geological Society of America meetings: timed presentations with limited time for questions and transitions between speakers. Your talk abstracts will be distributed ahead of time, and other members of the department will be invited to attend.
Your classmates will evaluate your presentation style (25% of grade); I will evaluate the content (75% of grade). Details of presentation style criteria will be offered midway through the semester.
Field Trip
I hope we will be able to take a field trip for this course – we’ll discuss this soon!
Schedule: assigned readings, problems due, and class business
W9-JanCourse overview and case study: San Joaquin Valley--Questionnaire
M14-JanIntroduction, Hydrologic Cycle1.1-1.5; 2.1-2.5Skim 1.6-1.11Quiz #1
W16-JanEvapotranspiration, Runoff and Streamflow2.6-2.8PS 1Hornberger 43-60 (handout)
M21-JanStream discharge and fluid properties2.9-2.14Quiz #2
W23-JanAquifer Properties 3.1 - 3.8PS 2
M28-JanAquifer Properties 3.9 - 3.12Quiz #3
W30-JanGW Flow I (Hydraulic Head & Darcy's Law) 4.1 - 4.6PS 3
M4-FebGW Flow II (Flow equations and math review) 4.7 - 4.10Quiz #4
W6-FebGW Flow III (Flow Nets and steady-state flow)4.11-4.14PS 4
M11-FebGeologic Constraints on Groundwater Flow8.1-8.9Quiz #5
W13-FebAquifer Settings7.1-7.5, 7.7PS 5
M18-FebCatch-up and reviewQuiz #6
W20-FebGW Flow IV (Transient Flow): Predicting drawdown 5.1 - 5.4PS 6
M25-FebGW Flow V: determining aquifer properties from well tests5.5Quiz #7
W27-FebGW Flow VI: Slug tests. Image Well Concept5.6.1; 5.6.4; 5.7-5.10PS 7
SPRING BREAK: NO CLASS
M11-MarGW Flow Modeling: Concepts and History 13.1 - 13.3Quiz #8
W13-MarComputer Modeling: Finite-Difference Method 13.4 - 13.8PS 8
M18-MarGW Contamination: Concepts and History 10.1-10.5, 10.7Quiz #9
W20-MarSolute Transport: Advection and Dispersion 10.6PS 9
M25-MarAdsorption and Attenuation, Capture Zones 10.8-10.10Quiz #10
W27-MarCatch-up and reviewPS 10
M1-AprField Methods: wells and sampling12.1-12.2; 12.5-12.7additional reading TBDQuiz #11
W3-AprGeophysical tools: surface methods12.3PS 11
M8-AprGeophysical tools: well methods12.4Quiz #12
W10-AprVadose zone hydrology6PS 12
M15-AprGround water management11Quiz #13
W17-AprStudent Presentations8.10, 7.6
M22-AprLast class: Catch up, wrap up, review.
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