The hydrogeology program in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering provides the course work and individual research necessary for the graduate to work as a groundwater professional in consulting, research, teaching, or governmental regulation. Course work and research in the program balances theory with practical field and laboratory skills.

REGIONAL HYDROGEOLOGY:

Grand Forks lies adjacent to the Red River and near the center of the Lake Agassiz Plain.  Slow upward leakage of saline water from the Ordovician Winnipeg Group and Cretaceous Dakota Formation aquifers occurs through fine-grained glacial sediments. This has led to the formation of wetlands and has significantly affected the surface water and shallow groundwater quality in
some areas. 
The regional flow pattern in the bedrock aquifers suggests that recharge occurs as far west as Montana and Wyoming.  Several small but productive unconfined aquifers are located about 25 miles both east and west of Grand Forks.  These aquifers occur in ancient beaches and deltas of Lake Agassiz and discharge through springs developed along the margins of incised post-glacial streams.  Although the region is not significantly industrialized, groundwater quality has been affected by agricultural, municipal disposal, and oil, coal, and gas extraction activities.

Artesian well completed in the Dakota aquifer (USGS photo taken about 1890).
 

FACILITIES:

The Department of Geology and Geological Engineering and the F.D. Holland, Jr. Geology Library are located in Leonard Hall.  Built approximately 30 years ago, Leonard Hall was designed specifically for the geology department and contains ample laboratory, office, and classroom space.  The Geology Library is one of the largest in the upper Midwest and has a complete collection of U.S.G.S. topographic maps and publications.  Most major journals are received by the library including Journal of Ground Water, Water Resources Research, Journal of Hydrology, Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation, Bulletin of Engineering Geology, Environmental Geology, Hydrological Processes, Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, and Journal of Contaminant Hydrology.  Also, the department houses the Environmental Analytical Research Laboratory, which includes an IC, GF/AAS, total C analyzer, and a total S analyzer.

Equipment available in the department and used in the hydrogeology program includes:

  - pH, oxygen, and conductivity meters         - tensiometer transducer
  - peristaltic pump and filter                          - tensiometers
  - water level tapes and probes                     - CPN neutron moisture probe
  - Manning water samplers                           - Hach spectrophotometer
  - soil water samplers                                  - earth resistivity equipment
  - Campbell CR10X data loggers                   - laser level
  - hand augering equipment                          - groundwater modeling software
  - 1.7 in. submersible pump                          - transducer/data logger
  - 3/5 in. well points                                     - portable hydraulic drill rig
  - 1.7 in. hand pump                                     

The hydrogeology program also uses an 8 inch production well and 6 observation wells (installed by the North Dakota State Water Commission) for the demonstration of pump tests at a site 12 miles west of campus. 

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES:

Areas of current research interest by the faculty and students include:

    Hydrogeology of glacial sediments
    Application of geophysics in hydrogeology
    Ground, soil, and surface water movement in wetlands
    Wellhead protection strategies
    Numerical modeling of unconfined aquifers
    Fate of agricultural chemicals in shallow unconfined aquifers
    Denitrification in aquifers
    Groundwater contaminant transport and remediation
    Wetland and riparian hydrology
 
The Department of Geology and Geological Engineering provides support for graduate research through teaching and research assistantships.  Additional stipend and logistical support has come through outside agencies which include:

  UND Energy and Environmental Research Center
  South Dakota Geological Survey
  North Dakota State Department of Health
  UND Graduate School
  North Dakota Geological Survey
  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  North Dakota State Water Commission
  U.S. Geological Survey
  North Dakota EPSCoR
  U.S. Department of Agriculture
  The Nature Conservancy
  U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:

Degree offerings with a concentration in hydrogeology include the B.S. in Geology, B.S. in Geological Engineering, B.S. in Environmental Geology and Technology/Water Resources, and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Geology.

Courses in hydrogeology currently include:
 Hydrogeology (3)                                     Contaminant Hydrogeology (3)
 Advanced Physical Hydrogeology (3)        Hydrogeological Field Methods (2)
 Hydrogeochemistry (3)                            Groundwater Remediation (3)
 Groundwater Modeling (3)                        Wetland Design (3)

The hydrogeology program is supported by courses offered in environmental geology, geomorphology, structural geology, geophysics, engineering geology, statistical applications in geology, geochemistry, and other areas of geology.  Many courses in other areas such as civil engineering, biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics are available to provide for individual needs and goals.

FACULTY:

Philip J. Gerla, Ph.D., Arizona, 1983; hydrogeology, environmental geology, wetland hydrology, engineering geology.

William D. Gosnold, Ph.D., Southern Methodist, 1976; geophysics, geothermics,  tectonics.

Scott F. Korom, Ph.D., P.E., Utah State University, 1991; hydrogeology, groundwater remediation and engineering.

Richard D. LeFever, Ph.D., UCLA, 1979; computer and statistical applications, sedimentology.

Ronald K. Matheney, Ph.D., Arizona State University, 1989; isotope geochemistry, aqueous geochemistry.

Jaakko Putkonen, Ph.D., University of Washington, geomorphology, surface processes, quaternary geology.

Lance Yarbrough, Ph.D., University of Mississippi, engineering geology, remote sensing, geospatial analysis, environmental remediation.