Field Investigative Methods in Groundwater Hydrology

Course Outline

This course provides guidance on field investigative methods in groundwater hydrology for engineers, hydrologists and geologists who are responsible for groundwater-related projects. The course materials are based entirely on Chapter 4 of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Engineering Manual EM 1110-2-1421 Groundwater Hydrology. Subsurface investigations are a dynamic and inexact science. This course will present an overview of different methods which can be employed to gain a better understanding of subsurface conditions pertaining to the occurrence and flow of groundwater. Key references are also provided to allow for a more detailed understanding of concepts and applications.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

• Have a better understanding of various field investigative methods for groundwater investigation;
• Be familiar with all potential sources of data for groundwater investigation; and
• Be able to plan the site investigation in the most efficient manner to meet study objectives.

Course Content

The purpose of this course is to provides guidance on field investigative methods for groundwater investigation. You are required to study the following U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Engineering Manual:

Chapter 4 of Groundwater Hydrology (Engineering Manual EM 1110-2-1421, 1999 edition, 31 pages, PDF file).

Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study.

The following contains the outline of Chapter 4 of the Engineering Manual EM 1110-2-1421:

Engineering and Design - Groundwater Hydrology

Chapter 4 - Field Investigative Methods

4-1 General
4-2 Wells
4-3 Monitoring Wells
4-4 Geologic Logging
4-5 Measuring Water Levels
4-6 Pumping Tests
4-7 Slug Tests
4-8 Borehole Geophysics
4-9 Surface Geophysics
4-10 Cone Penetrometer Testing
4-11 Isotope Hydrology
4-12 Response of Groundwater Levels to Loading Events
4-13 Conclusion

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:

USGS - Water Resources of the United States
National Ground Water Association
The Groundwater Foundation
Ground-Water Remediation Technologies Analysis Center

Once you finish studying the above course content you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDHonline.org or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered professional engineer. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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