Modern Technologies and Emerging Techniques for Assessing Complex Hydrogeologic Systems in Fractured Bedrock
Date:
September 8-9, 2025 (Monday and Tuesday)
Location:
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Instructors:
• David J. Hart, Ph.D. Wisconsin Geologic and Natural History Survey
• Maureen Muldoon, PhD. Wisconsin Geologic and Natural History Survey
Continuing Education Information:
1.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) (16.0 Professional Development Hours)
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and a Course Completion Certificate will be administered by Midwest GeoSciences Group.
Who should attend:
Professional ground-water scientists, engineers, project managers, compliance-program managers and remedial-design managers who are required to characterize complex bedrock stratigraphy, relate hydrogeologic properties to state-specific rock units, understand groundwater flow through fractured systems, and install dependable groundwater monitoring systems.
This course begins with a brief overview of hydrogeologic principles of bedrock origins and secondary alterations related to fracturing, weathering, and chemical modification. It then continues at an advanced level throughout the course to cover the range of conditions typically encountered during field investigations and detailed modeling projects.
How to Prepare:
Expect to learn. The instructors are gifted professionals who teach and connect with professionals ranging from novices to experts. Participants will learn about the latest techniques from field testing and characterization to ground water and geologic modeling.
Expect to participate. Participants have ample opportunity to share with instructors and the group at specified times.
What to bring:
Bring your calculator and any field forms that you normally use for rock core logging.
Bring high expectations. We strive to make this the premiere course about hydrogeologic analysis of fractured bedrock. Plus, you can expect to find some light hearted humor and fun along the way.
Course Details
Premise
The hydrogeologic complexity of fractured rock aquifers has often led to frustration and the significant expenditure of resources in characterizing groundwater and predicting contamination. It is not uncommon to experience persistent contamination at fractured rock sites that have been subject to long term pumping.
This 2-day course focuses on emerging technologies for characterizing groundwater in fractured rock systems of both high and low permeability. Although lithologic and hydrologic conditions of each fractured rock site are unique, this course highlights the common attributes that are to be anticipated in all fractured rock sites.
Indeed, each fractured rock site will have unique characteristics, where for example, the presence or absence of an individual fracture may greatly affect the extent of ground water flow or the extent of contamination. Anticipating such conditions, however, provides a framework and a pathway for choosing characterization technology and formulating and testing hypotheses to arrive at a defensible site conceptual understanding and the evaluation of meaningful remediation technologies.
Course Outline
Hydrogeologic Settings for Fractured Rock
Rock types where fractures are important
Formation of fractures
Continuum vs. discrete conceptual models
Scale issues
Fractures in regional groundwater flow
Problems with monitoring in fractured rock environments
Regional Geologic Framework
Mapping Hydraulic Head in Fractured Rock
Understanding hydraulic head and gradients
Available technologies for multilevel head measurement
Hydraulic head profiles across aquitards
Challenges in Characterizing Fractured Rock Aquifers
Site Scale Characterization
Bulk properties
Identification of hydraulically important fractures
Modern Techniques with Borehole Geophysics
Commonly used geophysical tools
Interpreting geophysical logs
Monitoring and Sampling in Heterogeneous Aquifers
Heterogeneity is the rule not the exception
Ubiquitous fracture scenerios
The high velocity/low volume pathway concept
Packer Testing
The use and mis-use of packer tests
Available methods
Analytical techniques and interpretation
Hydraulic Characterization Techniques with Borehole Flowmeters
Understanding basic flows in boreholes
Types of borehole flowmeters
Interpreting borehole flow data
Local Examples from the Area
More Emerging Techniques with Borehole Flow Tools
Combining multiple logs into a hydrologic and lithologic framework
Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) applications
Geologic Formations of Pennsylvania
We cannot be exhaustive in covering all of the stratigraphic rock units in Pennsylvania during a two-day course, but local instructors will assist with presenting local scenarios that may be applied to different areas coupled with applications of tools that can be applied to any bedrock aquifer or aquitard.
Registration
REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Limited seating.
Advanced registration is necessary for participation in this limited-enrollment short course. Pre-registration is required to reserve space and receive course materials. If you require special arrangements for diet, equipment, or handicap facilities, please indicate when registering for the course.
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE:
Participants receive 16.0 contact hours of instruction, light breakfast, lunch, printed course notebook, a FIELD GUIDE FOR ROCK CORE LOGGING AND FRACTURE ANALYSIS, course completion certificate from Midwest GeoSciences Group for qualifying participants.
This course is uniquely designed with lectures and field exercises that create a meaningful learning experience.
REGISTRATION:
ONLY $579*
Early Registration Rate: $579.00 (USD)
Two or more People for $479.00 (USD) each
Free FIELD GUIDE FOR ROCK CORE LOGGING AND FRACTURE ANALYSIS with each course registration
OPTIONAL ITEMS:
The online registration allows registrants to add items to their course registration.
Item No 1: Full-Color Printed Notebook for $89.00.
EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT:
Early registration discounts may be applied when payment is received by August 25, 2025. Terms and Conditions apply.
CANCELLATIONS:
Cancellations may be made up August 8, 2025, however, 50 percent of the course fee will be charged or a credit will be issued. No refunds after August 25, 2025.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
One substitute is allowed for each registrant who is unable to attend. However substitutions are not allowed between days.
QUESTIONS:
Contact Dan Kelleher at either 763.607.0092 or dan@midwestgeo.com
Instructors
Maureen Muldoon, PhD
Maureen Muldoon, PhD is internationally-recognized for her applied hydrogeologic work in ground water characterization in fractured rock settings. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with ongoing research in ground water quality and flow in carbonate rocks, relationship between carbonate stratigraphy and hydraulic properties, and delineation of wellhead protection zones in fractured rock.
Maureen was awarded the recipient of the Standards Development Award for her preparation of ASTM D5715 -95 Standard Guide for Design of Ground-Water Monitoring Systems in Karst and Fractured-Rock Aquifers.
Dave Hart, PhD, PG
Dave Hart, PhD, PG, is an accomplished hydrogeologist/geophysicist with the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey and an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Dave's applied research includes regional groundwater flow and recharge in southeastern Wisconsin, near-surface geophysics, and measurement of porosities and permeabilities in aquifers and aquitards. Prior to joining the university, he served as a hydrogeologist with Eder Associates. He is an associate editor for Ground Water and past president of the AWRA - Wisconsin Section. Dave is recognized for his teaching the meaning of hydraulic gradients and how they apply to unraveling the complexities of aquifers and aquitards.
Testimonials
"I enjoyed the exercises demonstrating vastly different flow calculation results using porous media vs fracture flow" - Greg Oberley, US EPA.
"One of my favorite parts of the course was seeing new techniques about locating fractures and measuring fracture flow" - Rob Venczel, PG, Consol Energy.
Venue and Accommodations
VENUE:
TBD
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
ACCOMMODATIONS:
TBD
Terms and Conditions
Advance registration is necessary for participation in limited-enrollment short courses and workshops. Registration is on a first come, first served basis.
Pre-registration is required to reserve space and receive course materials.
Safety and integrity is paramount. Each participant is responsible for his/her own safety and agrees to help keep all other participants safe. No harassing behavior or intimidation is acceptable. All affiliates of this course want each participant to feel comfortable during our events.
A waiting list of potential registrants is initiated when registration exceeds the allowable classroom maximum.
One substitute may be allowed for one registration in case the original registrant cannot attend.
No refunds for No-Shows.
Cancellations may be made up August 8, 2025, however, 50 percent of the course fee will be charged or a credit will be issued. No refunds after August 25, 2025. Refunds are issued after the course is conducted, that includes any postponements or rescheduling.
COVID: All affiliates for this event follow the COVID protocols set forth by the Venue.
We are glad to arrange for a special diet, equipment, or handicap facility. We only ask that you let us know when registering for the course.
Misrepresentation of organization affiliation to access an exclusive discount for that organization is a breach of your registration agreement whereby having your registration removed and payment forfeited or accepting full professional registration fee.
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