GENERAL INFORMATION
AND
APPROXIMATE FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE
(All times listed are in Mountain Standard Time)
Background
We will explore the geology, hydrology and hydrogeology of the Scottsbluff/Gering area and visit the Panhandle Research and Extension Center to learn about ongoing geophysical, soils and irrigation related research. Jesse Korus, Shane Tucker, and Doug Hallum will lead the trip. The visit to PHREC will feature presentations by Drs. Mohamed Aboushanab, Xin Qiao, and Bijesh Maharjan.
Objectives
- Provide participants a general understanding of the surface and bedrock geology and hydrogeology of the North Platte River valley between Tri-State Diversion and Lewellen, NE.
- Explore and discuss the Haystack Mountain conglomerate as described by Korus, Joeckel and Tucker in 2020.
- Explore and discuss the strata exposed at Scottsbluff National Monument.
- Provide an overview of the water management complexities relating to hydrology and hydrogeology of the lower North Platte River valley, particularly related to the varying and commingled sources of water, and the desire for efficient water use.
- Inform participants about ongoing and planned geophysical, soils and irrigation related research being conducted at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center.
- Illustrate the value of non-invasive (geophysical) investigative techniques to the study of hydrogeology.
DRAFT ITINERARY
Day 1: July 26, (8 CEUs)
6:30 (15 min) Start at a location TBD. Introductions and overview of the trip. Safety Meeting. [Hallum]
7:00 (4 hr) Big Haystack Mountain – hike to examine exposures of the Haystack Mountain conglomerate [Korus/Tucker]
11:00 Lunch [location TBD]
12:30 (3 hr) Brule Formation channel sand, Gering-Ft. Laramie, and Winters Creek (Minatare?) drains – roadside visits illustrating the occasional channel deposits found in the Brule Formation, and illustrating the varying character of the left and right bank drains [Tucker/Korus/Hallum].
16:00 (1 hr) Tri-state canal diversion – visit the Tri-state canal diversion and learn about the history and operation of the Farmers Irrigation District [Irrigation District Manager].
17:00 Return to lodgings
Day 2: July 27 (7 CEUs)
6:30 (15 min) Start at TBD. Introduction and overview of day 2.
7:00 (4 hr) Scottsbluff National Monument – hike the Saddle Rock Trail and discuss significant strata at select locations, provide an overview of the hydrogeologic framework and the water management conception illustrated by historic and current water infrastructure and accounting tools [Tucker/Hallum/Stone].
11:00 Lunch [location TBD]
13:00 (3 hr) Panhandle Research and Extension Center – learn about the resources and research projects conducted at the center from UNL Specialists, including geophysical, soils and irrigation related research [Aboushanab, Maharjan, Qiao]
16:00 Return home
INSTRUCTIONS
Transportation, meals and lodging
All transportation to/from field trip stops is the responsibility of the participant. Participants are responsible to secure their own lodging and provide their own meals.
Registration
A completed registration form is required for all participants. Participation in the field trip cannot be confirmed until a properly completed waiver is submitted, and the total registration cost is received by the Society Treasurer or confirmed through web payments. Please register and pay online! Applicants who provide a scan of their completed registration and waiver forms to the Society Vice President (rshuster@unomaha.edu) will be added to a provisional attendance list. Updates and notifications may be delayed for those who choose to register or pay via mail.
Waiver
A signed waiver form is required, and participation in the field trip cannot be confirmed until the original signed waiver form is received by the Society Treasurer. Each participant must sign a separate waiver form. The original signed waiver form(s) should be submitted with the registration package, and scanned waiver forms sent electronically to the Society Vice President (rshuster@unomaha.edu). All participants must be listed on a waiver form.
Continuing Education
Participants holding licenses under the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) Water Well Construction, Monitoring Well Supervisor, and Pump Installation occupations may be eligible for up to sixteen (15) continuing education credits (Eight on day 1, Seven on day 2). An application has been submitted to NDHHS, but has yet to be approved, so the final number of credit hours available to attendees will be determined at the next board meeting (early August). To accommodate the Continuing Education Program, a scanner will be made available once each day and NDHHS licensees will be able to scan their Continuing Education Verification IDs. Attendees will need to attend the entire day to scan their ID and earn CEUs. The table listing attendees will be provided to the NDHHS by the Nebraska Geological Society after the trip is complete.
Professional Geologists may consider this program as 15 hours of continuing education.
Register Today!
- Scan, photocopy, or photograph your signed waiver form and email to the Society Vice President (rshuster@unomaha.edu).
- Make you payment online, NebraskaGeologicalSociety.org Registration Page for this event. Or mail your check (payable to “The Nebraska Geological Society”) to the Society Treasurer at NGS Field Trip Registration, PO Box 33, Gretna, NE 68028-0033.