2007 Ground Water Summit

Tuesday, May 1, 2007 : 1:50 p.m.

Assessing Hydrogeologic Budget Components of a Small Watershed through Stream, Aquifer and Quarry Discharge Monitoring

Matthew S. Weikel, M.S., Louis F. Vittorio Jr., M.S., P.G. and William Y. Potter, P.G., EarthRes Group Inc.

The hydrogeologic budget components of recharge and evapotranspiration are difficult to determine in field studies without detailed and separate investigation of these components.  For the current study, the hydrologic budget components of a karst watershed were assessed via continuous monitoring of precipitation, stream flow, quarry discharge/storage, and ground water level changes.  Basin-specific conditions, including the location of the quarry in the basin, the extent of the capture zone, and a working knowledge of the hydrologic boundaries of the system, permitted quantification of surface and groundwater flow through the watershed.  Correlation of ground water influx to the quarry with changing ground water levels in the basin following precipitation events allowed for transient estimates of ground water recharge and evapotranspiration.  The groundwater budget component equation (Q = Q+ET+ΔSs+ΔSg) could therefore be evaluated under various seasonal conditions and estimates of groundwater recharge and evapotranspiration could be made from indirect measurements and mass balance budget calculations.

Matthew S. Weikel, M.S., EarthRes Group Inc. Mr. Weikel is a Project Scientist at ERG and has 3 years of experience in environmental consulting. He holds BS and MS Degrees in Geology from Temple University. Mr. Weikel is a member of the Geological Society of America and the Environmental Engineering Geophysical Society. Specialized project areas include water and mineral resource permitting, quarry dewatering analysis, fractured rock/karst aquifer system characterization, and groundwater flow and contaminant transport modeling.

Louis F. Vittorio Jr., M.S., P.G., EarthRes Group Inc. Mr. Vittorio is the Vice President and Principal Hydrogeologist at ERG and has more than twenty-two years of experience in environmental consulting. He holds a BS Degree in Geology/Geophysics from the University of Pittsburgh and an MS Degree in Geology from Lehigh University. Mr. Vittorio is a registered Professional Geologist in Pennsylvania, a NJ Certified Subsurface Evaluator and is a member of the Pennsylvania Council of Professional Geologists, American Water Works Association and NGWA. Specialized project areas include water and mineral resource permitting, quarry dewatering analysis, fractured rock/karst aquifer system characterization, and groundwater flow and contaminant transport modeling.

William Y. Potter, P.G., EarthRes Group Inc. William Potter is a Senior Geologist and Project Manager at EarthRes Group, Inc. and has more than eighteen years of experience in environmental consulting and geophysical data processing. He holds a Degree in Geology from Ohio Wesleyan University. Mr. Potter is a registered Professional Geologist in Pennsylvania, a New Jersey Certified Subsurface Evaluator and is a member of the Pennsylvania Council of Professional Geologists. His areas of specialization include mineral resource permitting, quarry dewatering analysis, fractured rock/karst aquifer system characterization, and groundwater flow evaluation. Mr. Potter has also worked extensively in the solid waste industry and in conducting environmental investigation.


The 2007 Ground Water Summit