WEBVTT

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Behind me we are drilling and installing our first monitoring well 

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for earth science department at Western Oregon University. 

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The benefit of having a groundwater laboratory on campus

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is that it will provide hands-on opportunity for learning about groundwater environment,

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and the skills and techniques utilized in the fields of hydrogeology. 

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Hydrogeologic field work is studying the local and regional flow of groundwaters. 

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And this well field will give us a way of peering underneath the earth

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to see what the natural water flow is in this area of the mid-Willamette valley.  

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The groundwater laboratory is going to be comprised of three wells,

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that are drilled to depth of approximately 50 feet. 

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And we are seeking water in the sand and gravel aquifers. 

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That we'll then monitor over time for water levels and water quality. 

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Right now, our drilling contractors are putting in the actual well casings.

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That is a type of clay that will expand when it meets the water. 

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And it will create a watertight sealant layer around the top portion of the well. 

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After they do the sand, they'll be topping that with a sealing layer

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in order to only look at a specific section of the sub-surface for groundwater purposes.

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The actual well casing, that will be cut off, flush to the ground,

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and they'll place a concrete monument. And when the earth science department

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comes back to take water level measurements, they'll run their 

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equipment down through that casing. That casing is the actual well. 

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Currently, I believe that the intent is to do manual water level measurments

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where you typically come out to the well and drop down a sensor 

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and it will tell you what depth the groundwater is at. 

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This project began 20 years ago, right after I was first employed at 

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Western Oregon University and has finally come to fruition with effort both with 

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on campus administrators and our alumni group that supports it. 

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I am extremely excited to be assisting with this project on campus.  

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Our group has coordinated very closely with the professors 

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and the department in order to make this happen. And we have 

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licensed geologists and alumni here to assist with the project.

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And it's quite fitting that we have some beautiful Oregon rain here 

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gracing our presence as we're drilling these holes. 

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Today's a good day in geology land at Western Oregon University. 

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