Spring Break
Professor's findings published in Dec. survey bulletin
Research project beneficial for engineers, hydro geologists,hikers in Chippewa County
Renee Rosenow
Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: News
After over a decade of research, UW-Eau Claire geology professor Kent Syverson had his findings finally published in the Wisconsin Survey Bulletin 103 "Pleistocene Geology of Chippewa County, Wisconsin."
The bulletin contains pictures of the sediment, topographic maps and in the back a pull-out map displaying the glacial sediment and land form.
Syverson said he began researching the Chippewa County area in 1994 and officially began working on this project in 1996. In 1998 he received funding from the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey and the Chippewa County Land Conservation Department.
Syverson said the map has many practical uses. Engineers can use it to see the foundations of the area if they were looking to build a bridge. Hydro geologists would be able to see how fast ground water could move in a certain area. Members of the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation and hikers could be informed as to how the landscape formed, he said.
Dan Masterpole, Chippewa County conservationist, said the bulletin is very important to the economic development of the Chippewa County, as well as the county's efforts to conserve land.
As a conservationist, Masterpole said knowing as much as possible about the land is extremely valuable to those who are trying to manage it.
"This was a project that is an ideal example of how a university can apply its resources and talents to produce an end product that has a direct value to the local society," he said. "I commend the university for doing applied research that has direct value to the local economy and conservation agencies responsible for managing the land."
Sophomore Steve Nikolai, a biology major who enjoys the outdoors, said it would be interesting to see the map and be able to learn about Wisconsin's natural history.
"It is very interesting to look back at what made Wisconsin Wisconsin and how one area can be so different from another because of the glaciers," he said.
Syverson said one of the best things he took out of the research was the relationships he was able to form with the many students who collaboratively worked with him over the years on the project.
"You get to know students well when you are working with them in the field," he said.
Syverson said he had the students work in teams on a small area at a time. He gave them some background information and then they did the field work and discussed what they found with him.
"It is great practical experience for students who want to go to grad school," he said.
Syverson said another positive thing he took from the project was how he has become a resource to people on geology in the county.
"Now I have become intimately acquainted with the regional glacial geology … I have become a sort of expert on this area."
The bulletin contains pictures of the sediment, topographic maps and in the back a pull-out map displaying the glacial sediment and land form.
Syverson said he began researching the Chippewa County area in 1994 and officially began working on this project in 1996. In 1998 he received funding from the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey and the Chippewa County Land Conservation Department.
Syverson said the map has many practical uses. Engineers can use it to see the foundations of the area if they were looking to build a bridge. Hydro geologists would be able to see how fast ground water could move in a certain area. Members of the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation and hikers could be informed as to how the landscape formed, he said.
Dan Masterpole, Chippewa County conservationist, said the bulletin is very important to the economic development of the Chippewa County, as well as the county's efforts to conserve land.
As a conservationist, Masterpole said knowing as much as possible about the land is extremely valuable to those who are trying to manage it.
"This was a project that is an ideal example of how a university can apply its resources and talents to produce an end product that has a direct value to the local society," he said. "I commend the university for doing applied research that has direct value to the local economy and conservation agencies responsible for managing the land."
Sophomore Steve Nikolai, a biology major who enjoys the outdoors, said it would be interesting to see the map and be able to learn about Wisconsin's natural history.
"It is very interesting to look back at what made Wisconsin Wisconsin and how one area can be so different from another because of the glaciers," he said.
Syverson said one of the best things he took out of the research was the relationships he was able to form with the many students who collaboratively worked with him over the years on the project.
"You get to know students well when you are working with them in the field," he said.
Syverson said he had the students work in teams on a small area at a time. He gave them some background information and then they did the field work and discussed what they found with him.
"It is great practical experience for students who want to go to grad school," he said.
Syverson said another positive thing he took from the project was how he has become a resource to people on geology in the county.
"Now I have become intimately acquainted with the regional glacial geology … I have become a sort of expert on this area."
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