Browsing by Subject "Hydraulic Conductivity"

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    Geospatial Analysis of Transmissivity and Hydraulic Conductivity Across Minnesota: Using the County Well Index and Specific-Capacity Data
    (2022-12) Full, Jonathan
    Numerous hydrogeologic studies have been performed across Minnesota; however, they focus on small regions of the state. The Minnesota Conductivity Calculator (MCC) was developed to better observe spatial variations in hydraulic conductivity. This work strives to capture the variations of hydraulic conductivity across a variety of domains, scaling from a small neighborhood of wells to large provinces spanning across the state. The MCC leverages data from the Minnesota County Well Index (CWI) to determine transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity at 170,975 wells. Then, lognormal ordinary kriging was performed with the hydraulic conductivity data to visualize spatial variations. The MCC can be used to efficiently produce maps of hydraulic conductivity across the state, which is useful for a number of groundwater management purposes, including groundwater modeling.
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    Utilizing Waste Material From Minnesota For Stormwater Management Purposes
    (2024-05) Amoateng, Godbless
    Minnesota's mineral, forestry, agriculture, and industrial activities generate substantial by-products and waste. Strategies to reuse or recycle these can reduce landfill waste, enhance public health, conserve resources, and cut costs and emissions. Building on the frameworks by Johnson et al. (2017), Saftner et al. (2019), and Saftner et al. (2022), this project extended its scope across Minnesota to include materials like dredge sediment from Mississippi River, RCA (recycled concrete aggregate) and VersaLime. Researchers identified, selected, and characterized various waste, by-products, and commercial materials statewide and tested engineered soil mixes for roadway foundations, assessing their stormwater retention and support for native plants. Laboratory methods characterized these mixes, which were implemented and evaluated in situ. A preliminary environmental life cycle assessment was also conducted, quantifying the environmental impacts of the engineered soil mixtures. Results were compiled into a design guide for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) engineers.