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***MLRA REGION 10 Newsletter***

***2^nd^ Quarter 2002***

***(April-May-June)***

**Lower Peninsula, MLRA 94A & 96**

**By John Werlein**

**Resource Soil Scientist**

A problem has been identified over the past several years that focuses
on the lack of consistency within the MLRA and Region 11 in regards to
water table data. Much of the controversy began when NASIS required data
entry for new parameters such as soil moisture status, type of water
table (perched, apparent, or dual), water table depths, and water table
duration. The data had to be populated because it was linked to
suitability ratings, tables in the manuscript, classification, etc.
Absence of an entry meant that nothing could be generated. So each
project leader developed their own ideas and methodology for arriving at
solutions to the lack of water table data. Unfortunately much of the
data that was collected in the past consisted of single observations
that were recorded on note cards. This information was extrapolated to
similar soils and similar time periods and data emerged that had many
gaps or inconsistencies in it. It was a good start, but now it has
become apparent that we need to gather more long term information, fill
in the data gaps, and correct any inconsistencies in the water table
data so we can do a better job of providing reliable information to our
customers.

The idea of using electronic water data loggers to gather concise,
long-term water table information isn't a new revelation. Soil survey
crews have been aware of the technology, here in Michigan, but haven't
had the opportunity to use it because we've focused our efforts and
staff time on completing the "once over". Now that the "once over" is
almost a reality in the Lower Peninsula, we have begun to focus our
attention on refining information, gathering needed data, and
correlating results so we can verify things such as soil classification,
soil suitability ratings, water table depths, soil temperature, etc.

An opportunity arose this past summer to acquire three water data
loggers from MO-11 in Indianapolis. Charles Love, Soil Data Quality
Specialist, offered to obtain the instruments and software for us so we
could test their use in "the frigid zone" of Michigan. Indiana had been
using the loggers for about a year and they seemed to perform well under
field conditions. Marty Kroell, MLRA Project Leader, was willing but
unable to put them to the test. He was swamped with manuscript editing,
data corrections, NASIS edits, and correlation. He didn't have time to
take on any new responsibilities or research projects. So he consulted
with me, gave me ideas about soils that needed investigation, and said,
"The project is yours if you want it." I thought about it for awhile and
then agreed to accept this new endeavor, with one condition, if I could
find some free time.

My spring and early summer months were booked with soil presentations,
WRP rankings, wetland determinations, and onsites for EQIP. I knew I
would be unable to monitor the spring high water tables because of my
busy schedule but saw an opportunity in mid summer to get organized,
procure equipment, and proceed with the water table study so we could
catch the fall high water levels.

Marty and I chose a site in Roscommon County about 6 miles southwest of
Houghton Lake, in the headwaters region of the Muskegon River Watershed.
The area is a large groundwater discharge zone that includes small
tributaries to the Muskegon River and a large wetland complex. The site
occurs on a low knoll, in a large lake plain, adjacent to a wetland. The
site was originally shown to us by the Roscommon County Soil Survey crew
during a Progress Field Review.

The pedon description at this site was approved as the type location for
the Ingalls series, which is a somewhat poorly drained, sandy over
loamy, Typic Endoaquod. The designation (Endo) requires that an apparent
water table be present in the soil. We were fairly certain that an
apparent water table existed here but also felt that a perched water
table existed, because of the contrasting textures and redoximorphic
features that were observed. Common yellowish brown (10YR 5/8) iron
accumulations were observed in the sand above the discontinuity and a
combination of iron accumulations and depletions were observed in the
loamy substratum. This soil has 36 inches of sand overlying stratified
lacustrine material, which is primarily very fine sandy loam and silt

loam.

On July 11th we were ready to install two piezometers and two check
wells for monitoring the water levels. Other than Marty and myself, we
had a team of 4 people helping out with the installation. Bill Frederick
drove up for the day and he invited John Long and Dale Ladouceur from
the DEQ- Environmental Health Section. They were interested in the data
loggers and the installation procedure for possible use in their work.
Bruce Knapp was our laptop computer man and he was also interested in
the installation procedure so he could install an electronic data logger
in Benzie County.

We proceeded by augering our first 3 inch hole down to a depth of 80
inches. An eight foot section of 3 inch PVC casing was perforated with
3/8 inch holes, along the lower two feet, and pushed down into the auger
hole. Then a 2 inch perforated PVC pipe was prepared and wrapped with
filter cloth along the bottom 3 feet. The filter cloth was stapled along
the seam and secured to the pipe with duct tape. This would prevent any
sediment from entering the pipe and distorting water levels. The 2 inch
pipe was then cut to the appropriate length and inserted inside the 3
inch casing. We then lowered the water data logger sensor into the 2
inch pipe and positioned it at 80 inches so we could monitor the
apparent water table. The water logger recorder was kept above the water
table and positioned inside the top of the 2 inch PVC pipe. After
installing the PVC pipe and water logger we dug down through the sand,
around the outer casing so we could place some bentonite at the
discontinuity. This would prevent water from the perched zone from
leaking down the pipe into the apparent water table. Once this was
completed, sand was then shoveled and packed back into the hole around
the outer casing and filled up to the ground surface. Then a mixture of
bentonite pellets and soil material was poured around the circumference
of the outer casing, at the ground surface. Water was added to the
mixture, which was packed tight around the pipe and mounded, to prevent
surface water from seeping in along the pipe.

![](media/image2.png){width="3.8020833333333335in"
height="4.895833333333333in"}

![](media/image3.png){width="2.8020833333333335in"
height="1.3958333333333333in"}

Finally, we plugged the computer into the data logger and launched the
data recorder. The recorder was set to take readings every hour, which
was more often than we really needed. Unfortunately, that was the lowest
time interval that the recorder could be set for. The installation was
complete after we installed a 3 inch PVC cap on top of the outer casing
and secured it with two screws. This would protect the data logger from
the weather and hopefully deter people from tampering with it. Two small
1/8 inch holes were then drilled in the outer casing, below the cap, to
prevent pressure lock. We also attached signs to the outside of the
casing which read "Water Table Monitoring Wells, Please Do Not Disturb".
Our name, address, and phone number were also included. So far, the
wells have remained undisturbed even though they are located in a public
hunting area.

This same procedure was used to install monitoring pipes in the sandy
material, for measuring perched water. The shallow well was installed
just below the discontinuity, at 37 inches, and partially filled with
sand so the bottom of the monitoring tube wouldn't seal off. After the
two wells were installed for the electronic water data loggers, two
corresponding check wells were installed. These wells were used to
compare results to the electronic data. They were measured by hand with
a steel tape measure and the results plotted on graphs. Precautions were
taken to keep the elevations of all four well heads within two or three
inches. The cluster of wells were also kept within a five foot radius to
avoid introducing any unforeseen variables such as depth to the
discontinuity, change in soil material, or water pressure differences.

![](media/image4.png){width="6.743055555555555in"
height="3.8666666666666667in"}Bruce Knapp and I returned to the site two
weeks after the installation to download data from the electronic water
data loggers and to verify that they were functioning properly. The
water level in the check wells was also recorded and compared to the
electronic data. Everything checked out. We left the instruments to
record data and returned on December 11th to download before freeze-up.
Normally we would have been doing this a month earlier, but the mild
weather this winter allowed us another month of ice-free recording. The
results are shown in the graph below. (Graph assistance from Erik
Gerhard, Manistee Soil Survey)

The results from the apparent water table data were very good. The
electronic data corresponded precisely with the corresponding
hand-measured check well. The water tables rose significantly in
September and October, as expected, and remained high through early
December. It should be noted that the regional water table in this area
is approximately 18 to 24 inches below the long-term seasonal average.

The perched water table results, on the other hand, produced rather
inconclusive results. The electronic data logger produced erratic
readings during many time intervals, giving us negative values that were
interspersed with positive values. The perched water table levels in the
check well corresponded with only two electronic readings. The check
well had perched conditions during the months of August and September
after high rainfall events. The electronic data revealed no response
during that time period (flat line on the graph at 37 inches). The check
well also revealed a perched high water table on October 6th, at a depth
of 14 inches. The electronic data, again, revealed no response to this
high water level.

The correlation discrepancy between the data logger and the check well
now leads us into an investigation to find the source of the problem.
The data logger will be pulled, a new battery installed, and the
instrument will be recalibrated. The seal along the pipe, at the
discontinuity, will also be examined and the data will be checked again
in the spring. Hopefully, this will correct our problem.

In conclusion, we have gathered some useful information on water table
depths and duration for the Ingalls series. The electronic water data
loggers have saved many staff hours over the hand measurement system,
but they are not infallible. The cost of each data logger is about
\$750. Add to that the cost of PVC pipe and miscellaneous material and
the total cost for each well is \$775. It seems pretty steep, initially,
but considering the fact that the units last many years and are movable
from site to site helps alleviate the initial price shock. Ideally, a
unit that takes readings once a day and costs about half as much would
be suitable. It still remains to be seen if the electronic data loggers
are reliable for monitoring perched water tables.

So, the study continues and sometimes it seems that more questions
emerge than are answered. We keep reminding ourselves that we are still
in the infancy of our study and progress will accelerate as we gain more
experience in this "new technology". We are determined to march on in
our quest to answer the question that still remains**,** "Is there a
dual water table in the Ingalls series?" We will keep you informed.

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**The First Soil Scientist**

Soil science actually began in North America long before the first
European settlers arrived. Archeological evidence suggests that early
American Indians were familiar with soil use as well as its limitations.
Many ancient American Indian campsites were located on productive soil
near rivers, but also out of flood-prone areas where rocks on the
surface were minimal and surface soil textures allowed free drainage.
Further evidence of early Native American knowledge of the use of soils
was documented by Henri Juotal accompanying French discoverer
Rene'-Robert Cavelier Sieur de La Salle who explored the length of the
Mississippi River. Juotal's journals describe an advanced culture of
Caddo Indians successfully growing crops on some of the most productive
and fertile soils in northeast Texas. Early East Coast European
settlements were also located in areas with productive, deep,
well-drained, medium textured soils indicating their knowledge of the
relationship between soils, landscapes, and agricultural production.

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Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) in
Utah

GPR and EMI are two noninvasive geophysical tools recently used by NRCS
soil scientists working in the Grand Staircase Escalante National
Monument in southern Utah. Jim Doolittle, NRCS Research Soil Scientist,
and Dr. Janis Boettinger, Utah State University, provided valuable
assistance and support to the NRCS soil scientists who identified the
location and depth of lamellae, soft bedrock, or hard bedrock in a
variety of locations using these methods. GPR and EMI were tested in a
variety of geological materials for the purpose of identifying where
they can be most appropriately used. NRCS uses these technologies to
support soil, archaeological, agronomic, engineering, and geologic site
assessments. GPR has also been used to estimate the taxonomic
composition of soil map units, determine the depths to soil horizons,
bedrock, water table, and geologic strata; and locate buried artifacts
and natural hazards, as well as assess rates of sedimentation.
Electromagnetic induction is used to chart the spatial variability of
soil properties, locate buried artifacts, estimate areas of groundwater
recharge or discharge, determine the presence and extent of seepage from
animal waste holding ponds, and assist in selecting appropriate sites
for the placement or sampling or monitoring devices. The new tools allow
for more documentation of soils information in less time, improve
quality control, and provide a more accurate concept of soil-landscape
relationships in soil survey project work.

Your contact in Utah is Kent Sutcliffe, NRCS Soil Survey Project Leader,
at 435-586-2429 ext.13 or \<<kent.sutcliffe@utcedarcit.fsc.usda.gov>\>.
Your contact for information on GPR or EMI is Jim Doolittle, NRCS
research soil scientist, at 610-557-4233 or \<<jdoolittle@fs.fed.us>\>.

From NRCS This Week

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**Horace Smith Honored**

NRCS Soil Survey Division Director Horace Smith was inducted into the
George Washington Carver Hall of Fame at the 59th Annual Professional
Agricultural Workers Conference held at Tuskegee University. Presenting
the Hall of Fame Award to Horace was Benjamin F. Payton, President,
Tuskegee University. Horace was honored for his distinguished leadership
in developing the Scholars program and in bringing the 1890 land-grant
community into full involvement with the work of the Soil Survey
Division. The George Washington Carver Public Service Hall of Fame Award
is given to individuals working in partnership with the 1890 land-grant
institutions. As director of the Soil Survey Division, Horace has worked
on behalf of the 1890 land-grant institutions, making them full partners
of the National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) by including them in
meetings, conferences, and other activities on State, national, and
international levels. Horace established a Soil Science Scholars Program
at five 1890s schools and soil survey offices at three other schools.

Horace has received numerous awards during his career and has
represented the agency on assignments to Central and South America,
Africa, Europe, and the Far East. In 1996, he became Director of the
Soil Survey Division of NRCS where he provides Federal leadership for
the NCSS; plans, directs, and coordinates the agency\'s comprehensive
soil survey program; and develop soil survey interpretations for urban,
urban-fringe, and limited resource farmer areas. Horace was raised on a
small tobacco farm near Clarkton, North Carolina. He received his B.S.
in Soil Science from Virginia State University in 1964 and began his
career as a soil scientist with NRCS in Champaign, Illinois, the same
year. In 1972 he received his M.S. from the Ohio State University in
soil genesis and classification. He rose through the ranks in NRCS,
working in six States and the District of Columbia. Horace is married
and has three grown children.

Your contact is Julie A. Best, NRCS acting public affairs specialist, at
334-887-4549.

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**NASIS -- Drop Connections and Slow Performance (Letter from Bob
Ahrens)**

April 25, 2002

SUBJECT: SOI -- NASIS -- Drop Connections and Slow Performance

TO: State Soil Scientists File Code: 430-14

MLRA Office Leaders

Numerous states, MLRA offices, and project offices have had dropped
NASIS connections and slow performance problems over the past several
months. This letter is intended to help you diagnose the source of the
problem. Once the source of your particular problem is known, the
appropriate individuals (e.g. NASIS hotline, your IT staff, or your
state conservationist) can then be notified to ensure the problem is
resolved.

One of the first things you should check is whether or not you have
network connectivity. To do this, run Internet Explorer or Netscape
Navigator and connect to a home page such as
[http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov](http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov/). Did the
browser successfully display the NASIS home page? If not, then you do
not have connectivity to the Internet and should report the problem to
your local IT staff. Contact the Soils Hotline at 402-437-5378 or 5379
if the browser can successfully display the NASIS home page, but you
cannot access NASIS. Record any error messages that occur. It is also
beneficial to have the following information:

-   IP number of your computer (see below if you do not know how to
    determine this)

-   IP name of your computer

-   IP number of the router

-   Location of the router (city and state)

The second thing to check is whether or not DNS is correctly resolving
your computer's IP name and number. To do this, click on Start,
Programs, OnNet Host Suite 4.0, Network Tools, Query, click on the
"Host" tab. Type in your computer's IP number in the "Hostname or
address" area and click the "Start" button. The output you should see is
"The hostname for *your_ip_number* is *your_ip_name*". If the query
cannot resolve the IP number or if it shows a wrong IP name or number,
let your local IT staff know there is a DNS problem. DNS problems can
slow down your network activity and can also prevent you from
downloading software from the CCE home page.

You can quickly determine your IP address by opening a DOS window and
typing the command *ipconfig.* Open a DOS window by clicking on the
Start menu, clicking on Run, and typing in *cmd*. In the resulting DOS
window, type *ipconfig /all* and you will see your IP address. It will
also show information about your default gateway which may be helpful to
your IT staff in diagnosing the problem.

If you can connect to NASIS, but experience slow performance or dropped
connections, you can contact the Soils Hotline and request a status
check on your router. You need to provide the hotline with the IP number
of your computer, the IP number of the router and the location of the
router (city, state). The hotline will run the check and will send the
report to you. Network performance can be affected by a number of
things, such as, hardware problems, configuration problems, or increased
usage beyond what the hardware can handle. Many of these items are
beyond the hotline's control to fix, but we will try to help you
identify the problem and where it exists.

The NASIS Home Page at http://nasis.nrcs.usda.gov is also a good place
to look for issues regarding NASIS. You can search the "Problem Log" for
solutions by clicking on the "Comments" link.

ROBERT J. AHRENS

Director

National Soil Survey Center

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**Digital Wizardry Scopes-Out Prime Farmland**

A new report script is available in National Soil Information System
that will help soil scientists determine which soils qualify as prime
farmland. The script evaluates soils using the prime farmland criteria
printed in Title 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations-Part 657 dated
January 1, 2001. The report produces a table of soils data and prime
farmland classification by Major Land Resource Area (MLRA), soil survey,
or County/Parish. These tables will help scientists identify errors or
inconsistencies in the soil database. The reports will also help
scientists coordinate prime farmland map units across county and State
lines throughout each MLRA. Since many of the same soil and
environmental characteristics used in the prime farmland criteria are
also used to place soils into the Land Capability Classification system
or assess soil productivity ratings, the script can also help scientists
determine Land Capability Classification and develop productivity
ratings. The MLRA table is especially useful because it reduces the time
required to search the database for soils in the MLRA.

Your contact is Ray Sinclair, NRCS soil scientist, at 402-437-5699.

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**Finding History in Virginia Soils**

In the latest archeological investigation in Virginia, NRCS soil
resource specialists Louis Heidel and Jim Sawyer are characterizing
soils in Fredericksburg for James Madison University and the National
Park Service. Heidel\'s team, with the assistance of ground penetrating
radar (GPR) specialist Jim Doolittle, is using GPR to identify soil that
was filled over historically significant areas within the National
Battlefield Park, in an effort to locate Civil War trenches, gun
emplacements, and other historic structures. The data will be used to
recreate the site as it existed during the battle of Marye\'s Heights.
GPR is being used for similar purposes at archaeological digs at several
other sites in Virginia, including some American Indian villages along
the Rappahannock River and around historic Jamestown.

Your contact is Louis Heidel. NRCS soil resource specialist, at
540-434-1404 ext. 128.

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**Chief Reed and Under Secretary Rey Tour Wisconsin**

NRCS Chief Pearlie Reed recently accompanied Undersecretary for Natural
Resources and Environment Mark Rey on a two-day familiarization tour of
NRCS field operations in Wisconsin. They spent a day touring Grant
County, Wisconsin, meeting with NRCS and conservation district staff at
the Lancaster Service Center and visiting three farm operations. NRCS
district conservationist Mike Lieurance and Grant County conservationist
Barb Thompson organized and conducted a tour showing conservation
practices and areas where changes in land use are creating sediment
run-off into the Mississippi River. Under Secretary Rey and Chief Reed
heard presentations on the Wisconsin soil survey program, digitizing
operations, new research and software to expedite soil survey
production, conservation partnerships with the State and the University
of Wisconsin, animal feeding operations, and other local conservation
activities.

Your contact is Renae Anderson, NRCS Public Affairs Specialist, at
608-276-8732, ext. 227.

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**Center of Excellence Update**

By Joseph McCloskey, Region 10 MLRA Leader

[Governor Ventura Visits Center of Excellence]{.underline}

Governor Jesse Ventura visited the NRCS Center of Excellence for map
compilation during his visit to the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community
College (FDLTCC) in Cloquet in October. He was briefed on our working
relationship with the College and saw first hand the process of students
compiling soil maps under the direct supervision of Mike Walczynski, the
NRCS Soil Scientist in charge of the center.

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="3.3895833333333334in"
height="1.9618055555555556in"}

*From left to right are Shirley DeFoe, Director, FDLTCC Foundation;*

*Jack Briggs, President, FDLTCC; Dave Wise, NRCS Soil Conservationist;*

*Governor Ventura, and Mike Walczynski, NRCS Soil Scientist.*

Lester "Jack" Briggs, Jr., President of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community
College (FDLTCC), passed away Sunday, December 16 at his home. Jack
Briggs was a strong supporter of NRCS. As president, Jack's visionary
leadership led to many new opportunities for the students and the
community he served. He worked closely with the agency to establish the
Center of Excellence for Map Compilation, offering students exposure to
careers in science and technology. Briggs was the founding director of
FDLTCC in 1987, and has served as its president since 1989. His passing
is a great loss, but equally as great is the educational legacy he
leaves behind.

We are saddened at the loss of a great partner and friend.

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**WEB SITES OF INTEREST**

State Soils website at <http://www.geobop.com/paleozoo/Soils/>

Current soils forms may be obtained at this web site:
<http://www.ftw.nrcs.usda.gov/nps/soi.htm>

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**OSDs updated 1/2002- 3/2002**

FRIGID: almena ... auburndale ... bjorkland ... brill ... capitola ...
cebana \... crex \... dody \... effie \... fenander \... frogcreek \...
glendennin \... karlsborg \... lenroot \... marshfield \... meenon \...
moritz \... perchlake \... rib \... rockmarsh \... santiago \...
stinnett \... withee \... wozny

MESIC: afton \... annieville \... balmoral \... belmann \... bentonspor
\... biggsville \... bluemound \... broadwell \... brownchurc \...
calamine \... calco \... collinwood \... colo \... cornell \... coyne
\... cresent \... cylinder \... dickinson \... dinsdale \... dorerton
\... elbaville \... everly \... exira \... fella \... fivepoints \...
fostoria \... frankville \... garmore \... gillett_grove \... gillingham
\... greenbush \... jacwin \... kato \... keosauqua \... keyesville \...
knox \... letri \... loran \... mannon \... marcus \... may_city \...
mccreath \... mickle \... minden \... moline \... moneta \... muscatine
\... muscoda \... nicollet \... normandy \... northboro \... nuxmaruhan
\... ocheda \... ocheyedan \... okabena \... okoboji \... omsrud \...
osco \... parkway \... pilot_grove \... port_byron \... primghar \...
prophetsto \... racine \... richwood \... rockbridge \... roine \...
rosedell \... rushmore \... sattre \... shindler \... spicer \...
splitrock \... strahan \... talcot \... tell \... terril \... wacousta
\... wadenill \... waukegan \... whitewood \... wilmonton \... windward
\... winneshiek

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**Schedule for April-May-June (subject to change)**

[WEEK]{.underline} [LOCATION]{.underline} [MLRA]{.underline}
[STAFF]{.underline} [ACTIVITY]{.underline}

4/22-26/02 Milaca, MN 90 AGG Progress Review \-- Mille Lacs/Kanbec

4/15-19/02 Fort Dodge, IA 103 AGG Webster County Review

4/29-5/3 Omaha, NE 107B JFH QA Field Review -- Sarpy County

5/6-10/02 Brooklyn Ctr,MN 90 AGG Progress Review - Benton County, MN

6/10-14/02 Bozeman, MT JWM MO Leaders Meeting

6/17-21/02 Rochester, MN 105 AGG, Progress Review - MNSEP

TWN

6/24-28/02 Eau Claire, WI 105 JJJ Progress Field Review - Pierce County

6/24-28/02 Madison, WI JWM North Central WPC

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CONTRIBUTIONS, IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS, AND QUESTIONS ARE WELCOME

This newsletter is intended to be a forum to distribute information of a
general nature that will benefit soil scientists in soil survey project
offices. It is hoped that it will foster communications and sharing of
knowledge among those soil scientists in MLRA Region 10.

\* \* \* \* \*

Articles from other newsletters are often included to distribute ideas
and comments from other areas of the country; these ideas and comments
are not necessarily identical to those used in MLRA Region 10.

\* \* \* \* \*

The format of this newsletter is intentionally simple so that it can be
received, read, and printed by the project office having the least
sophisticated computer and printer setup.

\* \* \* \* \*

Thanks to those individuals who participated this month. It is your
efforts that have made this newsletter a success.

\* \* \* \* \*

Articles in an electronic format can be submitted to:

<rhonda.osterman@mn.usda.gov>

\* \* \* \* \*

Previous copies of this newsletter are available at:

<http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/mo10/mo10.html>

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### USDA NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

> The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
> all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
> origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
> orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
> apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require
> alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
> large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s TARGET Center at
> 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
>
> To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of
> Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
> Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice
> and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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