1

U.S. Department of Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

 May 2002

District Web Site: http://il.water.usgs.gov/ Compiled by D.M. Ayers

A NATIONWIDE RECONNAISSANCE OF PHARMACEUTICALS, HORMONES, 

AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS IN U.S. STREAMS

Chemicals used on a daily basis in industry, agriculture, and in our homes usually enter 

our wastewaters. These chemicals include pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic 

contaminants but very little is known about the fate of these chemicals once they end their 

designated use. The USGS recently completed its first nationwide reconnaissance of these 

chemicals in streams. The reconnaissance was completed as part of the USGS Toxic Substances Hydrology Program in order to develop and test new methods for measuring the 

levels of these chemicals, and to provide information on the occurrence of these chemicals 

in our streams. The reconnaissance was not designed to determine the levels of these chemicals in drinking-water sources, although it is possible that these chemicals are transported 

in streams and possibly present in some drinking-water sources. Although many programs 

are in place for protection of public and ecosystem health by local by State, and Federal 

Regulatory agencies, the potential for these chemicals to be detected in our environment is 

difficult to assess.

During 1999–2000, 139 streams in 30 States (7 sites were sampled in north-central and 

northeastern Illinois) were sampled and analyzed for the chemicals described above. Most 

sample sites were located downstream of highly urbanized areas (including wastewatertreatment plants) and livestock activity. Generally, although many chemicals were detected, 

concentration levels were low (rarely exceeding drinking-water standards, health advisories, or ecosystem criteria). However, only 14 of the 95 chemicals detected have established 

standards or criteria and little is know about the potential effects of these compounds. Also, 

little is known about the possible health effects of chemical mixtures. We detected chemicals used in industry, agriculture, and residences, including human and veterinary drugs 

(including antibiotics), hormones, detergents, and fire retardants in Illinois and throughout 

the Nation. This reconnaissance was not designed to determine the possible sources for 

these chemicals. However, results indicate that these chemicals are coming from industrial, 

agricultural, and residential sources.

The USGS has shared this information with agencies, industry, and the general public. 

Communication is vitally important to the success of this and future research and feedback 

is sought to help guide future USGS research on this most important issue. This information 

will be used by resource managers and regulators to make decisions on management practices and to set priorities for future research in setting water-quality standards. This stream 

reconnaissance is the first of various nationwide efforts by the USGS to determine the 

extent and presence of pharmaceuticals, hormones, and other organic contaminants in our 

Nation’s water resources. Future research includes better understanding of how these chemicals move and their effects on the environment. The USGS is committed to meeting the 

health, safety, and knowledge needs of the changing environment around us. More information concerning this important issue can be found on the Web at http://toxics.usgs.gov/.

Water Resources Update

Illinois District Newsletter

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Nationwide Reconnaissance of Pharmaceuticals, Hormones, and Other 

Contaminants in U.S. Streams. . . . . . .1

Geoprobe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Employee Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Agricultural Chemicals in Illinois 

Ground Water — Recent Studies by the 

U.S. Geological Survey . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Cooperator Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Outreach Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

From the Mailbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Illinois District Publications . . . . . . . .8
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The Illinois District recently increased its sampling capabilities by purchasing a Geoprobe system. This mobile unit, mounted on 

a truck chassis, is capable of obtaining soil, soil-gas, and ground-water samples using "direct push" technology. Push-rods are advanced 

into the ground by using the static weight of the truck combined with percussion energy. The Geoprobe is capable of obtaining samples at depths of 100+ feet, with hole-diameters generally from 0.5 to 1.5 inches. Two-inch hole diameters are possible in some cases. 

Continuous soil cores, temporary wells, piezometers, soil-gas implants, ground-water levels, ground-water samples, and slug test are 

some of the items that can be completed with the Geoprobe. 

Advantages of using the Geoprobe over conventional drilling and sampling technologies include ease of mobilization, faster 

sample collection, and ease of equipment decontamination. Ground-surface disturbance is minimal because the direct push technology does not produce drill cuttings. Ground-water samples obtained with the Geoprobe are used for screening purposes and their use 

for regulatory analyses currently is being reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Geoprobe system is completely self-contained in a 4-wheel drive "dually" truck, making difficult off-road sampling possible. 

The truck comes complete with sampling tools and water-storage capability. The Illinois District’s Geoprobe has been used to date in 

collection of soil and/or ground-water samples in investigations in Dover, Delaware; Canton, Illinois; and the eastern St. Louis area in 

Illinois. Samples have been obtained at depths up to 50 feet, although deeper sampling depths will be attempted in the near future.

The Illinois District’s Geoprobe system, supporting equipment, and operators are available for use in investigations that involve 

programs of the U.S. Geological Survey. Additional information concerning the Illinois District’s Geoprobe system is available from 

Pat Mills or Bill Morrow.

GEOPROBE

BY

WILLIAM S. MORROW, HYDROLOGIST

Collecting ground-water samples with the Geoprobe in 

Dover, Delaware.
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

DAVID T. SOONG, PHD, RESEARCH HYDROLOGIST

David T. Soong is a research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Water Resources Discipline in 

the Illinois District. He joined the USGS in July 2000. David primarily has worked on two projects since joining the 

USGS: updating the flood-frequency estimates for rural streams of Illinois and revising the floodplain map for Blackberry Creek in Kane County, Illinois. The project on updating the flood estimates is developed based on two factors: 

more years of streamflow data from 1986 to 1999 has become available at many streamflow-gaging stations for 

improving the at-site estimates since the last report was published and new basin characteristics now can be obtained 

for developing the regional regression equations. These new basin characteristics are derived through the advances in 

geographic information system (GIS) and Statewide database on digital elevation, soil and land-use coverages. The frequency analysis is challenging because the Illinois District also is evaluating the application of partial duration series 

(PDS). Conventional flood-frequency analysis uses the annual maximum series (AMS) with the emphasis on larger 

peaks for flood protections. Analyzing PDS gives the District an opportunity to examine its application and deficiency 

in the peak estimates for lower return intervals; an area of particular interests to investigations on channel morphology 

and/or fishery management. Therefore, if successful, the results can complement the usage of traditional flood estimates. The project on floodplain mapping deals with a watershed that is subject to rapid urbanization. The re-delineated base floodplain map will reflect the effects of urbanization and, thus, provide tools/information for watershed 

management. The project requires the development and application of hydrologic, hydraulic, and hydrodynamic models, and familiarity with the watershed. Both projects involve large efforts in data gathering and processing besides 

modeling work done with various members of the District staff. In turn, these projects give David the opportunity to 

work and become acquainted with the Illinois District staff and other USGS personnel throughout the country.

Before joining the USGS, David worked more than 16 years at the Illinois State Water Survey in the Surface Water 

Section. During that period, he conducted many projects primarily focused on large rivers issues including flooding, 

sedimentation, physical changes induced by inland navigation, bank erosion, water quality after major floods, hydrodynamics, and surface-water/ground-water interactions. Study results have been presented in more than 25 technical 

reports, 9 peered reviewed papers, and many conference papers. This work has given him a unique perspective in the 

problems associated with the large river systems in the U.S. Midwest and China. Through the support of the National 

Science Foundation, he joined Chinese scientists to investigate the effectiveness of levees and sedimentation-induced 

problems along the Lower Yellow River in China. In 1996, he investigated and documented bank erosion conditions for 

the entire length of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers with scientists from the University of Iowa, four Corps of 

Engineer Districts, and various State agencies. In 1997, David visited the Loess Plateau and Three Gorge Dam sites in 

China through a scholarly grant from the United Nations. These experiences gave him the opportunities to observe the 

causes, magnitudes, and consequences of floods and sedimentation as well as how Chinese and the U.S. scientists 

approach these problems.

David received an MS and PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1980 and 1986, respectively. 

Besides work activities, he also participates in committee work such as co-organizing the U.S.-Chinese Joint Workshop 

on Sediment Transport and Disasters in 1999, and served on the organizing committee for various international conferences. David is a board member of the Chinese American Water Resources Association with the goal in promoting 

technology exchange with scientists in Asia. David and his wife, Joanne Chou, have a daughter, Lillian, who is in junior 

high school. David enjoys fishing with his family, vegetable gardening, and playing basketball.
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Illinois is a leading producer of corn 

and soybeans. Approximately two-thirds 

of the land area of the State is cropland. 

In about 80 percent of the State’s townships, more than 50 percent of the land 

is used for corn and soybean production 

(McKenna and others, 1990). Associated with this production is the extensive 

application of nutrient supplements 

(particularly nitrogen fertilizer) and herbicides for weed management. In the 

late 1980’s, annual applications included 

about 2 billion pounds of nitrogen fertilizer and 50 million pounds of herbicides. However, in response to recent 

research on application requirements, 

changes in usage regulations, and training, application rates of both nitrogen 

fertilizer and herbicides have varied over 

the past decade. For example, acetochlor 

has increased from zero usage in 1990 to 

one of most heavily used herbicides by 

2000. With the introduction of 

“Roundup Ready” corn and soybeans, 

glyphosate usage in Illinois and Iowa 

dramatically increased from less than 1 

million pounds in 1991 to about 9 million pounds in 1998. Conversely, 

alachlor and cyanazine usage have 

decreased dramatically from some of the 

most heavily used herbicides in 1990 to 

limited use by 2000.

The extensive application of these 

agricultural chemicals has resulted in 

the potential for nonpoint source contamination of the Nation’s water 

resources. For example, the herbicide 

atrazine has been detected in samples 

from less than 1 to almost 50 percent of 

the wells included in initial national and 

Midwestern surveys. For these surveys, 

various sampling methodologies and 

analytical detection limits were used. 

Because shallow aquifers (within 50 feet 

of land surface) underlie at least 40 percent of the agricultural regions of the 

State, Illinois may be particularly vulnerable to ground-water contamination. 

Since 1991, the U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS) has conducted two 

Statewide studies in Illinois in order to 

better assess the potential for agricultural-chemical contamination of the 

State’s ground-water resources. Each 

study is ongoing. Study results are 

expected to indicate the spatial and temporal occurrence of the chemicals and 

factors that may contribute to this occurrence. Those factors may include depth 

of the aquifers, well depth, aquifer material, and chemical-application rates. For 

the first study, referred to as the Midcontinent Herbicide Initiative (MCHI), 68 

wells in Illinois were sampled during 

1991–94 (fig. 1) as part of a regional 

study of the midcontinental United 

States (303 wells in 12 States) (Kolpin 

and others, 1993, 1994, 1996; Kolpin, 

1998). A variety of well types (public 

and domestic supply, and monitoring) 

were selected randomly from areas 

where underlying aquifers are shallow 

AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS IN ILLINOIS GROUND WATER — RECENT STUDIES

BY THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

BY

PATRICK MILLS, HYDROLOGIST

Figure 1. Counties where samples were collected from one or more wells for studies of agricultural chemicals in Illinois ground water.
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and at least 25 percent of the land is 

used for corn and soybean production. 

Fifty-five of these wells (fig. 1) were 

resampled during October 2000–February 2001. For the second study, conducted in cooperation with the Illinois 

Environmental Protection Agency 

(IEPA), 119 public-supply wells are 

being sampled during October 2001–

September 2002. The wells were 

selected randomly to represent ambient 

water quality in the major aquifers of the 

State. Nearby agricultural land use, 

depth of the aquifers, nor well depth 

were considered during well selection. 

Samples collected during both studies 

were analyzed for nutrients, herbicides, 

and herbicide-transformation products 

(table 1). 

Results available from the MCHI 

surveys during 1991–94 indicated that 

for samples from Illinois wells considered vulnerable to agricultural-chemical 

contamination, nitrate is detected above 

3 micrograms per liter (the level 

assumed to result from human activities) 

at about 37 percent of the wells and 

above 10 micrograms per liter at about 7 

percent of the wells. Herbicides are 

detected with a frequency of about 25 

percent. Atrazine and its transformation 

product deethylatrazine were detected 

most often (about 18 percent of the 

wells) (fig. 2). Other herbicides were 

detected at frequencies of less than 

about 5 percent. No concentrations 

exceeded maximum contaminant levels 

established by the U.S. Environmental 

Protection Agency for drinking-water 

protection (fig. 3). Concentrations typically were higher in samples collected in 

late summer than in early spring before 

herbicide application and planting. The 

results from Illinois are essentially the 

same as those from the regional MCHI 

study. Analytical results from the 2000–

2001 MCHI survey will be available to 

the public in the USGS, Illinois District 

Annual Data Report for water year 2001 

(October 2000–September 2001), to be 

distributed by July 2002. Interpretive 

results of the available data will be presented in a future publication. Results 

from the IEPA survey will be available 

during 2003.

References:

Kolpin, D.W., 1998, Herbicides in 

ground water of the Midwest: a 

Table 1: Herbicides and transformation products analyzed for studies 

by the U.S. Geological Survey of agricultural chemical in Illinois 

ground water, 1991–2002.

[Type: parent, P; transformation product, TP; Analytical method: GC/MS, gas 

chromatography/mass spectrometry; IA, immunoassay; LC, liquid chromatography; 

Study included: 1, 1991 MCHI; 2, 1992–94 MCHI; 3, 2000–01 MCHI; 4, 2001–02 

IEPA]

Constituent Type Analytical

Method

Study

Included

Acetochlor P GC/MS 2,3,4

Alachlor P GC/MS 1,2,3,4

Ametryn P GC/MS 2,3,4

Atrazine P GC/MS 1,2,3,4

Cyanazine P GC/MS 1,2,3,4

Dimenthenamid P GC/MS 3,4

Flufenacet P GS/MC 3,4

Metolachlor P GC/MS 1,2,3,4

Metribuzin P GC/MS 1,2,3,4

Pendimethalin P GC/MS 3,4

Prometon P GC/MS 1,2,3,4

Prometryn P GC/MS 2,3,4

Propachlor P GC/MS 3,4

Propazine P GC/MS 2,3,4

Simazine P GC/MS 1,2,3,4

Terbutryn P GC/MS 2,3,4

Glyphosate P IA 3

Glyphosate P LC 4

Deethylatrazine TP GC/MS 1,2,3,4

Deisopropylatrazine TP GC/MS 1,2,3,4

Cyanazine-amide TP GC/MS 2,3,4

Acetochlor ESA1

1. ESA, ethanesulfonic acid

TP LC 3,4

Acetochlor OXA2

2. OXA, oxanilic acid

TP LC 3,4

Alachlor ESA TP LC 2,3,4

Alachlor OXA TP LC 3,4

Dimethenamid ESA TP LC 3,4

Dimenthenamid OXA TP LC 3,4

Flufenacet ESA TP LC 3,4

Flufenacet OXA TP LC e,r

Metolachlor ESA TP LC 3,4

Metolachlor OXA TP LC 3,4
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regional study of shallow aquifers, 

1991–94: U.S. Geological Survey 

Fact Sheet FS-076-98, 4 p.

Kolpin, D.W., Burkhart, M.R., and 

Thurman, E.M., 1993, 

Hydrogologic, water-quality, andland-use data for the reconnaissance 

of herbicides and nitrate in nearsurface aquifers of the midcontinental United States, 1991: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 

2413, 34 p.

Kolpin, D.W., Burkhart, M.R., and 

Thurman, E.M., 1994, Herbicides 

and nitrate in near-surface aquifers 

in the midwestern United States, 

1991: U.S. Geological Survey 

Water-Supply Paper 2413, 34 p.

Kolpin, D.W., Zichelle, K.E., and Thurman, E.M., 1996, Water-quality 

data for nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds in nearsurface aquifers of the midcontinental United States, 1992–1994: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File 

Report 96-435, 47 p.

McKenna, D.P., and others, 1990, An 

evaluation of the impact of pesticides on groundwater in Illinois: 

Illinois State Geological Survey/Illinois State Water Survey 

Groundwater Cooperative Report 

12, 107 p.

0

5

10

15

20

ATRAZINE

DEETHYLATRAZINE

DEISOPROPYLATRAZINE

PROMETON

METALOCHLOR

ALACHLOR

CYANAZINE

METRIBUZIN

SIMAZINE

FREQUENCY, IN PERCENT

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

ATRAZINE

DEETHYLATRAZINE

DEISOPROPYLATRAZINE

PROMETON

METALOCHLOR

ALACHLOR

CYANAZINE

METRIBUZIN

SIMAZINE

CONCENTRATION, 

IN MICROGRAMS PER LITER

Figure 2. Frequency of herbicides and atrazine-transformation products 

detected in samples from 68 Illinois wells for the Midcontinent Herbicide Initiative study, 1991.

Figure 3. Maximum concentrations of herbicides and atrazine-transformation products detected in samples from 68 Illinois wells for the Midcontinent Herbicide Initiative study, 1991 (maximum contaminant levels 

for atrazine and alachlor are 3 and 2 micrograms per liter, respectively).
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) cooperates 

with the Illinois District of the U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS) on a 

variety of projects. Illinois District 

scientists have assisted the USEPA 

with the collection and interpretation 

of hydrogeologic and water-quality 

data at various waste-disposal sites 

in Illinois and with studies of 

regional hydrogeology and water 

quality in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Illinois District assistance to 

the USEPA also has included cooperative investigations designed to 

assess the utility of a variety of technologies for the characterization of 

hydrogeology and water quality in 

fractured-rock aquifers. Hydrogeologic and water-quality data provided by the USGS are used by the 

USEPA to make decisions on the 

efficacy of aquifer remediation, 

industrial redevelopment, and the 

remediation of abandoned hazardous 

waste sites.

The USEPA is the Nation’s and 

the world’s leading agency for preservation and restoration of the quality of our air, water, and land. The 

USEPA began in 1970 with the passage of the Clean Air Act and was 

expanded upon passage of the Clean 

Water Act in 1972; the Resource 

Conservation and Recovery Act of 

1976; and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980.

The mission of the USEPA is to 

protect human health and safeguard 

the natural environment. As part of 

this mission, the USEPA seeks to—

• reduce the ongoing release of 

toxic substances into the environment;

• promote sustainable urban environments, including the redevelopment of Brownfield sites; 

protect people at risk, especially 

children and environmental justice communities; clean up contaminated soil, sediment, water, 

and air;

• protect and restore critical ecosystems

by a variety of means, including 

monitoring concentrations of chemicals of concern in air, water, soils, 

and sediments, setting standards for 

the allowable concentrations of 

chemicals of concern in environmental media; regulating the discharge 

of chemicals of concern to the environment; and enforcing remediation 

of sites where chemicals of concern 

pose a threat to human health and the 

environment.

To meet its goals, USEPA is 

organized administratively into the 

Air, Water, Waste-Pesticides and 

Toxics, and Superfund Divisions and 

is organized geographically into 10 

regions. Region V (Great Lakes) has 

responsibility for Illinois, Indiana, 

Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and 

Wisconsin. Region V also is the 

home of the Great Lakes National 

Program Office, which has the 

responsibility for monitoring, preservation, and restoration of the Great 

Lakes ecosystem. At the national 

level, the USEPA supports 3 national 

labs and 12 research centers. The 

labs and research centers support 

and conduct research to improve the 

scientific basis for decisions on 

national environmental issues 

including assessment of the impacts 

of contaminants and environmental 

stressors. For example, global warming, invasive species on human 

health and ecosystem integrity and 

developing cost-effective methods 

for assessing, reducing, and remediating releases of contaminants to the 

environment.

To meet its goals the USEPA 

also gives grants to State and local 

governmental bodies, Indian Tribes, 

and private organizations to promote 

clean air, water, and food; to prevent 

pollution; to reduce public-health 

risks in communities, homes, and 

ecosystems; and to reduce global 

and international environmental 

risks.

In 1986, the Illinois District, in 

cooperation with the USEPA, 

Region V, Office of Superfund, 

began studies of water quality and 

hydrogeology of specific hazardous 

waste sites in Illinois. A need was 

recognized for an areal characterization of the water quality and relation 

of water quality to the hydrogeology 

to resolve ground-water-contamination issues associated with the 

cleanup of many of the hazardouswaste sites and to protect publicwater supplies. Therefore, the USGS 

and USEPA initiated ground-waterquality studies in 1991 in two areas 

of Illinois that extended into the 

neighboring States of Wisconsin and 

Indiana. One area included northern 

Illinois and southern and eastern 

Wisconsin and the other area 

included the Calumet region of 

northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana near Chicago. Innovative 

methods have been used for the 

characterization of flow and contaminant distribution in fractured rocks.

COOPERATOR SPOTLIGHT

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
8

Basins, Illinois, 1999–2001, by 

D.L. Adolphson, T.L. Arnold, F.A. 

Fitzpatrick, M.A. Harris, K.D. 

Richards, B.C. Scudder, and J.S. 

Stewart

WRIR 01-4068, Habitat, Biota, and Sediment Characteristics at Selected 

Stations in the Lower Illinois River 

Basin, Illinois, 1995–98, by D.L. 

Adolphson, D.J. Fazio, and M.A. 

Harris

WRIR 01-4100, Hydrogeology and 

Simulation of Ground-Water Flow 

in the Aquifers Underlying Belvidere, Illinois, by P.C. Mills, J.E. 

Nazimek, K.J. Halford, and D.J. 

Yeskis

WRIR 01-4116, Estimated Water Withdrawals, Water Use, and Water 

Consumption in Illinois, Indiana, 

Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin, 1950–95, by 

R.T. Kay

WRIR 02-4062, Delineation of the Troy 

Bedrock Valley and Evaluation of 

Ground-Water Flow by Particle 

Tracking, Belvidere, Illinois, by 

P.C. Mills, K.J. Halford, and R.P. 

Cobb

ILLINOIS DISTRICT

PUBLICATIONS

Listed below are publications that 

have been approved and are in the 

printing process. Please note these 

reports currently are not available. District policy is to provide 

copies of our publications to requestors at no cost as long as the publication is in stock in the District office. 

If you are interested in these publications, you can be added to the mailing list by contacting Donna Ayers at 

(217) 344-0037, extension 3053 or 

email at dmayers@usgs.gov. To 

obtain copies of any other Illinois 

District publication, you may contact Donna Ayers.

FY 2002

OFR 01-307, Geology, Hydrology, and 

Water Quality in the Vicinity of a 

Brownfield Redevelopment Site in 

Canton, Illinois, by R.T. Kay

OFR 01-459, Physical, Chemical, and 

Biological Methods and Data from 

the Urban Land-Use Gradient 

Study, Des Plaines and Fox River 

From the Mailbag

If you have comments about 

our newsletter or our Web site, 

please use the form on the back 

page. Comments also can be sent 

to dc_il@usgs.gov.

“Thank you very much for 

your response! The information 

is quite helpful to me as a fisherman. I used to drive anywhere 

from 10-30 miles to see if creeks 

were on the rise to fish. This 

website saves me time and 

money! Once again I appreciate 

your response!”

“Greetings: Thanks for the 

information you submitted...it is 

exactly what we wanted! Your 

help is really appreciated.”

“Thank you so much for your 

reply to my inquiry on the Illinois and Michigan Canal. I 

appreciate the time you 

expended on my behalf.”

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

On Monday, March 18, 2002, 

the Illinois District represented the 

USGS at the annual Clean Water 

Celebration in Peoria, Illinois. The 

goal was to impress upon students 

the importance of thinking globally 

and acting locally. By increasing 

knowledge in the community and 

schools about the importance of 

water conservation and preservation, the Clean Water Celebration 

helps establish the human right to 

clean water and a healthy environment. About 3,000–4,000 Statewide 

and out-of-State junior and highschool students and teachers 

attended the event. The USGS 

theme was Water Resources of Illinois. A streamtable was displayed 

to demonstrate the process of river 

formation, land erosion, sedimentation, deposition, bridge scours, 

dams, and flooding. Students were 

asked how water affects our landscape and how streamflow effects 

land erosion. Moreover, the students had an opportunity to learn 

about the USGS and its mission. 

The younger students enjoyed the 

interactiveness of the display and 

were interested in dams and flooding. However, the older students 

were more interested in the technical aspects, such as water sampling 

and analysis. A number of students 

were involved in different organizations to help protect our water 

resources.