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Over the last several weeks, faculty from UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls and UW-Stout offered a three-week field study course in hydrology, the study of water, its movement and interactions with the environment. Students spent a week on each campus examining the unique ground and surface water systems in each region. Their learning has culminated in an independent project in which each student applies the skills and knowledge learned over the course.

The Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin is a state initiative that combines the power of the state’s universities with partners from government, industry and local communities to solve freshwater issues and train the next generation of freshwater scientists.

Dr. Sarah Vitale, associate professor of geology and environmental science, is the principal investigator and collaborator on FCW grant-supported research and training opportunities hosted by UW-Eau Claire.

“I look forward to teaching this course each summer,” Vitale says. “One of the things I love the most about this program is having multiple instructors with different areas of expertise, each able to teach at a higher level than a generalist is able to do. As a hydrogeologist, my approach to teaching groundwater water systems or my colleague’s approach to teaching stream biology are so much more elevated than what a typical multi-topic survey course can offer.”

Vitale co-instructs the seminar course with Dr. Jill Coleman Wasik, professor of environmental science at UW-River Falls, and Dr. Nicole Hayes, assistant professor of biology and environmental science at UW-Stout.

Vitale says the five days at UW-River Falls focused on groundwater surface water interaction, and how the geology of the area influences the hydrologic system. At UW-Stout, students learned about the delineation of wetlands as protected waterways in the state, and how to identify several key biological indicators of water quality.

Students in the course benefit from detailed instruction in areas of freshwater science not necessarily part of the curriculum at their individual campus. Vitale says the degree programs at the UW campuses can vary widely, so hearing from multiple system experts helps drive home the idea that freshwater science is highly interdisciplinary.

“Each year of this class, students come out the other side with a much better understanding of the connectedness between the many subdisciplines of freshwater science,” Vitale says.

Dr. Zach Hilgendorf, assistant professor of geography at UW-Eau Claire, has been a repeat instructor in the summer seminar. His expertise in geospatial and geographic information systems has added much-valued introductions to topics like remote sensing technologies, critical elements of comprehensive groundwater and other hydrogeological studies.

“I am always so impressed by the enthusiasm and excitement that the students bring to this class. I look forward to teaching it every summer and consider it a truly unique opportunity for them to learn about our precious and sensitive freshwater resources,” Hilgendorf says.

Students recognize broadened skill sets as future asset

One of the purposes of this field hydrology course and the Freshwater Collaborative in general, Vitale says, is to expand student skill sets in areas like data collection and lab analysis. Acquiring fundamental skills in these areas can prepare upcoming graduates for a variety of jobs in the state they may not have been previously qualified for, even jobs that are only peripherally connected to freshwater science.

“In the bigger picture beyond a course like this, the collaborative funds unique opportunities at the high school level as well as internships and research opportunities for college students to work with a faculty mentor at their own or a different UW campus,” Vitale says.

“Freshwater science is really complicated. It’s affected by a lot of factors from human behavior to climate, and this collaborative sets up a strong foundation of understanding to tackling these complex problems.”

For May graduate Lucy Christman, this field study course has been a great way to wrap up a hydrogeology and water chemistry degree with a few fresh skills. Later this summer, Christman will start an internship with the Chippewa County Land Conservation and Forest Management Department.

“My courses for my major were all geology and geography centered, but at UW-River Falls and UW-Stout I got a nice introduction to soil studies as well, and plant and animal impact of the water systems, which could be useful for me in possibly applying for more general environmental science jobs that interest me, jobs not only involving hydrology,” the Green Bay native says.

Dailyn Wold, a May environmental biology graduate from River Falls, transferred to UW-Eau Claire after developing a passion for the environment and discovering the many good programs at UW-Eau Claire. 

“I’ve hoped to take this summer course for a couple years, and took two hydrogeology classes with Dr. Vitale to prepare for the seminar,” Wold says. “The interdisciplinary nature of water science deeply interests me.”

Wold says it was eye-opening to visit all three campuses, seeing the expertise at each location, and really zeroing in on the geology, biology and chemistry of the different water systems.

“Wetland delineation, which we learned about at UW-Stout, is a great example of how water science really requires understanding several disciplines. To identify a wetland, you have to look at the soil, you have to look at the plants, you have to look at the water — it’s the combination of those elements that make something a wetland. This course exposes students to the basic understanding of the elements which will be present in all freshwater studies. It has been a great opportunity.”