Earth 125 – Introduction to Field Hydrology – is a UCSB Earth Science class that teaches students the basic of surface and groundwater hydrology. The skills taught include: 1) mapping a reach of a stream and determining its mean depth and width; 2) using stream velocity meters to determine channel discharge; 3) digging a 1-m deep soil pit to sample the different soil layers; 4) each the mean grain size of each soil layer is characterized using sieves; 5) using an infiltrometer, infiltration rates at the surface and at the bottom of the soil pit; 6) using a Darcy apparatus, hydraulic conductivity of each soil is determined; 7) water level at the locations along the creek is determined by measuring water level in four existing monitoring wells; 8) by measuring the relative water levels of the creek and wells, whether the creek is gaining or losing; 9) water quality samples including VOC will be collected at one well and one spring; and 10) field alkalinity titrations will be taught.

Approved