ASI 345 - Week 3

The third RLC class introduced the students to the science behind a river system, the aquifer, and the watershed. In preparation for class they read an ESA article entited Water in a Changing World, along with fact sheets on floods and watersheds. Dr. Eric Benbow presented on the three topics during the first part of the class stressing the River Continuum Concept, the Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer and the connection between surface and ground water. Katie Schoenenberger demonstrated this connection through with a model simulating how water (and contamination) move through the aquifer.

The second half of the class, Dr. Hippensteel Hall presented on the history of Dayton’s rivers, urbanization trends and practical things each of us can do to help keep the river clean. The discussion included the effects of runoff from construction sites, household lawns, and parking lots as well as steps that can be taken to reduce runoff and options for low impact development.

Next week the class will focus on the City of Dayton’s Water Department, innovative steps Dayton has taken to keep our rivers clean, and the students’ connection to their hometown watershed. We invite those interested in the class to join us on Tuesdays from 3:00-5:45 in RecPlex meeting room B.