Learn About Karst in Our Area on June 26

Ever hear someone say, “Just dump it out”? As it turns out, that’s not going to get rid of the problem, especially in areas like ours with karst geology. The fractured, porous limestone beneath us transports water, and hence pollutants, with ease. They may quickly end up in your well or someone else’s.

Crawford Stewardship Project is sponsoring a series of workshops and field trips to help residents learn about and identify karst geology where they live . On Saturday, June 26, the Gays Mills Library is co-sponsoring a workshop at the Community Building in Gays Mills presented by Dr. Kelvin Rodolfo, professor emeritus of the University of Illinois-Chicago. Following the presentation, Dr. Rodolfo will answer questions and explain the Wisconsin Geological Survey's Interagency Karst Reporting Form. Landowners can complete the form and submit it for later verification of karst land features. This is one of several steps in a karst study of the area.

The workshop starts at 10:00. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bag lunch and stay for a field trip at approximately 12:30, when the group will drive to a local property a few miles away to view an emergent stream and a local quarry that shows fractured limestone below the surface. These features, along with sinkholes , shallow soils, and springs are all emblematic of karst areas. They and the water network in the underlying bedrock are highly vulnerable to pollution. Dr. Rodolfo will help people understand what constitutes karst and the importance of our county's geology in how the land is used, and how that use affects our drinking water.

Ever hear someone say, “Just dump it out”? As it turns out, that’s not going to get rid of the problem, especially in areas like ours with karst geology. The fractured, porous limestone beneath us transports water, and hence pollutants, with ease. They may quickly end up in your well or someone else’s.

Crawford Stewardship Project is sponsoring a series of workshops and field trips to help residents learn about and identify karst geology where they live . On Saturday, June 26, the Gays Mills Library is co-sponsoring a workshop at the Community Building in Gays Mills presented by Dr. Kelvin Rodolfo, professor emeritus of the University of Illinois-Chicago. Following the presentation, Dr. Rodolfo will answer questions and explain the Wisconsin Geological Survey's Interagency Karst Reporting Form. Landowners can complete the form and submit it for later verification of karst land features. This is one of several steps in a karst study of the area.

The workshop starts at 10:00. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bag lunch and stay for a field trip at approximately 12:30, when the group will drive to a local property a few miles away to view an emergent stream and a local quarry that shows fractured limestone below the surface. These features, along with sinkholes , shallow soils, and springs are all emblematic of karst areas. They and the water network in the underlying bedrock are highly vulnerable to pollution. Dr. Rodolfo will help people understand what constitutes karst and the importance of our county's geology in how the land is used, and how that use affects our drinking water.