Groundwater education materials and information abound in Portage County.  Take this opportunity to use local resources to help you and others learn about groundwater. Most of these materials are available for loan or for reference only.

For brochures and publications, check out the Groundwater References and Publications Guide.

List of Sources for materials listed below.

Water Resource Institute Library-University of Wisconsin: WRI is located in Madison, BUT their huge catalog of holdings is searchable on-line.  Anyone in Wisconsin can check out materials, which will be sent to you via postal service!

Resources Available in Portage County

Activities/Curriculum

Concepts and Modeling in Ground-Water Hydrology:  A Self-Paced Training Course

Level: adult/university.  Publisher: USGS, 1991.  Source: UWSP library, I 19.76:90-707.

Curriculum Activities Guide to Water Pollution and Environmental Studies

Level: 5th-12^th.  Topics: cycles, groundwater, soil ecology, pollution, rivers/streams.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 039 v.1,2,3.

Curriculum Activity Guide to Watershed Investigation and Environmental Studies: Volume I & II   

Level: 5^th-12^th.  Topics: groundwater, soil ecology, pollution, erosion, urban study, values, human impact.  Publisher:  Institute for Environmental Education, 1974.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 038.

Discover a Watershed: The Everglades 

Level: K-12^th.  Topics: groundwater, wetlands, conservation, invertebrates, interdependence.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 067.

Earth: The Water Planet     

Level: 9-12/adult/university.  Topics: water, groundwater, land use. Also has videos.      Publisher: National Science Teachers Assoc.: Washington, DC, 1992.      Source: WCEE, AC WR 004.

Excuse Me Sir, that's My Aquifer

Contains 8 lessons and songs in 20 pgs.  Publisher: AuSable Institute of Environmental Studies: 7526 Sunset Tr. NE, Mancelona, MI 49659-9555, 1992.  Source:  CWGC.

GEE-WOW! Adventures in Water Education  

Level: K-6^th.  Topics: water, cycles, groundwater, pollution, soil ecology.  Publisher: Ecology Center: Ann Arbor, MI, 1991.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 035.

Give Water a Hand:  Action Guide a Youth Action for Environmental Action   

Level 5th-12^th.  Motivates youth to action on water-related issues.  Contains guides for community, school, home, and farm/ranch.  Topics: problem solving, citizen participation/action, groundwater conservation.  Publisher: University of Wisconsin Environment Resource Center, 1996.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 045.

Groundwater Education in Michigan Schools: Activities and Resources for Grades K-6  

Level: K-6^th.  Activities are self-directed learning, guided explorations, individual and group discussion, and investigations.  Topics: groundwater, pollution, water.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 055.

Groundwater Explorations: A Groundwater Curricula Guide for MI EE Center  

Level: K-6^th. Eight (8) modules designed for Michigan area.  Topics: groundwater, habitat, soils, landfills.  Publisher: Kalamazoo Nature Center: Kalamazoo, MI, 1992.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 048.

Groundwater Protection Through Prevention: A Curriculum for Agricultural Education: Secondary School     

Level: 9th-12th/adult/university.  Topics: groundwater, agriculture, cycle.  Publisher: Iowa State University: Aimes, IA, 1989.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 049.

Groundwater Resources and Educational Activities for Teaching (GREAT)    

Level: 5th-9^th.  Topics: cycles, groundwater, landfills.  Publisher: Iowa DNR: Des Moines, IA, 1989.  WCEE, AC WR 047.

Groundwater Study Guide

Level: 5th-12^th. 10 activities about Wisconsin groundwater.  Publisher: WI DNR: Madison, WI, 1990.  WCEE, AC WR 054.

Groundwater: A Vital Resource   

Level: K-12^th.  Contains activities and fact sheets about groundwater. Topics: groundwater, pollution, water.  Publisher: TVA: Knoxville, TN, 1991.  WCEE, AC WR 024.

Groundwater: A Vital Resource- Student Activities 

Level: 5th-12^th.  Topics: groundwater, water, human impact.  Publisher: TVA: Chattanooga, TN, 1986.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 025.

Hidden Treasure: Instructional Materials for Groundwater Resource Protection 

Level: 5th-12^th.  Topics: groundwater, cycles, water, pollution, agriculture, soil ecology, resource management.  Publisher: National FFA Foundation: Madison, WI, 1990.  Source: WCEE,AC WR 036.

Hillsborough County 4-H Umbrella Water Saving Plan

This is a project book for youth and lesson plans for adults, 56 pgs.  Publisher: Florida Cooperative Extension Service, 1987.  Source: CWGC.

How-to Manual for Ground Water Protection Projects            

Publisher: PDX Press in Cooperation with the North Association for RSVP Directors, Inc.: El Paso, TX and EPA: Washington, DC, 1992.  Source: UWSP library, EP 1.8: G91/4.

Instructor's Guide to Water Education Activities 

106 pgs.  Publisher: Water Conservation/Technical Assistance Program, PA, 1986.  Source: CWGC.

Investigating Groundwater: The Fruitvale Story

Level: 4th-12^th. Groundwater focus with hands-on look at social issues, role modeling, and decision-making.  Publisher: Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley, 1991.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 008.

"Once Upon a Wellfield or…Adventures of ""Dew

A story and coloring book with 24 pgs.  Publisher: Ohio EPA, 1998.  Source: CWGC.

Outlook on Groundwater: Volumes 1-3

Level: K-12^th. Tweleve (12) activities on groundwater and contamination.  This project was created to help move youth from being part of the problem to being part of its resolution.  Publisher: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, 1988.      Source: WCEE,      AC WR 053 v.1,2,3.

Science Demonstration Projects in Drinking Water

Level: K-12^th. The activities center around experiments.  Publisher: USEPA, 1990.  Source: WCEE.

That Magnificent Groundwater Connection:  a resource book for grades K-6 

Level: K-6^th.  Over 25 activities and songs on groundwater, the water cycle, basic water facts, treatment, and stewardship.  Publisher: New England EPA and New England Interstate Water Pollution Control, 1996.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 086.

That Magnificent Groundwater Connection: A Resource Book for Grades 7-12

Level: 7th-12^th.  Book designed for New England.  Topics: groundwater, water cycle.  Publisher: New England Interstate Water Pollution Control, Wilmington, MA, 1998.  Source:  WCEE, AC WR 064.

Water Level: K-9^th.  Publisher: Good Apple: Carthage, IL, 1992.  Source: WCEE.      

Water Activities to Encourage Responsibility   

Level: 4th-6^th.  Ten (10) activities on conserving and preserving water and seeing interaction between water and ecosystem.  Topics: groundwater, water pollution, water cycle.  Publisher: WI DNR: Madison, WI, 1992.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 010 c.2.

Water Quality and Pollution  

Level: K-6^th.  Activities contain posters, transparencies, and a teaching guide.  Topics: water, pollution, rivers/streams, groundwater.  Milliken Publishing Co.: St. Louis, MO, 1990.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 016.

Water Sourcebook:  A Series of Classroom Activities for grades 3-5  (pdf file)

Level: 3rd-5^th.  Publisher: Water Environment Federation: Alexandria, VA, 1994.      Source: WCEE, AC WR 83.

Water Sourcebook:  A Series of Classroom Activities for grades 6-8  

Level: 6th-8^th.  Activities in 5 chapters:  introduction to water, drinking and waste water treatment, surface water resources, groundwater resources, and wetlands and coastal.  It also contains a glossary and over 40 fact sheets.  Publisher: EPA, 1998.  WCEE, AC WR 83.

Water Sourcebook:  A Series of Classroom Activities for grades 9-12 

Level: 9th-12^th.  Publisher: Water Environment Federation: Alexandria, VA, 1997.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 85.

Water: The Liquid of Life 

Level: 4th-6^th.  Activities include background information, student sheets, and experiments. Topics: water, treatment for drinking, waste water treatment, water pollution, environmental laws.  Publisher: Illinois EPA, 1988.  Source: WCEE, AC WR 060.

Water Wise: Lessons in Water Resources  

Level: 4th-9^th.  Topics: water pollution causes, effects, and prevention.  Publisher: Cornell Cooperative Extension: Ithaca, NY, 1989.      Source:  WCEE.

Watersheds 

Level: 5th-12^th.  Contains activities for the field, mapping, role playing, games.  Topics: ecosystems, water, groundwater, human impact.  Publisher: Dane County Extension: Madison, WI, 1993.  WCEE, AC WR 062.

Wisconsin Supplement to National Project WET

Level: K-12^th.  Topics: groundwater, cycle, water.  Publisher: Project WET-Wisconsin, 1997.  Source: WCEE.

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Books/ Literature  or Booklets

A Civil Action

Johnathan Harr, 1998.  Thorndike, ME: Thorndike Press.  Source: PCPL-#346.73 Har

Common Ground: The Water, Earth, and Air We Share

Molly Bang, 1997.  New York, NY: Blue Sky Press.  Source: PCPL-# +363.7 Ban

Henry Goes Underground

A youth story about groundwater and the water cycle.  K-4^th reading level.  Source: WCEE, BY WR 017.

Mapmaking with Children: Sense of Place Education for the Elementary Years 

Level: adults.  Discusses mapmaking skills and activities for children at different developmental stages.  Author:  David Sobel, 1999.   Source:  local book store.

Silent Justice

William Bernhardt, 2000.  New York, NY: Ballentine Books.  Source: PCPL-#Fic Bernhardt, William

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Kits or Models

Groundwater Investigation Kits     

Contains a variety of guides, videos, and equipment.  Available for loan from Wisconsin Water Education Centers, UWEX Basin Educators, and Land Conservation Department.

Sand Tank Groundwater Model

The groundwater model is a plexiglass tank filled with sand, gravel, and clay to represent a slice of the earth.  The model simulates how water and contaminants move through different aquifers allowing people to "see" groundwater.  You may purchase or borrow a model.

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Posters

Do You Need a Water Treatment Device?    

3' x 2' panel with text and photos. Lists common health and aesthetic concerns and gives alternatives for correction, including appropriate treatment devices.  Also shows how to interpret a DILHR product approval letter. Source: CWGC.

Groundwater-What's In It for You?   

3' x 2' panel with text and photos. Describes "good"" water quality, gives desirable ranges for water test results, lists sources for common natural and human-made contaminants.  Source: CWGC.   

Keeping Your Home Water Supply Safe      

3' x 2' panel with text and photos. Describes the differences in public and private water supplies, and your responsibilities in keeping them safe.  Source: CWGC.        

Nitrate Levels in Drinking Water:  22" x 28".  Source: CWGC.        

Nitrate Nitrogen Drinking Water Standard:  22" x 28”. Source: CWGC.        

Putting the Nitrate Puzzle Together   

3' x 4' or 4' x 6'.  A set of laminated interlocking "puzzle pieces" that can be used as one display or separately.  Helps explain sources of nitrate, units of measure, and interpretation of results.  Source: CWGC.

Screen Your Drinking Water for Nitrate:  22"" x 28".  Source: CWGC.   

Sources of Nitrate  Nitrogen in Water Supplies:  22"" x 28".  Source: CWGC.

Water Cycle:  Source: CWGC and WI DNR.

What's in Your Water Travel Display.  

The travel display consists of four panels that feature photos with descriptive text on nitrate sources, influencing factors, impacts, actions individuals can take at home, and the status of Portage County groundwater.  Publisher: Portage County Groundwater Citizens Advisory Committee.  Source:  Portage County Groundwater Citizens Advisory Committee.

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Reference Materials (publications/reports/articles)

Backyard Conservation

This is a free 28 page booklet on conservation practices used by farms that have been scaled down for the backyard. Contains many tip sheets on ponds, wetlands, mulching, and tree planting. Published by NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service.)  Source:  RC&D.

Bitter Harvest

Frederic and Sandra Halbert, 1978.  Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eordmans Publishing.  Source: PCPL-#636.2 Hal

But Not a Drop to Drink: The Life-Saving Guide to Good Water

Steve Coffel, 1989.  New York, NY: Rawson Associates.  Source: PCPL-# 363.73 Cof

Citizen's Handbook on Groundwater Protection

Wendy Gordon, 1984.  New York, NY: Natural Resources Defense Council. Source: PCPL-#363.73 Gor

The Drinking Water Book:  A Complete Guide to Safe Drinking Water

Colin Ingram, 1991.  Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.  Source: PCPL-#363.73 Ing

Drinking Water Hazards: How to Know if There are Toxic Chemicals in Your Water

Level: adult/university.  Topics: groundwater, pollution, water, cycle.  Source: WCEE, BA WR 012.

Driven Point (Sand-Point) Wells

12 pgs.  Publisher: WI DNR: Madison, WI, 1999.  Source: UWSP library.

Educating Young People About Water:  A Guide to Goals and Resources

Materials for elementary and secondary education professionals.  Publisher: Environmental Resources Center, Univ. of WI: Madison, WI,1992.  Source: CWGC.

Geology and Water Resources for various counties.

Water Supply Papers.  Publisher: Geologic Survey.  Source: CWGC.

The Great Lakes: An Environmental Atlas and Resource Book

Kent Fuller, ed., Harvey Shear and Jennifer Wittig, 1995.  Chicago, IL: Great Lakes National Program Office, USEPA and Toronto, Ontario: Government of Canada.  Source: PCPL-# REF 917.7 Gre

Ground Water Education in America's Schools:  A Catalog of Resources  

Materials for elementary and secondary education professionals, 38 pgs.  Publisher:  American Ground Water Trust: Dublin, OH, 1990.  Source: WCEE, DIR RES 13.

Groundwater      

17 pgs.  Publisher:  US Department of Interior: Reston, VA, 1999.  Source:  UWSP library, I 19.2: G91/6/999.

Groundwater: A Citizen's Guide

Level: adult/university.  Topic:  Groundwater.  Source:  WCEE, BA WR 007.

Groundwater Resources of the United States: An Illustrated Compendium of the Nation's Underground Water Resources

Compiled from publications of the US Geological Survey by David Keith Todd, 1983.  Berkeley, CA: Premier Press.  Source: PCPL-#553.7 Gro

How Safe is Your Drinking Water?

Kenneth Stone, 1981.  Pownal, VT: Garden Way Publishing.  Source: PCPL-# 628.1 Sto

Hydrogeology and groundwater textbooks           

Multiple books available for viewing.  Source: CWGC.

Is Our Water Safe To Drink?  A Guide to Drinking Water Hazards and Health Risks

Gordon J. Millichap, 1995.  Chicago, IL: PNB Publishers.  Source: PCPL-#363.73 Mil

Law of the Land: A Citizen's Guide- Influencing Local Land Use Decisions  

Level: adult/university.  Topics: resource management, citizen participation/action, groundwater, natural resource depletion.  Source:  WCEE, BA WR 017.

Maps

A variety of maps are housed at the Groundwater Center, such as 7.5 minute USGS topographic quads, surface geology, bedrock geology, and many others.  Publisher:  mostly USGS.  Source: CWGC.

Pesticide Alert:  A Guide to Pesticides in Fruits and Vegetables

Lawrie Matt, 1987.  San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books.  Source:  PCPL-#363.19 Mot

Poisoned Well: New Strategies for Groundwater Protection

Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, 1989.  Washington, DC: Island Press.  Source: PCPL-#363.73 Poi

Portage County Groundwater Management Plan

Portage County Planning and Zoning Department, 1983.  2 volumes.  Source: PCPL-#333.91 PorWisc vol 1, vol 2

Protect Your Groundwater: Educating for Action 

Level: 9th-12th/adult/university.  Topics: groundwater, citizen participation/action.  Source: WCEE, BA WR 005.

Safety on Tap: A Citizen's Drinking Water Handbook   

Level: 9th-12th/adult/university.  Topics: water, groundwater.  Source:  WCEE, BA WR.

The Sierra Club Guide to Safe Drinking Water

Scott Alan Lewis, 1996.  San Francisco, CA: Sierra Club Books.  PCPL-#363.73 Lew

Soil surveys for various counties            

Contain information on soil types, aerial photos of the county, and much more.  Publisher:  NRCS (formerly the Soil Conservation Service).  Source:  CWGC & UWSP Library.

Thesis Reports on groundwater projects            

Publisher: UWSP.  Source: CWGC.

Various other documents and publications           

Shelves of groundwater-related materials. Source:  CWGC.

Water Resources of Wisconsin, Central Wisconsin River Basin

R.W. DeVaul and J.H. Green, 1971.  Washington, DC: USGS.  Contains 9 maps on four sheets, scale 1:1,000,000.  Source: PCPL-#551.4 DevDev

Wisconsin Groundwater Education Resource Directory  

Lists over 200 publications and other resources related to Wisconsin groundwater.  Publisher: WI Groundwater Coordinating Council, 1994.  Source: CWGC.

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Slide Shows

Portage County Groundwater Stewardship for the Future

36 slides discussing the current condition of Portage County groundwater, the challenges being faced, and the proposed groundwater goals for managing the resource.  Publisher:  Portage County Groundwater Citizens Advisory Committee, 2000.  Source:  Portage County Planning and Zoning Department.  You may view the slide show on the Internet, too.

Water Testing for the Well Owner--Why We Insist  

20 slides on what to test for, why, and contacts for more information.  Source: CWGC.

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Transparencies

Groundwater Education in Michigan (GEM): Groundwater Transparencies   

19 color transparencies for Michigan educators.  Publisher:  Groundwater Education in Michigan Regional Center, Institute for Water Sciences, Western Michigan University: Kalamazoo, MI,      1991.  Source: WCEE, AV WR 8.

 

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Videos

A Guide to Safe Agricultural Fuel Storage Systems             

Producer: National Farm Medicine Center.  Source: RC&D.

Agriculture and Groundwater Contamination:  Exploring the Issues 

18 minutes.  Producer: Cooperative Extension, Michigan State University, 1989.  Source: CWGC.

Agriculture and Water Quality:  A New Direction for Corn Herbicides 

8 minutes.  Producer: Dupont Agricultural Products, 1997.  Source: CWGC.

An Ounce of Prevention:  Wellhead Protection 

Develop a wellhead protection plan to protect and manage the land around community wells, so you can minimize the risk of contamination.  WI DNR, 2000.      Source: CWGC and RC&D.

Beyond Drainages:  A New Approach to Stormwater Management 

9 minutes.  Producer: UWEX.  Source: CWGC.

Erin Brockovich

2.5 hours.  Producer: Jersey Films, Danny DeVito, 2000.
Source: PCPL

Groundwater Basics:  An Introduction to Groundwater

12 minutes.  Producer:  American Ground Water Trust, 1995.  Source: CWGC.

Groundwater Guardians:  Empowering Local Communities         

Producer: Groundwater Foundation, 1999.  Source: CWGC.

Groundwater Model Series:  Stuffing a Groundwater Model      

2 copies, 38 minutes.  Producer: ERC, 1989.  Source:  CWGC.

Groundwater Model Series: Groundwater on the Move

10 minutes.  Producer: ERC, 1989.  Source: CWGC.

Groundwater Model Series: Operating and Maintenance

15 minutes.  Producer: ERC, 1989.  Source: CWGC.

Groundwater Model Series: Using a Groundwater Model      

6 minutes.  Producer: ERC, 1989.  Source:  CWGC.

Groundwater Our Future Depends On It         

Producer:  Arizona Department of Water Resources.  Source: CWGC.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs   

9 minutes.  Source:  CWGC.

How to Abandon an Earthen Manure Storage Facility   

13 minutes.  Producer: Barron County WI LCD, 1993.  Source:  CWGC.

How to Fill a Groundwater Model      

Producer:  Iowa State University.  Source:  CWGC.

How to Fill and Seal a Well

Shows proper well abandonment techniques for rural and urban well owners, well drillers, contractors, rural health professionals, municipal water departments, conservationists, elected officials, and policy makers.  Source: CWGC and RC&D.

How to Take a Water Sample.  Publisher:  RC&D.  Source: CWGC.

Lake Protection:  Everyone Contributes        

Producer:  Beltrami Soil & Water Conservation District.  Source:  CWGC.

Managing the Invisible Resource   

12 minutes.  Producer: RC&D, 1991.  Source:  CWGC

Manure. Producer: WI Public TV, April 1996.  Source:  CWGC.

Nitrates in Wisconsin's Groundwater: Strategies and Challenges. 

Producer:  Kraft, 1994.  Source: CWGC.

Nonpoint Source Pollution:  Community and Rural  

12 minutes.  Producer: Lawrence and Schiller.  Source:  CWGC.

Protecting Your Groundwater Supply     

27 minutes, 2 copies.  Producer: National Environmental Training Center for Small Communities.  Source:  CWGC.

Radio Expeditions “Water: Thirsting for Tomorrow” and Teacher's Guide

5th-12th/adult/university.  Topics include groundwater, water quality, and water conservation.  Source: WCEE, AV WR 010.

Radon in Wisconsin:  Should You Worry?     

15 minutes.  Producer: UWEX, 1991.  Source: CWGC.

Risk communication:  An Introduction     

65 minutes.  Source: CWGC.

Teen News Network: Groundwater Update     

13 minutes discussing the GET-GEM Program.  Producer: Crawford County Ext., Michigan State University, 1993. Source: CWGC.

The Problem with Shallow Disposal Systems    

16 minutes.  Producer:      EPA, 1997.  Source: CWGC. 

Water in Your Life  

5th-12th/adult/university.  Topics include water, groundwater, and conservation.  Source:  WCEE, AV WR 002.

Water Rich Water Poor   

Discussing groundwater quantity concerns in Wisconsin.  Source: CWGC.

Water Well Basics:  Groundwater, water wells, and home water systems    

15 minutes.  Producer: American Ground Water Trust, 1999.  Source: CWGC.

Water:  The Drop of Life      

8th-12th/adult/university. 6 video series      airing on Public TV, 2000.  Source: CWGC.

We All Live Downstream:  An Introduction     

29 minutes.  Producer: Oregon State University Agricultural Communications, 1996.      Source: CWGC.

What is This Groundwater?     

(2 copies)      Producers: Groundwater Model Project, UWSP, 1999.  Source: CWGC.

Wisconsin's Groundwater

14 minutes of a slide video transfer. (4 copies.)  Producer:  WI DNR, 1983.  Source: CWGC.

Your Septic System:  A Guide for Homeowners 

11 minutes.  Producer: Northern Virginia Planning District Commission, 1990.  Source: CWGC.

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For brochures and publications, check out the Groundwater References and Publications Guide.

List of Sources for above materials.

Resources Available Elsewhere

activities  |  PCGCAC education outreach  |   resource materials  |   groundwater flow model  |  water/soil testing