Forensic Hydrology                                                                                                       

NOTE: THIS COURSE IS IN DEVELOPMENT AND THIS SYNOPSIS IS PRELIMINARY. THE COURSE CONTENT MAY CHANGE WHEN THE COURSE IS FINALIZED.

This course will serve to apply the knowledge gained from other NTTP hydrology, geology, and mining courses taken by the target audience. The course will concentrate on application of field investigative techniques, data collection, data and information analysis and interpretation, report structuring, and litigation preparation. At a minimum the course will address investigations of ground and surface water impacts that occurred as a result of mining. The underlying theme to this course is the philosophical and practical approaches to hydrologic investigations from start to finish. The course is not designed to teach basic hydrogeologic information, report writing, basic instrument use, or background in mining which are taught in other NTTP classes. Duration: 3½ days

TOPICS COVERED

Establishing the Impact

Discuss the process for establishing the nature, extent, timing, and magnitude of impacts.

Identify other activities that could produce similar impacts

 

Develop Multiple Working Hypotheses

Based on the information obtained in the impact determination process, develop plausible multiple working hypotheses that lead to identification of the impacts

Collection of Data

Discuss the use of all existing data, and data collected for the investigation, develop a conceptual model of ground and surface water system

Data Analysis

Discuss the analytical approach to problem solving used in hydrologic investigations.

Determine the features and importance of a good base map.

Identify data reduction and analysis techniques that are frequently used in investigations.

Describe how the analysis methods should be used to answer to the questions posed in the multiple working hypotheses exercise.

 

Report Preparation

Discuss the importance of preparation of complete and thorough investigative report.

Identify the critical elements to be used in the report preparation.

Describe the necessity of the application of the scientific process to produce legally defensible conclusions.

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: This course is geared mainly for geologists, hydrologists, and possibly inspectors who conduct hydrologic investigations on problems related to coal mining related activities.

PREREQUISITES: Students should have knowledge and background in hydrology, geology, and mining. They should be able to familiar with common field instruments and have experience with basic fieldwork and techniques. The students are encouraged to bring an example of a relatively recent investigation that they worked on or are presently working on.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED: Calculator

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