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Advances in Display and Analysis of Groundwater Data
by Steve Wilson and Daniel AbramsSep 17, 2020 11:45 am1 View
The Water Survey has been a leader in groundwater science since its inception in 1895. Water Survey staff have developed innovative ways to analyze and visualize data, from painstakingly soldered flow models using electricity, to digital flow models like the widely used Prickett-Lonnquist Aquifer Simulation Model (PLASM), to more recent interactive maps and a new approach to developing potentiometric surfaces using MODFLOW. Learn more about the past, present, and future of the Water Survey's groundwater data innovation in this StoryMap.
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ISWS expertise contributes to NOAA climate model update
by Tiffany JolleySep 11, 2020 8:00 am1 View
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is tapping the expertise of the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) to finish a multi-year collaboration updating climate model projections for its Atlas 14, which serves as the benchmark for precipitation frequency values across the United States.
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1895-2020: 125 Years of Water and Weather Science
by Trish BarkerAug 20, 2020 9:30 am1 View
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2020 research report highlights work in key strategic areas
by Tricia BarkerAug 18, 2020 10:45 am62 Views
The Water Survey's annual research report highlights key work in the survey's three research focus areas: community resiliency to risks such as heat waves, droughts, flash floods, and severe storms; nutrient and sediment transport and the impact on Illinois’ water quality and supply, habitat, land use, and economy; and regional climate and green energy, specifically better understanding of how the changing climate will impact sources of renewable energy and providing more accurate predictions of the benefits and length of service of renewable energy investments. Download the Water Survey's 2020 Research Report
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Study shows future climate changes in wind patterns vary by U.S. region and season
by Lisa SheppardJul 17, 2020 8:00 am1 View
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ISWS analysis can provide answers to water questions
by Tricia BarkerJul 13, 2020 4:15 pm1 View
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The impact of Bulletin 75
by Tiffany JolleyJul 8, 2020 11:00 am1 View
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Rethinking short-term droughts in Illinois
by Tiffany JolleyApr 14, 2020 9:00 am1 View
While there is no universally accepted definition of drought, contemporary definitions look at a percentage of precipitation over a protracted period of time, in most cases over the course of a year. Some say this approach leaves people and communities vulnerable to a different type of drought – flash droughts.
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World Data Centre for Precipitation Chemistry finds a new home at ISWS
by Tricia BarkerMar 2, 2020 7:30 am1 View
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Buying a home in Illinois? You'll need the Water Survey for that
by Tiffany JolleyFeb 10, 2020 11:30 am1 View
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Decades of water sampling data inform scientists on the status of sedimentation in Illinois
by Lisa SheppardJan 14, 2020 1:15 pm367 Views
State Hydrologist Laura Keefer has waited her entire career at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) to be able to talk about trends in the amount of sediment carried in Illinois’ rivers and streams. That’s because it takes many years of data to glean some answers.
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ISWS celebrates its 125th anniversary
by Lisa SheppardJan 7, 2020 9:30 am442 Views
A series of free half-day seminars will be offered across the state this year to commemorate the Illinois State Water Survey’s (ISWS) 125th anniversary. Seminars will highlight critical water, weather, and climate issues of Illinois.
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Jo Daviess County collaboration tackles water quality
by Lisa SheppardDec 9, 2019 11:30 am797 Views
With its unique geology marked by sinkholes, crevices, and caves, Jo Daviess County is highly susceptible to water contamination. Scientists from the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) and Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) are using their expertise and collaborating with a local organization to help citizens understand water quality issues and protect their water supplies.
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Recent Water Survey projects span Illinois and beyond
by Tricia BarkerOct 28, 2019 4:45 pm209 Views
Water Survey staff recently received funding from state and federal agencies for projects involving water supply planning, monitoring at-risk groundwater supplies, preparing flood maps, collecting weather and soil data, and more.
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Program Spotlight: Coordinated Hazard Assessment and Mapping
by Tricia BarkerOct 28, 2019 8:45 am151 Views
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ISWS partnership helps prevent water shortage in Northeastern Illinois
by Tiffany JolleyOct 15, 2019 10:00 am2 Views
By 2030, the Cambrian-Ordovician aquifer system that supplies Will, Kendall, Kane, and McHenry Counties is projected to not be able to meet the monthly water demand in parts of the region. That’s according to a 2015 report by the groundwater science team at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS)
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ISWS team wins 2019 NGWA Outstanding Groundwater Supply Project Award
by Tiffany JolleySep 16, 2019 7:30 am1 View
The Groundwater science team at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) has received the National Ground Water Association Outstanding Groundwater Supply Project Award for 2019 for their project Assessing At-Risk Groundwater Supply in the Southwest Suburbs of Chicago.
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Trent Ford named new Illinois State Climatologist
by Tricia BarkerAug 12, 2019 12:45 pm36 Views
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Researchers update Illinois standards for storm frequencies
by Lisa SheppardMay 2, 2019 10:00 am1,744 Views
As heavy rainstorms become more frequent and stronger than in the past, municipal drainage systems designed from outdated standards often fail, resulting in flooding and financial losses. Researchers at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) have recently applied newer data to update ISWS Bulletin 70, the publication that provides the state standards for expected extreme storms.
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Former State Climatologist Jim Angel & Water Survey staff honored at 2019 Celebration of Excellence
by Tricia BarkerApr 11, 2019 7:45 am5 Views
Staff from the Water Survey were part of a team honored for their Outstanding Collaboration and former Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel received the Research Scientist’s Career Achievement Award at the Prairie Research Institute's 2019 Celebration of Excellence.
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Roadcap honored with CAPE Award
by Tricia BarkerApr 10, 2019 9:30 am2 Views
Water Survey hydrogeologist George Roadcap is one of six academic professionals selected for a 2019 Chancellor's Academic Professional Excellence Award. His work modelling and assessing risks to the Mahomet aquifer was among the reasons for the honor.
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Bitter cold in January likely won’t reduce field crop pests in the spring
by Jennie Atkins, Kelly EstesMar 14, 2019 2:00 pm1 View
Despite the record cold air temperatures, soil temperatures averaged slightly warmer than normal this winter. Consequently, the Arctic conditions are expected to have little effect on overwintering field crop insect pest populations.
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Mt. Carroll reclaims the title for the record minimum temperature in Illinois
by Brian KerschnerMar 6, 2019 11:30 am52 Views
An Arctic outbreak in late January 2019 led to widespread bitterly cold temperatures across much of the Upper Midwest, including Illinois. On the morning of Jan. 31, the cooperative weather observer at Mt. Carroll in Carroll County reported a temperature of -38 degrees, now validated as the new official state record minimum temperature.
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Survey seeks ideas to help specialty crop growers make pest control decisions
by Jennie Atkins & Kelly EstesFeb 19, 2019 9:00 am1 View
Researchers at the University of Illinois’ Prairie Research Institute are developing new pest degree day tools for the state’s specialty crop growers. A short online survey offers growers the opportunity to contribute their opinions on how this information is delivered.
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Illinois Climate Network marks 30 years of monitoring Illinois weather and soil
by Tricia BarkerJan 31, 2019 1:15 pm4 Views
It’s been 30 years since the Illinois State Water Survey launched the Illinois Climate Network (ICN) to monitor the state’s weather and soils. The 19 ICN stations around the state collect data on wind speed and direction, air temperature, humidity, precipitation, barometric pressure, solar radiation, soil temperatures and soil moisture.
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Microplastic contamination found in common source of groundwater, researchers report
by Lois YoksoulianJan 25, 2019 7:45 am1 View
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Brian Kerschner steps up to serve as spokesperson for weather and climate issues
by Tricia BarkerDec 20, 2018 9:00 am1 View
With the retirement of Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Brian Kerschner is stepping up to temporarily serve as the Illinois State Water Survey’s point person on weather and climate issues while a search is conducted for the new full-time Illinois State Climatologist.
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ISWS participates in project to help predict air quality, enhance crop yields
by Tricia BarkerSep 12, 2018 8:45 am1 View
Tracking how air moves at night near the Earth's surface could provide insights into how air pollution spreads and when it's best to apply pesticides. This week, a team of University of South Carolina and University of Illinois researchers will launch a project to do just that. The two-month experiment -- called Stable Atmospheric Variability and Transport, or SAVANT -- will run from Sept. 15 to Nov. 15 in and near Mahomet, Illinois, and will measure air flow in what's known as a stable boundary layer.
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Laura Keefer named Illinois State Hydrologist
by Lisa SheppardJul 2, 2018 3:30 pm1 View
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ISWS staff take educational activities on the road
by Katie BuckleyJun 4, 2018 2:15 pm1 View
ISWS staff recently participated in events in Peoria and Springfield, helping Illinoisans learn about groundwater and private wells.
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Water Survey to receive $1M for rural outreach programs
by Jennifer WilsonMay 17, 2018 8:15 am1 View
The Illinois State Water Survey will receive more than $1 million in funding through 2021 to support its drinking water outreach programs for private well owners and small, rural communities.
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Network now monitors air temperature inversions in several locations
by Lisa SheppardMay 14, 2018 9:15 am3 Views
Ag producers looking for up-to-the-minute weather information during planting season have a new tool at their disposal. The Illinois State Water Survey’s Illinois Climate Network (ICN) has just begun monitoring air temperature inversions at five stations: DeKalb, Monmouth, Bondville, Brownstown, and Carbondale.
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ISWS investigates the potential for stormwater credit trading in Cook County
by Lisa SheppardFeb 9, 2018 5:30 pm5 Views
In the Chicago region, rain and snowmelt often overwhelm sewer systems, causing street flooding and basement back-ups. Pollutants from sewer systems flow into nearby rivers and Lake Michigan. Even in areas with separate storm and sanitary sewers, overflow from severe storms carries pollution into the Chicago area waterways system, adversely affecting water quality and habitat. This problem is expected to worsen as climate change progresses and storms grow larger and more frequent.
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