Kansas Geological Survey, Current Research in Earth Sciences, Bulletin 244,
part 2
Revisions to the Nomenclature for Kansas Aquifers--page 8 of 9
Summary
The aquifer nomenclature for Kansas outlined in this paper is based on the guidelines of Laney and Davidson (1986). These guidelines were based on discussions held between hydrogeologists and hydrologists in the Water Resources Division of the U.S. Geological Survey and represent a consensus of how best to apply names to hydrostratigraphic units. At present, there is no widely accepted code for hydrostratigraphic nomenclature, despite attempts to formally recognize these units in the North American Stratigraphic Code. Nevertheless, a hydrostratigraphic nomenclature, which defines clearly the stratigraphic units that form a given aquifer, is essential because a consistent nomenclature forms the basis of rational, scientific discussion of hydrologic issues. Just as important, many of the laws and regulations that pertain to ground water are based on aquifer designations and definitions. A common set of names may lessen the opportunity for erroneous or unintended hydrologic interpretations of Kansas laws and regulations.
Acknowledgments
I wish to thank my Kansas Geological Survey colleagues Margaret Townsend, Marios Sophocleous, Dave Young, Jeff Schloss, Don Whittemore, Bob Buddemeier, Rex Buchanan, and Dan Merriam for their comments on earlier drafts of this paper. These discussions have been valuable to me and have contributed greatly to my thoughts on this topic. I also wish to acknowledge the thoughtful reviews of Lloyd Stullken, Will Gilliland, and John Munson of the Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture, as well as Nathan Myers, Kansas District Office, U.S. Geological Survey. Their comments have helped strengthen this paper appreciably.
Kansas Geological Survey
Web version December 6, 2000
http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Current/2000/macfarlane/macfarlane8.html
email:lbrosius@kgs.ku.edu