New Circulars on Springs and Ground Water Levels
Springs are an important component of the Kansas landscape and an aid in understanding the connection between ground water and surface water, and the impact of human activities on the environment. Kansas Springs, by Rex Buchanan, Robert Sawin, and Wayne Lebsack, describes the basic geologic conditions that create springs, highlights some of the better-known or more prolific springs in various regions of the state, and discusses why springs are significant to Kansas.

Each January, the Kansas Geological Survey and the Division of Water Resources of the Kansas Department of Agriculture measure ground-water levels in western and south-central Kansas to monitor changes and identify regional trends in the High Plains, Dakota, and alluvial aquifers. Measuring Water Levels in Kansas, by Richard D. Miller, Rex Buchanan, and Liz Brosius, describes how water wells are selected and measured, how the public can gain access to this information, and how the information is used.

Copies of Kansas Springs (Public Information Circular 11) and Measuring Water Levels in Kansas (Public Information Circular 12) can be obtained free of charge by contacting Publications Sales at the KGS. These circulars are also available electronically through the Survey’s World Wide Web site under Publications at www.kgs.ku.edu.

Dakota Aquifer in Kansas
The Dakota aquifer underlies most of the western two-thirds of Kansas and is an important source of water in many parts of the state. A new publication, User’s Guide to the Dakota Aquifer in Kansas, by P. Allen Macfarlane, John Doveton, and Donald O. Whittemore, is the result of an eight-year study of the aquifer. The first part of this semi-technical book provides background information about the aquifer’s hydrogeology and water quality, with the second half devoted to an examination of the aquifer’s water resources and potential for development.

Copies of User’s Guide to the Dakota Aquifer in Kansas (Technical Series 2) are available from KGS Publications Sales for $10.00, plus tax, shipping, and handling.

Kansas Industrial Minerals
Industrial minerals, those rocks or minerals with economic value, exclusive of metallic ores and mineral fuels, tend to be taken for granted in Kansas. But according to a new Survey educational publication, they are an important part of the state’s economy. Some of the state’s industrial minerals include gypsum (used in sheetrock and plasters), salt, crushed stone, and sand and gravel. In Primer of Industrial Minerals for Kansas, David A. Grisafe gives an overview of industrial minerals in Kansas and touches on health, safety, and environmental issues and regulations.

Copies of Primer of Industrial Minerals for Kansas (Educational Series 13) are available from KGS Publications Sales for $7.50, plus tax, shipping, and handling.

New

Publications

Rock Springs (from Public Information Circular 11).

The Kansas Geological Foundation and the Kansas Earth Science Teachers Association have recognized Beverly Ring, Oregon Trail Junior High School, Olathe, with the 1998–99 Excellence in Kansas Earth Science Education Award. This award of $1,000, funded by the Kansas Geological Foundation, is given to an outstanding earth science teacher in grades K–12. The award was presented in December at the Kansas Geological Foundation’s annual meeting in Wichita. Finalist for the award was Roger Roots, Sherman Middle School, Hutchinson, who received publications from the Kansas Geological Survey. Ring is the sixth recipient of the Excellence in Kansas Earth Science Education Award. Last year’s winner was Sam Wine, earth science teacher at Eureka High School in Eureka, Kansas.

Earth Science Education Award