1992 UZIG Meeting at Unicoi State Park, Georgia, September 21-23, 1992

A series of seminars were given by various researchers on the first day (See attached list). Several of these talks dealt with studies of water and chemical movement through agricultural fields. In the afternoon of the first day, an open discussion was held. Topics included: the contents and distribution of the UZIG directory, the scope of research being conducted by WRD on unsaturated-zone phenomena, and training for unsaturated-zone hydrology within the division.

The morning of the second day consisted of seminars. During the afternoon the group visited the Georgia District Office for a briefing on data-collection and handling activities as a part of the Panola Mountain WEBB project. Following the briefing, Tom Huntington, Georgia District, led the group on a field trip to the Panola Mountain WEBB site. The next morning, Woody Hicks led a group of the "more weather resistant" attendees on a a field trip to the Plains Agricultural Research site in southwestern Georgia.

(1) Some people would like to turn the UZIG directory, which contains names, locations, research interests, and topics for consultation for all UZIG members, into an online computer database. Most people agreed that this would be a useful system, but there were no volunteers to create and maintain the database. So, we will probably continue to update the directory on roughly a 2-year interval. Chuck Appel felt that the Ground Water Office could facilitate distribution of the directory. We would like to make the directory widely available to WRD personnel. The usefulness of the directory depends on it containing information for as many people as possible who are conducting (or plan on conducting) studies that deal with the unsaturated zone. (NOTE: UZIG members, if you have not done so, please provide Rick Healy with the requested information).

(2) It was suggested that the UZIG develop a periodic newsletter, similar to that now put out by the Ecology discipline. The letter would contain brief descriptions of recent research. Two or three people would be asked to make contributions to each letter. Everyone was enthusiastic about this idea. As soon as we can get someone to take the responsibility to solicit contributions and put together and distribute the newsletter we will be in business.

(3) Training needs of WRD was a major topic of discussion. Currently, the only unsaturated-zone hydrology training offered is the comprehensive 2-week course at the National Training Center. Historically, we have had difficulty getting enough students. As a result, we end up teaching it every third year. There was agreement that the course should be separated into two 1-week courses. Also, it was felt that it would be worthwhile to require students to complete a correspondence course as a prerequisite to attending the new courses. Hopefully, this would allow the course to be taught at a more advanced level. Dave Stonestrom, Ed Weeks, and Rick Healy agreed to try to work out details soon, so that the courses could be offered in the coming year.

(4) The new WRD training requirements were brought up. Two new ground-water related courses that will be required of all new employees. It would be desirable to include a short segment in each of these to introduce people to unsaturated-zone studies. Dave Pollock will most likely be coordinating these courses.

Finally, many thanks are due Woody Hicks for the great job he did on organizing the meeting. The atmosphere at the Unicoi Lodge was very enjoyable and no doubt helped to stimulate much worthwhile discussion. Geoff Delin has tentatively agreed to host the next UZIG meeting in Minnesota in the Spring of 1994.