Iowa Learning Farms is hosting a free virtual field day on the challenges of improving water quality and quantity management in the karst topography of the Upper Iowa Watershed at 1 p.m. Feb. 4.

Matt Frana, Upper Iowa Watershed project coordinator, and Winneshiek County landowners Tom and Maren Beard will be participate in the discussion.

“The karst topography in northeast Iowa creates some unique challenges when planning for water detention project sites,” Frana says. “Shallow depth to bedrock, easily dissolvable bedrock, highly fractured bedrock, and sinkholes can become problematic if water is pooled above or near them.”

“By reviewing soils, bedrock, sinkhole and terrain GIS map layers, high-risk areas can be identified and avoided without wasting time on lengthy and costly in-field investigations,” Frana adds. “If a site appears to have a moderate risk, methods like soil or bedrock boring and the use of electrical resistivity imagery can be used to determine if potentially problematic conditions exist below the surface as part of the planning process to better assure successful projects.”

To participate, visit iowalearningfarms.org and click “Join live virtual field day.” Or call 312-626-6799 or 646-876-9923. The meeting ID is 914 1198 4892.

The field day will be archived. Participants may be eligible for a certified crop adviser board-approved continuing education unit. Information about how to apply to receive the credit (if approved) will be provided at the end of the live field day.

The ILF event is in partnership with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and the Conservation Learning Group.

Source: Iowa Learning Farms, which is responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and its subsidiaries aren't responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.