Short Course

Strategies for Solving Hydrogeologic Complexities from the Sedimentary Sequence in the Western Chicago Suburbs

Friday 27 September 2025 

8:00am to 12:00pm

Professional Development Hours: 4.0 PDH (CEUs administered by: Northern Illinois University)

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COURSE BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION

A continuously-sampled boring was drilled in 2022 that revealed both the Wisconsin and Illinoian-age sediments representing two mega sequences with seven sedimentary facies.  A stratigraphic assessment of the boring was the field component for a 2-day professional education workshop by the Midwest GeoSciences Group and the Association of Engineering and Environmental Geologists (AEG Chicago Chapter).

The stratigraphy and hydrogeology of the soil boring will be presented at this course.  Plus, the instructors will teach some of the field strategies used to characterize the sedimentary sequence which resulted in immediately recognizing unexpected subsurface conditions that played a role in hydrogeologic calculations. 

The boring was drilled in Geneva, Illinois.  It made history in terms of new stratigraphic mapping by the Illinois State Geological Survey in NE Illinois. Age-dating of the buried A-Horizon confirmed the newly discovered Illinoian-age sedimentary sequence. There are many lessons that can be taught from this boring.

The course instructors (Dan Kelleher and Susan Grover) analyzed the sedimentary sequence from the soil core which revealed an entirely new and older sedimentary sequence that was unknown to exist in the region. Not only did the new sedimentary sequence make history, but it dramatically impacts how the vertical seepage is calculated from the ground surface to the top of bedrock, approximately 100 feet deep.

The drilling location is within the mapped area of the Yorkville Member of the Lemont Formation near the DuPage - Kane County border.  The four common facies of the Yorkville Member were identified which consist of a shallow ice-marginal facies and three subglacial facies. Below the Yorkville Member is the Batestown Member which can be depositionally variable the resulting with heterogeneous sedimentary properties. But Carbon 14 age-dating confirmed the lower sequence is Illinoian-age and is the first time it’s been identified in the region.

Without a familiarity of the regional stratigraphic sequence, this new discovery would probably have never been possible.  It’s a great example of the importance of understanding the geology at any given site.

In this one boring, we

• observed each of the major glacial depositional environments

• applied strategies to build a stratigraphic model based on depositional history

• differentiated the stacked sequence of low-permeability subglacial deposits

• gave geologic context to buried sand and gravel intervals

• and determined if they tend to be isolated lenses

• and determined if they tend to be laterally continuous

• observed two A-Horizon Soils, one modern and one ancient.

• observed two weathering zone profiles, on modern and one ancient

• avoided the mistake of lumping the units into one Low-K “Hydrostratigraphic Unit”

• calculated vertical seepage estimates through the hydrogeologic system.

This was a historic discovery beyond the local impacts to ground water flow.  The process of discovery and the certainty of the deposits follow “The Method of Multiple Working Hypothesis” (1897) taught originally by the great T.C. Chamberlain, Geologist and Past President of the University of Wisconsin.  

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

This is a unique opportunity to learn about applying geologic principles to professional work. There are not many chances like this where we can synthesize hydrogeology in a way it can be applied to so many different other sites and projects.

Participants will learn:

• The regional sedimentary sequence from the western Chicago Suburbs

• Basic Principles of Sedimentology and Pedogenesis apply to professional projects.

• Three strategies for synthesizing the sedimentary sequence that can be applied at any Site.

• Methods for hydrogeologic analysis of the sedimentary sequence in the soil boring drilled in Geneva, Illinois.

Participants will gain insight to understanding the holistic hydrogeologic system in order to unravel subsurface complexities and relationships. This course includes classroom exercises that support the curriculum. It features a self-assessment to test yourself with how accurately you can classify select soil classifications according to the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS).

The course finishes with 20-question multiple-choice Final Exam.  Completion of the final exam is required to receive a CEU Course Completion Certificate

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS

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Northern Illinois University administers the continuing education units for this course with a Course Completion Certificate.  Participants who attend the entire course and pass the final exam will receive a certificate showing 0.4 CEUs / 4.0 PDHs. Most state professional licensure programs will accept CEUs for this course. Check with your licensure program for your requirements.

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Midwest GeoSciences Group is an approved CE provider #213 by the New York State Education Department (NY SED) for licensed Professional Geologists and Professional Engineers in the State of New York.  Midwest GeoSciences Group offers training and skill development for Geologists, Engineers, and Environmental Scientists in every US State and Canadian Province.

COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Dan Kelleher, PG, CIPM Is a Hydrogeologist and primary instructor during the 2022 workshop where the sedimentary sequence was first revealed.  Dan is the President of Midwest GeoSciences Group and a member of AEG (since 1990).  He serves geo-professionals through training, consulting, and field tool development.

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Susan Grover is the National Geologist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service and analyzed both the modern soil profile and the buried paleosol withing the sedimentary sequence from the 2022 workshop. Susan is recognized for her hydrogeologic expertise in environmental and engineering work.  She leads technical teams for high-profile projects around the United States.

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COURSE INCLUDES

Participants receive 4.0 contact hours of instruction, Course Notebook, a FIELD GUIDE FOR SOIL AND STRATIGRAPHIC ANALYSIS.

OPTIONAL ITEM:  Full Color Course Notebook (approx.100 pages) for $59.00. Otherwise, the Course Notebook is printed in black and white (it still looks great).

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WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This course is designed for ground water scientists and engineers, project managers, and remedial design managers.  Professionals ranging from entry level to seasoned practitioners are invited to participate.

CLASSROOM AND WORKSHOP SAFETY:

Safety and integrity are paramount. Each participant is responsible for his/her own safety and agrees to help keep all other participants safe. No harassing behavior or intimidation is acceptable. All affiliates of this course want each participant to feel comfortable during our events.

ACCESS

Visitors are not permitted to access the classroom during the training.

A LIABILITY WAIVER is required to be accepted and signed by each participant for access into this event. The LIABILITY WAIVER is sent via email to all registrants about August 27, 2025 and required to be returned to Midwest GeoSciences Group on or before September 25, 2025.