Obviously perplexed, the four-year old stared at the water burbling up from the ground near Big Creek. His preschool class from Sunset School was celebrating Earth Day at Crossroads and most of the his preschool classmates were happily catching aquatic insect (and quite a few pebbles) with their tiny dip nets.Our very young scientist was babbled by water bubbling up through the rocks. In his admittedly limited experience, water is supposed to sink into the ground.
Adult scientists often seem baffled by the way water behaves in Door County. Streams disappear into the ground and reappear somewhere else. Shallow wells often yield clean water, while in very close proximity, water from deep cased wells will be contaminated. Occassionaly, water will have a color. That can’t be good.
We live on karst. Anyone who has used the restrooms at the Collins Learning Center has been through our Karst Exhibit.
According to an excellent publication called PROTECT THE WATER YOU DRINK, which was written by Debbie Beyer, UW –Extension and Shelby Giguere, of the Door County Soil and Water Department, “The term ‘karst’ refers to areas like Door County where bedrock is dissolved by water, resulting in features like caves, sinkholes, and disappearing streams.
“Goundwater typically moves at less than 1 foot per day, but in Door County’s thin soils and fractured bedrock, water a nd pollutants can move 100 feet or more a day. One sinkhole incident showed that water moved one mile an hour.”
Water quality has always be a major emphasis at Crossroads. This week the Collins Learning Center undergoes its annual metamorphosis, changing from an educational center to a research facility.
For more than a decade, Crossroads has hosted researchers from Environmental Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) at UW-Oshkosh , who, using a strict protocol, have been collecting water samples through each summer from 34 public beaches. Then iin the lab at Crossroads, they test the samples for E.coli. When the presence of E.coli exceeds acceptable standards, researchers immediately notify the Door County Public Health Department and post advisory or closure signs at the beaches. Following significant rain events (1/2inch or greater) , extra testing is done at medium and high priority beaches.
But karst topography also makes groundwater vulnerable to pollution. Beginning last summer, Healthy Water Door County, a fund of the Door County Community Foundation, awarded grants to ERIC conduct a county-wide well monitoring program during the weekend of June 3 & 4 and June 10 & 13. On Fridays, the hours are 4:00-7:00 PM and on Saturdays, 9:00-12:00 noon and the Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center will be one of the pick/drop off locations.
Thanks to Healthy Water Door County, this program is free to virtually any Door County property owner or resident who depends on a private well, though donations to the fund would be welcome..
Over both weekends, residents will be able to pick up testing kits and ask questions of the experts on hand from UW Oshkosh. Water samples may then be brought back to the pick-up sites that same day, the next day, or the following week for analysis. The well water samples will be tested for bacteria, nitrates, and arsenic.
New this year, for those living in homes with copper plumbing installed before 1985 or with brass fixtures,, a test for lead will be added to the test without extra charge.
On Saturday, June 4 from 10:00-11:30 Crossroads will hold a WaterFest for Kids. Activities pertaining to water (appropriate from K-5 children) will be offered. Participating kids will receive a free T-shirt (size youth L only)
On Thursday, June 9, at 6:00, the researchers will offer a community outreach program in the Collins Learning Center to explain groundwater issues and answers question relating to water quality and private wells.
Crossroads at Big Creek is a community-supported preserve welcoming learners of all ages to programs in science, history and the environment. The Collins Learning Center, located at 2041 Michigan, is open 2:00-4:30 daily and during scheduled events. During the construction, to reach the center, take the highway detour to County T (Alabama Street) cross the highway to Big Creek Road and turn right. Proceed to Lily Bay Road and turn right. Lily Bay Road will merge with Michigan and the Crossroads entrance will be on your left.
To reach the Astronomy Campus and Ida Bay Preserve, Utah Street currently crosses the highway, or you can follow Memorial Drive under the bridge, and turn on 18th Place to reach Utah Street. The Astronomy Campus is at the Cove Road intersection, 2200 Utah. To reach the Ida Bay Preserve, follow Cove Road. (or from the north, follow Buffalo Ridge Trail)
Friday, June 3
4:00-7:00 Well Testing Kit Pick Up
While supplies last, Door County residents may pick up free private well testing kits supplied through a grant from Healthy Water Door County. Representative from the
Environmental Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will be on hand to answer questions and explain well monitoring procedures. Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center. During the construction, to reach the center, take the highway detour to County T (Alabama Street) cross the highway to Big Creek Road and turn right. Proceed to Lily Bay Road and turn right. Lily Bay Road will merge with Michigan and the Crossroads entrance will be on your left.
Saturday, June 4
9:00 -12:00 Well Testing Kit Pick Up
While supplies last, Door County residents may pick up free private well testing kits supplied through a grant from Healthy Water Door County. Representative from the Environmental Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will be on hand to answer questions and explain well monitoring procedures. Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center. During the construction, to reach the center, take the highway detour to County T (Alabama Street) cross the highway to Big Creek Road and turn right. Proceed to Lily Bay Road and turn right. Lily Bay Road will merge with Michigan and the Crossroads entrance will be on your left.
10:00-11:30 Family Program : WaterFEST for Kids
Activities pertaining to water (appropriate from K-5 children) will be offered. Participating kids will receive a free T-shirt (size youth L only) Entry Level of the Collins Learning Center. During the construction, to reach the center, take the highway detour to County T (Alabama Street) cross the highway to Big Creek Road and turn right. Proceed to Lily Bay Road and turn right. Lily Bay Road will merge with Michigan and the Crossroads entrance will be on your left.
