The creeks running alongside the winding back country roads of Oneida County are a hallmark of Hamilton College’s pastoral landscape. These waterways were the subject of my studies for two weeks this summer, as hydrogeology professor Emily Baker enlisted me and two other students, Katherine Appleman ’26 and Lucy Meola ’26, to assist in characterizing the water quality of Oriskany Creek and Sauquoit Creek. Here’s what I learned.
What’s the project?
Oriskany Creek and Sauquoit Creek are both tributaries of the Mohawk River. While both streams pass through farmlands, Sauquoit Creek encounters more urban areas in Utica. This distinction allows us to assess the impact of urbanization on the streams. We collected water samples at multiple sites along both streams and their tributaries. In the lab, we assessed the samples for major ions such as nitrate, sulfate, sodium, chloride, and calcium. We also measured pH, temperature, and specific conductivity in situ. Through our research, we aim to identify possible contaminant sources originating from both human and geologic activities. Professor Baker intends to build on this research by connecting with community members to sample their wells, helping her characterize the area’s groundwater.
What’s it like in the lab? The field?
I spent most of my time in the lab, primarily working on data processing. I also used some of our amazing laboratory equipment, namely the hydrogeology lab’s new ion chromatograph, which provides us with major ion analyses. This makes it a critical tool for hydrogeological research, so I was excited to learn how to operate it.
In my field work, I used familiar equipment from my hydrogeology course like flow meters and pH probes. We visited multiple sites each day and revisited sites on other days to collect comparable data across varying stream conditions. Most of our data was collected at streambanks and bridges. However, one of my favorite sampling methods was wading across the stream to get discharge measurements. Our lab group also assisted an environmental consultant from the engineering firm Ramboll in assessing stream stability, which gave us insight into professional water science and taught us basic skills of surveying.
What did you enjoy the most?
During my research experience, I drew upon skills from various courses I have taken at Hamilton, such as data processing from economics, geologic knowledge from mineralogy, chemistry lab skills, and water sampling procedures from hydrogeology. I especially enjoyed investigating what geologic factors might contribute to unusually high sulfate values and performing slug tests on the campus wells. The project felt like a rewarding culmination of my learning thus far.
I also appreciated working on a local scale. Sampling throughout Oneida County gave me a better appreciation for not only the beauty, but the scientific interest we can find in our own backyard. There were many unexpected results in our data that I am eager to see develop with further research. I also enjoyed sampling at sites such as a natural spring popular with motorists along State Route 315 (between Waterville and Deansboro), knowing that a more robust understanding of its contents could be important for our broader community.
The taste of hydrogeology research I experienced this summer also keeps me excited for what’s to come, both at Hamilton and beyond. My interest in hydrogeology has only grown since the start of the project – now I hope to dive deeper into the waters.
