In a message dated 3/4/2005 4:50:25 PM Central Standard Time, charris5627@ec.rr.com writes: > unsubscribe

I think this question about what to post on web sites is most interesting and presents a dilemma to many who run such sites. If the site is intended to be "for profit" then there is an incentive to just whet your potential customer's appetite and lure him or her in. This is what Ancestry.com tries to do. However, if the site is "not for profit", then the organizers need to ask themselves what their primary purpose is. Is it to enlarge their membership in the historical group itself, or get people to travel to their location, or to disseminate information to interested parties? I would guess most would say that it is the latter. If that is the case, then why not publish everything possible (within manpower and copyright constraints) on the website? Many public libraries are grappling with this problem right now, and the more enlightened ones have decided that their role is to provide information, not to get people to visit the physical building of the library. I believe that we are fortunate that the Cayuga County Genealogy Web site provides as much information as it does. The cemetery listings are wonderful. It has been so beneficial to me in looking at the St. Joseph and Soule cemeteries on line, instead of wandering through them looking for tombstones. Of course, having found them on-line, I have subsequently visited both cemeteries to take pictures, but may well have not done that if I wasn't sure I would be able to find the right tombstones. One additional thought: Auburn has one of the best set of city directories available anywhere. A few of them are on-line, but the rest require a visit to the History Office in the old Auburn Post Office. If all of these could ever be published on-line, it would be wonderful. Jack Cholette Rochester, NY cholette@rochester.rr.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Daniel H. Weiskotten" <weiskotten@erols.com> To: <NY-CENTRA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2005 6:29 PM Subject: [NYCENTRAL] Re: Family History Travel To Cayuga County and Central NY > Good question, Bill! That's the very same one I struggle with every day at > my work at the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia, which does not > have any data on its web page , and also has not have any kind of active > county genealogy, research or history pages. > > I have a number of volunteers busy typing up histories and compiling raw > materials such as census records, etc., into computer format so that > someday it can be presented on our web page, but people seem to think that > by doing that no one has a reason to come to our society, which is the gist > of your question. > > I do have a massive web page on local history, but it is form my home towns > up in NY. It have had for many years now an extensive data-driven web page > for the history of Cazenovia, Fenner and Nelson in Madison County, NY (even > though I have not lived there for a decade). > > http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyccazen/ > > The amazing thing is that people see the basic info on my web pages and > then ask me more in-depth questions that I would much rather work on. I am > also asked at least once a week how a researcher can get to the area to do > more research on their own! In fact, just today I advised three people > where to go, who to call, etc. Clearly having the basic data on the web is > a great incentive for the researcher to go to the original source for more. > > The most important thing, I think, is that people use my web pages to find > the answers to the basic and boring questions such as "Were my Smith > family in Cazenovia in the 1900s?" With that answer in hand through my > web pages, they contact me for more information (of which I have plenty not > yet loaded to my web pages). Then, they have this strange unquenchable > thirst to go to Cazenovia and do research for themselves, or they contact > the sources I recommend via mail, phone, or electronically. > > The people who are still at the basic research phase aren't going to travel > far, but the ones who are into it up to their necks are going to drive > hundreds of miles to see a tombstone in person, and they are all going to > go to the local library, museum, and stay over night. > > We just need to use the internet to let people know that the tombstones and > museums exist. Otherwise it is likely that the they won't ever know and > will never travel. > > Dan W. > > > > > At 01:08 PM 3/3/2005 -0700, you wrote: > >From: Bill Hecht <wsh6@cornell.edu> > >To: NY-CENTRA-L@rootsweb.com > >Message-ID: <42271C82.5050200@cornell.edu> > >Subject: Family History Travel To Cayuga County and Central NY > > > >I would be interested in knowing how many out there have traveled to > >Cayuga County or are planning a trip to Cayuga County to research their > >family history. Such information would be usefull in showing the powers > >that be, that "in spite" of the perception that the internet 'reduces' the > >need to actually come to a place, that it stimulates the desire to return > >to ones roots and to do on site research. > > > >It is my contention that the internet fosters the sharing of data and the > >desire to stay in contact with the place you are from and the people who > >still live there. > > > >That the internet is a tool for bringing people together. > >That it can promote tourism. > > > >Many can no longer travel due to distance and health constraints. Sites > >such as the Cayuga County GenWeb site, the County Historians site and the > >message lists allow those who can no longer travel to SHARE their > >knowledge with all. Knowledge that is normally lost in time. Sharing > >through the internet should not be looked upon as a "Loss in Revenue" but > >as an opportunity to save and record the history of our area the is > >scattered to the four corners of the globe. > > > >I look forward to hearing of your plans and previous trips to Cayuga > >County and experiences here. > > > >Sincerely > > > >Bill Hecht > > > ==== NY-CENTRA Mailing List ==== > To post messages to the central New York discussion list, send them to NY-CENTRA-L@rootsweb.com even if you receive the digest. > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11685small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11685.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11686small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11686.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11687small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11687.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11688small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11688.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11689small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11689.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11690small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11690crop.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11690.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11691small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11691.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11698small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11698.jpg

King Ferry looking west at sunset. Cemetery bottom center http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11898small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11898.jpg King Ferry http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11897small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11897.jpg

Skaneateles Lake south end . Bear Swamp on right http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11863small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11863.jpg Cayuga Lake Sunset over Carrs Cove http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures119/11910small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures119/11910.jpg

In this photo you can see Kendall, the Lab of O, and the airport http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11794small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11794.jpg

Sunset over Carrs Cove http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures119/11908small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures119/11908.jpg Filmore glen http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11870small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11870.jpg Moravia Prison http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11867small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11867.jpg

Good question, Bill! That's the very same one I struggle with every day at my work at the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia, which does not have any data on its web page , and also has not have any kind of active county genealogy, research or history pages. I have a number of volunteers busy typing up histories and compiling raw materials such as census records, etc., into computer format so that someday it can be presented on our web page, but people seem to think that by doing that no one has a reason to come to our society, which is the gist of your question. I do have a massive web page on local history, but it is form my home towns up in NY. It have had for many years now an extensive data-driven web page for the history of Cazenovia, Fenner and Nelson in Madison County, NY (even though I have not lived there for a decade). http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyccazen/ The amazing thing is that people see the basic info on my web pages and then ask me more in-depth questions that I would much rather work on. I am also asked at least once a week how a researcher can get to the area to do more research on their own! In fact, just today I advised three people where to go, who to call, etc. Clearly having the basic data on the web is a great incentive for the researcher to go to the original source for more. The most important thing, I think, is that people use my web pages to find the answers to the basic and boring questions such as "Were my Smith family in Cazenovia in the 1900s?" With that answer in hand through my web pages, they contact me for more information (of which I have plenty not yet loaded to my web pages). Then, they have this strange unquenchable thirst to go to Cazenovia and do research for themselves, or they contact the sources I recommend via mail, phone, or electronically. The people who are still at the basic research phase aren't going to travel far, but the ones who are into it up to their necks are going to drive hundreds of miles to see a tombstone in person, and they are all going to go to the local library, museum, and stay over night. We just need to use the internet to let people know that the tombstones and museums exist. Otherwise it is likely that the they won't ever know and will never travel. Dan W. At 01:08 PM 3/3/2005 -0700, you wrote: >From: Bill Hecht <wsh6@cornell.edu> >To: NY-CENTRA-L@rootsweb.com >Message-ID: <42271C82.5050200@cornell.edu> >Subject: Family History Travel To Cayuga County and Central NY > >I would be interested in knowing how many out there have traveled to >Cayuga County or are planning a trip to Cayuga County to research their >family history. Such information would be usefull in showing the powers >that be, that "in spite" of the perception that the internet 'reduces' the >need to actually come to a place, that it stimulates the desire to return >to ones roots and to do on site research. > >It is my contention that the internet fosters the sharing of data and the >desire to stay in contact with the place you are from and the people who >still live there. > >That the internet is a tool for bringing people together. >That it can promote tourism. > >Many can no longer travel due to distance and health constraints. Sites >such as the Cayuga County GenWeb site, the County Historians site and the >message lists allow those who can no longer travel to SHARE their >knowledge with all. Knowledge that is normally lost in time. Sharing >through the internet should not be looked upon as a "Loss in Revenue" but >as an opportunity to save and record the history of our area the is >scattered to the four corners of the globe. > >I look forward to hearing of your plans and previous trips to Cayuga >County and experiences here. > >Sincerely > >Bill Hecht

New Hope view south http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11865small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11865.jpg Cemetery in Seneca County just north of Canoga on Rt 89. This is a view south http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures119/11914small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures119/11914.jpg Village of Cayuga cemetery http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures113/11302small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures113/11302.jpg Smith Cemetery Aurelius Cayuga County. West of Half Acre on Hoskins Farm. South of Genesee St. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures112/11285small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures112/11285.jpg

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11882small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11882.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11890small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11890.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11879small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures118/11879.jpg

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11707small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11707.jpg New Hope looking north http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11799small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11799.jpg

Hi Bill and all, Regarding a research week in Cayuga County, I'll be travelling to the area in time for a July 9th & 10th family reunion in Sterling Valley and Oswego. I'll probably be staying in an inexpensive motel in the Oswego area but I'm open to suggestion. My travel time is still flexible and I'd love to meet anyone travelling "up there" at the same time. By the way, the Town of Sterling Historian is my cousin, a few times removed, Hallie Arden DeMass Sweeting. She is a delightful lady and, sadly, she recently lost her husband of many years, Donald Sweeting. Hallie and I descend from one of the founders of Sterling Valley--Pierre Dumas and his wife, Mary Huntley Dumas (the name has been "anglicized" to Demas/Demass/DeMass). The family reunion that I will be attending is not Hallie's line; it is the descendants of John (Jack) and Lizzie Mae Stock Demass, my great-grandparents, who lived almost all of their married life in the area photographed by Bill this past Sunday! I'm not sure if anyone is interested in all or any of that information, but there it is, in case you are! Warm regards from Austin, TX, Marilyn Stern n a message dated 3/4/2005 10:02:55 AM Central Standard Time, wsh6@cornell.edu writes: Someone suggested a week where one could travel to Cayuga County and do research. Now this sounds like a great idea ! What would all of you out there want and expect when you got here? 1-Could a bunch of rooms be booked at a local motel bee reserved so you could get good rates? 2-Coupons for discount meals at certain restaurants? 3-Extended hours at the historical societies, museums and historians office? 4-Would you want County Records open on the weekend (unlikely) or could you do your research during their normal hours? 5-Cemetery tours? 6- Would you want extended hours at town and village offices? bill hecht

Split Rock quarry area in Syracuse http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11771small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11771.jpg Great Gully on Cayuga Lake http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11774small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11774.jpg Crises Hill (Slocum Home) N of Levanna http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11776small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11776.jpg Cliffs of Levanna and MacKenzie Childs http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11777small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11777.jpg Poplar Ridge Road south of Aurora http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11778small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11778.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11779small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11779.jpg Wells College http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11780small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11780.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11781small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11781.jpg

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11668small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11668.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11673small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11673.jpg East Shore N of Ithaca showing Triphammer, Kendall and all the urban sprawl into the steep highly erodible wooded hillsides http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11698small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures116/11698.jpg

Bill: Thank you loads! I am homesick now for my old hometown. I'll be up in a couple months. Chuck Harris ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Hecht" <wsh6@cornell.edu> To: <NY-CENTRA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 4:00 PM Subject: [NYCENTRAL] Moravia Air Photo > View looking WNW > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11709small.jpg > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11709.jpg > > > ==== NY-CENTRA Mailing List ==== > To unsubscribe from the list send your message to > <NY-CENTRA-L-request@rootsweb.com> for individual list messages; > <NY-CENTRA-D-request@rootsweb.com> for digest messages. Then put the word > unsubscribe in the subject line and send your message. > > ============================== > Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for > ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx > >

View looking WNW http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11709small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures117/11709.jpg

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures119/11915small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures119/11915.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures119/11916small.jpg http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~springport/pictures119/11916.jpg

The idea for the History Week in Cayuga County was suggested to me by a member of this listserve; it was not my idea but I think it is a GREAT idea ! And very worthy of further consideration. Secondly I do not have a specific website. The main Cayuga County website has been lovingly, and for many years maintained, by Bernie and Susan Corcoran. To them goes the thanks for providing us all with a place to organize everything and bring people together, sharing freely. The operative words her are "sharing freely". No cost, fees, and copyrights. No Freedom-of-Information requests, no waivor or rights. It's all there for everyone to use and share. THANKS BERNIE AND SUSAN

I ahave many research families from this area but do not currently live there. Even though I did at one time do primary research there always there is more questions to be answered and pictures are welcome. Certainly they do not replace but add to the complete folio of knowledge. I ask my husband and his relatives who lived there if they recogonize some of the landmarks. . Keep up the good work. Diane Titus -----Original Message----- From: NY-CENTRA-D-request@rootsweb.com [mailto:NY-CENTRA-D-request@rootsweb.com] Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 4:00 AM To: NY-CENTRA-D@rootsweb.com Subject: NY-CENTRA-D Digest V05 #27

Sharon Garrett wrote: >I would be interested in knowing what the "mud boil" is or morain in the Tully photos. Most of your photos need no explanation, but these i don't understand. >Thanks, >Sharon Garrett > > > Check out: http://ny.water.usgs.gov/pubs/fs/fs19099/FS190-99.pdf and below *http://www.drilleronline.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,3643,115275,00.html Project Uses Sonic Technology* /by Timothy J. Augustine/ ** Characterizing and managing the quality of both surface and ground water are issues that are of great importance throughout the United States. Factors that affect the quality may be local or regional, natural or man-made, chemical, hydrological or all of the above. The Onondaga Lake and Tully Valley region of New York, near Syracuse, is no exception. Surface and ground water quality is either known or believed to be affected by a number of natural and human-related factors. The Onondaga Lake Cleanup Corporation (OLCC), headed by Dr. Ed Michalenko, was created in 1990 to address remedial measures to clean Onondaga Lake. In 2000, the Onondaga Lake Partnership (OLP) was created to facilitate and coordinate development and implementation of projects for the environmental restoration, conservation and management of Onondaga Lake. This partnership includes members of the OLCC, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of New York. Long-term water-quality management requires an understanding of the natural conditions that provide the physical framework for the water, or hydrologic, system. In the Onondaga Lake and Tully Valley area, understanding the physical framework requires having an understanding of the stratigraphy of unconsolidated sediments that contain salt – present as either a solid form or in dissolved in ground water to form brine – and the hydrologic conditions that affect the movement of these brines through the subsurface and into surface water. To develop this understanding of the physical framework, the OLCC, USGS and EPA initiated a subsurface investigation project that would require completion of deep borings and continuous sampling through unconsolidated sediments and into bedrock, water sampling of discrete intervals and installation of monitoring wells. The OLCC–USGS–EPA team made the decision to use an innovative subsurface exploration method, called sonic technology, to meet the objectives of this project. *A Little Background* Typical sonic technology setup at site with limited space and tight access. Sonic rig and support vehicle in background; mud containment, filtering and pumping system in the foreground. Picture taken from top of frac tank. Salt in the lake is nothing new, since as long ago as the mid-17th century, salt or brine springs were noted as being around the southern end of Onondaga Lake, which then was called Salt Lake. Since the late 1700s, salt was collected or produced from this brine – first from springs and later from shallow wells installed to collect the brine. As the concentration of brine from the springs and shallow wells in the Salt Reservation diminished, Solvay Process Co. drilled several deep test holes. Halite deposits, or rock salt, were found at depths of more than 1,200 feet at the south end of the Tully Valley. More than 120 brine wells ultimately were advanced in this valley. From 1797 until 1917, when the operation ended, the Onondaga Salt Reservation produced more than 11.5 million tons of salt. Between 1890 and 1986, the brine wells in the Tully Valley produced 96.2 million tons of salt. In its final 25 years of operation, Solvay Process Co. (which later became Allied Chemical) pumped 1 billion gallons of brine each year from the Tully Valley brine field to its plant. Soon after the plant shut down in 1986 and salt mining in the region ended, concern developed about how the end of the brine pumping and salt extraction would affect surface and ground water movement and quality. As noted by the USGS: “The northward movement of brine to the southern shore of Onondaga Lake results from artesian pressure, driven by elevational differences between the southern Tully Valley and Onondaga Lake. The unconsolidated glacial materials above the bedrock in the Onondaga Creek valley provide the hydraulic connection between the halite deposits and the springs.” Additionally, the Salina Group Shales, a bedrock formation, contain halite or rock salt beds that are thicker in the southern part of the Tully Valley and exposed to ground water in the base of the bedrock valley. The salt problem remains complex as new salt sources are identified. Recently, Bill Kappel of the USGS, an authority on Onondaga Lake geology and hydrogeology, discovered a large spring pumping salt into Onondaga Creek. Early studies found the spring pumping salt at the rate of 10 pounds per second, or seven tons of salt tons each day. This spring and others may have resurfaced as the salt resources, over-extracted in the past, replenished. In addition, as Onondaga Creek flows northward through the Tully Valley to Onondaga Lake other hydrogeologic features such as mudboils – holes in the earth that discharge mud and soft sediments from underground – also act to decrease the water quality. In the central part of Tully Valley, mudboils discharge artesian fresh water, brackish water and fine-grained sediment onto the land surface and into Onondaga Creek. These mudboils reflect regional subsurface hydrogeologic conditions. Previous investigations have shown that flow from a mudboil is driven by artesian pressure that forces water and sediment upward from two sand and gravel aquifers through a 60-foot layer of dense silt and clay. The artesian pressure can lift water 20 feet to 30 feet above land surface within most of the valley floor and 30 feet above land surface near Onondaga Creek. *The Study * To address the concerns related to the movement and the quality of ground water and surface water, the previously mentioned study was initiated. The purpose of this project was to obtain additional geologic and hydrologic data to supplement prior regional hydrogeological studies of the Onondaga Creek Valley and its tributary valleys. The study would involve drilling some of the deepest wells ever for brine in Onondaga County to obtain an understanding of vertical and horizontal ground water movement and water quality in deep, unconsolidated deposits and adjacent upper bedrock units of the Onondaga Valley of Central New York. The OLCC and USGS wanted continuous or near-continuous sampling through the unconsolidated deposits (estimated to be 400 feet thick), bedrock coring and the installation of monitoring wells/piezometers to determine water levels and water quality. Highly artesian and over-pressurized aquifer conditions were anticipated, along with the presence of concentrated brines in some intervals. *Sonic Technology Selected* Typical sample recovery using sonic technology: fine-, medium- and coarse-grained unconsolidated sediments (left). With its sonic technology, Bowser-Morner Inc., Dayton, Ohio, was selected to provide subsurface exploration services for this project. Sonic technology, introduced into the United States in 1985 after extensive use in Canada, primarily is used for environmental subsurface applications, including soil sampling and the installation of monitoring and remediation wells. The advantages of sonic technology include continuous core sampling, depth capability, speed, lack of cuttings, telescoping diameter flexibility, monitor well nesting and associated cost savings. Sonic technology relies on vibrations to get the work done in this unique way. Two counter-rotating rollers inside chambers in the sonic head generate centrifugal force. The oscillator in the head converts the centrifugal force to a sinusoidal or longitudinal force, producing frequencies of up to 180 hertz or 10,800 cycles per minute of vibrational energy. An air spring in the sonic head isolates the vibrations from the rest of the rig and directs the energy down the drill string to the bit with little or no dampening. The high-frequency resonant vibrations fluidize the soil particles at the bit face – a process called liquefaction – and allow the core barrel to penetrate rapidly through most geological formations, including over-consolidated tills, boulders and weathered bedrock. In addition, solid bedrock can be cored with traditional equipment using the vibrational energy to enhance penetration rates. As the core barrel is advanced, it collects a four-inch-diameter (or larger) continuous core sample of the material penetrated. *Technical Approach* The technical approach for this unique project was designed with these project objectives in mind: continuous soil and bedrock core sampling for development of subsurface stratigraphy and identification of intervals of hydrologic importance, and water sampling to develop a “stratigraphy” of water quality. Additionally, it was necessary to address the possibility of large volumes of brine water being encountered in known areas of hydraulic over-pressuring. First, a drilling mud system was designed to be used with the sonic technology to combat brine and artesian conditions. Sonic technology was used to advance each boring with a 4-inch-diameter continuous core over-drilled with 6-inch casing to an estimated 50 feet to 80 feet. Once the first confining zone was reached, a 12-inch-diameter, permanent, steel conductor casing was cemented into place. This casing also improved safety control of the borehole. The boring then was advanced from the bottom of the 12-inch casing to the bedrock with a 4-inch-diameter, continuous sonic core using 6-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch temporary casings as needed to stabilize the borehole. Bedrock, estimated to be at depths ranging from 400 feet to 500 feet, was sampled with 4-inch core samplers and 6-inch-diameter casings. From each boring where bedrock was encountered, a 15-foot-long rock core was obtained. After analyzing all the samples, nested wells were installed in each borehole and developed. Wellhead protection also was installed, and the site was cleaned and restored. *Project Details* Typical sample recovery using sonic technology: bedrock core. The subsurface sampling and well installation began in June of 2003. In addition to the typical sonic setup of rig and support vehicles, this project required a drilling mud system that consisted of a 70-barrel steel pit with desilters and a pump system. Drilling mud was recirculated continuously through the desilters to control solids in the mud. The mud mix used was salt gel and water-loss control materials mixed with fresh water. Salt-water gel was used to drill through salt-water aquifers. The mud design was mixed to maintain a viscosity that would carry the small sand and silts but not the larger cuttings and gravel out of the well bore. Using the sonic technology allowed the large drill cuttings and gravel to become the annulus of the well bore. At the first location, casing was advanced through, and continuous samples collected of unconsolidated sediments to bedrock at a depth of 368 feet. Twelve feet of bedrock core were collected, making the final depth of the borehole 380 feet. Problems with heaving sands during well installation necessitated abandonment of this first borehole and completion of a new borehole nearby. A well was installed in this borehole at a depth of 313 feet. At the second location, casing was advanced to a depth of 427 feet. Strong artesian conditions, including heaving sands, were encountered at this depth. Artesian flow at the wellhead was estimated to be 100 gallons per minute. Flow also was observed outside of the casing, indicating artesian annular flow. This borehole was abandoned by grouting. At another location, casing was advanced to 409 feet before the Vernon Shale group was encountered. The hole then was cored to 418 feet; and a well was installed to 415 feet with a sump from depths of 385 feet to 415 feet, and screen and sand pack from depths of 385 feet to 365 feet. The well then was sealed and grouted. At the fourth location, casing was advanced to a depth of 162 feet before encountering bedrock. Two wells were installed in this borehole, with screens at depths of 110 feet and 160 feet. Throughout the project, nearly complete and continuous soil samples were recovered from each borehole. It was noted, however, that at times, the combination of the sonic and the rotary action contorted or twisted and compacted or stretched the core, a situation that complicated some stratigraphic horizon picks. In general, these disturbances were restricted and did not significantly impact meeting the primary objectives of the project. At two of the locations, core samples of bedrock also were collected using sonic technology. *Conclusions* As previously stated, the primary objectives of this subsurface project were to define the subsurface stratigraphy of the unconsolidated glacial deposits in the Onondaga Valley near Onondaga Lake, define intervals of hydrologic importance (over-pressurized and artesian zones) and collect water samples to define vertical variations in water chemistry associated with brine concentrations. How did the use of sonic drilling technology help meet these objectives? According to Kappel, “We needed the unconsolidated core to determine and understand the glacial processes that created the unconsolidated fill in the valley, and to determine the presence of brackish to brine water that we knew was within these glacial sediments. The nearly continuous recovery of core allowed us to ‘see’ the general stratigraphy of the sediments and determine the concentration of saline to brine water in the stratigraphic column.” As Kappel added, “The recovery of nearly continuous core has given us a much clearer picture of the glacial history of the Onondaga Valley and the presence of brine in these sediments. The collection of water quality data has also given us some insights as to the possible origin of the brines.” Sonic technology was successfully applied to help the client meet the objectives of a project in a geologic setting with challenging subsurface conditions. ND Timothy J. Augustine is the business developer of subsurface exploration services for Bowser-Morner Inc., Dayton, Ohio. Learn more about Bowser-Morner and the sonic technology at www.bowser-morner.com.