The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and the Waukesha Diversion Application — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

Instructions

Student presentations must have a faculty sponsor.

Abstracts must include a title and a description of the research, scholarship, or creative work. The description should be 150-225 words in length and constructed in a format or style appropriate for the presenter’s discipline.

The following points should be addressed within the selected format or style for the abstract:

A clear statement of the problem or question you pursued, or the scholarly goal or creative theme achieved in your work.
A brief comment about the significance or uniqueness of the work.
A clear description of the methods used to achieve the purpose or goals for the work.
A statement of the conclusions, results, outcomes, or recommendations, or if the work is still in progress, the results you expect to report at the event.

Presenter photographs should be head and shoulder shots comparable to passport photos.

Additional Information

More information is available at carthage.edu/celebration-scholars/. The following are members of the Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Committee who are eager to listen to ideas and answer questions:

Jun Wang
Kim Instenes
John Kirk
Nora Nickels
Andrew Pustina
James Ripley

The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and the Waukesha Diversion Application

Name: Taylor Hutton
Major: Environmental Science
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Faculty Sponsor: Sarah Rubinfeld
Other Sponsors: Jerald Mast
Type of research: Senior thesis

Abstract

Water management and regulation represent a large public policy problem. Freshwater resources are at risk as populations increase and more stress is placed on these water supplies. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact is facing its first test as Waukesha, WI asks for a diversion of freshwater from the Great Lakes. The Waukesha wells are contaminated with radium, have been changing in water levels, and could impact the Root River if it is used as a return flow option. Through analysis of the water levels in Waukesha’s wells, the analysis of change in Great Lakes water levels, the water quality of Waukesha’s wells, and a preliminary study of impact to the Root River if used as a return flow option, Waukesha’s application was assessed based on the criteria of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. Overall, Waukesha meets the requirements for a diversion of water from Lake Michigan. Waukesha has presented a case for a need for water, that water is for public use, the water would be returned to the source it is taken from, and the city is following through on water conservation measures, so the application could be passed on to a vote by the Great Lakes states. The decision made regarding Waukesha has the potential to shape water policy and future diversion applications.

Poster file