George Kraft, Ph.D.

Biography

George Kraft is a Professor of Water Resources, Director of the Center for Watershed Science and Education, and Director of the Central Wisconsin Groundwater Center. He holds appointments with both the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point College of Natural Resources and the University of Wisconsin – Extension. Dr. Kraft’s position is largely dedicated to serving the citizens, businesses, and governments of Wisconsin. He is passionate about outreach in the Wisconsin Idea tradition: “the boundaries of the University are the boundaries of the state.”

Dr. Kraft’s outreach involvement includes modernizing Wisconsin’s groundwater pumping management policy and laws, nitrate and pesticide pollution issues, and assisting stewardship groups organize and managing their water resources

Dr. Kraft’s research interests revolve about questions of water resource sustainability, particularly about questions about profitable agriculture and water impacts. His non-work interests include community involvement, gardening, canoeing, backpacking, fishing, and aerobic sports, especially cross-country ski racing. He has completed 17 Birkebeiner ski races and finishes (sometimes!) in the elite group.

Formal Education

Ph. D., Major: Soil Science, Minor: Geology
University of Wisconsin - Madison 1990

Career Highlights

DIRECTOR/PROFESSOR - Groundwater Center and Environmental Task Force lab, College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. 7/2000 - present.

Honors and Awards

2006 - College of Natural Resources Outreach Award. Awarded by the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point College of Natural Resources for outstanding outreach service to Wisconsin citizens, professionals, and students.
2004 - Wisconsin Idea Fellow Award 2004. University of Wisconsin System.
2001 – Environmental Service Award. Wisconsin Stewardship Network2000
2000 - River Champion Award - Public Sector. Awarded by Wisconsin Rivers Alliance.
1999 - Outstanding Service Award. Wisconsin Society of Professional Soil Scientists.
1999 - Environmental Education Award. Wisconsin Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
1996 - State Team Award. Epsilon Sigma Phi, National Honorary Extension Fraternity.

Professional Memberships

Association of Groundwater Scientists and Engineers
American Water Resources Association-Wisconsin Chapter
Sigma Xi
Soil Science Society of America

Courses

Courses Taught:

NRES 251 - Introduction to Soil and Water Resources
Water/Geology 495/695 - Applications of Groundwater Models
Water/Geology 487/687 - Contaminant Hydrogeology
Water 350 - Current Issues in Water Resources

Research

Selected Recent Publications:

Refereed Publications

Kraft, G.J., B.A. Browne, W.D. DeVita, and D.J. Mechenich. 2008. Agricultural Pollutant Penetration and Steady-State in Thick Aquifers. Ground Water Journal 46(1):41-50.
( http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2007.00378.x )

Browne, B.A., G.J. Kraft, W.D. DeVita, and D.J. Mechenich. 2008. Collateral Geochemical Impacts of Agricultural N Enrichment from 1963 to 1985: A Southern Wisconsin Groundwater Depth Profile J. of Env. Quality.

Kraft, G.J. and W. Stites. 2003. Nitrate impacts on groundwater from irrigated vegetable systems in a humid north-central US sand plain. Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment 100:63-74.

Stites, W. and G.J. Kraft. 2001. Nitrate and chloride loading to groundwater from an irrigated north-central U.S. sand-plain vegetable field. J. of Environmental Quality. V. 30:1176-1184.

Stites, W. and G.J. Kraft. 2000. Groundwater quality beneath irrigated vegetable fields in a north central U.S. sand plain. J. of Environmental Quality. 29:1509-1518.

Reports, Conference proceedings:

Kraft, G.J., C. Mechenich, D.J. Mechenich, and S.W. Szczytko. 2006 . Assessment of water resources and watershed conditions in and adjacent to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Wisconsin) Natural Resource Report NPS/NRWRD/NRTR—2007/367. National Park Service Washington DC. 189 p.

Mechenich, C., G.J. Kraft, D. J. Mechenich, and S.W. Szczytko. 2006. Assessment of water resources and watershed conditions in and adjacent to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Michigan) Natural Resource Report NPS/NRWRD/NRTR—2006/361. National Park Service Washington DC. 165 p.

Lowery, B., G. J. Kraft, W. L. Bland, A.M. Weisenberger, and Phillip E. Speth. 2008. Trends in Groundwater Levels in Central Wisconsin. In Proceedings of Wisconsin’s annual potato meetings, University of Wisconsin - Madison College of Life Sciences and UW-Extension. Madison WI.

Lowery, B., W.L. Bland, G.J. Kraft, A.M. Weisenberger, M.L. Flores, and P.E. Speth. 2008. Local groundwater levels in Wisconsin. In Proceedings of the Wisconsin Fertilizer, Aglime & Pest Management Conference. University of Wisconsin - Madison College of Life Sciences and UW-Extension. Madison WI.

Kraft, G.J. 2006. Little Plover River and Wisconsin's groundwater quantity management: A history of conflict and hope for the future. Invited plenary session speaker. Abstracts of the 30th annual American Water Resources Association Wisconsin Chapter Annual Meeting.

Kraft, G.J. 2005. Wisconsin's 2004 groundwater management law: what do we need? what did we get? Abstracts of the 29th annual American Water Resources Association Wisconsin Chapter Annual Meeting.

Kraft, G.J., D.J. Mechenich, and B.A. Browne. 2004. Investigation of nitrate in groundwater - Red Springs Area of the Stockbridge-Munsee reservation. Report to the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe of Mohican Indians. Center for Watershed Science and Education, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. 16 p.

Kraft, G.J., B.A. Browne, W.M. DeVita, and D.J. Mechenich. 2004. Nitrate and pesticide penetration into aquifers - the Springfield Corners profile. Report to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Center for Watershed Science and Education, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. 41 p.

Kraft, G.J., B.A. Browne, W.M. DeVita, and D.J. Mechenich. 2004. Nitrate and pesticide penetration into a Wisconsin central sand plain aquifer. Report to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Center for Watershed Science and Education, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. 48 p.

Mentz, R.S. and G.J. Kraft. 2003. Penetration of nitrate and pesticide residues into aquifers. Abstracts of American Water Resources Association Wisconsin Chapter Annual Meeting.

Mentz, R.S. and G.J. Kraft. 2003. Penetration of nitrate and pesticide residues into aquifers. Abstracts of Wisconsin Ground Water Association.

Kraft, G.J. 2003. Improving Wisconsin’s Groundwater Management – a Focus and Quantity. Wisconsin Water Law and Policy Conference. University of Wisconsin – Madison Law School.

Kraft, G.J. 2000. Nitrate from vegetable production systems - scaling from fields to landscapes in central Wisconsin. In Proceedings of Wisconsin’s annual potato meetings, p. 1-9. University of Wisconsin - Madison College of Life Sciences and UW-Extension. Madison WI.

Kraft, G.J. 2000. Nitrate loading and impacts on central Wisconsin groundwater basins. In Proceedings of the 2000 Wisconsin fertilizer, aglime, & pest management conference. University of Wisconsin - Extension. Madison WI.