George Kraft, Ph.D.

Emeritus Faculty

Contact Information
Phone: (715) 346-2984
Fax: (715) 346-3624
E-mail: george.kraft@uwsp.edu
Office: TNR 224C

Biography

George Kraft is a Professor of Water Resources and Director of the Center for Watershed Science and Education. 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, communities, 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 how lakes and streams have been dried by groundwater pumping, particularly in the Wisconsin central sands, modernizing Wisconsin’s groundwater pumping management policy and laws, nitrate and pesticide pollution of groundwater, and assisting stewardship groups organize and manage their water resources.

Dr. Kraft’s research interests revolve about questions of water resource sustainability, particularly about profitable agriculture and water impacts. He is actively involved in the local community, coaching high-school cross-country skiing and serving as an officer for the Tomorrow River Scholarship Foundation.  Other non-work interests include gardening, backpacking, and aerobic sports, especially cross-country ski racing. He has completed 25 Birkebeiner ski races and finishes near the front of the pack.

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.

Professional Affiliations

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

Courses Taught

• Water 389 – Hydrology
• Water 383 - Hydrogeology
• 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
  

Honors and Awards

• Distinguished Service Award, Wisconsin Chapter of the American Water Resources Association, for career service on Wisconsin Water issues.
• Outreach Award,  University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point College of Natural Resources, for outstanding outreach service to Wisconsin citizens, professionals, and students.
• Wisconsin Idea Fellow Award, University of Wisconsin System, in recognition of extraordinary public service on behalf of the University of Wisconsin to local communities, business, and improving the quality of life and economy in Wisconsin.
• Outstanding Environmental Contribution Award, Wisconsin Stewardship Network, for outstanding outreach contributions.
• River Champion Award, Rivers Alliance of Wisconsin, for ongoing service, technical assistance, and public education work.
• Outstanding Service Award,  Wisconsin Society of Professional Soil Scientists, for distinguished service in instituting a Soil Science professional license.
• Environmental Education Award, Wisconsin Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.
• State Team Award. Epsilon Sigma Phi, National Honorary Extension Fraternity.
  

Work Groups, Committees, and Boards

• Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinating Council – Governor’s representative to this statutory council on groundwater.  2002 to present.
• Wisconsin Climate Change Initiative   Member of a collaboration between the University of Wisconsin System, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and other institutions that assesses and anticipates climate change impacts on Wisconsin natural resource; evaluates potential effects on industry, agriculture, tourism and other human activities; and develops and recommends adaptation strategies.  2009 to present.
• Wisconsin Groundwater Advisory Council Technical Committee  A scientific group advising a Council implementing 2003 Wisconsin Act 410 on groundwater pumping.  2004-5.
• Wisconsin Joint Assembly -Senate Groundwater Working  Group  Appointed by the state legislature to advise policy on creating groundwater quantity management statutes.  2003.
• University of Wisconsin System Groundwater Research Advisory  Council  Member of a scientific council that defines Wisconsin groundwater research priorities, requests research proposals, and recommends proposals for funding.  2002 to present. 

Select Publications

Refereed Publications

Kraft, G.J., D.J. Mechenich, K. Clancy, and J. Haucke.  2012.  Irrigation effects in the northern lake states – Wisconsin central sands revisited.  Ground Water Journal 50:308-318.

Bussan, A.J., G. Kraft, and J.D. Isherwood, eds.  2011.  Walking on water:  essays for the central sands.  Publication A3961, University of Wisconsin – Extension, Madison WI

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.

Select Reports, Conference proceedings:

Kraft, G.J., D.J. Mechenich, C. Mechenich, J.E. Cook, and S.M. Seiler. 2010. Assessment of natural resource conditions: Isle Royale National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRPC/WRD/NRR—2010/237.  National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Kraft, G.J. and D.J. Mechenich.  2010.  Groundwater Pumping Effects on Groundwater Levels, Lake Levels, and Streamflows in the Wisconsin Central Sands.  Report to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in Completion of Project NMI00000247 Center for Watershed Science and Education, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point / Extension.  http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/watersheds/Reports_Publications/ reports_publications.htm .

Clancy, K., G.J. Kraft, and D.J. Mechenich.  2009.  Knowledge development for groundwater withdrawal around the Little Plover River, Portage County, Wisconsin.  Center for Watershed Science and Education, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.  47 pp.

Kraft, G.J., K. Clancy, and D.J. Mechenich.  2008.  A survey of baseflow discharges in the western Fox-Wolf watershed.  Center for Watershed Science and Education, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.  33 pp.

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., B.A. Browne, J.M. Bowling, W.M. Devita, D.J. Mechenich.  2007.  Collateral Geochemical Impacts of Agricultural N Enrichment from 1963 to 1985: A Southern Wisconsin Groundwater Depth Profile.  In Proceedings of the 2007 Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union. 

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.

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.  Invited presentation.

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 on 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.