Purdue News

July 24, 1998 Cool off at Pathways to Water Quality exhibit WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- After a long, hard day in the sun at the Indiana State Fair, nothing sounds better than cooling off in a refreshing fountain of water or dipping your hands into 60-degree water straight from a well. If that sounds like heaven to you, be sure to put the Pathways to Water Quality exhibit on your list of things to do and see at this year's fair in Indianapolis Aug. 12-23. The exhibit is a large outdoor display, taking up several acres. The exhibit began more than five years ago with a tremendous amount of soil brought to the grounds. The exhibit now boasts trees, a running stream and a wetlands. The exhibit is co-chaired by Kim Winninger, program head of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Soil Conservation, and Jim Krejci, T-by-2000 education coordinator with the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. "The exhibit depicts the role of water and water conservation throughout the walking tour," Krejci said. "We want to educate people on how to keep their water pure." Through working examples, the exhibit highlights a variety of conservation practices for both urban and rural dwellers. Such practices include controlling runoff, using grass waterways and no-till farming. Last year a working well was added, featuring a wooden tub full of cool water. "The water from the well is about 55 to 60 degrees, so it's really cooling and refreshing just to dip your hands or arms in it after a hot day at the state fair," Krejci said. He also said people will find the garden area and covered bridge a refreshing change from the asphalt of the city. "When you walk into the exhibit, one of the first things you see is a fountain spraying water eight to 10 feet into the air, and it really grabs your interest," Krejci said. "That fountain starts the flow of water through the entire exhibit, down a creek, past farm fields and into a wetlands area." The exhibit also features hands-on children's activities. "The children's area has a display where the kids can pour water directly onto different types of soil, such as bare soil, sod and straw," Krejci said. "When they pour the water on the soil and see the runoff, it's a learning experience. The water from the bare soil is really dirty looking, but the water from the sod is pretty clean, with the straw-covered ground somewhere in the middle. Kids immediately see why it's important to cover the ground to save our precious resources." There also is an aquarium where children can see, up close and personal, animals that live in wetlands. They also can receive a free rain gauge. Other features of the display include a soil profile area where visitors can see how water percolates through sand and clay soils. There also is an area on urban conservation practices, such as the use of netting or straw to help keep water clear. A small barn also will be part of the exhibit, demonstrating livestock waste management near water sources. "Although it's not definite yet, we are exploring the idea of showing solar equipment pumping water into a trough for cattle," Krejci said. "This new addition will probably be in the exhibit this year, but if not this year, definitely next year." Another new idea in the works for the future includes a "worm's eye view" of the soil, where children can crawl through a tunnel and see the soil from a worm's perspective. Krejci said this addition will take a few years to implement, but should be an exciting addition once it is in place. "We hope people walk away from the exhibit with a new appreciation for water quality," Krejci said. "We hope they appreciate not only what farmers can do to protect the water, but also what urban practices can be used. We want them to realize we can't take water quality for granted." The Pathways to Water Quality Exhibit is sponsored by the Indiana Conservation Partnership, a group comprised of the Department of Natural Resources Division of Soil Conservation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. The exhibit is staffed by volunteers from the participating partners. The exhibit is on the northeast part of the Indiana State Fairgrounds between the harness horse barns and the Conseco Horse Expo. Advance tickets to the Indiana State Fair are $4 and can be purchased at Marsh Supermarkets, CVS pharmacies, Indiana Farm Bureau offices, Union Federal Savings Banks, Signature Inn and the Indiana State Fair Box Office. Tickets at the gate are $5; children ages 4 and under are free. The fairgrounds are on 38th Street in Indianapolis, off I-65. Source: Jim Krejci, (765) 494-4795; e-mail, jmkrejci@purdue.edu Writer: Jane Houin, (765) 494-8402; e-mail, news_students2aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page