Proposal title: FY2025 nebraska statemap geologic mapping programproject period: 09 24 2025 through 09 23 2027ACTIVITIESGENERATE three new surficial geologic maps in two locations in nebraska

The University of Nebraska, through its Board of Regents, received a $434,541 Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP, CFDA 15.810) on September 24, 2025, for the FY2025 Nebraska StateMep Geologic Mapping Program. The two-year project, concluding September 23, 2027, will produce three new surficial geologic maps at 1:24,000 scale for the Bayard SW, Greenwood, and Oshkosh quadrangles in Nebraska. Production activities include drilling new test holes with downhole geophysics, describing core and cuttings samples, and conducting laboratory analyses including age dating and particle size characterization. The project will also convert six existing geologic maps (Edgar NW, Exeter, Fairmont, Kearney SW, Norden, and Sparks quadrangles) to Level 3 Geologic Earth Mapping System (GEMS) databases using Geographic Information System (GIS) software.

The deliverables directly support natural resource management priorities for Nebraska, benefiting state and federal agencies including the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Natural Resource Districts, USGS, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The geologic mapping products address critical groundwater and mineral aggregate resource issues, providing essential geoscientific data for land-use planning, water resource management, and natural hazard assessment across the state.

These mapping efforts will involve drilling of new test holes, some of which will include downhole geophysics. These data will be included in the supplementary sheets of the map along with existing test hole and other subsurface data from the mapping areas. Cores and or test hole cuttings will be described and analysis of sediment collected from selected test holes will include laboratory analysis including age dating and particle size analysis characterization where needed. Six existing geologic maps will be converted to level 3 gems databases using GIS software.deliverables and outcomesnew surficial geologic map deliverables: bayard SW 1:24,000 scale quadrangle, greenwood 1:24,000 scale quadrangle, oshkosh 1:24,000 scale quadrangle.gems files: the edgar NW, exeter, fairmont, kearney SW, norden and sparks 1:24,000 scale quadrangles.intended beneficiariesthese maps will be beneficial to the citizens of the state of nebraska and specifically to those that are addressing concerns or issues related to natural resources, primarily mineral aggregate and groundwater. Specific agencies including the local nebraska department of natural resources (DNR), department of transportation (DOT), and nebraskas natural resource districts (NRD). The maps will be beneficial to those in federal agencies, including the united states geological survey (USGS) and natural resources conservation service (nrcs).