Consulting Services

Charles R. Fitts of Fitts Geosolutions is available for consulting on groundwater, geotechnical and programming projects. His experience and qualifications encompass a broad spectrum of theoretical and applied work in these fields.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 1990
M.S. Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 1985
M.S. Geological Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 1979
B.A. Geology/Biology, Colby College, Waterville, ME, 1976

EMPLOYMENT AND EXPERIENCE (partial lists)

1991-present: University of Southern Maine, Gorham, ME. Associate Professor of Geosciences

Courses taught: Hydrogeology, Advanced Hydrogeology, Groundwater Modeling, Topics in Groundwater Contamination, Atmospheric Science and Pollution, and Physical Geology. In different years, the focus of the topics course was: migration of dissolved contamination, non-aqueous phase liquids, and emerging remediation technologies. Student evaluations of teaching are in the range of 1-2, on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being best.
2001-2003: Director of the Environmental Science and Policy Program, and interdisciplinary program with specializations in planning, policy, water resources, and ecology.
Wrote Groundwater Science, a college textbook covering physical and chemical aspects of groundwater science. Text is 450 pages plus a 68 page solutions manual. See http://www.academicpress.com/groundwater for details about the book.
Reviewed journal articles for Water Resources Research, Journal of Hydrology, and Ground Water. Reviewed books for the journal Ground Water and the publisher Academic Press.
Guest lectured on various groundwater topics at University of Maine, University of New Hampshire, Colby College, Tufts University, and a National Ground Water Association short-course.
Received grants to analyze groundwater flow patterns and aquifer geometry in the vicinity of public water supply wells. Performed horizontal and vertical field surveys using leveling and GPS equipment, conducted seismic refraction surveys, ran borehole hydraulic conductivity tests, measured surface water discharges, and developed a 3-D finite-difference model of groundwater flow. The model was used to simulate the impact of various well field discharges.

1991-present: Independent Consulting

Analyzed two 48-hour pumping tests and modeled regional aquifer flow near several wells in Freyburg, Maine.
Analyzed the rate of diffusion of radioactivity out of the concrete containment structure at the decommissioned Maine Yankee nuclear power plant in Wiscasset, Maine. Developed both analytic and finite-difference mathematical models of the diffusion.
Modeled groundwater flow and capture zones for water supply wells in Fryeburg, Maine.
Designed educational displays about groundwater and geology for a museum at Poland Spring, Maine.
Wrote custom software for interfacing a groundwater solute transport model with 3D visualization software.
Provided technical advice regarding the chemical properties of MTBE and their impact on its fate and transport in the subsurface.
Expert on a panel hired to review groundwater flow models of municipal well fields and their capture zones for the City of Indianapolis, IN.
Provided technical counsel related to a lawsuit involving gasoline contaminant migration in a glacial outwash aquifer in Waterboro, Maine. Analyzed the time of travel, anisotropy, and LNAPL migration to assess the timing and location of the source.
Reviewed the geotechnical and geohydrological aspects of a proposed special waste landfill sited on glacial marine clay in Norridgewock, Maine. Analyzed potential contaminant migration routes, consolidation and strength gain in the underlying clay, and the proposed water quality and geotechnical monitoring programs.
Analyzed seepage beneath a proposed dam in Switzerland using analytic element flow models.
Testified as an expert witness in New York DEC hearings regarding a proposed large gravel mining operation in western New York. Testimony was primarily about analytic groundwater flow modeling of potential impacts.
Provided technical advice regarding modeling of groundwater flow in the vicinity of a West Virginia coal mine.
Provided technical advice regarding modeling of groundwater flow and contaminant transport in unconsolidated glacial deposits in Massachusetts.

1987-1991: GeoTrans, Inc., Harvard, MA. Principal Engineer

Responsible for computer operations in the Massachusetts regional office. Made recommendations for purchase of equipment and software, implemented groundwater modeling software written by myself and others, wrote programs to allow incorporation of modeling results into CAD files, and trained others in the use of computers and software.
Provided technical consultation regarding the characterization and remediation of a contaminated industrial site in Massachusetts. Recommended and helped design deep bedrock monitoring wells, a ten-day pilot test of the groundwater extraction/treatment system, and laboratory experiments to assess the sorption of chlorinated organic contaminants. Mediated discussions between the present and former landowners regarding the remedy, which included groundwater extraction and treatment, soil excavation, and ex-situ soil venting.
Investigated dissolved TCE and PCE contamination in the vicinity of water supply wells in Natick, MA. Used soil gas surveys and micro-well installations in the sand and gravel aquifer to map the distribution of contaminated groundwater and help define the source of contamination.
Helped design and oversee the construction of a passive trench to skim petroleum LNAPL off the water table in an unconfined aquifer in Everett, MA.
Evaluated solvent contamination problems and potential remedies at two industrial sites in New Jersey. One was a soap manufacturing facility bordering a river, and the other was an aircraft engine repair shop in the coastal plain. Defined, as well as possible, the probable sources and timing of contaminant releases to help resolve a litigated dispute between the owner and its insurance companies.
Evaluated hydrogeologic conditions at proposed landfill sites for private clients in Maine, Minnesota, and New Jersey. Using analytic and numerical models, analyzed the three-dimensional groundwater flow patterns for pre- and post-construction conditions. Estimated drawdowns and discharges associated with proposed underdrain systems, assessed the contaminant migration patterns for hypothetical failures. Recommended monitoring systems and contingency plans to minimize the potential adverse impacts on groundwater.
Estimated off-site contaminant discharges via groundwater at seven hazardous waste sites in Niagara Falls, for a study of contaminant discharges to the Niagara River.
Set up and monitored a 48 hour pumping test at a landfill site in Minnesota. Used pressure transducers and data loggers to collect data at eight wells. Estimated formation hydraulic conductivity and storativity.
Taught a workshop on the use of the USGS modular three-dimensional groundwater flow model (MODFLOW) to engineers and geologists at a large consulting firm.
Provided technical counsel and expert testimony regarding contaminant migration via groundwater to the Delaware River. Gave testimony in a deposition and in the trial between the state of New Jersey and a chemical manufacturer.

1986-1987: Camp Dresser and McKee, Inc., Boston, MA. Water Resources Engineer

Evaluated groundwater flow and contaminant transport patterns for the US EPA at two Superfund hazardous waste sites in the New Jersey Coastal Plain. Used a three-dimensional finite element program for flow simulation and a random-walk particle tracking program for simulation of contaminant transport. The model results were used to evaluate various alternatives for site cleanup, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a slurry-wall barrier that had already been installed.

1979-1983, 1985-1986: Geotechnical Engineers, Inc., Winchester, MA. Geologist and Geotechnical Engineer

Investigated groundwater contamination in the vicinity of paper mill waste dewatering lagoons. Field program consisted of borings, well installations, hydraulic testing, surface and groundwater sampling. Analyzes included 2-D modeling of groundwater flow and contaminant transport patterns.
Installed and monitored gas sampling wells, and provided recommendations for design of methane collection systems for structures to be built on a former landfill.
Design of a 1500 foot embankment dam in Maine. Soil and rock conditions were mapped in the foundation and borrow areas. Strength and permeability tests were performed on borrow materials. Seepage and stability analyzes were performed, a design was recommended, and the dam was constructed.
Evaluated the liquefaction potential of a sand being considered for construction of large offshore oil drilling caissons in the Arctic Ocean. Performed dynamic triaxial strength tests to determine the sand's liquefaction behavior as a function of its density.
Used two-dimensional analytic element computer program to analyze flow and head patterns beneath a gravity dam in Colorado. The model results compared favorably with available drain discharge and piezometer data. The simulated heads were used in stability analyses of the dam.
Analyzed the present and future settlement of a sewage pump station that had settled 1.5 feet due to freeze-thaw consolidation of clay soils during construction. Used repeated accurate surveys of surface benchmarks and borehole inclinometers to understand the patterns of deformation and predict the magnitude of future deformations.
Investigated long-term geologic hazards to underground storage of nuclear wastes. Evaluated the rates and recurrence intervals of tectonic, seismic, volcanic, and erosional hazards in various regions of the U.S.
Field experience includes installation and monitoring of: soil borings, groundwater monitoring wells, dedicated groundwater sampling systems, borehole permeability tests, large-scale pumping tests, gas monitoring wells, pneumatic and electronic piezometers, borehole inclinometers, settlement plates and tiltmeters.
Performed geotechnical lab tests including permeability tests in triaxial cells, triaxial compression tests, cyclic triaxial compression tests, resonant column dynamic triaxial torsion tests, consolidation tests, direct shear tests, compaction tests, and index tests.

1983-1985: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Research/Teaching Assistant

Derived and implemented analytic solutions for steady two-dimensional groundwater flow in heterogeneous domains. Developed FORTRAN computer programs for modeling two-dimensional groundwater flow using analytic techniques. Wrote program modules for heterogeneities, wells, line-sinks, input, matrix solution, contour plotting and graphical output. Wrote the heterogeneity modules of the analytic element programs SLAEM and MLAEM.
Teaching assistant for two graduate level groundwater mechanics courses. Provided office hour instruction, graded exams and homeworks. Designed, instructed and graded computer programming projects.
Taught workshops at a groundwater modeling short course offered at the University of Minnesota. Developed BASIC microcomputer programs that were used to demonstrate the principles of numerical and analytical flow modeling.

1977-1979: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Research/Teaching Assistant

Evaluated the stability of submarine slopes in the Gulf of Alaska oil leasing areas. Analyzed strength and consolidation tests of soil samples, and performed dynamic stability analyses to determine if earthquakes and/or large storm waves could have triggered the observed submarine slope failures.
Teaching assistant for undergraduate courses in geology, geophysics, and soil mechanics. Taught labs, field trips, and recitations. Prepared and graded homework assignments.

1977-1979: U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA. Physical Scientist

Assisted in studies of geologic hazards to offshore oil exploration. Participated in three research cruises to the Gulf of Alaska to sample bottom sediments and perform seismic refraction profiles of the sea floor. Responsibilities on the cruises included navigation, sample collection, sample logging, and annotation of seismic data.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Registered Professional Engineer, Maine #5513
American Geophysical Union
National Ground Water Association
Geological Society of Maine

PUBLICATIONS

Fitts, C.R. Discrete Analytic Domains: A New Technique for Groundwater Flow Modeling in Layered, Anisotropic, and Heterogeneous Aquifer Systems, Modflow and More 2006: Managing Greound Water Systems, International Ground Water Modeling Center Conference, Golden, Colorado, May 2006.
Fitts, C.R. Discrete Analytic Domains: A New Method to Model Complex Aquifer Systems with Layers, Anisotropy, and Heterogeneity, 5^th International Conference on the Analytic Element Method, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, May 2006.
Fitts, C.R. Exact Solution for Two-Dimensional Flow to a Well in an Anisotropic Domain, to be published in the journal Ground Water, 2005.
Fitts, C.R., Discrete Analytic Domains: A New Technique for Groundwater Flow Modeling in Layered, Anisotropic, and Heterogeneous Aquifer Systems, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, December 2004.
Fitts, C.R. Discrete Analytic Domains: a New AEM Formulation for Modeling Anisotropy and Heterogeneity, EPA/NGWA Fractured Rock Conference Conference, Portland Maine, September 2004.
Fitts, C.R. Groundwater Science, Academic Press, San Diego, 2002. See http://www.academicpress.com/groundwater.
Fitts, C.R. Groundwater Science Solutions Manual, Academic Press, San Diego, 2002.
Sandberg, S.K., Fitts, C.R., and Versteeg, R., Geophysical Monitoring of a Groundwater Tracer in the Gray Delta, Maine, Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems, Reno, Nevada, 1997.
Fitts, C.R., Analytic Modeling of Impermeable and Resistant Barriers, Ground Water, 35(4), 1997.
Sandberg, S.K., Fitts, C.R., and Drasdis, J.B., Hydraulic Anisotropy Derived from Azimuthal Resistivity and Electromagnetics, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands, June 1996.
Fitts, C.R., Uncertainty in Deterministic Groundwater Transport Models due to the Assumption of Macrodispersive Mixing: Evidence from the Cape Cod and Borden Tracer Tests, Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 23, 69-84, 1996.
Fitts, C.R., Uncertainty in Deterministic Groundwater Transport Models due to the Assumption of Macrodispersive Mixing: Evidence from the Cape Cod and Borden Tracer Tests, in Calibration and Reliability in Groundwater Modeling, K. Kovar and P. van der Heijde, editors, International Association of Hydrological Sciences publication no. 237,
Fitts, C.R. and Strack, O.D.L., Analytic Solutions for Unconfined Groundwater Flow Over a Stepped Base, Journal of Hydrology, 177, 65-76, 1996.
Fitts, C.R., Well Discharge Optimization Using Analytic Elements, Ground Water, 32(4), 547-550, 1994.
Fitts, C.R., Insights gained from analytic transport modeling of the Cape Cod and Borden tracer tests, in Proceedings, International Conference, Analytic Element Modeling of Groundwater Flow, 129-132, Indianapolis, Indiana, April 1994.
Fitts, C.R., Well discharge optimization using analytic elements, in Proceedings, 1993 Ground Water Modeling Conference, p11-p20, International Groundwater Modeling Center, Golden, Colorado, 1993.
Fitts, C.R., Modeling Three-Dimensional Flow about Ellipsoidal Inhomogeneities, with Application to Flow to a Gravel-Packed Well and Flow Through Lens-Shaped Inhomogeneities, Water Resources Research, 27(5), 815-824, 1991.
Fitts, C.R., Modeling Three-Dimensional Groundwater Flow about Ellipsoids of Revolution using Analytic Functions, Ph.D. Thesis, University of Minnesota, 1990.
Fitts, C.R., Simple Analytic Functions for Modeling Three-Dimensional Flow in Layered Aquifers, Water Resources Research, 25(5), 943-948, 1989.
Strack, O.D.L., Fitts, C.R. and Zaadnoordijk, W.J., Application and Demonstration of Analytic Element Models, Proceedings of the National Water Well Association conference titled: Solving Groundwater Problems with Models, Denver, Colorado, 1987.
Fitts, C.R., Modeling Aquifer Inhomogeneities With Analytic Elements, With Application in a Model of Flow at the St. Croix Rest Area Storm Runoff Pond, Minnesota Department of Transportation Research and Development, NTIS MN/RC-85-005, 1985.
Fitts, C.R., Modeling Aquifer Inhomogeneities With Analytic Elements, M.S. thesis, University of Minnesota, 1985.
Sangrey, D.A. and Fitts, C.R., The Copper River Delta: A Case Study in Arctic Geomechanics, Second Canadian Conference on Marine Geotechnical Engineering, Halifax, N.S., 1982.
Steinborn, T.L., Wagoner, J.L., Qualheim, B., Fitts, C.R., Stetkar, R.E., and Turnbull, R.W., Recommended New Criteria for the Selection of Nuclear Waste Repository Sites in Columbia River Basalt and U.S. Gulf Coast Domed Salt, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Report UCRL-52749, 1980.
Fitts, C.R., Physical Properties of Sediments on the Copper River Prodelta, Alaska, M.S. thesis, Cornell University, 1980.