Thank goodness for Google maps, right? This technology makes it possible to track where you are in the world and where you’re going. But while such mapping tools are common and convenient, the science behind them isn’t as easy as typing in an address. Land surveyors and survey monuments make it possible to keep track [...]
As spring continues and the rivers rise, everyone who lives in our Mississippi River Valley knows that a few days of heavy rain can be a big deal, or even trigger a flash flooding event that causes widespread destruction in a matter of hours. This is why drainage infrastructure is vital to the operation of [...]
As we learn more about climate change and humankind’s effect on the planet, a lot of people are looking to reduce our environmental footprint as much as possible. There’s endless advice about how to do that — you can check out some of our own tips about water conservation here — but have you thought [...]
Why do private properties have power lines? Who says a water main can cut through a farm? As you drive, you can see the electric and telephone lines running alongside the road. There are also wires underground, and the road itself that cuts through land. But before these improvements were built, the land was owned [...]
Today, we hear the word “asbestos” and think “avoid.” Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral and a carcinogen, known for causing cancers like mesothelioma and lung cancer when inhaled. We no longer build with materials that contain asbestos, but it used to be common in construction and consumer products. Even today, a large percentage [...]
