Intro:
Professional Experience
2018-current: Research Hydrologist, South Atlantic Water Science Center, USGS, Norcross, Georgia.
2014-2017: Hydrologist, South Atlantic Water Science Center, USGS, Norcross, Georgia.
2006-2014: Hydrologist, Georgia Water Science Center, USGS, Norcross, Georgia.
2003-2005: Civil Engineer, Georgia Water Science Center, USGS, Norcross, Georgia.
2000-2002: Student Trainee (Hydrology), Georgia Water Science Center, USGS, Norcross, Georgia.
1996-1999: Student Trainee (Hydrology), New York Water Science Center, USGS, Troy, New York.
2001-2002: Teaching Assistant, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.
Education and Certifications
PhD in progress at University of Georgia
MS Civil Engineering, 2002
BS Civil Engineering, 2001
AAS Civil Engineering, 1997
Science and Products
Assessing Water Availability and Streamflow Characteristics in the Conterminous United States for Current and Future Climatic and Landscape Conditions
National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure
Climate- and Land-Cover-Induced Shifts in the Distribution and Abundance of Invasive Fish and Their Impacts on Native Fish Communities in the Tennessee and Cumberland River Basins
Assessment of Water Availability and Streamflow Characteristics in the Southeastern U.S. for Current and Future Climatic and Landscape Conditions
Webinar: Hydrologic Research and Assessment: From Local to Regional Scales
Assessment of Water Availability and Streamflow Characteristics in the Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks (GCPO) Landscape Conservation Cooperative for Current and Future Climatic and Landscape Conditions
Understanding the Impacts of Glaciers on Streamflow in Alaska and Washington
Estimating Future Water Availability and Streamflow in the Southeast
SERAP: Modeling of Hydrologic Systems
USGS-USFS Partnership to Help Managers Evaluate Conservation Strategies for Aquatic Ecosystems Based on Future Climate Projections
Application of the National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (NHM-PRMS),1980-2016, Daymet Version 3 calibration
Application of the National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (NHMI-PRMS), 1950-2010, Maurer Calibration
Model Input and Output for Hydrologic Simulations for the Conterminous United States for Historical and Future Conditions Using the National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure (NHMI) and the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), 1950 - 2100
National Hydrologic Model v1.0 water budget components aggregated to 10 and 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Code boundaries
Twelve-digit hydrologic unit total flow and snowmelt from the National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System, 1980-2016
Model Input and Output for Hydrologic Simulations of the Southeastern United States for Historical and Future Conditions
Simulated hydrologic response in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, southeastern United States
Dynamic Parameter, Water-Use, Stream and Lake Flow Routing, and Two Summary Output Modules and Updates to Surface-Depression Storage Simulation and Initial Conditions Specification Options for the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS)
The consequences of neglecting reservoir storage in national-scale hydrologic models: An appraisal of key streamflow statistics
Parameter estimation at the conterminous United States scale and streamflow routing enhancements for the National Hydrologic Model infrastructure application of the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (NHM-PRMS)
Comparing trends in modeled and observed streamflows at minimally altered basins in the United States
South Atlantic Water Science Center Strategic Science Plan: 2019–23
Simulation of water availability in the Southeastern United States for historical and potential future climate and land-cover conditions
Description of the National Hydrologic Model for use with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS)
Groundwater-flow budget for the lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin in southwestern Georgia and parts of Florida and Alabama, 2008–12
Simulations of hydrologic response in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, Southeastern United States
Documentation of the dynamic parameter, water-use, stream and lake flow routing, and two summary output modules and updates to surface-depression storage simulation and initial conditions specification options with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System
Effects of climate and land cover on hydrology in the southeastern U.S.: Potential impacts on watershed planning
A comparison of methods to predict historical daily streamflow time series in the southeastern United States
A comparison of hydrologic models for ecological flows and water availability
Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) version 5.2.0
Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) version 5.2.1
Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) version 5.1.0
Science and Products
- Science
Assessing Water Availability and Streamflow Characteristics in the Conterminous United States for Current and Future Climatic and Landscape Conditions
This project is funded by the Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (SE CASC), one of eight regional CASCs that are coordinated by a National CASC. The CASC network is a partnership-driven program that teams scientists with natural and cultural resource managers and local communities to deliver research and tools that can be applied directly to adaptation decisions. This project is focused...National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure
The USGS National Hydrologic Model (NHM) infrastructure supports the efficient construction of local-, regional-, and national-scale hydrologic models. The NHM infrastructure consists of: 1) an underlying geospatial fabric of modeling units with an associated parameter database, 2) a model input data archive, and 3) a repository of the physical model simulation code bases.Climate- and Land-Cover-Induced Shifts in the Distribution and Abundance of Invasive Fish and Their Impacts on Native Fish Communities in the Tennessee and Cumberland River Basins
The climate of the Southeast is changing rapidly. As streams warm and streamflow dynamics change due to climate and land-cover changes, previously unsuitable habitats may become hospitable for invasive species. Warmwater and large-river adapted invasive species such as Asian carps may move upstream as habitats that were previously too cold or had too little flow become welcoming environments for tAssessment of Water Availability and Streamflow Characteristics in the Southeastern U.S. for Current and Future Climatic and Landscape Conditions
Information about streamflow and streamflow variability is critical to assist natural resource managers when they make decisions related to the water needs of both human communities and ecosystems. In order for managers to effectively plan for and adapt to future climate and land cover conditions, they require information on changes that could occur in the distribution and quantity of water resourWebinar: Hydrologic Research and Assessment: From Local to Regional Scales
View this webinar to learn how scientists are conducting hydrologic modeling of unguaged streams in the Southeast.Assessment of Water Availability and Streamflow Characteristics in the Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks (GCPO) Landscape Conservation Cooperative for Current and Future Climatic and Landscape Conditions
The objective of this research is to provide an automated methodology and data products to the GCPO LCC partners by (1) developing a multi-model synthesis to simulate streamflow using a monthly water balance model and daily time step hydrologic models (physical process-based and statistical) for all watersheds of the GCPO LCC geographic region and (2) providing products from these models (flow...Understanding the Impacts of Glaciers on Streamflow in Alaska and Washington
Glaciers are a central component to the hydrology of many areas in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Glacier melt plays a crucial role in the movement of nutrients through a landscape and into the ocean, and the flow of water into streams that sustain many species. As air temperatures rise, increased rates of glacier melt may have significant impacts to the hydrology and ecology in these areas. TEstimating Future Water Availability and Streamflow in the Southeast
Estimates of water flows in streams are critical to inform natural resource managers of water availability for both human and ecological needs. Monitoring flow in the stream using a streamgage provides information about the amount and timing of surface water resources. However, not every stream has a streamgage and decisions about water resources may need to be made in a watershed where there is nSERAP: Modeling of Hydrologic Systems
A hydrologic model was developed as part of the Southeast Regional Assessment Project using the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS), a deterministic, distributed-parameter, process-based system that simulates the effects of precipitation, temperature, and land use on basin hydrology. Streamflow and other components of the hydrologic cycle simulated by PRMS were used to inform other types oUSGS-USFS Partnership to Help Managers Evaluate Conservation Strategies for Aquatic Ecosystems Based on Future Climate Projections
The Southeastern U.S. spans broad ranges of physiographic settings and contains a wide variety of aquatic systems that provide habitat for hundreds of endemic aquatic species that pose interesting challenges and opportunities for managers of aquatic resources, particularly in the face of climate change. For example, the Southeast contains the southernmost populations of the eastern brook trout and - Data
Application of the National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (NHM-PRMS),1980-2016, Daymet Version 3 calibration
This data release contains inputs and outputs for hydrologic simulations of the conterminous United States (CONUS) using the National Hydrologic Model (NHM) application of the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) in ASCII and binary format and explanatory graphics in pdf format. These simulations were developed to provide estimates of water availability for historical conditions for the perApplication of the National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (NHMI-PRMS), 1950-2010, Maurer Calibration
This data release contains inputs for and outputs from hydrologic simulations for the conterminous United States (CONUS) using the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) version 5.1.0 and the USGS National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure (NHMI, Regan and others, 2018). These simulations were developed to provide estimates of the water budget for the period 1950 to 2010. Specific file types inModel Input and Output for Hydrologic Simulations for the Conterminous United States for Historical and Future Conditions Using the National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure (NHMI) and the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), 1950 - 2100
This data release contains inputs for and outputs from hydrologic simulations for the conterminous United States (CONUS) using the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) version 5.1.0 (https://www.usgs.gov/software/precipitation-runoff-modeling-system-prms) and the USGS National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure (NHMI, Regan and others, 2018). These simulations were developed to provide estimatNational Hydrologic Model v1.0 water budget components aggregated to 10 and 12-digit Hydrologic Unit Code boundaries
This data release contains the output of the National Hydrologic Hydrologic Model (NHM) version 1.0 aggregated to twelve-digit and ten-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) boundaries contained in the NHDPlus v2.1 dataset. The data are intended to provide "local" water budgets for each HUC boundary as total aggregated streamflow across HUC boundaries is not included. The HUC boundaries are periodicallyTwelve-digit hydrologic unit total flow and snowmelt from the National Hydrologic Model Infrastructure with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System, 1980-2016
This dataset is part of the National Water Census ongoing development of best estimates of daily historical water budgets for over 100,000 hydrologic units across the United States. In this release, estimates of total flow and snowmelt for each hydrologic unit are added to the already released estimates of actual evapotranspiration, snowpack water-equivalent storage, soil moisture, recharge, streaModel Input and Output for Hydrologic Simulations of the Southeastern United States for Historical and Future Conditions
This data release contains inputs for and outputs from hydrologic simulations of the southeastern U.S. using the Monthly Water Balance Model, the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS), and statistically-based methods. These simulations were developed to provide estimates of water availability and statistics of streamflow for historical and potential future conditions for an area of approximaSimulated hydrologic response in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, southeastern United States
The Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin (ACFB), which is home to multiple fish and wildlife species of conservation concern, is regionally important for water supply and has been a recent focus of complementary water-resources, ecological, and climate-change research. As part of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Water Census, a water-availability study of the ACFB was conducted fDynamic Parameter, Water-Use, Stream and Lake Flow Routing, and Two Summary Output Modules and Updates to Surface-Depression Storage Simulation and Initial Conditions Specification Options for the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS)
This data release documents seven enhancements to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) hydrologic simulation code: two time-series input options, two new output options, and three updates of existing capabilities. The enhancements are (1) new dynamic parameter module, (2) new water-use module, (3) new Hydrologic Response Unit (HRU) summary output module, (4 - Publications
Filter Total Items: 17
The consequences of neglecting reservoir storage in national-scale hydrologic models: An appraisal of key streamflow statistics
A better understanding of modeled streamflow errors related to basin reservoir storage is needed for large regions, which normally have many ungaged basins with reservoirs. We quantified the difference between modeled and observed streamflows for one process-based and three statistical-transfer hydrologic models, none of which explicitly accounted for reservoir storage. Streamflow statistics repreAuthorsGlenn A. Hodgkins, Thomas M. Over, Robert W. Dudley, Amy M. Russell, Jacob H. LaFontaineParameter estimation at the conterminous United States scale and streamflow routing enhancements for the National Hydrologic Model infrastructure application of the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (NHM-PRMS)
This report documents a three-part continental-scale calibration procedure and a new streamflow routing algorithm using the U.S. Geological Survey National Hydrologic Model (NHM) infrastructure along with an application of the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS). The traditional approach to hydrologic model calibration and evaluation, which relies on comparing observed and simulated streamAuthorsLauren E. Hay, Jacob H. LaFontaine, Ashley E. Van Beusekom, Parker A. Norton, William H. Farmer, R. Steve Regan, Steven L. Markstrom, Jesse E. DickinsonComparing trends in modeled and observed streamflows at minimally altered basins in the United States
We compared modeled and observed streamflow trends from 1984–2016 using five statistical transfer models and one deterministic, distributed-parameter, process-based model, for 26 flow metrics at 502 basins in the United States that are minimally influenced by development. We also looked at a measure of overall model fit and average bias. A higher percentage of basins, for all models, had relativelAuthorsGlenn A. Hodgkins, Robert W. Dudley, Amy M. Russell, Jacob H. LaFontaineSouth Atlantic Water Science Center Strategic Science Plan: 2019–23
Executive SummaryThe South Atlantic Water Science Center Strategic Science Planning Team has developed a unified strategic science plan to guide the science vision of the South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC) in response to the merging of the Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina Water Science Centers. This plan proposes a path forward to keep SAWSC science activities relevant to the mAuthorsThomas F. Cuffney, Ana M. Garcia, Arthur J. Horowitz, Jacob H. LaFontaine, James E. Landmeyer, Anna M. McKee, Kristen Bukowski McSwain, Jaime A. Painter, John M. Shelton, Christopher A. SmithSimulation of water availability in the Southeastern United States for historical and potential future climate and land-cover conditions
A study was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GCPO LCC) and the Department of the Interior Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, to evaluate the hydrologic response of a daily time step hydrologic model to historical observations and projections of potential climate and land-cover changeAuthorsJacob H. LaFontaine, Rheannon M. Hart, Lauren E. Hay, William H. Farmer, Andy R. Bock, Roland J. Viger, Steven L. Markstrom, R. Steve Regan, Jessica M. DriscollDescription of the National Hydrologic Model for use with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS)
This report documents several components of the U.S. Geological Survey National Hydrologic Model of the conterminous United States for use with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS). It provides descriptions of the (1) National Hydrologic Model, (2) Geospatial Fabric for National Hydrologic Modeling, (3) PRMS hydrologic simulation code, (4) parameters and estimation methods used to compuAuthorsR. Steven Regan, Steven L. Markstrom, Lauren E. Hay, Roland J. Viger, Parker A. Norton, Jessica M. Driscoll, Jacob H. LaFontaineGroundwater-flow budget for the lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin in southwestern Georgia and parts of Florida and Alabama, 2008–12
As part of the National Water Census program in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin, the U.S. Geological Survey evaluated the groundwater budget of the lower ACF, with particular emphasis on recharge, characterizing the spatial and temporal relation between surface water and groundwater, and groundwater pumping. To evaluate the hydrologic budget of the lower ACF River Basin, a gAuthorsL. Elliott Jones, Jaime A. Painter, Jacob H. LaFontaine, Nicasio Sepúlveda, Dorothy F. SifuentesSimulations of hydrologic response in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, Southeastern United States
A suite of hydrologic models has been developed for the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin (ACFB) as part of the National Water Census, a U.S. Geological Survey research program that focuses on developing new water accounting tools and assessing water availability and use at the regional and national scales. Seven hydrologic models were developed using the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling SAuthorsJacob H. LaFontaine, L. Elliott Jones, Jaime A. PainterDocumentation of the dynamic parameter, water-use, stream and lake flow routing, and two summary output modules and updates to surface-depression storage simulation and initial conditions specification options with the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System
This report documents seven enhancements to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) hydrologic simulation code: two time-series input options, two new output options, and three updates of existing capabilities. The enhancements are (1) new dynamic parameter module, (2) new water-use module, (3) new Hydrologic Response Unit (HRU) summary output module, (4) newAuthorsR. Steve Regan, Jacob H. LaFontaineEffects of climate and land cover on hydrology in the southeastern U.S.: Potential impacts on watershed planning
The hydrologic response to statistically downscaled general circulation model simulations of daily surface climate and land cover through 2099 was assessed for the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin located in the southeastern United States. Projections of climate, urbanization, vegetation, and surface-depression storage capacity were used as inputs to the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling SAuthorsJacob H. LaFontaine, Lauren E. Hay, Roland J. Viger, R. Steve Regan, Steven L. MarkstromA comparison of methods to predict historical daily streamflow time series in the southeastern United States
Effective and responsible management of water resources relies on a thorough understanding of the quantity and quality of available water. Streamgages cannot be installed at every location where streamflow information is needed. As part of its National Water Census, the U.S. Geological Survey is planning to provide streamflow predictions for ungaged locations. In order to predict streamflow at a uAuthorsWilliam H. Farmer, Stacey A. Archfield, Thomas M. Over, Lauren E. Hay, Jacob H. LaFontaine, Julie E. KiangA comparison of hydrologic models for ecological flows and water availability
Robust hydrologic models are needed to help manage water resources for healthy aquatic ecosystems and reliable water supplies for people, but there is a lack of comprehensive model comparison studies that quantify differences in streamflow predictions among model applications developed to answer management questions. We assessed differences in daily streamflow predictions by four fine-scale modelsAuthorsPeter V Caldwell, Jonathan Kennen, Ge Sun, Julie E. Kiang, John B Butcher, Michelle C Eddy, Lauren E. Hay, Jacob H. LaFontaine, Ernie F. Hain, Stacy C Nelson, Steve G McNulty - Software
Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) version 5.2.0
The need to assess the effects of variability in climate, biota, geology, and human activities on water availability and flow can be assessed with computer models that simulate the hydrologic cycle at a watershed scale. The Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) is a deterministic, distributed-parameter, physical process-based modeling system developed to evaluate the response of various combPrecipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) version 5.2.1
The need to assess the effects of variability in climate, biota, geology, and human activities on water availability and flow can be assessed with computer models that simulate the hydrologic cycle at a watershed scale. The Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) is a deterministic, distributed-parameter, physical process-based modeling system developed to evaluate the response of various combPrecipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) version 5.1.0
The need to assess the effects of variability in climate, biota, geology, and human activities on water availability and flow can be assessed with computer models that simulate the hydrologic cycle at a watershed scale. The Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) is a deterministic, distributed-parameter; physical process-based modeling system developed to evaluate the response of various comb