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Joe Capesius

Austin QW Studies Chief for Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Joe Capesius began his USGS career in the summer of 1992 in the Indiana District as a Hydrologic Technician. The next spring, Joe worked for Central Region National Research Program while attending graduate school and then in 1996 transferred to Tempe, Arizona working on NAWQA and Hydrology Studies.  Returning to Denver in 1999, Joe worked at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Project and conducted studies for the Colorado Water Science Center.  In 2008, Joe transferred to the Austin Field Unit Chief position until 2024, then became Central Texas Studies Chief and acting Central Texas Branch Chief in 2025.

Professional Experience

  • - 2024 to Present – Supervisory Hydrologist, acting Central Texas Branch Chief

    - 2008-2023 – Supervisory Hydrologist, Austin Field Unit, USGS

    - 1999-2008 – Hydrologist, Colorado Water Science Center, USGS

    - 1997-1998 – Hydrologist, Arizona Water Science Center, USGS

    - 1993-1996 – Student Trainee (Hydrology), Central Region National Research Program, USGS

    - 1992 – Hydrologic Technician, Indiana District

Education and Certifications

  • - MA, Geography, University of Denver

    - BA, Geography and History, University of Northern Iowa

Science and Products

Comparison of two methods for estimating base flow in selected reaches of the South Platte River, Colorado Comparison of two methods for estimating base flow in selected reaches of the South Platte River, Colorado

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, compared two methods for estimating base flow in three reaches of the South Platte River between Denver and Kersey, Colorado. The two methods compared in this study are the Mass Balance and the Pilot Point methods. Base-flow estimates made with the two methods were based upon a 54-year period of record...
Authors
Joseph P. Capesius, L. Rick Arnold
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Regional regression equations for estimation of natural streamflow statistics in Colorado Regional regression equations for estimation of natural streamflow statistics in Colorado

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Colorado Department of Transportation, developed regional regression equations for estimation of various streamflow statistics that are representative of natural streamflow conditions at ungaged sites in Colorado. The equations define the statistical relations between streamflow...
Authors
Joseph P. Capesius, Verlin C. Stephens
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Using the tracer-dilution discharge method to develop streamflow records for ice-affected streams in Colorado Using the tracer-dilution discharge method to develop streamflow records for ice-affected streams in Colorado

Accurate ice-affected streamflow records are difficult to obtain for several reasons, which makes the management of instream-flow water rights in the wintertime a challenging endeavor. This report documents a method to improve ice-affected streamflow records for two gaging stations in Colorado. In January and February 2002, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado...
Authors
Joseph P. Capesius, Joseph R. Sullivan, Gregory B. O’Neill, Cory A. Williams
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Surface water-quality and water-quantity data from selected urban runoff-monitoring sites at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City, Colorado, water years 1988-2004 Surface water-quality and water-quantity data from selected urban runoff-monitoring sites at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City, Colorado, water years 1988-2004

The U.S. Geological Survey has monitored the quality and quantity of streamflow at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA) northeast of Denver, Colorado, since the early 1990s in cooperation with the U.S. Army. This report, prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, documents existing surface-water-quality conditions on the RMA. All RMA water-quality data for the Irondale...
Authors
John D. Gordon, Donald E. Schild, Joseph P. Capesius, Cecil B. Slaughter
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Determination of channel change for selected streams, Maricopa County, Arizona Determination of channel change for selected streams, Maricopa County, Arizona

In Maricopa County, Arizona, 10 sites on seven streams were studied to determine the lateral and vertical change of the channel. Channel change was studied over time scales ranging from individual floods to decades using cross-section surveys, discharge measurements, changes in the point of zero flow, and repeat photography. All of the channels showed some change in cross-section area or...
Authors
Joseph P. Capesius, Ted W. Lehman

Potential errors associated with stage-discharge relations for selected streamflow-gaging stations, Maricopa County, Arizona Potential errors associated with stage-discharge relations for selected streamflow-gaging stations, Maricopa County, Arizona

Potential errors were derived for individual discharge measurements and stage-discharge relations for 17 streamflow-gaging stations in Maricopa County. Information presented primarily consists of stage and discharge data that were used to develop the stage-discharge relations that were in effect for water year 1998. Accuracy of the discharge measurements directly relate to accuracy of...
Authors
Anne C. Tillery, Jeff V. Phillips, Joseph P. Capesius

Physical-habitat and geomorphic data for selected river reaches in central Arizona Basins, 1995-98 Physical-habitat and geomorphic data for selected river reaches in central Arizona Basins, 1995-98

This report presents data from physical-habitat and geomorphic measurements that were made at 11 stream reaches in the Central Arizona Basins study area of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment program from 1995 to 1998. Measurements of water velocity and depth, particle size of bed material, embeddedness of substrate, stream aspect, and solar contribution were...
Authors
Karen M. Beaulieu, Joseph P. Capesius, Joseph B. Gebler

Method to estimate effects of flow-induced vegetation changes on channel conveyances of streams in central Arizona Method to estimate effects of flow-induced vegetation changes on channel conveyances of streams in central Arizona

No abstract available.
Authors
Jeff V. Phillips, Dawn S. McDoniel, Joseph P. Capesius, William H. Asquith
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Precipitation and streamflow conditions in Arizona, October 1, 1995, to June 30, 1997 Precipitation and streamflow conditions in Arizona, October 1, 1995, to June 30, 1997

No abstract available.
Authors
Owen R. Baynham, Joseph P. Capesius, Jeffrey V. Phillips
Big Boiling Spring

Hydrogeologic and Geochemical Investigation of the Trinity and Northern Segment Edwards Aquifers

The USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District and Bell County Adaptive Management Coalition, is evaluating the hydrogeology and water quality of the Northern segment of the Edwards and Trinity aquifers in Bell County to provide regional resource managers responsible for regulation of water use and drought management...
By
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
Hydrogeologic and Geochemical Investigation of the Trinity and Northern Segment Edwards Aquifers

Hydrogeologic and Geochemical Investigation of the Trinity and Northern Segment Edwards Aquifers

The USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District and Bell County Adaptive Management Coalition, is evaluating the hydrogeology and water quality of the Northern segment of the Edwards and Trinity aquifers in Bell County to provide regional resource managers responsible for regulation of water use and drought management...
Learn More

Science and Products

Comparison of two methods for estimating base flow in selected reaches of the South Platte River, Colorado Comparison of two methods for estimating base flow in selected reaches of the South Platte River, Colorado

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, compared two methods for estimating base flow in three reaches of the South Platte River between Denver and Kersey, Colorado. The two methods compared in this study are the Mass Balance and the Pilot Point methods. Base-flow estimates made with the two methods were based upon a 54-year period of record...
Authors
Joseph P. Capesius, L. Rick Arnold
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Regional regression equations for estimation of natural streamflow statistics in Colorado Regional regression equations for estimation of natural streamflow statistics in Colorado

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Colorado Department of Transportation, developed regional regression equations for estimation of various streamflow statistics that are representative of natural streamflow conditions at ungaged sites in Colorado. The equations define the statistical relations between streamflow...
Authors
Joseph P. Capesius, Verlin C. Stephens
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Using the tracer-dilution discharge method to develop streamflow records for ice-affected streams in Colorado Using the tracer-dilution discharge method to develop streamflow records for ice-affected streams in Colorado

Accurate ice-affected streamflow records are difficult to obtain for several reasons, which makes the management of instream-flow water rights in the wintertime a challenging endeavor. This report documents a method to improve ice-affected streamflow records for two gaging stations in Colorado. In January and February 2002, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado...
Authors
Joseph P. Capesius, Joseph R. Sullivan, Gregory B. O’Neill, Cory A. Williams
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Surface water-quality and water-quantity data from selected urban runoff-monitoring sites at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City, Colorado, water years 1988-2004 Surface water-quality and water-quantity data from selected urban runoff-monitoring sites at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City, Colorado, water years 1988-2004

The U.S. Geological Survey has monitored the quality and quantity of streamflow at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA) northeast of Denver, Colorado, since the early 1990s in cooperation with the U.S. Army. This report, prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, documents existing surface-water-quality conditions on the RMA. All RMA water-quality data for the Irondale...
Authors
John D. Gordon, Donald E. Schild, Joseph P. Capesius, Cecil B. Slaughter
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Determination of channel change for selected streams, Maricopa County, Arizona Determination of channel change for selected streams, Maricopa County, Arizona

In Maricopa County, Arizona, 10 sites on seven streams were studied to determine the lateral and vertical change of the channel. Channel change was studied over time scales ranging from individual floods to decades using cross-section surveys, discharge measurements, changes in the point of zero flow, and repeat photography. All of the channels showed some change in cross-section area or...
Authors
Joseph P. Capesius, Ted W. Lehman

Potential errors associated with stage-discharge relations for selected streamflow-gaging stations, Maricopa County, Arizona Potential errors associated with stage-discharge relations for selected streamflow-gaging stations, Maricopa County, Arizona

Potential errors were derived for individual discharge measurements and stage-discharge relations for 17 streamflow-gaging stations in Maricopa County. Information presented primarily consists of stage and discharge data that were used to develop the stage-discharge relations that were in effect for water year 1998. Accuracy of the discharge measurements directly relate to accuracy of...
Authors
Anne C. Tillery, Jeff V. Phillips, Joseph P. Capesius

Physical-habitat and geomorphic data for selected river reaches in central Arizona Basins, 1995-98 Physical-habitat and geomorphic data for selected river reaches in central Arizona Basins, 1995-98

This report presents data from physical-habitat and geomorphic measurements that were made at 11 stream reaches in the Central Arizona Basins study area of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment program from 1995 to 1998. Measurements of water velocity and depth, particle size of bed material, embeddedness of substrate, stream aspect, and solar contribution were...
Authors
Karen M. Beaulieu, Joseph P. Capesius, Joseph B. Gebler

Method to estimate effects of flow-induced vegetation changes on channel conveyances of streams in central Arizona Method to estimate effects of flow-induced vegetation changes on channel conveyances of streams in central Arizona

No abstract available.
Authors
Jeff V. Phillips, Dawn S. McDoniel, Joseph P. Capesius, William H. Asquith
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Precipitation and streamflow conditions in Arizona, October 1, 1995, to June 30, 1997 Precipitation and streamflow conditions in Arizona, October 1, 1995, to June 30, 1997

No abstract available.
Authors
Owen R. Baynham, Joseph P. Capesius, Jeffrey V. Phillips
Big Boiling Spring

Hydrogeologic and Geochemical Investigation of the Trinity and Northern Segment Edwards Aquifers

The USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District and Bell County Adaptive Management Coalition, is evaluating the hydrogeology and water quality of the Northern segment of the Edwards and Trinity aquifers in Bell County to provide regional resource managers responsible for regulation of water use and drought management...
By
Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center
Hydrogeologic and Geochemical Investigation of the Trinity and Northern Segment Edwards Aquifers

Hydrogeologic and Geochemical Investigation of the Trinity and Northern Segment Edwards Aquifers

The USGS Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District and Bell County Adaptive Management Coalition, is evaluating the hydrogeology and water quality of the Northern segment of the Edwards and Trinity aquifers in Bell County to provide regional resource managers responsible for regulation of water use and drought management...
Learn More
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