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Melinda J Chapman

(she/her)

Melinda Chapman became Director of the Pennsylvania Water Science Center in 2019.

 

​​​​​​

Professional Experience

  • 2017-2019  Supervisory Hydrologist, Office of Quality Assurance, Water Mission Area headquarters, Reston, Virginia

  • 2015-2017  Assistant Chief, Office of Groundwater, Water Mission Area headquarters, Reston, Virginia

  • 2000-2015  Groundwater Specialist, North Carolina/South Atlantic Water Science Center, Raleigh, North Carolina

  • 1989-2000  Groundwater Hydrologist, Georgia District, Norcross, Georgia

     

Education and Certifications

  • Master of Science in Geology with emphasis on hydrogeology and geophysics: The Ohio State University

  • Undergraduate degree in Geology: West Georgia College

     

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 22

Geophysical logging and thermal imaging near the Hemphill Road TCE National Priorities List Superfund site near Gastonia, North Carolina

Borehole geophysical logs and thermal imaging data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey near the Hemphill Road TCE (trichloroethylene) National Priorities List Superfund site near Gastonia, North Carolina, during August 2014 through February 2015. In an effort to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the development of a conceptual groundwater model for the assessment of curre
Authors
Dominick J. Antolino, Melinda J. Chapman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Continued geophysical logging near the GMH Electronics National Priorities List Superfund site near Roxboro, North Carolina

The U.S. Geological Survey South Atlantic Water Science Center collected borehole geophysical logs and images and continuous water-level data near the GMH Electronics National Priorities List Superfund site near Roxboro, North Carolina, during December 2012 through July 2015. Previous work by the U.S. Geological Survey South Atlantic Water Science Center at the site involved the collection of bore
Authors
Dominick J. Antolino, Melinda J. Chapman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Delineation of areas having elevated electrical conductivity, orientation and characterization of bedrock fractures, and occurrence of groundwater discharge to surface water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Barite Hill/Nevada Goldfields Superfu

During October 2012 through March 2013, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4, Superfund Section, conducted borehole geophysical logging, surface geophysical surveys, and water-quality profiling in selected wells and areas to characterize or delineate the extent of elevated subsurface electrical conductivity at the EPA Barite
Authors
Melinda J. Chapman, Brad A. Huffman, Kristen Bukowski McSwain
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

The quality of our nation's waters: water quality in the Principal Aquifers of the Piedmont, Blue Ridge, and Valley and Ridge regions, eastern United States, 1993-2009

The aquifers of the Piedmont, Blue Ridge, and Valley and Ridge regions underlie an area with a population of more than 40 million people in 10 states. The suburban and rural population is large, growing rapidly, and increasingly dependent on groundwater as a source of supply, with more than 550 million gallons per day withdrawn from domestic wells for household use. Water from some of these aquife
Authors
Bruce D. Lindsey, Tammy M. Zimmerman, Melinda J. Chapman, Charles A. Cravotta, Zoltan Szabo
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Baseline well inventory and groundwater-quality data from a potential shale gas resource area in parts of Lee and Chatham Counties, North Carolina, October 2011-August 2012

Records were obtained for 305 wells and 1 spring in northwestern Lee and southeastern Chatham counties, North Carolina. Well depths ranged from 26 to 720 feet and yields ranged from 0.25 to 100 gallons per minute. A subset of 56 wells and 1 spring were sampled for baseline groundwaterquality constituents including the following: major ions; dissolved metals; nutrients; dissolved gases (including m
Authors
Melinda J. Chapman, Laura N. Gurley, Sharon A. Fitzgerald
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Naturally occurring contaminants in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline-rock aquifers and Piedmont Early Mesozoic basin siliciclastic-rock aquifers, eastern United States, 1994–2008

Groundwater quality and aquifer lithologies in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge Physiographic Provinces in the eastern United States vary widely as a result of complex geologic history. Bedrock composition (mineralogy) and geochemical conditions in the aquifer directly affect the occurrence (presence in rock and groundwater) and distribution (concentration and mobility) of potential naturally occurring
Authors
Melinda J. Chapman, Charles A. Cravotta, Zoltan Szabo, Bruce D. Lindsay
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Hydrogeology, groundwater seepage, nitrate distribution, and flux at the Raleigh hydrologic research station, Wake County, North Carolina, 2005-2007

rom 2005 to 2007, the U.S. Geological Survey and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, conducted a study to describe the geologic framework, measure groundwater quality, characterize the groundwater-flow system, and describe the groundwater/surface-water interaction at the 60-acre Raleigh hydrogeologic research station (RHRS) located at the
Authors
Kristen Bukowski McSwain, Richard E. Bolich, Melinda J. Chapman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Geophysical logging and geologic mapping data in the vicinity of the GMH Electronics Superfund site near Roxboro, North Carolina

Geologic mapping, the collection of borehole geophysical logs and images, and passive diffusion bag sampling were conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey North Carolina Water Science Center in the vicinity of the GMH Electronics Superfund site near Roxboro, North Carolina, during March through October 2011. The study purpose was to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the development
Authors
Melinda J. Chapman, Timothy W. Clark, John H. Williams
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Geophysical logging data from the Mills Gap Road area near Asheville, North Carolina

In September 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was requested to assist the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 Superfund Section in the development of a conceptual groundwater flow model in the area of the Mills Gap Road contaminant investigation near Asheville, North Carolina (Site ID A4P5) through an Interagency Grant and work authorization IAD DW number 14946085. The USGS appro
Authors
Melinda J. Chapman, Brad A. Huffman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Fluctuations in groundwater levels related to regional and local withdrawals in the fractured-bedrock groundwater system in northern Wake County, North Carolina, March 2008-February 2009

A study of dewatering of the fractured-bedrock aquifer in a localized area of east-central North Carolina was conducted from March 2008 through February 2009 to gain an understanding of why some privately owned wells and monitoring wells were intermittently dry. Although the study itself was localized in nature, the resulting water-resources data and information produced from the study will help e
Authors
Melinda J. Chapman, Naser Almanaseer, Bryce McClenney, Natalie Hinton
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Characterization of Groundwater Quality Based on Regional Geologic Setting in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge Physiographic Provinces, North Carolina

A compilation of groundwater-quality data collected as part of two U.S. Geological Survey studies provides a basis for understanding the ambient geochemistry related to geologic setting in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge Physiographic Provinces (hereafter referred to as Piedmont and Mountains Provinces) of North Carolina. Although the geology is complex, a grouping of the sampled wells into assemblage
Authors
Stephen L. Harden, Melinda J. Chapman, Douglas A. Harned
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Water-Resources Data and Hydrogeologic Setting at the Raleigh Hydrogeologic Research Station, Wake County, North Carolina, 2005-2007

Water-resources data were collected to describe the hydrologic conditions at the Raleigh hydrogeologic research station, located in the Piedmont Physiographic Province of North Carolina. Data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, from May 2005 through September 2007 are presented in this report. Th
Authors
Kristen Bukowski McSwain, Richard E. Bolich, Melinda J. Chapman, Brad A. Huffman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
link
Photo of the Ben Franklin Bridge spanning the Delaware River

Pennsylvania and the Delaware River Basin

In Pennsylvania, the USGS's water-resources roots date back to the late 1800's, with the initiation of streamflow gaging on the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers and assessments of groundwater resources near Philadelphia. The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center continues to provide scientific information about the water resources of the Delaware River Basin, in cooperation with regional and local...
By
Pennsylvania Water Science Center
link

Pennsylvania and the Delaware River Basin

In Pennsylvania, the USGS's water-resources roots date back to the late 1800's, with the initiation of streamflow gaging on the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers and assessments of groundwater resources near Philadelphia. The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center continues to provide scientific information about the water resources of the Delaware River Basin, in cooperation with regional and local...
Learn More
link
Sanford sub-basin, and other Early Mesozoic (Triassic) Basins in North Carolina

North Carolina Shale Gas Baseline Groundwater Sampling Project

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) South Atlantic Water Science Center is conducted an inventory of well records and baseline groundwater-quality sampling to better delineate areas of groundwater use and groundwater-quality characteristics prior to potential shale gas exploration in the Triassic Basins of Lee and Chatham Counties, North Carolina. The compilation of baseline groundwater-quality data...
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
link

North Carolina Shale Gas Baseline Groundwater Sampling Project

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) South Atlantic Water Science Center is conducted an inventory of well records and baseline groundwater-quality sampling to better delineate areas of groundwater use and groundwater-quality characteristics prior to potential shale gas exploration in the Triassic Basins of Lee and Chatham Counties, North Carolina. The compilation of baseline groundwater-quality data...
Learn More

Geophysical Logging and Thermal Imaging at the Hemphill Road TCE National Priorities List Superfund Site near Gastonia, North Carolina

The collection of borehole geophysical logs and thermal imaging data was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey South Atlantic Water Science Center in the vicinity of the Hemphill Road TCE National Priorities List Superfund site near Gastonia, North Carolina, during August 2014 through February 2015. In an effort to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the development of a conceptua
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Continued Geophysical Logging in the vicinity of the GMH Electronics Superfund Site near Roxboro, North Carolina

The collection of borehole geophysical logs and images and continuous water-level data was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey South Atlantic Water Science Center in the vicinity of the GMH Electronics Superfund site near Roxboro, North Carolina, during December 2012 through July 2015. The study purpose was part of a continued effort to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the de
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
USGS at the Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium

USGS at the Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium

Penn State Extension and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, along with numerous other sponsors, hosted the annual Pennsylvania...

Read Article
Matthew Gyves selected as 2020 USGS Data Person of the Year

Matthew Gyves selected as 2020 USGS Data Person of the Year

Matthew C. Gyves, a Hydrologic Technician in the Pennsylvania Water Science Center's Downingtown Office, received the 2020 "Data Person of the Year"...

Read Article
Director Chapman introduces "Pennsylvania Waters" newsletter

Director Chapman introduces "Pennsylvania Waters" newsletter

Melinda Chapman, recently appointed Director of the Pennsylvania Water Science Center (previously Assistant Chief of the USGS Office of Groundwater)...

Read Article
Borehole Geophysical Logs Now Easily Accessible through new USGS Online Map

Borehole Geophysical Logs Now Easily Accessible through new USGS Online Map

Digital borehole geophysical logs and related data files are now easily accessible through GeoLog Locator a new web-based, map view and retrieval tool...

Read Article
Methane Concentrations Low In Wells Tested In Lee, Chatham Counties, NC

Methane Concentrations Low In Wells Tested In Lee, Chatham Counties, NC

A study designed to provide baseline information on groundwater quality in Lee and Chatham counties prior to oil and gas exploration there found low...

Read Article

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 22

Geophysical logging and thermal imaging near the Hemphill Road TCE National Priorities List Superfund site near Gastonia, North Carolina

Borehole geophysical logs and thermal imaging data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey near the Hemphill Road TCE (trichloroethylene) National Priorities List Superfund site near Gastonia, North Carolina, during August 2014 through February 2015. In an effort to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the development of a conceptual groundwater model for the assessment of curre
Authors
Dominick J. Antolino, Melinda J. Chapman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Continued geophysical logging near the GMH Electronics National Priorities List Superfund site near Roxboro, North Carolina

The U.S. Geological Survey South Atlantic Water Science Center collected borehole geophysical logs and images and continuous water-level data near the GMH Electronics National Priorities List Superfund site near Roxboro, North Carolina, during December 2012 through July 2015. Previous work by the U.S. Geological Survey South Atlantic Water Science Center at the site involved the collection of bore
Authors
Dominick J. Antolino, Melinda J. Chapman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Delineation of areas having elevated electrical conductivity, orientation and characterization of bedrock fractures, and occurrence of groundwater discharge to surface water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Barite Hill/Nevada Goldfields Superfu

During October 2012 through March 2013, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4, Superfund Section, conducted borehole geophysical logging, surface geophysical surveys, and water-quality profiling in selected wells and areas to characterize or delineate the extent of elevated subsurface electrical conductivity at the EPA Barite
Authors
Melinda J. Chapman, Brad A. Huffman, Kristen Bukowski McSwain
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

The quality of our nation's waters: water quality in the Principal Aquifers of the Piedmont, Blue Ridge, and Valley and Ridge regions, eastern United States, 1993-2009

The aquifers of the Piedmont, Blue Ridge, and Valley and Ridge regions underlie an area with a population of more than 40 million people in 10 states. The suburban and rural population is large, growing rapidly, and increasingly dependent on groundwater as a source of supply, with more than 550 million gallons per day withdrawn from domestic wells for household use. Water from some of these aquife
Authors
Bruce D. Lindsey, Tammy M. Zimmerman, Melinda J. Chapman, Charles A. Cravotta, Zoltan Szabo
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Baseline well inventory and groundwater-quality data from a potential shale gas resource area in parts of Lee and Chatham Counties, North Carolina, October 2011-August 2012

Records were obtained for 305 wells and 1 spring in northwestern Lee and southeastern Chatham counties, North Carolina. Well depths ranged from 26 to 720 feet and yields ranged from 0.25 to 100 gallons per minute. A subset of 56 wells and 1 spring were sampled for baseline groundwaterquality constituents including the following: major ions; dissolved metals; nutrients; dissolved gases (including m
Authors
Melinda J. Chapman, Laura N. Gurley, Sharon A. Fitzgerald
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Naturally occurring contaminants in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge crystalline-rock aquifers and Piedmont Early Mesozoic basin siliciclastic-rock aquifers, eastern United States, 1994–2008

Groundwater quality and aquifer lithologies in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge Physiographic Provinces in the eastern United States vary widely as a result of complex geologic history. Bedrock composition (mineralogy) and geochemical conditions in the aquifer directly affect the occurrence (presence in rock and groundwater) and distribution (concentration and mobility) of potential naturally occurring
Authors
Melinda J. Chapman, Charles A. Cravotta, Zoltan Szabo, Bruce D. Lindsay
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pennsylvania Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Hydrogeology, groundwater seepage, nitrate distribution, and flux at the Raleigh hydrologic research station, Wake County, North Carolina, 2005-2007

rom 2005 to 2007, the U.S. Geological Survey and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, conducted a study to describe the geologic framework, measure groundwater quality, characterize the groundwater-flow system, and describe the groundwater/surface-water interaction at the 60-acre Raleigh hydrogeologic research station (RHRS) located at the
Authors
Kristen Bukowski McSwain, Richard E. Bolich, Melinda J. Chapman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Geophysical logging and geologic mapping data in the vicinity of the GMH Electronics Superfund site near Roxboro, North Carolina

Geologic mapping, the collection of borehole geophysical logs and images, and passive diffusion bag sampling were conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey North Carolina Water Science Center in the vicinity of the GMH Electronics Superfund site near Roxboro, North Carolina, during March through October 2011. The study purpose was to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the development
Authors
Melinda J. Chapman, Timothy W. Clark, John H. Williams
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Geophysical logging data from the Mills Gap Road area near Asheville, North Carolina

In September 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was requested to assist the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 Superfund Section in the development of a conceptual groundwater flow model in the area of the Mills Gap Road contaminant investigation near Asheville, North Carolina (Site ID A4P5) through an Interagency Grant and work authorization IAD DW number 14946085. The USGS appro
Authors
Melinda J. Chapman, Brad A. Huffman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Fluctuations in groundwater levels related to regional and local withdrawals in the fractured-bedrock groundwater system in northern Wake County, North Carolina, March 2008-February 2009

A study of dewatering of the fractured-bedrock aquifer in a localized area of east-central North Carolina was conducted from March 2008 through February 2009 to gain an understanding of why some privately owned wells and monitoring wells were intermittently dry. Although the study itself was localized in nature, the resulting water-resources data and information produced from the study will help e
Authors
Melinda J. Chapman, Naser Almanaseer, Bryce McClenney, Natalie Hinton
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Characterization of Groundwater Quality Based on Regional Geologic Setting in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge Physiographic Provinces, North Carolina

A compilation of groundwater-quality data collected as part of two U.S. Geological Survey studies provides a basis for understanding the ambient geochemistry related to geologic setting in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge Physiographic Provinces (hereafter referred to as Piedmont and Mountains Provinces) of North Carolina. Although the geology is complex, a grouping of the sampled wells into assemblage
Authors
Stephen L. Harden, Melinda J. Chapman, Douglas A. Harned
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Water-Resources Data and Hydrogeologic Setting at the Raleigh Hydrogeologic Research Station, Wake County, North Carolina, 2005-2007

Water-resources data were collected to describe the hydrologic conditions at the Raleigh hydrogeologic research station, located in the Piedmont Physiographic Province of North Carolina. Data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Water Quality, from May 2005 through September 2007 are presented in this report. Th
Authors
Kristen Bukowski McSwain, Richard E. Bolich, Melinda J. Chapman, Brad A. Huffman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
link
Photo of the Ben Franklin Bridge spanning the Delaware River

Pennsylvania and the Delaware River Basin

In Pennsylvania, the USGS's water-resources roots date back to the late 1800's, with the initiation of streamflow gaging on the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers and assessments of groundwater resources near Philadelphia. The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center continues to provide scientific information about the water resources of the Delaware River Basin, in cooperation with regional and local...
By
Pennsylvania Water Science Center
link

Pennsylvania and the Delaware River Basin

In Pennsylvania, the USGS's water-resources roots date back to the late 1800's, with the initiation of streamflow gaging on the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers and assessments of groundwater resources near Philadelphia. The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center continues to provide scientific information about the water resources of the Delaware River Basin, in cooperation with regional and local...
Learn More
link
Sanford sub-basin, and other Early Mesozoic (Triassic) Basins in North Carolina

North Carolina Shale Gas Baseline Groundwater Sampling Project

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) South Atlantic Water Science Center is conducted an inventory of well records and baseline groundwater-quality sampling to better delineate areas of groundwater use and groundwater-quality characteristics prior to potential shale gas exploration in the Triassic Basins of Lee and Chatham Counties, North Carolina. The compilation of baseline groundwater-quality data...
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
link

North Carolina Shale Gas Baseline Groundwater Sampling Project

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) South Atlantic Water Science Center is conducted an inventory of well records and baseline groundwater-quality sampling to better delineate areas of groundwater use and groundwater-quality characteristics prior to potential shale gas exploration in the Triassic Basins of Lee and Chatham Counties, North Carolina. The compilation of baseline groundwater-quality data...
Learn More

Geophysical Logging and Thermal Imaging at the Hemphill Road TCE National Priorities List Superfund Site near Gastonia, North Carolina

The collection of borehole geophysical logs and thermal imaging data was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey South Atlantic Water Science Center in the vicinity of the Hemphill Road TCE National Priorities List Superfund site near Gastonia, North Carolina, during August 2014 through February 2015. In an effort to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the development of a conceptua
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

Continued Geophysical Logging in the vicinity of the GMH Electronics Superfund Site near Roxboro, North Carolina

The collection of borehole geophysical logs and images and continuous water-level data was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey South Atlantic Water Science Center in the vicinity of the GMH Electronics Superfund site near Roxboro, North Carolina, during December 2012 through July 2015. The study purpose was part of a continued effort to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the de
By
South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)
USGS at the Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium

USGS at the Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium

Penn State Extension and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, along with numerous other sponsors, hosted the annual Pennsylvania...

Read Article
Matthew Gyves selected as 2020 USGS Data Person of the Year

Matthew Gyves selected as 2020 USGS Data Person of the Year

Matthew C. Gyves, a Hydrologic Technician in the Pennsylvania Water Science Center's Downingtown Office, received the 2020 "Data Person of the Year"...

Read Article
Director Chapman introduces "Pennsylvania Waters" newsletter

Director Chapman introduces "Pennsylvania Waters" newsletter

Melinda Chapman, recently appointed Director of the Pennsylvania Water Science Center (previously Assistant Chief of the USGS Office of Groundwater)...

Read Article
Borehole Geophysical Logs Now Easily Accessible through new USGS Online Map

Borehole Geophysical Logs Now Easily Accessible through new USGS Online Map

Digital borehole geophysical logs and related data files are now easily accessible through GeoLog Locator a new web-based, map view and retrieval tool...

Read Article
Methane Concentrations Low In Wells Tested In Lee, Chatham Counties, NC

Methane Concentrations Low In Wells Tested In Lee, Chatham Counties, NC

A study designed to provide baseline information on groundwater quality in Lee and Chatham counties prior to oil and gas exploration there found low...

Read Article
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