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Mikaela L. Cherry, PhD

Mikaela Cherry is a Physical Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey Central Plains Water Science Center, based in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

Mikaela Cherry has worked for the USGS Water Science Center since 2021.  She has an undergraduate degree in Watershed Science from Colorado State University and a PhD in Natural Resources from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Since starting with the USGS Mikaela worked on a wide range of projects focused water quality trends both in Nebraska and nationwide. She also leads the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Groundwater Quality Monitoring project. Her subspeciality is the use of groundwater age dating to better understand groundwater contamination. 

Education and Certifications

  • 2013, B.S. Watershed Science, Colorado State University

  • 2015, M.S. Geography, University of Victoria 

  • 2021, PhD Natural Resources with a Hydrologic Science Concentration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Science and Products

Development of a hydrogeologic visualization model for western Sarpy County, Nebraska Development of a hydrogeologic visualization model for western Sarpy County, Nebraska

Population in western Sarpy County, Nebraska, has steadily increased over the last several decades and has led to increased groundwater use for domestic purposes. To meet the increase in demand, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District is seeking to use all available sources of groundwater in western Sarpy County. Additionally, elevated groundwater nitrate plus nitrite as...
Authors
Nathaniel J. Schaepe, Mikaela L. Cherry, Amanda T. Flynn, Christopher M. Hobza
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Plains Water Science Center

Selected anthropogenic contaminants in groundwater, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, 1992–2020 Selected anthropogenic contaminants in groundwater, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, 1992–2020

A study in cooperation with the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District was completed in 2019 to determine the concentration of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in groundwater in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska. Each well was sampled twice (in June and October or November) in 2019, totaling 34 samples. Samples were analyzed for 132 CECs...
Authors
Brent M. Hall, Cory L. Kavan, Amanda T. Flynn, Mikaela L. Cherry
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Plains Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

A Pivotal New Approach to Groundwater Quality Assessment
Mikaela L. Cherry; Troy E. Gilmore; Tiffany Messer; Yusong Li; Jeffrey Westrop
ACS ES&T Water
2022-10-12 | Journal article
DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00121
The 3H/3He Groundwater Age-Dating Method And Applications
Troy Gilmore, Mikaela Cherry, Didier Gastmans, Eric Humphrey, Douglas Kip Solomon
Derbyana
2021-10-14 | Journal article
DOI: 10.14295/derb.v42.740
Hydrogeochemistry Studies in the Oil Sands Region to Investigate the Role of Terrain Connectivity in Nitrogen Critical Loads
John J. Gibson, Sandra Jean Birks, Michael C. Moncur, Amy Vallarino, Caren Kusel, Mikaela Cherry
Water
2021-08-13 | Journal article
DOI: 10.3390/w13162204
How Do We Define Climate Change? Considering the Temporal Resolution of Niveo-Meteorological Data
Steven R. Fassnacht, Glenn G. Patterson, Niah B.H. Venable, Mikaela L. Cherry, Anna K.D. Pfohl, Jessica E. Sanow, Molly E. Tedesche
Hydrology
2020-07-12 | Journal article
DOI: 10.3390/hydrology7030038
Recharge seasonality based on stable isotopes: Nongrowing season bias altered by irrigation in Nebraska
Mikaela Cherry; Troy Gilmore; Aaron Mittelstet; Didier Gastmans; Vinicius Santos; John B. Gates
Hydrological Processes
2020-03-30 | Journal article
DOI: 10.1002/hyp.13683
Snow and albedo climate change impacts across the United States Northern Great Plains
S. R. Fassnacht, M. L. Cherry, N. B. H. Venable, F. Saavedra
The Cryosphere
2016-02-10 | Journal article
DOI: 10.5194/tc-10-329-2016

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Sampling a well in the Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District

Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Groundwater Quality Monitoring

The USGS Nebraska Water Science Center has been collecting groundwater quality samples in cooperation with the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (NRD) since 1992 in support of the NRD's groundwater management plan. The basic geochemistry and age of the groundwater was established. Well waters are sampled yearly throughout the NRD to monitor the resource and assess concentrations of...
By
Central Plains Water Science Center
Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Groundwater Quality Monitoring

Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Groundwater Quality Monitoring

The USGS Nebraska Water Science Center has been collecting groundwater quality samples in cooperation with the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (NRD) since 1992 in support of the NRD's groundwater management plan. The basic geochemistry and age of the groundwater was established. Well waters are sampled yearly throughout the NRD to monitor the resource and assess concentrations of...
Learn More

Long-term monotonic trends in aquifer and regional groundwater metrics in the United States through 2020 Long-term monotonic trends in aquifer and regional groundwater metrics in the United States through 2020

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Resources Mission Area (WMA) is working to address a need to understand where the Nation is experiencing water shortages or surpluses relative to the demand by delivering routine assessments of water supply and demand. A key part of these national assessments is identifying long-term trends in water availability, including groundwater and surface...
By
Central Plains Water Science Center

Long-term monotonic trends in annual groundwater metrics in the United States through 2020 (ver. 3.0, September 2025) Long-term monotonic trends in annual groundwater metrics in the United States through 2020 (ver. 3.0, September 2025)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Resources Mission Area (WMA) is working to address a need to understand where the Nation is experiencing water shortages or surpluses relative to the demand by delivering routine assessments of water supply and demand. A key part of these national assessments is identifying long-term trends in water availability, including groundwater and surface...
By
Central Plains Water Science Center

Long-term water-quality trends for rivers and streams within the contiguous United States using Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS) (ver. 1.1, March 2025) Long-term water-quality trends for rivers and streams within the contiguous United States using Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS) (ver. 1.1, March 2025)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Mission Area (WMA) is working to address a need to understand where the Nation is experiencing water shortages or surpluses relative to the demand for water need by delivering routine assessments of water supply and demand. It is also improving understanding of the natural and human factors affecting the balance between supply and demand. A key...
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Datasets of altitude of the top of the Dakota Sandstone, top of the Pennsylvanian-age units, and water-level in western Sarpy County, Nebraska Datasets of altitude of the top of the Dakota Sandstone, top of the Pennsylvanian-age units, and water-level in western Sarpy County, Nebraska

This Data Release is comprised of datasets used for the development of a hydrogeologic visualization model for western Sarpy County. Additional documentation on model development can be found in the associated Scientific Investigations Report. In 2016, the Papillion-Missouri River Natural Resources District (PMRNRD) contracted airborne electromagnetic surveys (AEM) of the area to be...
By
Central Plains Water Science Center

Science and Products

Development of a hydrogeologic visualization model for western Sarpy County, Nebraska Development of a hydrogeologic visualization model for western Sarpy County, Nebraska

Population in western Sarpy County, Nebraska, has steadily increased over the last several decades and has led to increased groundwater use for domestic purposes. To meet the increase in demand, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District is seeking to use all available sources of groundwater in western Sarpy County. Additionally, elevated groundwater nitrate plus nitrite as...
Authors
Nathaniel J. Schaepe, Mikaela L. Cherry, Amanda T. Flynn, Christopher M. Hobza
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Plains Water Science Center

Selected anthropogenic contaminants in groundwater, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, 1992–2020 Selected anthropogenic contaminants in groundwater, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska, 1992–2020

A study in cooperation with the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District was completed in 2019 to determine the concentration of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in groundwater in the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, eastern Nebraska. Each well was sampled twice (in June and October or November) in 2019, totaling 34 samples. Samples were analyzed for 132 CECs...
Authors
Brent M. Hall, Cory L. Kavan, Amanda T. Flynn, Mikaela L. Cherry
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Plains Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

A Pivotal New Approach to Groundwater Quality Assessment
Mikaela L. Cherry; Troy E. Gilmore; Tiffany Messer; Yusong Li; Jeffrey Westrop
ACS ES&T Water
2022-10-12 | Journal article
DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00121
The 3H/3He Groundwater Age-Dating Method And Applications
Troy Gilmore, Mikaela Cherry, Didier Gastmans, Eric Humphrey, Douglas Kip Solomon
Derbyana
2021-10-14 | Journal article
DOI: 10.14295/derb.v42.740
Hydrogeochemistry Studies in the Oil Sands Region to Investigate the Role of Terrain Connectivity in Nitrogen Critical Loads
John J. Gibson, Sandra Jean Birks, Michael C. Moncur, Amy Vallarino, Caren Kusel, Mikaela Cherry
Water
2021-08-13 | Journal article
DOI: 10.3390/w13162204
How Do We Define Climate Change? Considering the Temporal Resolution of Niveo-Meteorological Data
Steven R. Fassnacht, Glenn G. Patterson, Niah B.H. Venable, Mikaela L. Cherry, Anna K.D. Pfohl, Jessica E. Sanow, Molly E. Tedesche
Hydrology
2020-07-12 | Journal article
DOI: 10.3390/hydrology7030038
Recharge seasonality based on stable isotopes: Nongrowing season bias altered by irrigation in Nebraska
Mikaela Cherry; Troy Gilmore; Aaron Mittelstet; Didier Gastmans; Vinicius Santos; John B. Gates
Hydrological Processes
2020-03-30 | Journal article
DOI: 10.1002/hyp.13683
Snow and albedo climate change impacts across the United States Northern Great Plains
S. R. Fassnacht, M. L. Cherry, N. B. H. Venable, F. Saavedra
The Cryosphere
2016-02-10 | Journal article
DOI: 10.5194/tc-10-329-2016

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Sampling a well in the Papio-Missouri Natural Resources District

Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Groundwater Quality Monitoring

The USGS Nebraska Water Science Center has been collecting groundwater quality samples in cooperation with the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (NRD) since 1992 in support of the NRD's groundwater management plan. The basic geochemistry and age of the groundwater was established. Well waters are sampled yearly throughout the NRD to monitor the resource and assess concentrations of...
By
Central Plains Water Science Center
Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Groundwater Quality Monitoring

Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District Groundwater Quality Monitoring

The USGS Nebraska Water Science Center has been collecting groundwater quality samples in cooperation with the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (NRD) since 1992 in support of the NRD's groundwater management plan. The basic geochemistry and age of the groundwater was established. Well waters are sampled yearly throughout the NRD to monitor the resource and assess concentrations of...
Learn More

Long-term monotonic trends in aquifer and regional groundwater metrics in the United States through 2020 Long-term monotonic trends in aquifer and regional groundwater metrics in the United States through 2020

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Resources Mission Area (WMA) is working to address a need to understand where the Nation is experiencing water shortages or surpluses relative to the demand by delivering routine assessments of water supply and demand. A key part of these national assessments is identifying long-term trends in water availability, including groundwater and surface...
By
Central Plains Water Science Center

Long-term monotonic trends in annual groundwater metrics in the United States through 2020 (ver. 3.0, September 2025) Long-term monotonic trends in annual groundwater metrics in the United States through 2020 (ver. 3.0, September 2025)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Resources Mission Area (WMA) is working to address a need to understand where the Nation is experiencing water shortages or surpluses relative to the demand by delivering routine assessments of water supply and demand. A key part of these national assessments is identifying long-term trends in water availability, including groundwater and surface...
By
Central Plains Water Science Center

Long-term water-quality trends for rivers and streams within the contiguous United States using Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS) (ver. 1.1, March 2025) Long-term water-quality trends for rivers and streams within the contiguous United States using Weighted Regressions on Time, Discharge, and Season (WRTDS) (ver. 1.1, March 2025)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Mission Area (WMA) is working to address a need to understand where the Nation is experiencing water shortages or surpluses relative to the demand for water need by delivering routine assessments of water supply and demand. It is also improving understanding of the natural and human factors affecting the balance between supply and demand. A key...
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Datasets of altitude of the top of the Dakota Sandstone, top of the Pennsylvanian-age units, and water-level in western Sarpy County, Nebraska Datasets of altitude of the top of the Dakota Sandstone, top of the Pennsylvanian-age units, and water-level in western Sarpy County, Nebraska

This Data Release is comprised of datasets used for the development of a hydrogeologic visualization model for western Sarpy County. Additional documentation on model development can be found in the associated Scientific Investigations Report. In 2016, the Papillion-Missouri River Natural Resources District (PMRNRD) contracted airborne electromagnetic surveys (AEM) of the area to be...
By
Central Plains Water Science Center
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