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Adam Benthem

Adam works for the USGS National Geospatial Program as the National Map Liaison to the New England States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

National Map Liaisons build connections, provide outreach and education, and foster collaborations and partnerships for key initiatives of the National Geospatial Program. 

Connect with National Map Liaisons

National Map Liaisons support users and stakeholders across all 50 states and U.S. territories.

Engage with Us

User Engagement Activities

Learn about activities of Adam and other National Map Liaisons.

Liaison Activities

As the National Map Liaison to New England States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut for the USGS National Geospatial Program User Engagement Office, Adam uses his expertise on National Map products and services to engage with users and stakeholders. 

With 15 years of experience as a research scientist, Adam specializes in river geomorphology, integrating field-based site measurements with regional-scale geospatial datasets. His work has addressed environmental challenges across the country such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, long-term sedimentation trends in the Chesapeake Bay, and dam operations along the Missouri River. As the Liaison for New England, Adam is dedicated to helping state, local, tribal, and federal partners identify, develop and fully utilize The National Map’s foundational datasets to meet their specific needs.

Professional Experience

  • 2024 - Present: USGS National Map Liaison

  • 2012 - 2024: USGS Hydrologist 

  • 2010 - 2011: Deepwater Horizon Commission 

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. Environmental Science, University of Virginia 

  • B.S. Geology, Calvin College 

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 17

Sediment and nutrient trapping as a result of a temporary Mississippi River floodplain restoration: The Morganza Spillway during the 2011 Mississippi River Flood Sediment and nutrient trapping as a result of a temporary Mississippi River floodplain restoration: The Morganza Spillway during the 2011 Mississippi River Flood

The 2011 Mississippi River Flood resulted in the opening of the Morganza Spillway for the second time since its construction in 1954 releasing 7.6 km3 of water through agricultural and forested lands in the Morganza Floodway and into the Atchafalaya River Basin. This volume, released over 54 days, represented 5.5% of the Mississippi River (M.R.) discharge and 14% of the total discharge...
Authors
Daniel Kroes, Edward R. Schenk, Gregory E. Noe, Adam J. Benthem
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

Geomorphic change on the Missouri River during the flood of 2011 Geomorphic change on the Missouri River during the flood of 2011

The 2011 flood on the Missouri River was one of the largest floods since the river became regulated by a series of high dams in the mid-20th century (greater than 150,000 cubic feet per second during the peak). The flood persisted through most of the summer, eroding river banks, adding sand to sandbars, and moving the thalweg of the channel in many places. The U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Edward R. Schenk, Katherine J. Skalak, Adam J. Benthem, Benjamin J. Dietsch, Brenda K. Woodward, Gregg J. Wiche, Joel M. Galloway, Rochelle A. Nustad, Cliff R. Hupp
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Surface disposal of produced waters in western and southwestern Pennsylvania: potential for accumulation of alkali-earth elements in sediments Surface disposal of produced waters in western and southwestern Pennsylvania: potential for accumulation of alkali-earth elements in sediments

Waters co-produced with hydrocarbons in the Appalachian Basin are of notably poor quality (concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) and total radium up to and exceeding 300,000 mg/L and 10,000 pCi/L, respectively). Since 2008, a rapid increase in Marcellus Shale gas production has led to a commensurate rise in associated wastewater while generation of produced water from...
Authors
Katherine J. Skalak, Mark A. Engle, Elisabeth L. Rowan, Glenn D. Jolly, Kathryn M. Conko, Adam J. Benthem, Thomas F. Kraemer
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program

Large dams and alluvial rivers in the Anthropocene: The impacts of the Garrison and Oahe Dams on the Upper Missouri River Large dams and alluvial rivers in the Anthropocene: The impacts of the Garrison and Oahe Dams on the Upper Missouri River

The Missouri River has had a long history of anthropogenic modification with considerable impacts on river and riparian ecology, form, and function. During the 20th century, several large dam-building efforts in the basin served the needs for irrigation, flood control, navigation, and the generation of hydroelectric power. The managed flow provided a range of uses, including recreation...
Authors
Katherine Skalak, Adam J. Benthem, Edward R. Schenk, Cliff R. Hupp, Joel M. Galloway, Rochelle A. Nustad, Gregg J. Wiche
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Recent and historic sediment dynamics along Difficult Run, a suburban Virginia Piedmont stream Recent and historic sediment dynamics along Difficult Run, a suburban Virginia Piedmont stream

Suspended sediment is one of the major concerns regarding the quality of water entering the Chesapeake Bay. Some of the highest suspended-sediment concentrations occur on Piedmont streams, including Difficult Run, a tributary of the Potomac River draining urban and suburban parts of northern Virginia. Accurate information on catchment level sediment budgets is rare and difficult to...
Authors
Cliff R. Hupp, Gregory B. Noe, Edward R. Schenk, Adam J. Benthem
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities

Non-USGS Publications**

**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.

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Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 17

Sediment and nutrient trapping as a result of a temporary Mississippi River floodplain restoration: The Morganza Spillway during the 2011 Mississippi River Flood Sediment and nutrient trapping as a result of a temporary Mississippi River floodplain restoration: The Morganza Spillway during the 2011 Mississippi River Flood

The 2011 Mississippi River Flood resulted in the opening of the Morganza Spillway for the second time since its construction in 1954 releasing 7.6 km3 of water through agricultural and forested lands in the Morganza Floodway and into the Atchafalaya River Basin. This volume, released over 54 days, represented 5.5% of the Mississippi River (M.R.) discharge and 14% of the total discharge...
Authors
Daniel Kroes, Edward R. Schenk, Gregory E. Noe, Adam J. Benthem
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

Geomorphic change on the Missouri River during the flood of 2011 Geomorphic change on the Missouri River during the flood of 2011

The 2011 flood on the Missouri River was one of the largest floods since the river became regulated by a series of high dams in the mid-20th century (greater than 150,000 cubic feet per second during the peak). The flood persisted through most of the summer, eroding river banks, adding sand to sandbars, and moving the thalweg of the channel in many places. The U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Edward R. Schenk, Katherine J. Skalak, Adam J. Benthem, Benjamin J. Dietsch, Brenda K. Woodward, Gregg J. Wiche, Joel M. Galloway, Rochelle A. Nustad, Cliff R. Hupp
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Surface disposal of produced waters in western and southwestern Pennsylvania: potential for accumulation of alkali-earth elements in sediments Surface disposal of produced waters in western and southwestern Pennsylvania: potential for accumulation of alkali-earth elements in sediments

Waters co-produced with hydrocarbons in the Appalachian Basin are of notably poor quality (concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) and total radium up to and exceeding 300,000 mg/L and 10,000 pCi/L, respectively). Since 2008, a rapid increase in Marcellus Shale gas production has led to a commensurate rise in associated wastewater while generation of produced water from...
Authors
Katherine J. Skalak, Mark A. Engle, Elisabeth L. Rowan, Glenn D. Jolly, Kathryn M. Conko, Adam J. Benthem, Thomas F. Kraemer
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Environmental Health Program

Large dams and alluvial rivers in the Anthropocene: The impacts of the Garrison and Oahe Dams on the Upper Missouri River Large dams and alluvial rivers in the Anthropocene: The impacts of the Garrison and Oahe Dams on the Upper Missouri River

The Missouri River has had a long history of anthropogenic modification with considerable impacts on river and riparian ecology, form, and function. During the 20th century, several large dam-building efforts in the basin served the needs for irrigation, flood control, navigation, and the generation of hydroelectric power. The managed flow provided a range of uses, including recreation...
Authors
Katherine Skalak, Adam J. Benthem, Edward R. Schenk, Cliff R. Hupp, Joel M. Galloway, Rochelle A. Nustad, Gregg J. Wiche
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Recent and historic sediment dynamics along Difficult Run, a suburban Virginia Piedmont stream Recent and historic sediment dynamics along Difficult Run, a suburban Virginia Piedmont stream

Suspended sediment is one of the major concerns regarding the quality of water entering the Chesapeake Bay. Some of the highest suspended-sediment concentrations occur on Piedmont streams, including Difficult Run, a tributary of the Potomac River draining urban and suburban parts of northern Virginia. Accurate information on catchment level sediment budgets is rare and difficult to...
Authors
Cliff R. Hupp, Gregory B. Noe, Edward R. Schenk, Adam J. Benthem
By
Chesapeake Bay Activities

Non-USGS Publications**

**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.

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