Adel has been with the U.S. Geological Survey since 2011
Adel specializes in Hydrogeology, Geoarchaeology, and Invertebrate Paleontology; specializing in alluvial geomorphology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, isotope geochemistry, and climate change records. Adel has also completed a Post-Doctoral position with the Kansas Geological Survey and The University of Kansas where he gained additional skills using stable isotopes and geophysical methods to discern stratigraphic units in aquifers and surficial sediments. Prior to joining the USGS, Adel taught classes in Glacial and Quaternary Geology, Geomorphology, Engineering Geology, Hydrogeology at the University of Central Missouri. Adel started his USGS career in Rapid City, SD, where he completed projects in surface water modeling, sediment studies, and Tribal Consultation related to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Since his move to Iowa City in 2014, Adel has transitioned to groundwater modeling, aquifer characterization studies related to the Glacial Aquifer Study (NAWQA), and airborne electromagnetic survey applications to aquifer characterization and groundwater modeling, but still maintains his roots in surface water modeling.
Education and Certifications
B.A in Geology from Cleveland State University
B.A in Anthropology from Cleveland State University
M.S. in Geology from Kent State University.
Ph.D. in Geosciences from the University of Iowa
Science and Products
Estimating Groundwater Budgets for Oregon
Scientists Stephen Gingerich and Adel Haj, Jr. are leading efforts to estimate groundwater budgets across the state. Water hidden beneath the earth’s surface is a vital resource and quantifying its availability is crucial for long-term management. USGS scientists are collaborating with scientists at the Oregon Water Resources Department to gain a better understanding of this valuable resource.
Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data and inverted resistivity models, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, May 2017
Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected in collaboration with the Iowa Water Science Center for the City of Cedar Rapids to the west of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The survey was flown between May 4 and May 5, 2017 along 347 line kilometers. Electromagnetic data were acquired using RESOLVE frequency-domain helicopter-borne electromagnetic system. Magnetic data were collected
MODFLOW-NWT model used to simulate groundwater levels in the Cedar River alluvial aquifer near Cedar Rapids, Iowa
A three-dimensional MODFLOW-NWT model was constructed to better understand the effects of drought stress on the Cedar River alluvial aquifer, the principal source of municipal water for the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Historically, the aquifer supported the production needs of the City of Cedar Rapids and surrounding area but between July 2011 and February 2013, Iowa experienced severe drought con
Digital products from a hydrogeologic framework for Quaternary sediments within the glaciated conterminous United States
This data release is a compilation of the digital products from a hydrogeologic framework of the glaciated conterminous United States that were constructed to portray sediment and aquifer characteristics within this area. These digital products are described in Yager, R.M., Kauffman, L.J., Soller, D.R., Haj, A.E., Heisig, P.M., Buchwald, C.A., Westenbroek, S.M., and Reddy, J.E., 2018, Characteriza
Databases used to develop a hydrogeologic framework for Quaternary sediments in the glaciated conterminous United States
This dataset is a compilation of six databases described in Haj, A.E., Soller, D.R., Reddy, J.E., Kauffman, L.J., Yager, R.M., and Buchwald, C.A., 2018, Hydrogeologic framework for characterization and occurrence of confined and unconfined aquifers in quaternary sediments in the glaciated conterminous United States - A digital map compilation and database: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 1090,
Delineation of selected lithologic units using airborne electromagnetic data near Cedar Rapids, Iowa
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Cedar Rapids, began a study in 2013 to better understand the effects of drought stress on the Cedar River alluvial aquifer. After an evaluation of the existing groundwater-flow models for the alluvial aquifer, a plan was begun to construct an updated groundwater-flow model capable of evaluating the effect of prolonged drought and increase
One Ranney well can make a difference: The impacts of a radial collector well on groundwater level and quality in the Cedar River alluvial aquifer
The City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, depends on groundwater from the Cedar River alluvial aquifer for residential and industrial use. In 2020, the city completed an additional radial collector well, or Ranney well, and was concerned that pumping from the well at high rates may lower water level elevations in the aquifer, reduce yields from nearby production wells, and change the quality of produced wat
Authors
Adel E. Haj, Lance R. Gruhn, Stephen J. Kalkhoff
A steady-state groundwater flow model for the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer near Prospect Park, Des Moines, Iowa
The Des Moines River alluvial aquifer is an important source of water for Des Moines Water Works, the municipal water utility that provides residential and commercial water resources to the residents of Des Moines, Iowa, and surrounding municipalities. As an initial step in developing a better understanding of the groundwater resources of the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, the U.S. Geological
Authors
Kendall M. FitzGerald, Wonsook S. Ha, Adel E. Haj, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow, Jared R. Weber
Conceptual and numerical groundwater flow model of the Cedar River alluvial aquifer system with simulation of drought stress on groundwater availability near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 2011 through 2013
Between July 2011 and February 2013, the City of Cedar Rapids observed water level declines in their horizontal collector wells approaching 11 meters. As a result, pumping from these production wells had to be halted, and questions were raised about the reliability of the alluvial aquifer under future drought conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Cedar Rapids, com
Authors
Adel E. Haj, Wonsook S. Ha, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow, Amy M. Gahala, Joshua F. Valder, Carole D. Johnson, Eric A. White, Shelby P. Sterner
Effect of groundwater withdrawals, river stage, and precipitation on water-table elevations in the Iowa River alluvial aquifer near Tama, Iowa, 2017–20
The Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa is the only federally recognized Tribe in the State of Iowa and is commonly known as the Meskwaki Nation. The Tribe owns more than 8,100 acres, referred to as the “Meskwaki Settlement.” The Meskwaki Settlement uses a well field that withdraws water from the Iowa River alluvial aquifer (IRAA) to supply drinking water to members of the Tribe. Increase
Authors
Lance R. Gruhn, Adel E. Haj
Hydrogeologic framework for characterization and occurrence of confined and unconfined aquifers in quaternary sediments in the glaciated conterminous United States—A digital map compilation and database
The U.S. Geological Survey has created a hydrogeologic framework for Quaternary sediments in glaciated areas of the conterminous United States that categorizes, maps, and characterizes the glacial sediments at and beneath the land surface. The hydrogeologic framework divides the glaciated United States into 17 distinct hydrogeologic terranes using a geologic approach based on previous mapping, and
Authors
Adel E. Haj, David R. Soller, James E. Reddy, Leon J. Kauffman, Richard M. Yager, Cheryl A. Buchwald
Characterization and occurrence of confined and unconfined aquifers in Quaternary sediments in the glaciated conterminous United States
The glacial aquifer system, which is a collection of aquifers within Quaternary sediments in the glaciated conterminous United States, is a principal aquifer that supplies groundwater that serves about 42 million people and accounts for about 5 percent of the Nation’s drinking water. This aquifer system (the area of maximum glacial advance) underlies parts of 25 States and covers 1.87×106 square k
Authors
Richard M. Yager, Leon J. Kauffman, David R. Soller, Adel E. Haj, Paul M. Heisig, Cheryl A. Buchwald, Stephen, M. Westenbroek, James E. Reddy
Comparison of HSPF and PRMS model simulated flows using different temporal and spatial scales in the Black Hills, South Dakota
The hydrological simulation program Fortran (HSPF) [Hydrological Simulation Program Fortran version 12.2 (Computer software). USEPA, Washington, DC] and the precipitation runoff modeling system (PRMS) [Precipitation Runoff Modeling System version 4.0 (Computer software). USGS, Reston, VA] models are semidistributed, deterministic hydrological tools for simulating the impacts of precipitation, land
Authors
D. R. Chalise, Adel E. Haj, T.A. Fontaine
Simulation of daily streamflow for 12 river basins in western Iowa using the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, constructed Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System models to estimate daily streamflow for 12 river basins in western Iowa that drain into the Missouri River. The Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System is a deterministic, distributed-parameter, physical-process-based modeling system developed to evaluate the resp
Authors
Daniel E. Christiansen, Adel E. Haj, John C. Risley
Potential effects of climate change on streamflow for seven watersheds in eastern and central Montana
Study regionEastern and central Montana.Study focusFish in Northern Great Plains streams tolerate extreme conditions including heat, cold, floods, and drought; however changes in streamflow associated with long-term climate change may render some prairie streams uninhabitable for current fish species. To better understand future hydrology of these prairie streams, the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling
Authors
Katherine J. Chase, Adel E. Haj, R. Steven Regan, Roland J. Viger
Simulation of daily streamflow for nine river basins in eastern Iowa using the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, constructed Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System models to estimate daily streamflow for nine river basins in eastern Iowa that drain into the Mississippi River. The models are part of a suite of methods for estimating daily streamflow at ungaged sites. The Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System is a determinis
Authors
Adel E. Haj, Daniel E. Christiansen, Kasey J. Hutchinson
Fluvial sediment fingerprinting: literature review and annotated bibliography
The U.S. Geological Survey has evaluated and adopted various field methods for collecting real-time sediment and nutrient data. These methods have proven to be valuable representations of sediment and nutrient concentrations and loads but are not able to accurately identify specific source areas. Recently, more advanced data collection and analysis techniques have been evaluated that show promise
Authors
Joyce E. Williamson, Adel E. Haj, John F. Stamm, Joshua F. Valder, Vicki L. Prautzch
The effects of Missouri River mainstem reservoir system operations on 2011 flooding using a Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System model
In 2011 the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System (Reservoir System) experienced the largest volume of flood waters since the initiation of record-keeping in the nineteenth century. The high levels of runoff from both snowpack and rainfall stressed the Reservoir System’s capacity to control flood waters and caused massive damage and disruption along the river. The flooding and resulting damage
Authors
Adel E. Haj, Daniel E. Christiansen, Roland J. Viger
Science and Products
- Science
Estimating Groundwater Budgets for Oregon
Scientists Stephen Gingerich and Adel Haj, Jr. are leading efforts to estimate groundwater budgets across the state. Water hidden beneath the earth’s surface is a vital resource and quantifying its availability is crucial for long-term management. USGS scientists are collaborating with scientists at the Oregon Water Resources Department to gain a better understanding of this valuable resource. - Data
Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data and inverted resistivity models, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, May 2017
Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected in collaboration with the Iowa Water Science Center for the City of Cedar Rapids to the west of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The survey was flown between May 4 and May 5, 2017 along 347 line kilometers. Electromagnetic data were acquired using RESOLVE frequency-domain helicopter-borne electromagnetic system. Magnetic data were collectedMODFLOW-NWT model used to simulate groundwater levels in the Cedar River alluvial aquifer near Cedar Rapids, Iowa
A three-dimensional MODFLOW-NWT model was constructed to better understand the effects of drought stress on the Cedar River alluvial aquifer, the principal source of municipal water for the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Historically, the aquifer supported the production needs of the City of Cedar Rapids and surrounding area but between July 2011 and February 2013, Iowa experienced severe drought conDigital products from a hydrogeologic framework for Quaternary sediments within the glaciated conterminous United States
This data release is a compilation of the digital products from a hydrogeologic framework of the glaciated conterminous United States that were constructed to portray sediment and aquifer characteristics within this area. These digital products are described in Yager, R.M., Kauffman, L.J., Soller, D.R., Haj, A.E., Heisig, P.M., Buchwald, C.A., Westenbroek, S.M., and Reddy, J.E., 2018, CharacterizaDatabases used to develop a hydrogeologic framework for Quaternary sediments in the glaciated conterminous United States
This dataset is a compilation of six databases described in Haj, A.E., Soller, D.R., Reddy, J.E., Kauffman, L.J., Yager, R.M., and Buchwald, C.A., 2018, Hydrogeologic framework for characterization and occurrence of confined and unconfined aquifers in quaternary sediments in the glaciated conterminous United States - A digital map compilation and database: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 1090, - Maps
Delineation of selected lithologic units using airborne electromagnetic data near Cedar Rapids, Iowa
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Cedar Rapids, began a study in 2013 to better understand the effects of drought stress on the Cedar River alluvial aquifer. After an evaluation of the existing groundwater-flow models for the alluvial aquifer, a plan was begun to construct an updated groundwater-flow model capable of evaluating the effect of prolonged drought and increase - Publications
One Ranney well can make a difference: The impacts of a radial collector well on groundwater level and quality in the Cedar River alluvial aquifer
The City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, depends on groundwater from the Cedar River alluvial aquifer for residential and industrial use. In 2020, the city completed an additional radial collector well, or Ranney well, and was concerned that pumping from the well at high rates may lower water level elevations in the aquifer, reduce yields from nearby production wells, and change the quality of produced watAuthorsAdel E. Haj, Lance R. Gruhn, Stephen J. KalkhoffA steady-state groundwater flow model for the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer near Prospect Park, Des Moines, Iowa
The Des Moines River alluvial aquifer is an important source of water for Des Moines Water Works, the municipal water utility that provides residential and commercial water resources to the residents of Des Moines, Iowa, and surrounding municipalities. As an initial step in developing a better understanding of the groundwater resources of the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, the U.S. GeologicalAuthorsKendall M. FitzGerald, Wonsook S. Ha, Adel E. Haj, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow, Jared R. WeberConceptual and numerical groundwater flow model of the Cedar River alluvial aquifer system with simulation of drought stress on groundwater availability near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 2011 through 2013
Between July 2011 and February 2013, the City of Cedar Rapids observed water level declines in their horizontal collector wells approaching 11 meters. As a result, pumping from these production wells had to be halted, and questions were raised about the reliability of the alluvial aquifer under future drought conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Cedar Rapids, comAuthorsAdel E. Haj, Wonsook S. Ha, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow, Amy M. Gahala, Joshua F. Valder, Carole D. Johnson, Eric A. White, Shelby P. SternerEffect of groundwater withdrawals, river stage, and precipitation on water-table elevations in the Iowa River alluvial aquifer near Tama, Iowa, 2017–20
The Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa is the only federally recognized Tribe in the State of Iowa and is commonly known as the Meskwaki Nation. The Tribe owns more than 8,100 acres, referred to as the “Meskwaki Settlement.” The Meskwaki Settlement uses a well field that withdraws water from the Iowa River alluvial aquifer (IRAA) to supply drinking water to members of the Tribe. IncreaseAuthorsLance R. Gruhn, Adel E. HajHydrogeologic framework for characterization and occurrence of confined and unconfined aquifers in quaternary sediments in the glaciated conterminous United States—A digital map compilation and database
The U.S. Geological Survey has created a hydrogeologic framework for Quaternary sediments in glaciated areas of the conterminous United States that categorizes, maps, and characterizes the glacial sediments at and beneath the land surface. The hydrogeologic framework divides the glaciated United States into 17 distinct hydrogeologic terranes using a geologic approach based on previous mapping, andAuthorsAdel E. Haj, David R. Soller, James E. Reddy, Leon J. Kauffman, Richard M. Yager, Cheryl A. BuchwaldCharacterization and occurrence of confined and unconfined aquifers in Quaternary sediments in the glaciated conterminous United States
The glacial aquifer system, which is a collection of aquifers within Quaternary sediments in the glaciated conterminous United States, is a principal aquifer that supplies groundwater that serves about 42 million people and accounts for about 5 percent of the Nation’s drinking water. This aquifer system (the area of maximum glacial advance) underlies parts of 25 States and covers 1.87×106 square kAuthorsRichard M. Yager, Leon J. Kauffman, David R. Soller, Adel E. Haj, Paul M. Heisig, Cheryl A. Buchwald, Stephen, M. Westenbroek, James E. ReddyComparison of HSPF and PRMS model simulated flows using different temporal and spatial scales in the Black Hills, South Dakota
The hydrological simulation program Fortran (HSPF) [Hydrological Simulation Program Fortran version 12.2 (Computer software). USEPA, Washington, DC] and the precipitation runoff modeling system (PRMS) [Precipitation Runoff Modeling System version 4.0 (Computer software). USGS, Reston, VA] models are semidistributed, deterministic hydrological tools for simulating the impacts of precipitation, landAuthorsD. R. Chalise, Adel E. Haj, T.A. FontaineSimulation of daily streamflow for 12 river basins in western Iowa using the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, constructed Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System models to estimate daily streamflow for 12 river basins in western Iowa that drain into the Missouri River. The Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System is a deterministic, distributed-parameter, physical-process-based modeling system developed to evaluate the respAuthorsDaniel E. Christiansen, Adel E. Haj, John C. RisleyPotential effects of climate change on streamflow for seven watersheds in eastern and central Montana
Study regionEastern and central Montana.Study focusFish in Northern Great Plains streams tolerate extreme conditions including heat, cold, floods, and drought; however changes in streamflow associated with long-term climate change may render some prairie streams uninhabitable for current fish species. To better understand future hydrology of these prairie streams, the Precipitation-Runoff ModelingAuthorsKatherine J. Chase, Adel E. Haj, R. Steven Regan, Roland J. VigerSimulation of daily streamflow for nine river basins in eastern Iowa using the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, constructed Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System models to estimate daily streamflow for nine river basins in eastern Iowa that drain into the Mississippi River. The models are part of a suite of methods for estimating daily streamflow at ungaged sites. The Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System is a determinisAuthorsAdel E. Haj, Daniel E. Christiansen, Kasey J. HutchinsonFluvial sediment fingerprinting: literature review and annotated bibliography
The U.S. Geological Survey has evaluated and adopted various field methods for collecting real-time sediment and nutrient data. These methods have proven to be valuable representations of sediment and nutrient concentrations and loads but are not able to accurately identify specific source areas. Recently, more advanced data collection and analysis techniques have been evaluated that show promiseAuthorsJoyce E. Williamson, Adel E. Haj, John F. Stamm, Joshua F. Valder, Vicki L. PrautzchThe effects of Missouri River mainstem reservoir system operations on 2011 flooding using a Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System model
In 2011 the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System (Reservoir System) experienced the largest volume of flood waters since the initiation of record-keeping in the nineteenth century. The high levels of runoff from both snowpack and rainfall stressed the Reservoir System’s capacity to control flood waters and caused massive damage and disruption along the river. The flooding and resulting damageAuthorsAdel E. Haj, Daniel E. Christiansen, Roland J. Viger