Amanda (she/her) is a Hydrologist and Groundwater Section Supervisor at the Oregon Water Science Center in Portland, Oregon. She has been with the USGS since 2000 investigating water flow, water availability, contaminant transport, and water sourcing across the groundwater-to-atmosphere continuum.
Education and Certifications
B.S. in Geosystems Engineering and Hydrogeology at the University of Texas at Austin
M.S. in Hydrogeology at the University of Nevada, Reno
Science and Products
Walla Walla River Basin groundwater-flow system, Oregon-Washington
Harney Basin Groundwater Study
Hydraulic Characterization of Aquifers near Long Canyon, Nevada
Supplemental Data: Hydrologic Budget of the Harney Basin Groundwater System, Southeastern Oregon, 1982-2016
Location Information, Discharge, and Water-Quality Data for Selected Wells, Springs, and Streams in the Harney Basin, Oregon
Soil-Water-Balance (SWB) model archive used to simulate mean annual upland recharge from infiltration of precipitation and snowmelt in Harney Basin, Oregon, 1982-2016
Appendixes and Supplemental Data: Hydraulic Characterization of Carbonate-Rock and Basin-Fill Aquifers near Long Canyon, Goshute Valley, Northeastern Nevada, 2011-2016
Phreatophytic Shrublands and Grasslands, Historical (1990-2019) Trends in Groundwater Levels, Precipitation, and Air Temperature, Historical (1955-2016) Trends in Snow-Water Equivalent, and Projected Future (2040-99) Climate and Hydrology Anomalies across
MODFLOW-2005 and PEST models used to simulate the 2016 carbonate-rock aquifer test and characterize hydraulic properties of carbonate-rock and basin-fill aquifers near Long Canyon, Goshute Valley, northeastern Nevada
Contour Dataset of the Potentiometric Surfaces of Shallow and Deep Groundwater-Level Altitudes in Harney Basin, Oregon, February-March 2018
Assessing the impact of irrigation curtailment using Landsat satellite data: A case study in the Upper Klamath Lake basin
Supplemental data from: A Process to Estimate Net Infiltration using a Site-Scale Water-Budget Approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, 2002-05
MODFLOW model used to simulate multiple-well aquifer tests and characterize hydraulic properties of volcanic rocks in Pahute Mesa
Groundwater resources of the Harney Basin, southeastern Oregon
Groundwater resources of the Harney Basin, southeastern Oregon
Groundwater development has increased substantially in southeastern Oregon’s Harney Basin since 2010, mainly for the purpose of large-scale irrigation. Concurrently, some areas of the basin experienced groundwater-level declines of more than 100 feet, and some shallow wells have gone dry. The Oregon Water Resources Department has limited new groundwater development in the basin until an improved u
Hydrologic budget of the Harney Basin groundwater system, southeastern Oregon
Groundwater-level declines and limited quantitative knowledge of the groundwater-flow system in the Harney Basin prompted a cooperative study between the U.S. Geological Survey and the Oregon Water Resources Department to evaluate the groundwater-flow system and budget. This report provides a hydrologic budget of the Harney Basin groundwater system that includes separate groundwater budgets for up
Hydraulic characterization of carbonate-rock and basin-fill aquifers near Long Canyon, Goshute Valley, northeastern Nevada
Evaluation of hydrologic impact of an irrigation curtailment program in the Upper Klamath Lake Basin using Landsat satellite data
Evaluating micrometeorological estimates of groundwater discharge from Great Basin desert playas
Groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, flow of water in unsaturated soil, and stable isotope water sourcing in areas of sparse vegetation, Amargosa Desert, Nye County, Nevada
A process to estimate net infiltration using a site-scale water-budget approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, 2002–05
Hydraulic characterization of volcanic rocks in Pahute Mesa using an integrated analysis of 16 multiple-well aquifer tests, Nevada National Security Site, 2009–14
Budgets and chemical characterization of groundwater for the Diamond Valley flow system, central Nevada, 2011–12
Groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, Dixie Valley, west-central Nevada, March 2009-September 2011
Hydrogeologic framework and occurrence, movement, and chemical characterization of groundwater in Dixie Valley, west-central Nevada
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.
Science and Products
- Science
Walla Walla River Basin groundwater-flow system, Oregon-Washington
The Issue: Decades of declining groundwater levels in the Walla Walla River Basin (WWRB), which spans Oregon and Washington, are affecting instream flows for threatened and culturally important fish populations and water availability for competing interests across state lines. The public and state resource management agencies have begun implementing efforts to stabilize groundwater levels and...Harney Basin Groundwater Study
This study will characterize and quantify the groundwater system in the Harney Basin to address gaps in our present understanding.Hydraulic Characterization of Aquifers near Long Canyon, Nevada
USGS scientists are characterizing hydraulic connectivity and bulk hydraulic properties of carbonate-rock and basin-fill aquifers in the vicinity of and downgradient from the Long Canyon Mine Project area in Goshute Valley, Nev., to better understand groundwater-flow paths and evaluate pumping effects on the hydrologic system. The Long Canyon Mine Project requires groundwater pumping from the... - Data
Supplemental Data: Hydrologic Budget of the Harney Basin Groundwater System, Southeastern Oregon, 1982-2016
This USGS data release presents data used to estimate and summarize hydrologic budget components of the Harney Basin groundwater system, Southeastern Oregon, 1982-2016. The supplemental data consist of five child items. The child items are: (1) Harney Basin Boundaries: Hydrographic Area, Groundwater Evapotranspiration Area, Regions, Lowlands, Uplands, and Selected Watersheds in Harney Basin, SoutLocation Information, Discharge, and Water-Quality Data for Selected Wells, Springs, and Streams in the Harney Basin, Oregon
This data release contains five comma separated value (csv) files that describe the location and water-quality data for wells, springs, and streams compiled for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) investigation of the groundwater resources of the Harney Basin, Oregon. The data included are site IDs, various site location information, well-construction detSoil-Water-Balance (SWB) model archive used to simulate mean annual upland recharge from infiltration of precipitation and snowmelt in Harney Basin, Oregon, 1982-2016
This model archive makes available the calibrated Soil-Water-Balance (SWB) model used to simulate upland recharge from infiltration of precipitation and snowmelt in the Harney Basin, Oregon, 1982-2016. The model was calibrated using annual values of runoff, evapotranspiration, and baseflow for eight watersheds in the basin. The Harney Basin SWB model was used to create output at the scale of 1-kilAppendixes and Supplemental Data: Hydraulic Characterization of Carbonate-Rock and Basin-Fill Aquifers near Long Canyon, Goshute Valley, Northeastern Nevada, 2011-2016
This USGS data release presents data used to interpret aquifer tests and ultimately characterize the hydraulic properties of carbonate-rock and basin-fill aquifers near Long Canyon, Goshute Valley, northeastern Nevada. The supplemental data consist of 2 child items and 3 attached appendix datasets. The child items are: (1) 2011?2016 Single Well Aquifer Tests: Pumping Schedules, Water-Level Data iPhreatophytic Shrublands and Grasslands, Historical (1990-2019) Trends in Groundwater Levels, Precipitation, and Air Temperature, Historical (1955-2016) Trends in Snow-Water Equivalent, and Projected Future (2040-99) Climate and Hydrology Anomalies across
This data release presents baseline datasets of phreatophytic groundwater-dependent ecosystem (GDE) locations in Oregon and trends in physical and environmental factors potentially influencing proximal groundwater supplies. The data release consists of three child items. The child items are: (1) Select Phreatophytic Shrub and Grass Species of Oregon, the Estimated Distribution of PhreatophyticMODFLOW-2005 and PEST models used to simulate the 2016 carbonate-rock aquifer test and characterize hydraulic properties of carbonate-rock and basin-fill aquifers near Long Canyon, Goshute Valley, northeastern Nevada
A three-dimension groundwater-flow model (MODFLOW-2005) was developed to improve understanding of groundwater flow and pumping effects near the Long Canyon Mine in Goshute Valley, northeastern Nevada. Bulk hydraulic properties of carbonate rocks and basin-fill aquifers were characterized by simultaneously interpreting steady-state flow during predevelopment conditions and changes in groundwater leContour Dataset of the Potentiometric Surfaces of Shallow and Deep Groundwater-Level Altitudes in Harney Basin, Oregon, February-March 2018
This dataset contains manually developed 5-, 10-, and 500-ft contours for the Harney Basin, Oregon aquifer system shallow and deep potentiometric-surface maps. The potentiometric-surfaces show altitude at the water-table surface (shallow) and at which the water level would have risen in tightly-cased wells deeper than 100 ft (deep) and generally represents synoptic conditions during February-MarchAssessing the impact of irrigation curtailment using Landsat satellite data: A case study in the Upper Klamath Lake basin
The associated geotiff rasters represents the total actual evapotranspiration (ETa) from June through September for the years 2004, 2006, 2008-2010, and 2013-2016 for the entire Klamath Basin in southern Oregon. The ETa was created using Landsat imagery and the Operational Simplified Surface Energy Balance (SSEBop) model to estimate actual ET and the Python scripts to complete that process is alsoSupplemental data from: A Process to Estimate Net Infiltration using a Site-Scale Water-Budget Approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, 2002-05
This USGS data release represents tabular data for a process to estimate net infiltration using a site-scale water-budget approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, 2002-05. This dataset consists of the following: (1) Measured and corrected precipitation data from A12 weather station, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2005. (2) Inventory of net radiaMODFLOW model used to simulate multiple-well aquifer tests and characterize hydraulic properties of volcanic rocks in Pahute Mesa
An improved understanding of groundwater flow and radionuclide migration downgradient from underground nuclear-testing areas at Pahute Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, requires accurate subsurface hydraulic characterization. To improve conceptual models of flow and transport in the complex hydrogeologic system beneath Pahute Mesa, the U.S. Geological Survey characterized bulk hydraulic propert - Publications
Filter Total Items: 31
Groundwater resources of the Harney Basin, southeastern Oregon
In response to increasing groundwater demand and declining groundwater levels in the Harney Basin of southeastern Oregon, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Oregon Water Resources Department conducted a cooperative groundwater-availability study during 2016–22. This Fact Sheet summarizes the results of this study. Full details of the study are provided in Gingerich and others (2022a, 2022b), GarciAuthorsStephen B. Gingerich, C. Amanda Garcia, Henry M. JohnsonGroundwater resources of the Harney Basin, southeastern Oregon
Groundwater development has increased substantially in southeastern Oregon’s Harney Basin since 2010, mainly for the purpose of large-scale irrigation. Concurrently, some areas of the basin experienced groundwater-level declines of more than 100 feet, and some shallow wells have gone dry. The Oregon Water Resources Department has limited new groundwater development in the basin until an improved u
AuthorsStephen B. Gingerich, Henry M. Johnson, Darrick E. Boschmann, Gerald H. Grondin, C. Amanda GarciaHydrologic budget of the Harney Basin groundwater system, southeastern Oregon
Groundwater-level declines and limited quantitative knowledge of the groundwater-flow system in the Harney Basin prompted a cooperative study between the U.S. Geological Survey and the Oregon Water Resources Department to evaluate the groundwater-flow system and budget. This report provides a hydrologic budget of the Harney Basin groundwater system that includes separate groundwater budgets for up
AuthorsC. Amanda Garcia, Nicholas T. Corson-Dosch, Jordan P. Beamer, Stephen B. Gingerich, Gerald H. Grondin, Brandon T. Overstreet, Jonathan V. Haynes, Mellony D. HoskinsonHydraulic characterization of carbonate-rock and basin-fill aquifers near Long Canyon, Goshute Valley, northeastern Nevada
Understanding groundwater flow and pumping effects near pending mining operations requires accurate subsurface hydraulic characterization. To improve conceptual models of groundwater flow and development in the complex hydrogeologic system near Long Canyon Mine, in northwestern Goshute Valley, northeastern Nevada, the U.S. Geological Survey characterized the hydraulic properties of carbonate rocksAuthorsC. Amanda Garcia, Keith J. Halford, Philip M. Gardner, David W. SmithEvaluation of hydrologic impact of an irrigation curtailment program in the Upper Klamath Lake Basin using Landsat satellite data
Upper Klamath Lake (UKL) is the source of the Klamath river that flows through southern Oregon and northern California. The UKL basin is home to two endangered species and provides water for 81,000+ ha (200,000+ acres) of irrigation on the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Klamath Project located downstream of the UKL basin. Irrigated agriculture also occurs along the tributaries to UKL.AuthorsNaga Manohar Velpuri, Gabriel Senay, Matthew Schauer, C. Amanda Garcia, Ramesh Singh, MacKenzie Friedrichs, Stefanie Bohms, Jonathan V. Haynes, Terrence D. ConlonEvaluating micrometeorological estimates of groundwater discharge from Great Basin desert playas
Groundwater availability studies in the arid southwestern United States traditionally have assumed that groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration (ETg) from desert playas is a significant component of the groundwater budget. However, desert playa ETg rates are poorly constrained by Bowen Ratio energy budget (BREB) and eddy-covariance (EC) micrometeorological measurement approaches. Best attemptsAuthorsTracie Jackson, Keith J. Halford, Philip M. Gardner, Amanda GarciaGroundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, flow of water in unsaturated soil, and stable isotope water sourcing in areas of sparse vegetation, Amargosa Desert, Nye County, Nevada
This report documents methodology and results of a study to evaluate groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration (GWET) in sparsely vegetated areas of Amargosa Desert and improve understanding of hydrologic-continuum processes controlling groundwater discharge. Evapotranspiration and GWET rates were computed and characterized at three sites over 2 years using a combination of micrometeorological,AuthorsMichael T. Moreo, Brian J. Andraski, C. Amanda GarciaA process to estimate net infiltration using a site-scale water-budget approach, Rainier Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, Nevada, 2002–05
This report documents a process used to estimate net infiltration from precipitation, evapotranspiration (ET), and soil data acquired at two sites on Rainier Mesa. Rainier Mesa is a groundwater recharge area within the Nevada National Security Site where recharged water flows through bedrock fractures to a deep (450 meters) water table. The U.S. Geological Survey operated two ET stations on RainieAuthorsDavid W. Smith, Michael T. Moreo, C. Amanda Garcia, Keith J. Halford, Joseph M. FenelonHydraulic characterization of volcanic rocks in Pahute Mesa using an integrated analysis of 16 multiple-well aquifer tests, Nevada National Security Site, 2009–14
An improved understanding of groundwater flow and radionuclide migration downgradient from underground nuclear-testing areas at Pahute Mesa, Nevada National Security Site, requires accurate subsurface hydraulic characterization. To improve conceptual models of flow and transport in the complex hydrogeologic system beneath Pahute Mesa, the U.S. Geological Survey characterized bulk hydraulic propertAuthorsC. Amanda Garcia, Tracie R. Jackson, Keith J. Halford, Donald S. Sweetkind, Nancy A. Damar, Joseph M. Fenelon, Steven R. ReinerBudgets and chemical characterization of groundwater for the Diamond Valley flow system, central Nevada, 2011–12
The Diamond Valley flow system consists of six hydraulically connected hydrographic areas in central Nevada. The general down-gradient order of the areas are southern and northern Monitor Valleys, Antelope Valley, Kobeh Valley, Stevens Basin, and Diamond Valley. Groundwater flow in the Diamond Valley flow system terminates at a large playa in the northern part of Diamond Valley. Concerns relatingAuthorsDavid L. Berger, C. Justin Mayers, C. Amanda Garcia, Susan G. Buto, Jena M. HuntingtonGroundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, Dixie Valley, west-central Nevada, March 2009-September 2011
With increasing population growth and land-use change, urban communities in the desert Southwest are progressively looking toward remote basins to supplement existing water supplies. Pending applications by Churchill County for groundwater appropriations from Dixie Valley, Nevada, a primarily undeveloped basin east of the Carson Desert, have prompted a reevaluation of the quantity of naturally disAuthorsC. Amanda Garcia, Jena M Huntington, Susan G. Buto, Michael T. Moreo, J. LaRue Smith, Brian J. AndraskiHydrogeologic framework and occurrence, movement, and chemical characterization of groundwater in Dixie Valley, west-central Nevada
Dixie Valley, a primarily undeveloped basin in west-central Nevada, is being considered for groundwater exportation. Proposed pumping would occur from the basin-fill aquifer. In response to proposed exportation, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation and Churchill County, conducted a study to improve the understanding of groundwater resources in Dixie Valley. TheAuthorsJena M. Huntington, C. Amanda Garcia, Michael R. RosenNon-USGS Publications**
Fang, X., Cleveland, T.G., Garcia, C.A., Thompson, D.B., Malla, R., 2005. Literature Review on Timing Parameters for Hydrographs, prepared for Texas Department of Transportation: Lamar University Research Report 0–4696–1, 72p. http://library.ctr.utexas.edu/digitized/texasarchive/phase2/4696-1-lamar.pdfRoussel, M.C., Thompson, D.B., Fang, X., Cleveland, T.G., Garcia, C.A., 2005. Time-parameter estimation for applicable Texas watersheds, prepared for Texas Department of Transportation: Lamar University Research Report 0–4694–2, 30p. http://library.ctr.utexas.edu/digitized/texasarchive/phase2/4696-2-lamar.pdf**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.