Amie is the supervisor of the Public Health Science and Laboratory Sevices section for the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center and is the Laboratory Manager for the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory and the Kentucky Sediment Laboratory.
Amie received her Bachelor of Science (1999) and Masters of Science (2002) degrees in Environmental Science from the Ohio State University. She started her career at the USGS in 2000 at the Ohio Water Science Center working on a variety of water-quality projects. She became the Laboratory Manager for the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory and the Kentucky Sediment Laboratory in 2019. In 2020, Amie became the supervisor of the Public Health Science and Laboratory Sevices section for the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center.
Science and Products
Evaluation of a modified rapid viability-polymerase chain reaction method for Bacillus atrophaeus spores in water matrices
Predicting microcystin concentration action-level exceedances resulting from cyanobacterial blooms in selected lake sites in Ohio
Nowcasting methods for determining microbiological water quality at recreational beaches and drinking-water source waters
Pilot-scale testing of dairy manure treatments to reduce nutrient transport from land application, northwest Ohio, 2015–17
Real-time assessments of water quality—A nowcast for Escherichia coli and cyanobacterial toxins
Escherichia coli and microbial source tracking marker concentrations in and near a constructed wetland in Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon, Ohio, 2015–16
Multi-year microbial source tracking study characterizing fecal contamination in an urban watershed
Microbiological and hydrological data were used to rank tributary stream contributions of bacteria to the Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri. Concentrations, loadings and yields of E. coli and microbial source tracking (MST) markers, were characterized during base flow and storm events in five subbasins within Independence, as well as sources entering and leaving the city through the rive
Estimating microcystin levels at recreational sites in western Lake Erie and Ohio
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) and associated toxins, such as microcystin, are a major global water-quality issue. Water-resource managers need tools to quickly predict when and where toxin-producing cyanoHABs will occur. This could be done by using site-specific models that estimate the potential for elevated toxin concentrations that cause public health concerns. With this study
Water Quality, Cyanobacteria, and Environmental Factors and Their Relations to Microcystin Concentrations for Use in Predictive Models at Ohio Lake Erie and Inland Lake Recreational Sites, 2013-14
Harmful cyanobacterial “algal” blooms (cyanoHABs) and associated toxins, such as microcystin, are a major water-quality issue for Lake Erie and inland lakes in Ohio. Predicting when and where a bloom may occur is important to protect the public that uses and consumes a water resource; however, predictions are complicated and likely site specific because of the many factors affecting toxin producti
Towards automating measurements and predictions of Escherichia coli concentrations in the Cuyahoga River, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, 2012–14
Nowcasts are systems that can provide estimates of the current bacterial water-quality conditions based on predictive models using easily-measured, explanatory variables; nowcasts can provide the public with the information to make informed decisions on the risk associated with recreational activities in natural water bodies. Previous studies on the Cuyahoga River within Cuyahoga Valley National P
Developing and implementing the use of predictive models for estimating water quality at Great Lakes beaches
Predictive models have been used at beaches to improve the timeliness and accuracy of recreational water-quality assessments over the most common current approach to water-quality monitoring, which relies on culturing fecal-indicator bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli.). Beach-specific predictive models use environmental and water-quality variables that are easily and quickly measured as s
Microbial source tracking as a tool for TMDL development, Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri
Using models to estimate microcystin concentrations in Ohio recreational and source waters
Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)
Ohio Microbiology Program - NAWQA - Cycle 3
Ohio Microbiology Program - Home
Biodegradation Of Microcystins In Lake Erie Source Waters And Filters From Drinking-Water Plants
Testing Of A Model For Predicting Recreational Water Quality Of The Cuyahoga River in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Based On Real-time Turbidity And Streamflow Data
Nowcast - Water-Quality Conditions At Beaches And A Recreational River
Data for multiple linear regression models for estimating Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentrations or the probability of exceeding the bathing-water standard at recreational sites in Ohio and Pennsylvania as part of the Great Lakes NowCast, 2019
Laboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the USGS Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory
Laboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory, 2012-2017
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 29
Evaluation of a modified rapid viability-polymerase chain reaction method for Bacillus atrophaeus spores in water matrices
A rapid method that provides information on the viability of organisms is needed to protect public health and ensure that remediation efforts following a release of a biological agent are effective. The rapid viability-polymerase chain reaction (RV-PCR) method combines broth culture and molecular methods to provide results on whether viable organisms are present in less than 15 h. In this study, aAuthorsRebecca N. Bushon, Amie M.G. Brady, Christopher M. Kephart, Vicente GallardoPredicting microcystin concentration action-level exceedances resulting from cyanobacterial blooms in selected lake sites in Ohio
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms and the toxins they produce are a global water-quality problem. Monitoring and prediction tools are needed to quickly predict cyanotoxin action-level exceedances in recreational and drinking waters used by the public. To address this need, data were collected at eight locations in Ohio, USA, to identify factors significantly related to observed concentrations ofAuthorsDonna S. Francy, Amie M.G. Brady, Erin Stelzer, Jessica Cicale, Courtney Paige Hackney, Harrison D Dalby, Pamela Struffolino, Daryl F. DwyerNowcasting methods for determining microbiological water quality at recreational beaches and drinking-water source waters
Nowcasts are tools used to provide timely and accurate water-quality assessments of threats to drinking-water and recreational resources from fecal contamination or cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms. They use mathematical models and techniques to provide near-real-time estimates of fecal-indicator bacteria (FIB) and cyanotoxin concentrations. Techniques include logic-based thresholds, decision tAuthorsDonna S. Francy, Amie M.G. Brady, Jessica Cicale, Harrison D Dalby, Erin StelzerPilot-scale testing of dairy manure treatments to reduce nutrient transport from land application, northwest Ohio, 2015–17
Manure and wastewater from large livestock operations have the potential to negatively affect surface water and groundwater, including the eutrophication of surface waters and harmful algal blooms. In the Western Lake Erie Basin, where there is a high density of animal agriculture, harmful algal blooms have been attributed, in part, to phosphorus loading from dairy manure and fertilizer applicatioAuthorsDonna S. Francy, Amie M.G. Brady, Bethany L. Ash, W. Robert MiddenReal-time assessments of water quality—A nowcast for Escherichia coli and cyanobacterial toxins
Threats to our recreational and drinking waters include disease-causing (pathogenic) organisms from fecal contamination and toxins produced by some species of cyanobacteria (cyanotoxins) that can cause acute and (or) chronic illnesses. Because traditional laboratory methods for detecting these threats take too long for prompt public health protection, tools for real-time assessments are needed toAuthorsDonna S. Francy, Amie M.G. Brady, Tammy M. ZimmermanEscherichia coli and microbial source tracking marker concentrations in and near a constructed wetland in Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon, Ohio, 2015–16
Elevated Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentrations at the Maumee Bay State Park (MBSP) Lake Erie beach have resulted in frequent recreational water-quality advisories. After the construction of a wetland along Berger Ditch in Maumee Bay State Park, Oregon, Ohio, samples were collected and analyzed for concentrations of E. coli and microbial source tracking (MST) markers. This study was done by theAuthorsChristopher M. Kephart, Amie M.G. Brady, Ryan W. JackwoodMulti-year microbial source tracking study characterizing fecal contamination in an urban watershed
Microbiological and hydrological data were used to rank tributary stream contributions of bacteria to the Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri. Concentrations, loadings and yields of E. coli and microbial source tracking (MST) markers, were characterized during base flow and storm events in five subbasins within Independence, as well as sources entering and leaving the city through the rive
AuthorsRebecca N. Bushon, Amie M.G. Brady, Eric D. Christensen, Erin A. StelzerEstimating microcystin levels at recreational sites in western Lake Erie and Ohio
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) and associated toxins, such as microcystin, are a major global water-quality issue. Water-resource managers need tools to quickly predict when and where toxin-producing cyanoHABs will occur. This could be done by using site-specific models that estimate the potential for elevated toxin concentrations that cause public health concerns. With this study
AuthorsDonna S. Francy, Amie M.G. Brady, Christopher D. Ecker, Jennifer L. Graham, Erin A. Stelzer, Pamela Struffolino, Keith A. LoftinWater Quality, Cyanobacteria, and Environmental Factors and Their Relations to Microcystin Concentrations for Use in Predictive Models at Ohio Lake Erie and Inland Lake Recreational Sites, 2013-14
Harmful cyanobacterial “algal” blooms (cyanoHABs) and associated toxins, such as microcystin, are a major water-quality issue for Lake Erie and inland lakes in Ohio. Predicting when and where a bloom may occur is important to protect the public that uses and consumes a water resource; however, predictions are complicated and likely site specific because of the many factors affecting toxin producti
AuthorsDonna S. Francy, Jennifer L. Graham, Erin A. Stelzer, Christopher D. Ecker, Amie M.G. Brady, Pam Struffolino, Keith A. LoftinTowards automating measurements and predictions of Escherichia coli concentrations in the Cuyahoga River, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, 2012–14
Nowcasts are systems that can provide estimates of the current bacterial water-quality conditions based on predictive models using easily-measured, explanatory variables; nowcasts can provide the public with the information to make informed decisions on the risk associated with recreational activities in natural water bodies. Previous studies on the Cuyahoga River within Cuyahoga Valley National P
AuthorsAmie M.G. Brady, Meg B. PlonaDeveloping and implementing the use of predictive models for estimating water quality at Great Lakes beaches
Predictive models have been used at beaches to improve the timeliness and accuracy of recreational water-quality assessments over the most common current approach to water-quality monitoring, which relies on culturing fecal-indicator bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli.). Beach-specific predictive models use environmental and water-quality variables that are easily and quickly measured as s
AuthorsDonna S. Francy, Amie M. G. Brady, Rebecca B. Carvin, Steven R. Corsi, Lori M. Fuller, John H. Harrison, Brett A. Hayhurst, Jeremiah Lant, Meredith B. Nevers, Paul J. Terrio, Tammy M. ZimmermanMicrobial source tracking as a tool for TMDL development, Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri
The Little Blue River in Jackson County, Missouri has been listed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as impaired by bacteria for the protection of aquatic life and contact recreation from urban point and nonpoint sources. The Clean Water Act requires that a total maximum daily load (TMDL) for Escherichia coli (E. coli) be developed. Over a 5-year period, 108 base-flow, 87 stormflow, 4AuthorsEric D. Christensen, Rebecca N. Bushon, Amie M. G. Brady - Science
Using models to estimate microcystin concentrations in Ohio recreational and source waters
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) and associated toxins, such as microcystin, are a major global water-quality issue. In Lake Erie and inland lakes in Ohio, elevated microcystin concentrations have caused water-resource managers to issue recreational water-quality advisories, and detections of microcystin in source waters have caused drinking-water plant managers to increase...Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasingly a global concern because HABs pose a threat to human and aquatic ecosystem health and cause economic damages. Toxins produced by some species of cyanobacteria (called cyanotoxins) can cause acute and chronic illnesses in humans and pets. Aquatic ecosystem health also is affected by cyanotoxins, as well as low dissolved oxygen...Ohio Microbiology Program - NAWQA - Cycle 3
The goal of microbiological monitoring in NAWQA Cycle 3 is to determine the occurrence and distribution of indicators and pathogens in public and domestic groundwater supplies. LINKS: Back to MIOH Microbiology HomepageOhio Microbiology Program - Home
The U.S. Geological Survey MI-OH Water Science Center Microbiology Laboratories in Lansing, Michigan and Columbus, Ohio address water-related public-health concerns across the Nation using traditional and cutting-edge analytical approaches. The laboratories work with government agencies, academic institution, and regional and local partners to study the processes and anthropogenic influences that...Biodegradation Of Microcystins In Lake Erie Source Waters And Filters From Drinking-Water Plants
Harmful cyanobacterial “algal” blooms (cyanoHABs) and associated toxins, such as microcystin, are a major global water-quality issue. In Lake Erie, researchers and local health officials have identified the presence of cyanobacterial blooms during the summer and early fall seasons. This is especially pronounced in the Lake Erie Western Basin, where the City of Toledo was forced to issue a do-not...Testing Of A Model For Predicting Recreational Water Quality Of The Cuyahoga River in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Based On Real-time Turbidity And Streamflow Data
Water-quality concerns have long limited recreational use of the Cuyahoga River within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Park managers would like to promote the use of the river when conditions are appropriate, but the time required to obtain bacteria concentrations is too long to adequately assess the water quality and inform the public of a potential health risk—traditional bacteria-culture...Nowcast - Water-Quality Conditions At Beaches And A Recreational River
Local agencies monitor water to measure the concentration of Escherichia coli (E. coli)—an indicator bacterium found in sewage and other animal wastes—to determine whether the water is safe for contact recreation such as swimming or canoeing. Conventional analytical methods can take 18 to 24 hours to yield results. To improve the timeliness and accuracy of recreational water-quality assessments... - Data
Data for multiple linear regression models for estimating Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentrations or the probability of exceeding the bathing-water standard at recreational sites in Ohio and Pennsylvania as part of the Great Lakes NowCast, 2019
Site-specific multiple linear regression models were developed for one beach in Ohio (three discrete sampling sites) and one beach in Pennsylvania to estimate concentrations of Escherichia coli (E. coli) or the probability of exceeding the bathing-water standard for E. coli in recreational waters used by the public. Traditional culture-based methods are commonly used to estimate concentrations ofLaboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the USGS Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory
This dataset contains data tables of laboratory quality-control data associated with environmental samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The environmental samples were collected across the United States by USGS National Projects and projects in Water Science Centers. These quality-control data can be used tLaboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory, 2012-2017
This dataset contains data tables of laboratory quality-control data associated with environmental samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) during federal fiscal years 2012-2017 (October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2017). The environmental samples were collected across the United States by the USGS National W - Multimedia