Amy Edwards Simonson is a hydrologist with the New York Water Science Center, where she measures streamflow throughout Long Island and New York City. She has a background in geochemistry and has assisted in several water-quality projects with the USGS. After major hurricanes, Amy was heavily involved in documenting peak water levels, flows, and other impacts.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- 2010 - Present: U.S. Geological Survey, Coram NY
- 2007 - 2010: Dept. of Environmental Quality, Charlottesville, VA
- 2007: M.S. in Geology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
- 2004: B.S. in Geology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS
- 2019: Surface Velocity Radar Gaging & Large Scale Particle Velocimetry (LSPIV)
- 2014: Acoustic Doppler Velocity Meters (ADVM) and Index-Velocity Methods
- 2013: Velocity Mapping Toolbox (VMT)
- 2012: Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP)
- 2012: Hydrologic Engineering Centers River Analysis System (HEC-RAS)
- 2007: Graphical Rating and Shift Application Tool (GRSAT)
Science and Products
Hydrologic Monitoring in the Central Pine Barrens
U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Monitoring on Long Island, New York
New York Flood Information
New York Drought Information
New York Water Science Center Data Program
Coastal Storm Response Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics Network (SWaTH)
Estuarine Physical Response to Storms—Jamaica Bay
The Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater
The International Continental Scientific Drilling Program and the U.S. Geological Survey drilled a 1,766-m-deep test hole near the center of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure in 2005 and 2006. Learn more here.
High-Water Marks in the Five Boroughs of New York City from Flash Flooding Caused by the Remnants of Hurricane Ida, September 1, 2021
2021 Hydrologic Data Summary for the Central Pine Barrens Region, Suffolk County, New York
2020 Hydrologic Data Summary for the Central Pine Barrens Region, Suffolk County, New York
Measurements of Discharge in Small, Low-Flowing Streams Using Multiple Techniques
2019 Hydrologic Data Summary for the Central Pine Barrens Region, Suffolk County, New York
Bathymetric and Tidal Discharge data for Wilderness Breach, Fire Island National Seashore, Long Island, NY, May 14, 2015
2018 Hydrologic Data Summary for the Central Pine Barrens Region, Suffolk County, New York
USGS Flood Event Viewer - Sandy
The USGS Flood Event Viewer helps USGS and its partners to track of the storm and its impact on surface water levels. A storm track field is included from NOAA's National Hurricane Center, and real-time USGS streamgage data and Rapid Deployment Gage data are linked through this map-based product.
New York Peak Flows
Locations (depicted as orange dots) in New York State where the New York Water Science Center has records of maximum recorded stages and discharges.
Water Quality Watch New York
Water Quality Watch provides access to real time water-quality data collected in surface waters throughout the United States as part of the USGS mission to describe water resources. Measurements include streamflow (through WaterWatch) water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and nitrate.
Annual Water Data Reports for New York
Water resources data are published annually for use by engineers, scientists, managers, educators, and the general public. Annual Water Data Reports and Discontinued Sites for New York :
Groundwater Watch (New York)
Groundwater Watch displays maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and historical groundwater data from wells and springs across the United States. Groundwater Watch groups related wells and data from active well networks and provides basic statistics about the water-level data collected by the USGS and from data supplied to us from partners through cooperative agreements.

Adjusting design floods for urbanization across groundwater-dominated watersheds of Long Island, NY
Evaluation of select velocity measurement techniques for estimating discharge in small streams across the United States
Sediment budget estimates for a highly impacted embayment with extensive wetland loss
Estimating sediment flux to Jamaica Bay, New York
Urban hydrology—Science capabilities of the U.S. Geological Survey
Analysis of storm-tide impacts from Hurricane Sandy in New York
Measuring storm tide and high-water marks caused by Hurricane Sandy in New York: Chapter 2
Quantifying components of the hydrologic cycle in Virginia using chemical hydrograph separation and multiple regression analysis
Pocomoke Sound Sedimentary and Ecosystem History
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.
National Water Information System (NWIS) - New York
This mapper provides access to over 1.5 million sites contained in the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), including sites where surface-water, groundwater, springs, and atmospheric data has been collected.
USGS Flood Event Viewer - Harvey
The USGS Flood Event Viewer helps USGS and its partners to track of the storm and its impact on surface water levels. A storm track field is included from NOAA's National Hurricane Center, and real-time USGS streamgage data and Rapid Deployment Gage data are linked through this map-based product.
Long Island Depth to Water Viewer 2010
USGS collects groundwater data at varying measurement frequencies to monitor the hydrologic conditions on Long Island, New York. Each year during April and May, the USGS conducts a synoptic survey of water levels to define the spatial distribution of the water table and potentiometric surfaces within the three main water-bearing units underlying Long Island.
Monthly Hydrologic Conditions for New York Mapper
The U.S. Geological Survey New York Water Science Center’s monthly summary reports and tables of hydrologic conditions for surface and ground water list the station, county, period of record, and several statistics, including color-coded percent exceedance categories based on average monthly conditions for the period of record at each station.
New York Current Drought Conditions
Current drought conditions in New York state.
USGS Storm-Tide Mapper and Data Services
The USGS Storm Tide Mapper is a tool for viewing, analyzing, and accessing storm tide data collected during and after hurricanes and Nor’easters. The USGS Storm Tide Mapper will continue to provide a unified and consistent source of real-time and archived storm-tide data.
Science and Products
- Science
Hydrologic Monitoring in the Central Pine Barrens
The Long Island Central Pine Barrens (CPB) is a large, preserved region of pristine ecological habitat located in eastern parts of Suffolk County, Long Island, NY. The 106,500-acre CPB encompasses portions of the Towns of Brookhaven, Riverhead, and Southampton, and is a core part of the larger Long Island Pine Barrens Maritime Reserve (fig. 1). The CPB overlies portions of Long Island’s federally...U.S. Geological Survey Hydrologic Monitoring on Long Island, New York
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is a science organization that provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely, relevant, and usable information.New York Flood Information
For emergency situations, please contact Chris Gazoorian, Surface Water Specialist at the USGS New York Water Science Center or call our general number (518) 285-5600 and follow the directions to leave voicemail which will be immediately forwarded to a responsible party and responded to as quickly as possible.New York Drought Information
New York Drought Information: definitions, information resources, maps, and toolsNew York Water Science Center Data Program
Objective: The USGS New York Water Science Center (NYWSC) works with other Federal agencies as well as with State, municipal, and tribal agencies to provide research and data about water-related issues. Relevance and Impact: The NYWSC leads the scientific and water-resources management communities by providing high-quality, timely, and unbiased scientific data, reports, and other information thatCoastal Storm Response Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics Network (SWaTH)
Following Hurricane Sandy, the USGS began construction of an overland Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network along the Northeastern Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to Maine. This network, developed collaboratively with numerous partners, features the integration of long-term tide gage networks, with real-time rapid-deployment gages (RDG) and mobile storm-tide sensors (STS). An elemEstuarine Physical Response to Storms—Jamaica Bay
Problem Coastal communities are susceptible to damage from coastal storms and associated storm surge, and although tidal wetlands provide a buffer against shoreline erosion and aid in shoreline stabilization, they too are vulnerable to the action of storms. Tidal wetland dynamics need to be better understood, as they are also intrinsically valuable as nursery, feeding, and refuge areas for manyThe Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater
The International Continental Scientific Drilling Program and the U.S. Geological Survey drilled a 1,766-m-deep test hole near the center of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure in 2005 and 2006. Learn more here.
- Data
Filter Total Items: 13
High-Water Marks in the Five Boroughs of New York City from Flash Flooding Caused by the Remnants of Hurricane Ida, September 1, 2021
This data release contains results of a high-water mark survey across the five boroughs of New York City following flash flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida, September 1, 2021. The survey was conducted between September 7 and November 23, 2021, and is based on observations of mud, debris, and seed lines left by the flooding. Real time and static GNSS surveying as well as available l2021 Hydrologic Data Summary for the Central Pine Barrens Region, Suffolk County, New York
This U.S. Geological Survey data release provides surface-water quality, streamflow, and groundwater-elevation data collected within the Central Pine Barrens (CPB) Region of Suffolk County, New York, from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021. The data were collected in cooperation with the Central Pine Barrens Commission and the Town of Brookhaven as part of a five-year comprehensive water-r2020 Hydrologic Data Summary for the Central Pine Barrens Region, Suffolk County, New York
This U.S. Geological Survey data release provides surface-water quality, streamflow, and groundwater-elevation data collected within the Central Pine Barrens (CPB) Region of Suffolk County, New York, from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. The data were collected in cooperation with the Central Pine Barrens Commission and the Town of Brookhaven as part of a five-year comprehensive water-rMeasurements of Discharge in Small, Low-Flowing Streams Using Multiple Techniques
The accompanying datasets include all field measurements collected as part of a study to evaluate multiple streamflow measurement techniques in small streams throughout the United States. Each individual dataset is paired with a metadata record describing the contents and purpose of that dataset.2019 Hydrologic Data Summary for the Central Pine Barrens Region, Suffolk County, New York
This U.S. Geological Survey data release provides surface-water quality, streamflow, and groundwater-elevation data collected within the Central Pine Barrens (CPB) Region of Suffolk County, New York. The data were collected in cooperation with the Central Pine Barrens Commission and the Town of Brookhaven as part of a five-year comprehensive water-resources monitoring program. Water quality and qBathymetric and Tidal Discharge data for Wilderness Breach, Fire Island National Seashore, Long Island, NY, May 14, 2015
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy created an open breach in the barrier island system along the south shore of Long Island, N.Y. This breach formed at a location known as Old Inlet and migrated rapidly westward over the winter storm season following Hurricane Sandy. In response, the National Park Service sought assistance from the USGS New York Water Science Center to help evaluate the hydrodynamics and2018 Hydrologic Data Summary for the Central Pine Barrens Region, Suffolk County, New York
This document provides a summary of surface water-quality, streamflow, and groundwater data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Central Pine Barrens (CPB) Region of Suffolk County, New York. The data were collected in cooperation with the Central Pine Barrens Commission and the Town of Brookhaven under a five-year comprehensive water resources monitoring program. The surfaceUSGS Flood Event Viewer - Sandy
The USGS Flood Event Viewer helps USGS and its partners to track of the storm and its impact on surface water levels. A storm track field is included from NOAA's National Hurricane Center, and real-time USGS streamgage data and Rapid Deployment Gage data are linked through this map-based product.
New York Peak Flows
Locations (depicted as orange dots) in New York State where the New York Water Science Center has records of maximum recorded stages and discharges.
Water Quality Watch New York
Water Quality Watch provides access to real time water-quality data collected in surface waters throughout the United States as part of the USGS mission to describe water resources. Measurements include streamflow (through WaterWatch) water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and nitrate.
Annual Water Data Reports for New York
Water resources data are published annually for use by engineers, scientists, managers, educators, and the general public. Annual Water Data Reports and Discontinued Sites for New York :
Groundwater Watch (New York)
Groundwater Watch displays maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and historical groundwater data from wells and springs across the United States. Groundwater Watch groups related wells and data from active well networks and provides basic statistics about the water-level data collected by the USGS and from data supplied to us from partners through cooperative agreements.
- Multimedia
Differential leveling techniques are performed to determine reference-mark elevations at historic streamgageUSGS hydrologic technician Amy Simonson measuring floodwaters at East Meadow Brook at Freeport NYUSGS scientists, Michael Noll and Amy Simonson, installing storm surge sensors before Hurricane Sandy
- Publications
Adjusting design floods for urbanization across groundwater-dominated watersheds of Long Island, NY
The magnitude and variability of floods have increased for many nontidal streams on Long Island (LI), NY since the mid-20th century. One of the most densely populated regions of the United States, LI has experienced amplified floods in step with increases in impervious land cover, storm, and sanitary sewers that have accompanied urban development. To better understand the drivers of observed floodAuthorsRobin Lee Glas, Jory Seth Hecht, Amy E. Simonson, Christopher L. Gazoorian, Christopher E. SchubertEvaluation of select velocity measurement techniques for estimating discharge in small streams across the United States
Multiple instruments and methods exist for collecting discrete streamflow measurements in small streams with low flows, defined here as less than 5.7 m3/s (200 ft3/s). Included in the available methods are low-cost approaches that are infrequently used, in part, because their uncertainty is not well known. In this work, we evaluated the accuracy and suitability of three low-cost velocity measuremeAuthorsTyler Victor King, Stephen Hundt, Amy E. Simonson, Kyle BlaschSediment budget estimates for a highly impacted embayment with extensive wetland loss
External sediment supply is an important control on wetland morphology and vulnerability to storms, sea-level rise, and land use change. Constraining sediment supply and net budgets is difficult due to multiple timescales of variability in hydrodynamic forcing and suspended-sediment concentrations, as well as the fundamental limitations of measurement and modeling technologies. We used two indepenAuthorsRobert Chant, David K. Ralston, Neil K. Ganju, Casia Pianca, Amy Simonson, Richard CartwrightEstimating sediment flux to Jamaica Bay, New York
Tidal wetland loss in Jamaica Bay, New York, is well documented. Maintaining wetlands is important from an environmental and ecological perspective and because wetlands buffer coastal communities from storm damage. An estimate of suspended-sediment flux through Rockaway Inlet is needed to improve understanding of sediment dynamics in Jamaica Bay and could be used in salt marsh restoration efforts.AuthorsRichard A. Cartwright, Amy E. SimonsonUrban hydrology—Science capabilities of the U.S. Geological Survey
Urbanization affects streamflow characteristics, coastal flooding, and groundwater recharge. Increasing impervious areas, streamflow diversions, and groundwater pumpage are some of the ways that the natural water cycle is affected by urbanization. Assessment of the relations among these factors and changes in land use helps water-resource managers with issues such as stormwater management and vulnAuthorsJoseph M. Bell, Amy E. Simonson, Irene J. FisherAnalysis of storm-tide impacts from Hurricane Sandy in New York
The hybrid cyclone-nor’easter known as Hurricane Sandy affected the mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States during October 28-30, 2012, causing extensive coastal flooding. Prior to storm landfall, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed a temporary monitoring network from Virginia to Maine to record the storm tide and coastal flooding generated by Hurricane Sandy. This sensor network augmenAuthorsChristopher E. Schubert, Ronald Busciolano, Paul P. Hearn, Ami N. Rahav, Riley Behrens, Jason S. Finkelstein, Jack Monti, Amy E. SimonsonMeasuring storm tide and high-water marks caused by Hurricane Sandy in New York: Chapter 2
In response to Hurricane Sandy, personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed a temporary network of storm-tide sensors from Virginia to Maine. During the storm, real-time water levels were available from tide gages and rapid-deployment gages (RDGs). After the storm, USGS scientists retrieved the storm-tide sensors and RDGs and surveyed high-water marks. These data demonstrate that theAuthorsAmy E. Simonson, Riley BehrensQuantifying components of the hydrologic cycle in Virginia using chemical hydrograph separation and multiple regression analysis
This study by the U.S. Geological Survey, prepared in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, quantifies the components of the hydrologic cycle across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Long-term, mean fluxes were calculated for precipitation, surface runoff, infiltration, total evapotranspiration (ET), riparian ET, recharge, base flow (or groundwater discharge) and net totalAuthorsWard E. Sanford, David L. Nelms, Jason P. Pope, David L. SelnickPocomoke Sound Sedimentary and Ecosystem History
Summary of Results: Pocomoke Sound Sediment and Sediment Processes Transport of sediment from coastal marshes. Analyses of pollen and foraminifera from surface sediments in Pocomoke Sound suggest that neither the upstream forested wetlands nor coastal marshes bordering the sound have contributed appreciably to particulate matter in the 10- to 1000-micron size range that is currently being depositAuthorsThomas M. CroninNon-USGS Publications**
Simonson, A. E., Lockwood, R., Wehmiller, J., 2013. Three approaches to radiocarbon calibration of amino acid racemization in Mulinia lateralis from the Holocene of the Chesapeake Bay, USA, Quaternary Geochronology, v. 16, pp. 62-72**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.
- Web Tools
National Water Information System (NWIS) - New York
This mapper provides access to over 1.5 million sites contained in the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), including sites where surface-water, groundwater, springs, and atmospheric data has been collected.
USGS Flood Event Viewer - Harvey
The USGS Flood Event Viewer helps USGS and its partners to track of the storm and its impact on surface water levels. A storm track field is included from NOAA's National Hurricane Center, and real-time USGS streamgage data and Rapid Deployment Gage data are linked through this map-based product.
Long Island Depth to Water Viewer 2010
USGS collects groundwater data at varying measurement frequencies to monitor the hydrologic conditions on Long Island, New York. Each year during April and May, the USGS conducts a synoptic survey of water levels to define the spatial distribution of the water table and potentiometric surfaces within the three main water-bearing units underlying Long Island.
Monthly Hydrologic Conditions for New York Mapper
The U.S. Geological Survey New York Water Science Center’s monthly summary reports and tables of hydrologic conditions for surface and ground water list the station, county, period of record, and several statistics, including color-coded percent exceedance categories based on average monthly conditions for the period of record at each station.
New York Current Drought Conditions
Current drought conditions in New York state.
USGS Storm-Tide Mapper and Data Services
The USGS Storm Tide Mapper is a tool for viewing, analyzing, and accessing storm tide data collected during and after hurricanes and Nor’easters. The USGS Storm Tide Mapper will continue to provide a unified and consistent source of real-time and archived storm-tide data.
- News