Amy McHugh
Biography
Amy McHugh is a hydrologist with the USGS New Jersey Water Science Center. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Geology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1999, and joined the NJWSC as an intern in 2000. She began work as a streamgager - collecting data and computing surface water records for the data section. She continued to expand her surface water knowledge, and documented two historic floods in the state. Amy was the main point of contact for the NJWSC as she regularly communicated with the public, consultants, and other professionals regarding general surface water flow information, interpretation, application, and data acquisition & availability. She has experience computing theoretical flood flows, aided by the use of HEC-RAS and -HMS. Since 2006, Amy’s focus has been mainly on streamflow statistics, trends, and water availability. As Chief of the Low Flow Project in New Jersey, she manages a network of partial-record surface water sites which are used with long-term continuous gages in computing low flow statistics. Her extensive knowledge of local geology, water use, and history of streamflow records coupled with the use of regression methods, GIS, and data mining are used to estimate low-flow statistics at ungaged locations for the NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s point-source permitting group.
EDUCATION
B.S. Environmental Science, minor Geology, University of Pittsburgh, 1999
Science and Products
Streamflow Characteristics and Trends in New Jersey, Water Years 1897 - 2017
Water resource managers regularly utilize streamflow statistics from the USGS for planning and regulation across the state. The impacts of climate, water use, and land use changes can alter streamflow over time. Periodically updated streamflow statistics are essential for the effective management of water resources in New Jersey.
Development of Flood Insurance Maps in New England
FEMA has requested USGS expertise in hydraulics, hydrology, and mapping to general Flood Insurance Maps for New England.
Low-Flow Characteristics
Streamflow data collection and analysis are a necessary component of effective water resource management and planning. Low-flow statistics are needed to safely allow withdraws from and discharges to surface waters in the State of New Jersey. Operating streamflow gaging stations at every water use location would be ideal but is cost prohibitive. Statistics help extend the utility of available...
Estimated low-flow statistics at ungaged stream locations in New Jersey, water year 2018
Estimates of various low-flow statistics were computed at 51 ungaged stream locations throughout New Jersey during the 2018 water year using methods in the published reports, Streamflow Characteristics and Trends in New Jersey, Water Years 1897-2003 (Watson and others, 2005) and Implementation of MOVE.1, Censored MOVE.1, and Piecewise MOVE.1 Low-Flow Regressions with Applications at
Estimated low-flow statistics at ungaged stream locations in New Jersey, water year 2017
Estimates of various low-flow statistics were computed at 71 ungaged stream locations throughout New Jersey during the 2017 water year using methods in the published reports, Streamflow Characteristics and Trends in New Jersey, Water Years 1897-2003 (U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5105) and Implementation of MOVE.1, Censored MOVE.1, and Piecewise MOVE.1 L
Geodatabase supporting the assessment of hydrologic resources and the potential effects from oil and gas development in the Bureau of Land Management Tri-County Planning Area, Sierra, Doña Ana, and Otero Counties, New Mexico
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release presents the geospatial data used to assess the hydrologic resources and the potential effects from oil and gas development in the Bureau of Land Management Tri-County Planning Area, Sierra, Doña Ana, and Otero Counties, New Mexico.
Estimated low-flow statistics at un-gaged stream locations in New Jersey, water year 2016
Estimates of various low-flow statistics were computed at 61 ungaged stream locations throughout New Jersey during the 2016 water year using methods in the report, Streamflow Characteristics and Trends in New Jersey, Water Years 1897-2003 (U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5105). The estimates are computed as needed for use in water resources permitting, asses
Methods used to reconstruct historical daily streamflows in northern New Jersey and southeastern New York, water years 1922–2010
A study was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, to reconstruct streamflows for use in the RiverWare model. Methods and data used to estimate daily reconstructed streamflows at 53 sites in selected subbasins in northern New Jersey and southeastern New York are presented...
Hickman, R. Edward; McHugh, Amy R.
Implementation of MOVE.1, censored MOVE.1, and piecewise MOVE.1 low-flow regressions with applications at partial-record streamgaging stations in New Jersey
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) uses Maintenance of Variance Extension Type 1 (MOVE.1) regression to transfer streamflows measured at long-term continuous-record streamgaging stations to partial-record (PR) streamgaging stations where intermittent base-flow measurements are available. MOVE.1 regression is used widely throughout the hydrologic...
Colarullo, Susan J.; Sullivan, Samantha L.; McHugh, Amy R.
Assessment of water resources and the potential effects from oil and gas development in the Bureau of Land Management Tri-County planning area, Sierra, Doña Ana, and Otero Counties, New Mexico
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, conducted a study to assess the water resources and potential effects on the water resources from oil and gas development in the Tri-County planning area, Sierra, Doña Ana, and Otero Counties, New Mexico. Publicly available data were used to assess these...
Blake, Johanna M.; Miltenberger, Keely; Stewart, Anne M.; Ritchie, Andre; Montoya, Jennifer; Durr, Corey; McHugh, Amy R.; Charles, Emmanuel
Hydraulic and biological analysis of the passability of select fish species at the U.S. Geological Survey streamgaging weir at Blackwells Mills, New Jersey
Recent efforts to advance river connectivity for the Millstone River watershed in New Jersey have led to the evaluation of a low-flow gauging weir that spans the full width of the river. The methods and results of a desktop modelling exercise were used to evaluate the potential ability of three anadromous fish species (Alosa sapidissima [American...
Haro, Alexander J.; Mulligan, Kevin; Suro, Thomas P.; Noreika, John; McHugh, Amy R.
Regional regression equations for the estimation of selected monthly low-flow duration and frequency statistics at ungaged sites on streams in New Jersey
Regional regression equations were developed for estimating monthly flow-duration and monthly low-flow frequency statistics for ungaged streams in Coastal Plain and non-coastal regions of New Jersey for baseline and current land- and water-use conditions. The equations were developed to estimate 87 different streamflow statistics, which include...
Watson, Kara M.; McHugh, Amy R.
Flood of April 2-4, 2005, Delaware River Main Stem from Port Jervis, New York, to Cinnaminson, New Jersey
Several conditions, including saturated soils, snowmelt, and heavy rains, caused flooding on the Delaware River on April 2-4, 2005. The event occurred 50 years after the historic 1955 Delaware River flood, and only six months after a smaller but equally notable flood on September 18-19, 2004. The Delaware River flooded for a third time in 22...
Reed, Timothy J.; Protz, Amy R. Flood of July 12-13, 2004, Burlington and Camden Counties, South-Central New Jersey
Intense rainfall inundated south-central New Jersey on July 12-13, 2004, causing major flooding with heavy property, road, and bridge damage in Burlington and Camden Counties. Forty-five dams were topped or damaged, or failed completely. The affected areas were in the Rancocas Creek, Cooper River, and Pennsauken Creek Basins. The U.S....
Protz, Amy R.; Reed, Timothy J. Water resources data, New Jersey, water year 2005. Volume 1 - surface-water data
Water-resources data for the 2005 water year for New Jersey are presented in three volumes, and consists of records of stage, discharge, and water-quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water-quality of ground water. Volume 1 contains discharge records for 103 gaging stations; tide summaries at 28...
White, B.T.; Hoppe, H.L.; Centinaro, G.L.; Dudek, J.F.; Painter, B.S.; Protz, A.R.; Reed, T.J.; Shvanda, J.C.; Watson, A.F. Water resources data, New Jersey, water year 2004-volume 1. surface-water data
Water-resources data for the 2004 water year for New Jersey are presented in three volumes, and consists of records of stage, discharge, and water-quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water-quality of ground water. Volume 1 contains discharge records for 105 gaging stations; tide summaries at 27...
Centinaro, G.L.; White, B.T.; Hoppe, H.L.; Dudek, J.F.; Protz, A.R.; Reed, T.J.; Shvanda, J.C.; Watson, A.F. Water Resources Data, New Jersey, Water Year 2003; Volume 1. Surface-Water Data
Water-resources data for the 2003 Water Year for New Jersey are presented in three volumes, and consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground water. Volume 1 contains discharge records for 100 gaging stations; tide summaries at 29...
Reed, T.J.; White, B.T.; Centinaro, G.L.; Dudek, J.F.; Protz, A.R.; Shvanda, J.C.; Watson, A.F. Water Resources Data, New Jersey, Water Year 2002, Volume 1. Surface-Water Data
Water-resources data for the 2002 Water Year for New Jersey are presented in three volumes, and consists of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage and contents of lakes and reservoirs; and water levels and water quality of ground water. Volume 1 contains discharge records for 93 gaging stations; tide summaries at 31...
Reed, T.J.; White, B.T.; Centinaro, G.L.; Dudek, J.F.; Spehar, A.B.; Protz, A.R.; Shvanda, J.C.; Watson, A.F.; Holzer, G.K. Water Resources Data, New Jersey, Water Year 2001. Volume 1. Surface-Water Data
Reed, T.J.; White, B.T.; Centinaro, G.L.; Dudek, J.F.; Corcino, V.; Spehar, A.B.; Protz, A.R.
SWToolbox Software Information
USGS and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have combined their SWSTAT and DFLOW software programs into a new tool for the low-flow anlaysis, the SWToolbox.