Thanks for visiting my profile page. I am an hydrologist at the Colorado Water Science Center at the Denver Federal Center.
The focus of my work is developing geospatial and data analysis techniques to improve our understanding of hydrologic systems.
Education and Certifications
M.S. Geography, University of Colorado-Boulder, 2010
B.S., Watershed Management, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 2004
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 14
Projected warming disrupts the synchrony of riparian seed dispersal and snowmelt streamflow
• Globally, spring phenology and abiotic processes are shifting earlier with warming. Differences in the magnitudes of these shifts may decouple the timing of plant resource requirements from resource availability. In riparian forests across the northern hemisphere, warming could decouple seed dispersal from snowmelt peak streamflow, thus reducing moisture and safe-sites for dominant tree recruitm
Simulation of water availability in the Southeastern United States for historical and potential future climate and land-cover conditions
A study was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GCPO LCC) and the Department of the Interior Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, to evaluate the hydrologic response of a daily time step hydrologic model to historical observations and projections of potential climate and land-cover change
Quantifying uncertainty in simulated streamflow and runoff from a continental-scale monthly water balance model
One important component of continental-scale hydrologic modeling is quantifying the level of uncertainty in long-term hydrologic simulations and providing a range of possible simulated streamflow and/or runoff values for gaged and ungaged locations. In this paper, uncertainty was quantified for simulated streamflow and runoff generated from a monthly water balance model (MWBM) at 1575 streamgages
Do downscaled general circulation models reliably simulate historical climatic conditions?
The accuracy of statistically downscaled (SD) general circulation model (GCM) simulations of monthly surface climate for historical conditions (1950–2005) was assessed for the conterminous United States (CONUS). The SD monthly precipitation (PPT) and temperature (TAVE) from 95 GCMs from phases 3 and 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3 and CMIP5) were used as inputs to a monthly w
Community for Data Integration 2016 annual report
The Community for Data Integration (CDI) represents a dynamic community of practice focused on advancing science data and information management and integration capabilities across the U.S. Geological Survey and the CDI community. This annual report describes the various presentations, activities, and outcomes of the CDI monthly forums, working groups, virtual training series, and other CDI-sponso
The U.S. Geological Survey Monthly Water Balance Model Futures Portal
The U.S. Geological Survey Monthly Water Balance Model Futures Portal (https://my.usgs.gov/mows/) is a user-friendly interface that summarizes monthly historical and simulated future conditions for seven hydrologic and meteorological variables (actual evapotranspiration, potential evapotranspiration, precipitation, runoff, snow water equivalent, atmospheric temperature, and streamflow) at location
Spatiotemporal variability of snow depletion curves derived from SNODAS for the conterminous United States, 2004-2013
Assessment of water resources at a national scale is critical for understanding their vulnerability to future change in policy and climate. Representation of the spatiotemporal variability in snowmelt processes in continental-scale hydrologic models is critical for assessment of water resource response to continued climate change. Continental-extent hydrologic models such as the U.S. Geological Su
The U.S. Geological Survey Monthly Water Balance Model Futures Portal
Simulations of future climate suggest profiles of temperature and precipitation may differ significantly from those in the past. These changes in climate will likely lead to changes in the hydrologic cycle. As such, natural resource managers are in need of tools that can provide estimates of key components of the hydrologic cycle, uncertainty associated with the estimates, and limitations associat
Sharing our data—An overview of current (2016) USGS policies and practices for publishing data on ScienceBase and an example interactive mapping application
This report provides an overview of current (2016) U.S. Geological Survey policies and practices related to publishing data on ScienceBase, and an example interactive mapping application to display those data. ScienceBase is an integrated data sharing platform managed by the U.S. Geological Survey. This report describes resources that U.S. Geological Survey Scientists can use for writing data mana
Parameter regionalization of a monthly water balance model for the conterminous United States
A parameter regionalization scheme to transfer parameter values from gaged to ungaged areas for a monthly water balance model (MWBM) was developed and tested for the conterminous United States (CONUS). The Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test, a global-sensitivity algorithm, was implemented on a MWBM to generate parameter sensitivities on a set of 109 951 hydrologic response units (HRUs) across the
Accelerating advances in continental domain hydrologic modeling
In the past, hydrologic modeling of surface water resources has mainly focused on simulating the hydrologic cycle at local to regional catchment modeling domains. There now exists a level of maturity among the catchment, global water security, and land surface modeling communities such that these communities are converging toward continental domain hydrologic models. This commentary, written from
Evaluation of mean-monthly streamflow-regression equations for Colorado, 2014
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, evaluated the predictive uncertainty of mean-monthly streamflow-regression equations representative of natural streamflow conditions in Colorado. This study evaluates the predictive uncertainty of mean-monthly streamflow-regression equations developed in a 2009 U.S. Geological Survey study using streamflow data
Development of Recommended Practices and Workflow for Publishing Digital Data through ScienceBase for Dynamic Visualization
The purpose of this project was to document processes for USGS scientists to organize and share data using ScienceBase, and to provide an example interactive mapping application to display those data. Data and maps from Chase and others (2016a, b) were used for the example interactive maps. Principal Investigator : Katherine J Chase, Andy Bock, Thomas R Sando Accomplishments The accomplishment
Water availability for ungauged rivers: an integrative, multi-model approach to estimate water availability at ungauged rivers across the United States
There has been increasing attention placed on the need for water availability information at ungauged locations, particularly related to balancing human and ecological needs for water. Critical to assessing water availability is the necessity for daily streamflow time series; however, most of the rivers in the United States are ungauged. This proposal leverages over $1M currently allocated to the
Evaluation of downscaled General Circulation Model (GCM) output for current conditions and associated error in simulated runoff for CONUS
This project will assess the accuracy of climate drivers (precipitation and temperature) from different sources for current and future conditions. The impact of these drivers on hydrologic response will be using the monthly water balance model (MWBM). The methodology for processing and analysis of these datasets will be automated for when new climate datasets become available on the USGS Geo Dat
Developing a VisTrails Platform for Modeling Streamflow Hydrology and Projecting Climate Change Effects on Streamflow
Hydrologic models are used throughout the world to forecast and simulate streamflow, inform water management, municipal planning, and ecosystem conservation, and investigate potential effects of climate and land-use change on hydrology. The USGS Modeling of Watershed Systems (MoWS) group is currently developing the infrastructure for a National Hydrologic Model (NHM) to support coordinated, compre
Elevation Data from Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River, Colorado, 2021
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities, has been collecting topographic data annually since 2012 at 10 study areas along Fountain Creek, Colorado. The 10 study areas are located along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the confluence of Fountain Creek and the Arkansas River in Pueblo. This data release presents topographic survey data, Light Detection a
Geospatial Fabric for National Hydrologic Modeling, version 1.1
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release consists of two hydrographic datasets with spatial modeling units consistent with the National Hydrologic Model (NHM) Geospatial Fabric for National Hydrologic Modeling (abbreviated within this document as GFv1, Viger and Bock, 2014). The two datasets found as subpages to this landing page are 1) the GIS (geographic information system) features of th
Riparian seed dispersal phenology and snowmelt streamflow timing in the upper South Platte River Basin, observed in 2010-2011 and simulated for 1962-2098
This dataset presents observations and model projections of climate, riparian cottonwood and willow seed release phenology, snowmelt streamflow timing, and relative timing of seed release and snowmelt peak streamflow in the upper South Platte River Basin, USA. We collected field observations of seed release phenology from three riparian Salicaceae species at 14 riparian sites and used those observ
Estimates of Road Salt Application across the conterminous United States (1992-2015)
Annual estimates of road salt application were developed for the conterminous United States for the calendar years 1992 through 2015. The final estimates (in pounds) were derived from several data sources, which include road density and proportion of developed land use, depth and spatial extent of long-term snowfall, and the production and distribution of salt sources by state. The extent is the c
Elevation and elevation-change maps of Fountain Creek, southeastern Colorado, 2015-20
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities, has collected topographic data annually since 2012 at 10 study areas along Fountain Creek, southeastern Colorado. The 10 study areas were located between Colorado Springs and the terminus of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River in Pueblo. The purpose of this report is to present elevation maps based on topographic surveys
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 14
Projected warming disrupts the synchrony of riparian seed dispersal and snowmelt streamflow
• Globally, spring phenology and abiotic processes are shifting earlier with warming. Differences in the magnitudes of these shifts may decouple the timing of plant resource requirements from resource availability. In riparian forests across the northern hemisphere, warming could decouple seed dispersal from snowmelt peak streamflow, thus reducing moisture and safe-sites for dominant tree recruitmSimulation of water availability in the Southeastern United States for historical and potential future climate and land-cover conditions
A study was conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GCPO LCC) and the Department of the Interior Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, to evaluate the hydrologic response of a daily time step hydrologic model to historical observations and projections of potential climate and land-cover changeQuantifying uncertainty in simulated streamflow and runoff from a continental-scale monthly water balance model
One important component of continental-scale hydrologic modeling is quantifying the level of uncertainty in long-term hydrologic simulations and providing a range of possible simulated streamflow and/or runoff values for gaged and ungaged locations. In this paper, uncertainty was quantified for simulated streamflow and runoff generated from a monthly water balance model (MWBM) at 1575 streamgagesDo downscaled general circulation models reliably simulate historical climatic conditions?
The accuracy of statistically downscaled (SD) general circulation model (GCM) simulations of monthly surface climate for historical conditions (1950–2005) was assessed for the conterminous United States (CONUS). The SD monthly precipitation (PPT) and temperature (TAVE) from 95 GCMs from phases 3 and 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3 and CMIP5) were used as inputs to a monthly wCommunity for Data Integration 2016 annual report
The Community for Data Integration (CDI) represents a dynamic community of practice focused on advancing science data and information management and integration capabilities across the U.S. Geological Survey and the CDI community. This annual report describes the various presentations, activities, and outcomes of the CDI monthly forums, working groups, virtual training series, and other CDI-sponsoThe U.S. Geological Survey Monthly Water Balance Model Futures Portal
The U.S. Geological Survey Monthly Water Balance Model Futures Portal (https://my.usgs.gov/mows/) is a user-friendly interface that summarizes monthly historical and simulated future conditions for seven hydrologic and meteorological variables (actual evapotranspiration, potential evapotranspiration, precipitation, runoff, snow water equivalent, atmospheric temperature, and streamflow) at locationSpatiotemporal variability of snow depletion curves derived from SNODAS for the conterminous United States, 2004-2013
Assessment of water resources at a national scale is critical for understanding their vulnerability to future change in policy and climate. Representation of the spatiotemporal variability in snowmelt processes in continental-scale hydrologic models is critical for assessment of water resource response to continued climate change. Continental-extent hydrologic models such as the U.S. Geological SuThe U.S. Geological Survey Monthly Water Balance Model Futures Portal
Simulations of future climate suggest profiles of temperature and precipitation may differ significantly from those in the past. These changes in climate will likely lead to changes in the hydrologic cycle. As such, natural resource managers are in need of tools that can provide estimates of key components of the hydrologic cycle, uncertainty associated with the estimates, and limitations associatSharing our data—An overview of current (2016) USGS policies and practices for publishing data on ScienceBase and an example interactive mapping application
This report provides an overview of current (2016) U.S. Geological Survey policies and practices related to publishing data on ScienceBase, and an example interactive mapping application to display those data. ScienceBase is an integrated data sharing platform managed by the U.S. Geological Survey. This report describes resources that U.S. Geological Survey Scientists can use for writing data manaParameter regionalization of a monthly water balance model for the conterminous United States
A parameter regionalization scheme to transfer parameter values from gaged to ungaged areas for a monthly water balance model (MWBM) was developed and tested for the conterminous United States (CONUS). The Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test, a global-sensitivity algorithm, was implemented on a MWBM to generate parameter sensitivities on a set of 109 951 hydrologic response units (HRUs) across theAccelerating advances in continental domain hydrologic modeling
In the past, hydrologic modeling of surface water resources has mainly focused on simulating the hydrologic cycle at local to regional catchment modeling domains. There now exists a level of maturity among the catchment, global water security, and land surface modeling communities such that these communities are converging toward continental domain hydrologic models. This commentary, written fromEvaluation of mean-monthly streamflow-regression equations for Colorado, 2014
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, evaluated the predictive uncertainty of mean-monthly streamflow-regression equations representative of natural streamflow conditions in Colorado. This study evaluates the predictive uncertainty of mean-monthly streamflow-regression equations developed in a 2009 U.S. Geological Survey study using streamflow data - Science
Development of Recommended Practices and Workflow for Publishing Digital Data through ScienceBase for Dynamic Visualization
The purpose of this project was to document processes for USGS scientists to organize and share data using ScienceBase, and to provide an example interactive mapping application to display those data. Data and maps from Chase and others (2016a, b) were used for the example interactive maps. Principal Investigator : Katherine J Chase, Andy Bock, Thomas R Sando Accomplishments The accomplishmentWater availability for ungauged rivers: an integrative, multi-model approach to estimate water availability at ungauged rivers across the United States
There has been increasing attention placed on the need for water availability information at ungauged locations, particularly related to balancing human and ecological needs for water. Critical to assessing water availability is the necessity for daily streamflow time series; however, most of the rivers in the United States are ungauged. This proposal leverages over $1M currently allocated to theEvaluation of downscaled General Circulation Model (GCM) output for current conditions and associated error in simulated runoff for CONUS
This project will assess the accuracy of climate drivers (precipitation and temperature) from different sources for current and future conditions. The impact of these drivers on hydrologic response will be using the monthly water balance model (MWBM). The methodology for processing and analysis of these datasets will be automated for when new climate datasets become available on the USGS Geo DatDeveloping a VisTrails Platform for Modeling Streamflow Hydrology and Projecting Climate Change Effects on Streamflow
Hydrologic models are used throughout the world to forecast and simulate streamflow, inform water management, municipal planning, and ecosystem conservation, and investigate potential effects of climate and land-use change on hydrology. The USGS Modeling of Watershed Systems (MoWS) group is currently developing the infrastructure for a National Hydrologic Model (NHM) to support coordinated, compre - Data
Elevation Data from Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River, Colorado, 2021
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities, has been collecting topographic data annually since 2012 at 10 study areas along Fountain Creek, Colorado. The 10 study areas are located along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the confluence of Fountain Creek and the Arkansas River in Pueblo. This data release presents topographic survey data, Light Detection aGeospatial Fabric for National Hydrologic Modeling, version 1.1
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data release consists of two hydrographic datasets with spatial modeling units consistent with the National Hydrologic Model (NHM) Geospatial Fabric for National Hydrologic Modeling (abbreviated within this document as GFv1, Viger and Bock, 2014). The two datasets found as subpages to this landing page are 1) the GIS (geographic information system) features of thRiparian seed dispersal phenology and snowmelt streamflow timing in the upper South Platte River Basin, observed in 2010-2011 and simulated for 1962-2098
This dataset presents observations and model projections of climate, riparian cottonwood and willow seed release phenology, snowmelt streamflow timing, and relative timing of seed release and snowmelt peak streamflow in the upper South Platte River Basin, USA. We collected field observations of seed release phenology from three riparian Salicaceae species at 14 riparian sites and used those observEstimates of Road Salt Application across the conterminous United States (1992-2015)
Annual estimates of road salt application were developed for the conterminous United States for the calendar years 1992 through 2015. The final estimates (in pounds) were derived from several data sources, which include road density and proportion of developed land use, depth and spatial extent of long-term snowfall, and the production and distribution of salt sources by state. The extent is the c - Maps
Elevation and elevation-change maps of Fountain Creek, southeastern Colorado, 2015-20
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities, has collected topographic data annually since 2012 at 10 study areas along Fountain Creek, southeastern Colorado. The 10 study areas were located between Colorado Springs and the terminus of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River in Pueblo. The purpose of this report is to present elevation maps based on topographic surveys