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Brandon Fleming

I've been a hydrologist with USGS since 2008 and currently serve as the Pennsylvania Water Science Center Groundwater Specialist.  My work has focused on characterizing fractured rock and porous media aquifers, groundwater/surface water relations, groundwater ages, and understanding spatial and temporal variability of groundwater quality.  

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. Geosciences (Hydrogeology), University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2009

  • B.S. Geosciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 2002

     

Science and Products

A science plan for a comprehensive assessment of water supply in the region underlain by fractured rock in Maryland

The fractured rock region of Maryland, which includes land areas north and west of the Interstate 95 corridor, is the source of water supply for approximately 4.4 million Marylanders, or approximately 76 percent of the State's population. Whereas hundreds of thousands of residents rely on wells (both domestic and community), millions rely on surface-water sources. In this region, land use, geology
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Water Resources, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

Groundwater-quality data from the National Water-Quality Assessment Project, January through December 2014 and select quality-control data from May 2012 through December 2014

Groundwater-quality data were collected from 559 wells as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Program from January through December 2014. The data were collected from four types of well networks: principal aquifer study networks, which are used to assess the quality of groundwater used for public water supply; land-use study ne
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Water Resources

Water quality in the surficial aquifer near agricultural areas in the Delaware Coastal Plain, 2014

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Delaware Department of Agriculture, developed a network of wells to monitor groundwater quality in the surficial aquifer of the Delaware Coastal Plain. Well-drained soils, a flat landscape, and accessible water in the Delaware Coastal Plain make for a productive agricultural setting. As such, agriculture is one of the largest industries in the St
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Water Resources, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

Statistical classification of hydrogeologic regions in the fractured rock area of Maryland and parts of the District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware

Hydrogeologic regions in the fractured rock area of Maryland were classified using geographic information system tools with principal components and cluster analyses. A study area consisting of the 8-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) watersheds with rivers that flow through the fractured rock area of Maryland and bounded by the Fall Line was further subdivided into 21,431 catchments from the Nation
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Water Resources, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

Geology, Hydrology, and Water Quality of the Little Blackwater River Watershed, Dorchester County, Maryland, 2006-09

The Little Blackwater River watershed is a low-lying tidal watershed in Dorchester County, Maryland. The potential exists for increased residential development in a mostly agricultural watershed that drains into the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Groundwater and surface-water levels were collected along with water-quality samples to document hydrologic and geochemical conditions within the w
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Water Resources, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

Simulation of groundwater flow to assess future withdrawals associated with Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland

Increased groundwater withdrawals from confined aquifers in the Maryland Coastal Plain to supply anticipated growth at Fort George G. Meade (Fort Meade) and surrounding areas resulting from the Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure Program may have adverse effects in the outcrop or near-outcrop areas. Specifically, increased pumping from the Potomac Group aquifers (principally the Pat
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Water Resources, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

Implications of anthropogenic river stage fluctuations on mass transport in a valley fill aquifer

In humid regions a strong coupling between surface water features and groundwater systems may exist. In these environments the exchange of water and solute depends primarily on the hydraulic gradient between the reservoirs. We hypothesize that daily changes in river stage associated with anthropogenic water releases (such as those from a hydroelectric dam) cause anomalous mixing in the near‐stream

Spatial and temporal patterns of low streamflow and precipitation changes in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Spatial and temporal patterns in low streamflows were investigated for 183 streamgages located in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed for the period 1939–2013. Metrics that represent different aspects of the frequency and magnitude of low streamflows were examined for trends: (1) the annual time series of seven‐day average minimum streamflow, (2) the scaled average deficit at or below the 2% mean daily s
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Chesapeake Bay Activities, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Evaluating low flow patterns, drivers and trends in the Delaware River Basin

In the humid, temperate Delaware River Basin (DRB) where water availability is generally reliable, summer low flows can cause competition between various human and ecological water uses. As temperatures continue to rise, population increases and development expands, it is critical to understand historical low flow variability to anticipate and plan for future flows. Using a sample of 325 U.S. Geol
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Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Simulated effects of sea-level rise on the shallow, fresh groundwater system of Assateague Island, Maryland and Virginia

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, developed a three-dimensional groundwater-flow model for Assateague Island in eastern Maryland and Virginia to assess the effects of sea-level rise on the groundwater system. Sea-level rise is expected to increase the altitude of the water table in barrier island aquifer systems, possibly leading to adverse effects to ecosy
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Water Resources, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
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Groundwater: Child about to get water from a groundwater well.

Groundwater Availability and Use

The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center helps water providers assess the availability of groundwater for use in homes, on farms, and in industrial activities.
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Pennsylvania Water Science Center
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Groundwater Availability and Use

The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center helps water providers assess the availability of groundwater for use in homes, on farms, and in industrial activities.
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Groundwater Recorder on a well in New Jersey

Groundwater Monitoring in Pennsylvania

Groundwater Monitoring and Tools for Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania Water Science Center
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Groundwater Monitoring in Pennsylvania

Groundwater Monitoring and Tools for Pennsylvania
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Map of groundwater recharge estimates for Pennsylvania, 1971-2000

Groundwater Recharge - Pennsylvania

Recharge is the process of adding water to the saturated zone. Because it is almost impossible to measure directly, recharge is usually estimated by indirect means. Completed USGS studies provide estimates of groundwater recharge in Pennsylvania and methods for estimating recharge in humid regions.
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Pennsylvania Water Science Center
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Groundwater Recharge - Pennsylvania

Recharge is the process of adding water to the saturated zone. Because it is almost impossible to measure directly, recharge is usually estimated by indirect means. Completed USGS studies provide estimates of groundwater recharge in Pennsylvania and methods for estimating recharge in humid regions.
Learn More
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Pennsylvania Drought Condition Monitoring Map

Pennsylvania Drought Condition Monitoring

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection relies upon a number of parameters to monitor water-supply-drought conditions, among which are four parameters displayed herein—precipitation, streamflow, groundwater levels, and the Palmer Drought Severity Index, an indicator of soil moisture dryness.
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Pennsylvania Water Science Center
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Pennsylvania Drought Condition Monitoring

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection relies upon a number of parameters to monitor water-supply-drought conditions, among which are four parameters displayed herein—precipitation, streamflow, groundwater levels, and the Palmer Drought Severity Index, an indicator of soil moisture dryness.
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IWAAs CMF project map - Delaware River Basin

Delaware River Basin IWAAs Pilot

The USGS is conducting a pilot study in the Delaware River Basin to support development of National and Regional Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs). The Delaware River Basin Pilot will be conducted with state and local partners with the support of USGS Cooperative Program Matching Funds and will focus on improving the data, tools, and information stakeholders need to make water...
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Pennsylvania Water Science Center
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Delaware River Basin IWAAs Pilot

The USGS is conducting a pilot study in the Delaware River Basin to support development of National and Regional Integrated Water Availability Assessments (IWAAs). The Delaware River Basin Pilot will be conducted with state and local partners with the support of USGS Cooperative Program Matching Funds and will focus on improving the data, tools, and information stakeholders need to make water...
Learn More

MODFLOW-NWT model with SWI2 used to evaluate the water-table response of sea-level rise and change in recharge, Assateague Island, Maryland and Virginia:

A three-dimensional groundwater flow model, MODFLOW-NWT with the SWI2 module, was developed to provide a better understanding of the fresh groundwater system of Assateague Island, Maryland and Virginia. Groundwater flow on Assateague Island was simulated to evaluate the effects of sea-level rise and changes in recharge on the depth to freshwater below the land surface, changes in freshwater di
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Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center

Low-streamflow and precipitation trends for 183 U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

This data release contains low-streamflow trend results from 183 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages and precipitation trend results from gaged watersheds within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Data include streamgage identification number, trend slopes and significance for several low-streamflow and precipitation metrics.
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Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center
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Drought Watch Removed for 3 Pennsylvania Counties - All Commonwealth Counties now in Normal Status

On February 4, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection removed the three remaining counties under Drought Watch declarations...

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USGS at the 2021 Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium (Virtual)

USGS scientists presented recent research results and updated stakeholders on USGS groundwater activities at the 2021 Pennsylvania Groundwater...

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USGS Studies Low-Flow Changes in the Delaware River Basin

USGS scientists published a new study of low flow in streams in the Delaware River Basin. In general, the low flows measured during 1980-2018...

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Science and Products