Brett D Johnston

Brett D. Johnston began his career with the USGS in 2007 and has a B.S. degree in Environmental Science from the University of Central Florida. His experience spans surface-water, groundwater, and water-quality monitoring, including field data collection, observing-systems research and development, and applied hydrologic investigations. Much of Brett's work has focused on evaluating and adapting optical sensing technologies and analytical methods to characterize hydrologic and water-quality conditions. His research has integrated continuous and spatially intensive sensor measurements, passive and discrete sampling, scripted data processing, and statistical modeling to better understand nutrient dynamics, phytoplankton abundance, and harmful algal blooms (HABs).

Brett's current studies in Lake Okeechobee and connected waterways examine the dynamics of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins and synthesize historical and current monitoring data to assess spatial and temporal patterns in HAB occurrence in relation to hydrologic conditions. His current work also includes adapting hydroacoustic surrogate methods for continuous estimation of suspended-sediment concentration under south Florida conditions. Beyond these studies, Brett contributes to broader efforts to improve streamgaging networks by developing new operational approaches for collecting, processing, reviewing, and delivering hydrologic information. These approaches increasingly incorporate automation, multimodal artificial intelligence, and other computational tools to make hydrologic data workflows and network operations more efficient and consistent.

Brett currently serves as the U.S. Expert to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Association IV (RA IV) Hydrological and Water Coordination Panel.