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Brian V Twining

Brian Twining is the Chief of the USGS Idaho Water Science Center's Idaho National Laboratory Project Office in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Brian has served with the USGS Idaho National Laboratory Project Office since 1998. Prior to becoming the project office chief, he led the geotechnical drilling and geophysical logging programs. His scientific research involves groundwater monitoring systems, aquifer testing, geophysical logging and data analysis, and project management and coordination.

Professional Experience

  • Project Chief, USGS Idaho National Laboratory Project Office, August 2021 - Present

  • Supervisory Hydrologist, USGS Idaho National Laboratory Project Office, August 2010 – August 2021

  • Hydrologist, USGS Idaho National Laboratory Project Office, May 2002 – August 2010

  • Hydrologic Technician, USGS Idaho National Laboratory Project Office June 1998 – May 2002

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. Hydrology, 2001, University of Idaho

  • B.S. Geology and Environmental Science, 1996, University of Idaho

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • National Groundwater Association (NGWA)

Science and Products

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USGS

Publications - Idaho National Laboratory

Since the USGS established a project office at the Idaho National Laboratory in 1949, we have published the findings of our scientific monitoring and research. Many of these publications are available through the USGS Publications Warehouse. A complete bibliography of our publications is available at the link below.
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Idaho Water Science Center
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Publications - Idaho National Laboratory

Since the USGS established a project office at the Idaho National Laboratory in 1949, we have published the findings of our scientific monitoring and research. Many of these publications are available through the USGS Publications Warehouse. A complete bibliography of our publications is available at the link below.
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Drilling and Coring - Idaho National Laboratory

Drilling and Coring - Idaho National Laboratory

We drill and maintain wells around the INL to monitor and sample groundwater, obtain basalt and sediment cores for study and analysis, and study the physical properties of the subsurface (geophysical logging). This information helps us to improve the scientific understanding of the eastern Snake River Plain and its aquifer. In particular, we are examining the subsidence of the plain and the...
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Idaho Water Science Center
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Drilling and Coring - Idaho National Laboratory

We drill and maintain wells around the INL to monitor and sample groundwater, obtain basalt and sediment cores for study and analysis, and study the physical properties of the subsurface (geophysical logging). This information helps us to improve the scientific understanding of the eastern Snake River Plain and its aquifer. In particular, we are examining the subsidence of the plain and the...
Learn More
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Video loggoing van

Video Logging - Idaho National Laboratory

Drillers use the vertical and horizontal views captured by our downhole video camera to examine borehole integrity before placing water well casing, well screens, and submersible pumps. Hydrologists and geologists use the images to verify geophysical data such as: changes in rock type, small-scale geologic structures, rock fractures, and groundwater movement.
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Idaho Water Science Center
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Video Logging - Idaho National Laboratory

Drillers use the vertical and horizontal views captured by our downhole video camera to examine borehole integrity before placing water well casing, well screens, and submersible pumps. Hydrologists and geologists use the images to verify geophysical data such as: changes in rock type, small-scale geologic structures, rock fractures, and groundwater movement.
Learn More
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Geophysical logging van

Geophysical Logging - Idaho National Laboratory

Our scientists collect geophysical data from wells to understand the character of rocks and fluids below the surface. Geophysical data for a well are recorded, interpreted, and then disseminated as a geophysical log. Engineers and well drillers use geophysical logs to make well construction decisions such as design for well casing, well screen, and pump placement. Hydrologists, geologists and...
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Idaho Water Science Center
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Geophysical Logging - Idaho National Laboratory

Our scientists collect geophysical data from wells to understand the character of rocks and fluids below the surface. Geophysical data for a well are recorded, interpreted, and then disseminated as a geophysical log. Engineers and well drillers use geophysical logs to make well construction decisions such as design for well casing, well screen, and pump placement. Hydrologists, geologists and...
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USGS geologist Mary Hodges

Geophyical Logging and Water-Quality Assessment for Project Hot Spot

Relatively little is known about the Yellowstone-Snake River "hotspot" system. To increase our knowledge, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Program provided over $4.5 million of this $6.7 million project using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
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Idaho Water Science Center
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Geophyical Logging and Water-Quality Assessment for Project Hot Spot

Relatively little is known about the Yellowstone-Snake River "hotspot" system. To increase our knowledge, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Program provided over $4.5 million of this $6.7 million project using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
Learn More
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Core samples from Idaho National Laboratory

Hydrologic Investigations near the Remote Handled Low-Level Waste Facility

The U.S. Department of Energy has proposed a location for a new facility to store waste at the INL. In the unlikely event that waste leaks from the facility, it will be important to monitor whether the contamination reaches the aquifer and baseline information is need before the facility is built. Because we need to know how water and contaminants may travel through the aquifer, we need to gather...
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Idaho Water Science Center
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Hydrologic Investigations near the Remote Handled Low-Level Waste Facility

The U.S. Department of Energy has proposed a location for a new facility to store waste at the INL. In the unlikely event that waste leaks from the facility, it will be important to monitor whether the contamination reaches the aquifer and baseline information is need before the facility is built. Because we need to know how water and contaminants may travel through the aquifer, we need to gather...
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Geophysical and lithologic data for 12 boreholes in Raft River Valley, Idaho

In 2022, Cold Steel Mechanical, contracted by the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), drilled and constructed twelve wells in Raft River Valley, Idaho. The wells were drilled using compressed air, dual rotary methods and were fully cased to completed depths. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected groundwater level and select geophysical data at each well between November 15th and 18th
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Idaho Water Science Center

Drilling, construction, geophysical data, and lithologic log for borehole USGS 151

In 2020, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for Naval Reactors Laboratory Field Office or Naval Reactors Facility (NRF), drilled and constructed borehole USGS 151 (433846112540701) for stratigraphic framework analyses at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) near the NRF, located in southeastern Idaho. Borehole USGS 151 was continuously cored f
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Idaho Water Science Center
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Completion summary for boreholes USGS 148, 148A, and 149 at the Materials and Fuels Complex, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho

In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, drilled and constructed boreholes USGS 148A and USGS 149 for stratigraphic framework analyses and long-term groundwater monitoring of the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in southeastern Idaho. Initially, boreholes USGS 148A and USGS 149 were continuously cored to
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Multilevel groundwater monitoring of hydraulic head, water temperature, and chemical constituents in the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho, 2014–18

Radiochemical and chemical wastewater discharged to infiltration ponds and disposal wells since the early 1950s at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), southeastern Idaho, has affected the water quality of the eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP) aquifer. In 2006, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, added a multilevel well-monitoring network to their o
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Transmissivity and geophysical data for selected wells at and near the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho, 2017–18

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, conducted aquifer tests during 2017–18 on 101 wells at and near the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho, to define the hydraulic characteristics for individual wells. These were short-duration aquifer tests, conducted with a limited number of observations during routine sampling. Pumped intervals (water columns) for indivi
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Completion summary for borehole TAN-2312 at Test Area North, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho

In 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, drilled and constructed borehole TAN-2312 for stratigraphic framework analyses and long-term groundwater monitoring of the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer at the Idaho National Laboratory in southeast Idaho. The location of borehole TAN-2312 was selected because it was downgradient from TAN and believed to be
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Drilling, construction, geophysical log data, and lithologic log for boreholes USGS 142 and USGS 142A, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho

Starting in 2014, the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, drilled and constructed boreholes USGS 142 and USGS 142A for stratigraphic framework analyses and long-term groundwater monitoring of the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer at the Idaho National Laboratory in southeast Idaho. Borehole USGS 142 initially was cored to collect rock and sediment core, then r
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Borehole deviation and correction factor data for selected wells in the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer at and near the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, has maintained a water-level monitoring program at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) since 1949. The purpose of the program is to systematically measure and report water-level data to assess the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer and long term changes in groundwater recharge, discharge, movement, and storage. Wa
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Characterization of sediment and measurement of groundwater levels and temperatures, Camas National Wildlife Refuge, eastern Idaho

The Camas National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) in eastern Idaho, established in 1937, contains wetlands, ponds, and wet meadows that are essential resting and feeding habitat for migratory birds and nesting habitat for waterfowl. Initially, natural sources of water supported these habitats. However, during the past few decades, climate change and changes in surrounding land use have altered and reduc
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Completion summary for boreholes TAN-2271 and TAN‑2272 at Test Area North, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho

In 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, drilled and constructed boreholes TAN-2271 and TAN-2272 for stratigraphic framework analyses and long-term groundwater monitoring of the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer at the Idaho National Laboratory in southeast Idaho. Borehole TAN-2271 initially was cored to collect continuous geologic data, and then re-d
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Hydrologic influences on water-level changes in the Eastern Snake River Plain aquifer at and near the Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho, 1949-2014

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, has maintained a water-level monitoring program at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) since 1949 to systematically measure water levels to provide long-term information on groundwater recharge, discharge, movement, and storage in the eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP) aquifer. During 2014, water levels in the ESRP aquife
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Multilevel groundwater monitoring of hydraulic head and temperature in the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho, 2011-13

From 2011 to 2013, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Project Office, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, collected depth-discrete measurements of fluid pressure and temperature in 11 boreholes located in the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer. Each borehole was instrumented with a multilevel monitoring system (MLMS) consisting of a series of valved measurem
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Completion summary for boreholes USGS 140 and USGS 141 near the Advanced Test Reactor Complex, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho

In 2013, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, drilled and constructed boreholes USGS 140 and USGS 141 for stratigraphic framework analyses and long-term groundwater monitoring of the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer at the Idaho National Laboratory in southeast Idaho. Borehole USGS 140 initially was cored to collect continuous geologic data, and then re-d
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Ambient changes in tracer concentrations from a multilevel monitoring system in Basalt

Starting in 2008, a 4-year tracer study was conducted to evaluate ambient changes in groundwater concentrations of a 1,3,6-naphthalene trisulfonate tracer that was added to drill water. Samples were collected under open borehole conditions and after installing a multilevel groundwater monitoring system completed with 11 discrete monitoring zones within dense and fractured basalt and sediment layer
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Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Science and Products

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government