Cara L Peterman-Phipps, Ph.D.
Welcome to Cara Peterman's profile.
Cara is a fluvial geomorphologist / hydrologist whose research interests are on understanding the effects of natural and or human-induced perturbations, including land use change, wildfires, extreme weather events such as floods and hurricanes have on water-resources and soils by using geographical information system (GIS) and statistical methods. Additionally, she co-leads the, "Geospatial & Hydro-ecological Optimization Science Team Building the Understanding of Spatial & Temporal Environmental Research Studies group" whose purpose is to facilitate the interaction of ideas, personnel, and technologies with the goal to develop a Geospatial Community of Practice among USGS personal using 21st Century Science in support of USGS EarthMAP’s framework and objectives.
Professional Experience
Hydrologist (Fluvial Geomorphologist), Kansas Water Science Center, USGS, Lawrence KS (November 2018 to present)
Education and Certifications
University of Kentucky, Ph.D., Geological Sciences
University of Michigan-Dearborn, M.S., Environmental Science
University of Michigan-Dearborn, B.S., Earth Science, minor Geology
University of Michigan-Dearborn, Certificate: Geographical Information Systems
Monroe County College, A.S., Chemistry
Science and Products
Opportunities and challenges for precipitation forcing data in post-wildfire hydrologic modeling applications
A call for strategic water-quality monitoring to advance assessment and prediction of wildfire impacts on water supplies
Sediment concentrations and loads upstream from and through John Redmond Reservoir, east-central Kansas, 2010–19
Science and Products
- Publications
Opportunities and challenges for precipitation forcing data in post-wildfire hydrologic modeling applications
The frequency and extent of wildfires have increased in recent decades with immediate and cascading effects on water availability in many regions of the world. Precipitation is used as primary input to hydrologic models and is a critical driver of post-wildfire hydrologic hazards including debris flows, flash floods, water-quality effects, and reservoir sedimentation. These models are valuable tooAuthorsTrevor Fuess Partridge, Zachary Johnson, Rachel Sleeter, Sharon L. Qi, Michelle A. Walvoord, Sheila F. Murphy, Cara L. Peterman-Phipps, Brian A. EbelA call for strategic water-quality monitoring to advance assessment and prediction of wildfire impacts on water supplies
Wildfires pose a risk to water supplies in the western U.S. and many other parts of the world, due to the potential for degradation of water quality. However, a lack of adequate data hinders prediction and assessment of post-wildfire impacts and recovery. The dearth of such data is related to lack of funding for monitoring extreme events and the challenge of measuring the outsized hydrologic and eAuthorsSheila F. Murphy, Charles N. Alpers, Chauncey W. Anderson, John R. Banta, Johanna Blake, Kurt D. Carpenter, Gregory D. Clark, David W. Clow, Laura A. Hempel, Deborah A. Martin, Michael Meador, Gregory Mendez, Anke Mueller-Solger, Marc A. Stewart, Sean E. Payne, Cara L. Peterman-Phipps, Brian A. EbelSediment concentrations and loads upstream from and through John Redmond Reservoir, east-central Kansas, 2010–19
Streambank erosion and reservoir sedimentation are primary concerns of resource managers in Kansas and throughout many regions of the United States and negatively affect flood control, water supply, and recreation. The Cottonwood and upper Neosho Rivers drain into John Redmond Reservoir, and since reservoir completion in 1964, there has been substantial conservation-pool sedimentation and storageAuthorsAriele R. Kramer, Cara L. Peterman-Phipps, Matthew D. Mahoney, Bradley S. Lukasz