Charlie Besteder

Charlie currently is a supervisory hydrologist in the NY Observing Systems Branch. He oversees staff involved with Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) data collection and publication. The NGWOS work is characterized by development of monitoring technologies, state of the art measurements, groundwater/surface water interaction monitoring, radar and image velocimetry for remotely sensing surface–water velocities and a dense array of sensors at select sites. 

Charlie began his career working for the USGS Montana WSC, as a hydrologic technician in the Billings, MT field office. While in the Billings office, he spent time streamgaging, collecting/processing water quality samples, participating in project work and serving work details to North Dakota during historical floods of 2009 and 2011.

In 2013, Charlie applied for and accepted a position as a hydrologist in the USGS Montana WSC district office in Helena, MT. In addition to having a stream gage trip, he served as the crest-stage gage (CSG) project chief in cooperation with the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT) managing 88 CSG’s. He served as the USGS Wyoming-Montana WSC’s survey specialist; using GNSS to perform network adjustments, performing flood inundation mapping (FIM) and surveying to monitor bridge scour. Charlie was a leader among the nation surveying and computing indirect discharge measurements. He operated streamgages jointly with Water Survey Canada overseen by the International Joint Commission (IJC). Charlie served as a charter member for the USGS National Hydrologic Data Advisory Committee (HDAC) from 2014 to 2018. He also established WY-MT WSC’s first large-scale particle image velocimetry (LSPIV) site and developed/presented project proposals.

In 2020, Charlie accepted a position as the USGS New York WSC’s Milford Branch Chief. He setup, led and managed a new NYWSC field office location for surface-water, groundwater and water quality network operations; focused on NGWOS work in pilot basin (Delaware Basin). He hired, trained and directed employees to accomplish the work. He also organized and directed teams from multiple offices during flood events, and to aid in the completion of time sensitive NGWOS projects. In addition, was responsible for the operation & maintenance of streamgages used by NYC’s DEP to monitor NYC’s drinking water supply and gages tied to Delaware River Master operations.