Christopher L Gazoorian
♦ Surface water hydrology and hydraulics
♦ Innovative methods for hydrology data collection and delivery
♦ Streamflow statistics and uncertainty anlysis
Biography
Chris Gazoorian currently serves as the Surface Water Specialist for the USGS New York Water Science Center. Prior to this, he served as a Hydrologist, leading studies and field data collection relating to surface-water, groundwater and water-quality. Chris' reserach interests include innovative use of non-contact sensors, ice-jam flood monitoring, and streamflow uncertainly and statistical analysis.
EDUCATION
Master of Arts, Geography, 2004, State University of New York at Albany
Certificate of Graduate Study, GIS & Spatial Analysis, 2003, State University of New York at Albany
Bachelor of Science, Geology, 2002, State University of New York at Albany
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Hydrologist
February 2005 - present
United States Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center
- Estimation of unaltered daily streamflow at rural ungaged locations
- Investigate flow alteration impacts on water availability for human and ecological needs
- Streamflow statistics and trends
- Ice Jam monitoring and modeling in the Mohawk River, Schenectady, NY
- Computation of peak streamflow in open channels and through control structures by direct and indirect methods
- Flood documentation and flood frequency trends
- Develop streamflow ratings for stage-discharge and index-velocity relations
- Collect, process and review streamflow and water quality data for publication
- Measure stream discharge directly by acoustic Doppler current profiler, current meter or accoustic doppler velocimeter
- Measure streamflow by indirect methods using transit level, total station and/ or hydraulic models
- Design, construct, operate and maintain field data collection sites, sensors and data loggers
- Provide statistical and GIS analyses for published reports
Student Hydrologist
August 2002 – February 2005
United States Geological Survey, New York Water Science Center
- Assisted with multiple research projects investigating biogeochemical nutrient cycles, acid deposition and water
- Analyzed soil and water properties including total C and N using a Carlo Erba EA 1110 elemental analyzer
- Reported data for publication in scientific journals and USGS reports
- Developed the NY WSC Standard Operating Procedure manuals for soil analyses
- Instructed students on analyses procedures and tracked progress to meet deadlines
- Collected water, soil, sediment and biological samples and maintained field sites
Graduate Research Assistant
May 2002 – August 2002
State University of New York at Albany, Department of Geography and Planning
- Conducted soil analyses on archived and new samples to identify centennial scale changes in soil C in a Russian steppe
Science and Products
An Analysis of Trends in the Magnitude of Floods in Urbanized Watersheds on Long Island, New York
Summary: This study aims to do a thorough analysis of trends in peak streamflows on Long Island. Reliable information about the magnitude and frequency of floods is essential for flood insurance studies, flood-plain management, and the design of transportation and water-conveyance infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, culverts, dams, and levees. Federal, State, regional, and local officials...
Lake Ontario Flood Monitoring and Mapping
Problem– Lake Ontario experienced period-of-record (1918-2017) maximum monthly average water levels during May through July 2017. NOAA lake gages recorded instantaneous peaks-of record, 249.2 at Olcott, 249.1 at Rochester, and 249.0 at Oswego and St. Vincent. These high water levels along with wind-generated waves caused flooding of thousands of residences and businesses and the erosion of...
Monthly Hydrologic Conditions for New York
The U.S. Geological Survey New York Water Science Center’s monthly summary reports and tables of hydrologic conditions for surface and ground water list the station, county, period of record, and several statistics, including color-coded percent exceedance* categories based on average monthly conditions for the period of record at each station.
New York Flood Information
For emergency situations, please contact Chris Gazoorian, Surface Water Specialist at the USGS New York Water Science Center or call our general number (518) 285-5600 and follow the directions to leave voicemail which will be immediately forwarded to a responsible party and responded to as quickly as possible.
Mohawk River Ice Jam Monitoring
The Mohawk River near Schenectady, NY is prone to ice jams during periods of river-ice break-up. Ice jams in this reach typically form at channel constrictions, bridge piers, lock and dam structures, and sections with a reduced floodplain (...
Flood-inundation mapping of Egypt Creek, Dryden, Tompkins County
Problem – Flooding is an annual problem along Egypt Creek in Dryden. Increased runoff from expanding development, sediment clogged channels, and undersized culverts that cannot convey increased flows contribute to the problem. Flood maps for extreme floods are available through the effective FEMA flood insurance study (FEMA, 1978), but these maps, which became effective in 1979, are considered...
A New Tool for Estimating Daily Mean Streamflow Statistics at Rural Streams in New York State, excluding Long Island
The lakes, rivers, and streams of New York State provide an essential water resource for the State. The information provided by time series hydrologic data is essential to understanding ways to promote healthy instream ecology and to strengthen the scientific basis for sound water management decision making in New York. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy and...
Surface-Water Data Collection in New York
Problem Surface-water information is needed for planning, design, hazard warning, and operation and management in water-related fields such as water supply, hydroelectric power, flood control, irrigation, bridge and culvert design, wildlife management, pollution abatement, flood-plain management, and water-resources development. Appropriate historical and real-time surface-water data, such...
A comparison of methods for streamflow uncertainty estimation
Streamflow time series are commonly derived from stage‐discharge rating curves, but the uncertainty of the rating curve and resulting streamflow series are poorly understood. While different methods to quantify uncertainty in the stage‐discharge relationship exist, there is limited understanding of how uncertainty estimates differ between methods...
Kiang, Julie E.; Gazoorian, Christopher L.; McMillan, Hillary; Coxon, Gemma; Le Coz, Jerome; Westerberg, Ida; Belleville, Arnaud; Sevrez, Damien; Sikorska, Anna; Petersen‐Øverleir, Asgeir; Reitan, Trond; Freer, Jim; Renard, Benjamin; Mansanarez, Valentin; Mason,, Robert R.
Estimates of natural streamflow at two streamgages on the Esopus Creek, New York, water years 1932 to 2012
Streamflow in the Esopus Creek watershed is altered by two major watershed management activities carried out by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection as part of its responsibility to maintain a water supply for New York City: (1) diversion of water from the Schoharie Creek watershed to the Esopus Creek through the Shandaken...
Burns, Douglas A.; Gazoorian, Christopher L.
Estimation of unaltered daily mean streamflow at ungaged streams of New York, excluding Long Island, water years 1961-2010
The lakes, rivers, and streams of New York State provide an essential water resource for the State. The information provided by time series hydrologic data is essential to understanding ways to promote healthy instream ecology and to strengthen the scientific basis for sound water management decision making in New York. The U.S. Geological Survey...
Gazoorian, Christopher L.
Changes in low-flow frequency from 1976-2006 at selected streamgages in New York, excluding Long Island
Many Federal, State, and local agencies use low-flow data to establish water-use policy and help determine the total maximum daily loads and effluent limits of point and nonpoint sources of contamination of surface water during periods of decreased streamflow. Low-flow magnitude and frequency are used often by water-supply planners, reservoir...
Suro, Thomas P.; Gazoorian, Christopher L.
New York Streamflow Estimation Tool
The New York Streamflow Estimation Tool produces a complete estimated daily mean time series from which daily flow statistics can be estimated and a means for quantitative flow assessments at ungaged locations to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.
Lake Ontario Elevation Gages
Extreme flooding on Lake Ontario can result in millions of dollars in damages to shoreline properties. Currently, USGS Lake Ontario gages report elevations around 247.8 ft above International Great Lakes Datum of 1985; a foot below record flood elevations observed in 2017. During 2017, wind-driven waves pounded the shoreline, causing widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses...