Curtis Schreffler
I've been working for the USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center for over 35 years. In December 2011, I accepted the position of Associate Director for Research and Scientific Investigations.
Biography
I received a BS in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University in 1988. I started my career in the Williamsport field office of the Pennsylvania District in 1984 as a student hydrologist trainee learning the tasks of the hydrologic surveillance program. After graduation, I transferred to the Pittsburgh sub-district office to work on the geohydrologic and water-quality assessment of unconsolidated glacial aquifers in Erie County, Pa. I spent 3 years in Pittsburgh and then transferred to the Malvern sub-district office (near Philadelphia) to work on the hydrogeologic and groundwater quality assessment of northern Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In my 12 years in the Malvern office, I lead a variety of projects on groundwater, surface-water, and water-quality studies such as drought monitoring assessments, watershed characterizations, groundwater flow modeling, and water availability. In 2003, I transferred to the New Cumberland office to lead the Surface-water and Ecology section where I supervised a cadre of hydrologist, hydrologic technicians, and biologists working on a multitude of water resource investigations. During this time, I was the manager of a 7-year program overseeing USGS technical support and assistance to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection on the Act 220 update of the State Water Plan for the Commonwealth.
Science and Products
Shale Gas and Water Resources in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Water Science Center and other USGS scientists are studying water availability, use, quality, and ecology associated with development of shale-gas energy resources in Pennsylvania.
Latest Report: Potter County 'Baseline' Groundwater Quality
Simulation of ground-water flow and areas contributing recharge to extraction wells at the Drake Chemical Superfund Site, City of Lock Haven and Castanea Township, Clinton County, Pennsylvania
Extensive remediation of the Drake Chemical Superfund Site has been ongoing since 1983. Contaminated soils were excavated and incinerated on site between 1996 and 1999. After 1999, remedial efforts focused on contaminated ground water. A ground-water remediation system was started in November 2000. The source area of the contaminated ground water...
Schreffler, Curtis L.
Effects of spray-irrigated municipal wastewater on a small watershed in Chester County, Pennsylvania
Spray irrigation is a method for disposing of secondary treated municipal wastewater by spraying it on the land surface (fig. 1). The sprayed wastewater either evaporates into the air, soaks into the soil, or percolates through the soil and recharges the ground water. Land application of wastewater has advantages over conventional means of...
Schreffler, Curtis L.; Galeone, Daniel G. Effects of spray-irrigated treated effluent on water quantity and quality, and the fate and transport of nitrogen in a small watershed, New Garden Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania
An increasing number of communities in Pennsylvania are implementing land-treatment systems to dispose of treated sewage effluent. Disposal of treated effluent by spraying onto the land surface, instead of discharging to streams, may recharge the ground-water system and reduce degradation of stream-water quality. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS...
Schreffler, Curtis L.; Galeone, Daniel G.; Veneziale, John M.; Olson, Leif E.; O'Brien, David L.
Simulation of ground-water flow in the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system near the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, and the Point Breeze Refinery, southern Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Ground-water flow in the Potomac-Raritan- Magothy aquifer system (PRM) in south Philadelphia and adjacent southwestern New Jersey was simulated by use of a three-dimensional, seven-layer finite-difference numerical flow model. The simulation was run from 1900, which was prior to groundwater development, through 1995 with 21 stress periods. The...
Schreffler, Curtis L.
Altitude and configuration of the water-table surface in the vicinity of the Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia and the Point Breeze Refinery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 22, 1998
No abstract available
Schreffler, Curtis L.
Low-flow statistics of selected streams in Chester County, Pennsylvania
Low-flow statistics for many streams in Chester County, Pa., were determined on the basis of data from 14 continuous-record streamflow stations in Chester County and data from 1 station in Maryland and 1 station in Delaware. The stations in Maryland and Delaware are on streams that drain large areas within Chester County. Streamflow data through...
Schreffler, Curtis L.
Hydrogeologic framework of the diabase aquifer at the Boarhead Farms Superfund site, Bridgeton Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
The hydrogeologic investigation at the Boarhead Farms Superfund site was done to characterize the framework of the diabase aquifer underlying the site. The primary water-producing fracture system is less than 30 feet below land surface. Water-bearing fractures were not found deeper than 50 feet below land surface. The overburden soil is thin and...
Schreffler, Curtis L.
Drought-trigger ground-water levels and analysis of historical water-level trends in Chester County, Pennsylvania
The Chester County observation-well network was established in 1973 through a cooperative agreement between the Chester County Water Resources Authority (CCWRA) and the U.S. Geological Survey. The network was established to monitor local ground-water levels, to determine drought conditions, and to monitor ground-water-level trends. Drought-warning...
Schreffler, Curtis L. Maps of difference between ground-water contributions to base flow for the various recurrence intervals and ground-water withdrawals in the Neshaminy Creek basin, Pennsylvania
Schreffler, C.L.; Bird, P.H.
Water-use analysis program for the Neshaminy Creek basin, Bucks and Montgomery counties, Pennsylvania
A water-use analysis computer program was developed for the Neshaminy Creek Basin to assist in managing and allocating water resources in the basin. The program was developed for IBM-compatible personal computers. Basin analysis and the methodologies developed for the Neshaminy Creek Basin can be transferred to other watersheds. The development...
Schreffler, Curtis L.
Geohydrology and water quality of the unconsolidated deposits in Erie County, Pennsylvania
Water in unconsolidated deposits is used for the water supplies of homes, farms, municipalities, and industries in Erie County. The unconsolidated deposits cover most of the bedrock of Erie County. Thickness of the unconsolidated deposits ranged from 60 to 400 feet at 30 sites surveyed by seismic refraction and reflection methods. Water wells,...
Buckwalter, T.F.; Schreffler, C.L.; Gleichsner, R.E.
Hydrogeology and ground-water quality of northern Bucks County, Pennsylvania
The 187-square mile study area is in the Triassic-Jurassic Newark Basin. Most of the area is underlain by sedimentary rocks of Upper Triassic age (74 percent) and intrusive diabase of Jurassic age (12 percent) and includes two southwest-northeast trending valleys underlain by carbonate and crystalline rock. Ground water in the sedimentary rocks of...
Sloto, Ronald A.; Schreffler, Curtis L.