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Cyndi Rachol

Cyndi works for the USGS National Geospatial Program as the National Map Liaison to Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

National Map Liaisons build connections, provide outreach and education, and foster collaborations and partnerships for key initiatives of the National Geospatial Program. 

Connect with National Map Liaisons

National Map Liaisons support users and stakeholders across all 50 states and U.S. territories.

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User Engagement Activities

Learn about activities of Cyndi and other National Map Liaisons.

Liaison Activities

As the National Map Liaison to Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio for the USGS National Geospatial Program User Engagement Office, Cyndi uses her expertise on National Map products and services to engage with users and stakeholders. 

In addition to her public-facing work as a liaison, Cyndi is a member of the USGS Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT) as the Deputy Chair. The GIRT is responsible for facilitating the coordination, communication, and dissemination of geospatial data and information through the GIRT Event Support Map. 

Also, Cyndi is the team lead for the National Geospatial Program (NGP) User Engagement Office’s Educational Video Production Team. This team is responsible for working with subject matter experts to produce videos on a wide range of NGP products and services. 

Prior to joining the NGP, Cyndi was a hydrologist for the USGS Upper Midwest Water Science Center, where she held research interests in dam removal analysis, natural channel design evaluation, flood inundation modeling, and water quality monitoring in both urban and agricultural settings.

Professional Experience

  • USGS Geospatial Information Response Team Deputy Chair, 2024 – Present  

  • USGS National Map Liaison, 2021 – Present 

  • USGS Hydrologist, 1999 – 2021

Education and Certifications

  • Certified Floodplain Manager, 2011 – Present  

  • Bachelor of Science (BS), Geological Sciences; Michigan State University 

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • Association of State Floodplain Managers, 2011 – Present 

  • Geospatial Professional Network (formerly URISA), 2022 – Present 

  • Improving Michigan's Access to Geographic Information Networks, 2021 – Present  

  • Indiana Geographic Information Council, 2025 – Present 

  • Indiana Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management, 2025 – Present 

  • Michigan Communities Association of Mapping Professionals, 2022 – Present 

  • Michigan Stormwater Floodplain Association, 2009 – Present

  • Water Management Association of Ohio, 2021 – Present 

Honors and Awards

  • 2019 George Hosek Michigan Stormwater Floodplain Association Outstanding Service Award

Abstracts and Presentations

  • “Curious About Careers: Hydrologist” for PBS’ Curious Crew, a STEM-focused children’s show: Curious About Careers | Hydrologist | Curious About Careers | Season 3 | PBS 

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 20

Water quality of the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and their U.S. tributaries, 1946-2005 Water quality of the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and their U.S. tributaries, 1946-2005

The St. Clair River/Lake St. Clair waterway forms an international boundary between the United States and Canada. The waters of the area are an important part of the cultural heritage of the area and serves as an important water-supply and power-generating resource; the waterway also supports an economy based largely on recreation, agriculture, and manufacturing. This report was...
Authors
Denis F. Healy, Douglas B. Chambers, Cynthia M. Rachol, Richard S. Jodoin
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Areal distribution and concentration of contaminants of concern in surficial streambed and lakebed sediments, Lake St. Clair and tributaries, Michigan, 1990-2003 Areal distribution and concentration of contaminants of concern in surficial streambed and lakebed sediments, Lake St. Clair and tributaries, Michigan, 1990-2003

As part of the Lake St. Clair Regional Monitoring Project, the U.S. Geological Survey evaluated data collected from surficial streambed and lakebed sediments in the Lake Erie-Lake St. Clair drainages. This study incorporates data collected from 1990 through 2003 and focuses primarily on the U.S. part of the Lake St. Clair Basin, including Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River, and...
Authors
Cynthia M. Rachol, Daniel T. Button
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Historical and simulated changes in channel characteristics of the Kalamazoo River, Plainwell to Otsego, Michigan Historical and simulated changes in channel characteristics of the Kalamazoo River, Plainwell to Otsego, Michigan

In a study to understand the historical effects of the construction and decommissioning of dams on the Kalamazoo River, Plainwell to Otsego, Michigan, and to simulate channel changes that may result if the dams were removed, early to mid-1800s General Land Office surveys and aerial photographs from 1938, 1981, and 1999 were compared in order to identify historical changes in the river’s...
Authors
Cynthia M. Rachol, Faith A. Fitzpatrick, Tiffiny Rossi
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

A pre-dam-removal assessment of sediment transport for four dams on the Kalamazoo River between Plainwell and Allegan, Michigan A pre-dam-removal assessment of sediment transport for four dams on the Kalamazoo River between Plainwell and Allegan, Michigan

Four dams on the Kalamazoo River between the cities of Plainwell and Allegan, Mich., are in varying states of disrepair. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) are considering removing these dams to restore the river channels to pre-dam conditions. This study was initiated to identify sediment characteristics, monitor...
Authors
Atiq U. Syed, James P. Bennett, Cynthia M. Rachol
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Sediment characteristics and configuration within the Otsego City Dam impoundment on the Kalamazoo River, Michigan, 2001-02 Sediment characteristics and configuration within the Otsego City Dam impoundment on the Kalamazoo River, Michigan, 2001-02

The removal of the Otsego City Dam on the Kalamazoo River at Otsego, Mich., is under consideration by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the city of Otsego. The historical discharge of papermill waste containing polychlorinated biphenyls from sources upstream from the dam has led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to designate the Kalamazoo River from Morrow Dam...
Authors
S. J. Rheaume, D. L. Hubbell, C. M. Rachol, A. Simard, L. M. Fuller
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Sediment characteristics and configuration within three dam impoundments on the Kalamazoo River, Michigan, 2000 Sediment characteristics and configuration within three dam impoundments on the Kalamazoo River, Michigan, 2000

The removal of the remnants of three hydroelectric dams on the Kalamazoo River near Plainwell, Otsego, and Allegan, Michigan, has been proposed. The benefits of this removal include returning the Kalamazoo River to its pre-dam flow, increasing recreational use and safety on the river, and improving aquatic habitat. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated this reach of the...
Authors
S. J. Rheaume, C. M. Rachol, D. L. Hubbell, Andreanne Simard
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Estimated daily loads of nutrients, sediment, and chloride at USGS edge-of-field stations, tributaries to Lum Drain, Genesee County, Michigan, water years 2012-17 Estimated daily loads of nutrients, sediment, and chloride at USGS edge-of-field stations, tributaries to Lum Drain, Genesee County, Michigan, water years 2012-17

As part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have partnered to evaluate agricultural conservation practices focused on nutrient management. Monitoring methods allow for rapid assessment of water-quality changes in response to...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Learn About the Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT)

Learn About the Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT)

National Map Training Videos

National Map Training Videos

Event Support Map Event Support Map

The Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT) ensures that timely disaster event geospatial data are available for use by emergency responders, land and resource managers, and for scientific analysis. In an emergency and response capacity, the GIRT is responsible for facilitating the coordination, communication, and dissemination of geospatial data and information through the GIRT Event Support
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, National Geospatial Program, NGP User Engagement Office

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 20

Water quality of the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and their U.S. tributaries, 1946-2005 Water quality of the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and their U.S. tributaries, 1946-2005

The St. Clair River/Lake St. Clair waterway forms an international boundary between the United States and Canada. The waters of the area are an important part of the cultural heritage of the area and serves as an important water-supply and power-generating resource; the waterway also supports an economy based largely on recreation, agriculture, and manufacturing. This report was...
Authors
Denis F. Healy, Douglas B. Chambers, Cynthia M. Rachol, Richard S. Jodoin
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Areal distribution and concentration of contaminants of concern in surficial streambed and lakebed sediments, Lake St. Clair and tributaries, Michigan, 1990-2003 Areal distribution and concentration of contaminants of concern in surficial streambed and lakebed sediments, Lake St. Clair and tributaries, Michigan, 1990-2003

As part of the Lake St. Clair Regional Monitoring Project, the U.S. Geological Survey evaluated data collected from surficial streambed and lakebed sediments in the Lake Erie-Lake St. Clair drainages. This study incorporates data collected from 1990 through 2003 and focuses primarily on the U.S. part of the Lake St. Clair Basin, including Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River, and...
Authors
Cynthia M. Rachol, Daniel T. Button
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Historical and simulated changes in channel characteristics of the Kalamazoo River, Plainwell to Otsego, Michigan Historical and simulated changes in channel characteristics of the Kalamazoo River, Plainwell to Otsego, Michigan

In a study to understand the historical effects of the construction and decommissioning of dams on the Kalamazoo River, Plainwell to Otsego, Michigan, and to simulate channel changes that may result if the dams were removed, early to mid-1800s General Land Office surveys and aerial photographs from 1938, 1981, and 1999 were compared in order to identify historical changes in the river’s...
Authors
Cynthia M. Rachol, Faith A. Fitzpatrick, Tiffiny Rossi
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

A pre-dam-removal assessment of sediment transport for four dams on the Kalamazoo River between Plainwell and Allegan, Michigan A pre-dam-removal assessment of sediment transport for four dams on the Kalamazoo River between Plainwell and Allegan, Michigan

Four dams on the Kalamazoo River between the cities of Plainwell and Allegan, Mich., are in varying states of disrepair. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) are considering removing these dams to restore the river channels to pre-dam conditions. This study was initiated to identify sediment characteristics, monitor...
Authors
Atiq U. Syed, James P. Bennett, Cynthia M. Rachol
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Sediment characteristics and configuration within the Otsego City Dam impoundment on the Kalamazoo River, Michigan, 2001-02 Sediment characteristics and configuration within the Otsego City Dam impoundment on the Kalamazoo River, Michigan, 2001-02

The removal of the Otsego City Dam on the Kalamazoo River at Otsego, Mich., is under consideration by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the city of Otsego. The historical discharge of papermill waste containing polychlorinated biphenyls from sources upstream from the dam has led the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to designate the Kalamazoo River from Morrow Dam...
Authors
S. J. Rheaume, D. L. Hubbell, C. M. Rachol, A. Simard, L. M. Fuller
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Sediment characteristics and configuration within three dam impoundments on the Kalamazoo River, Michigan, 2000 Sediment characteristics and configuration within three dam impoundments on the Kalamazoo River, Michigan, 2000

The removal of the remnants of three hydroelectric dams on the Kalamazoo River near Plainwell, Otsego, and Allegan, Michigan, has been proposed. The benefits of this removal include returning the Kalamazoo River to its pre-dam flow, increasing recreational use and safety on the river, and improving aquatic habitat. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated this reach of the...
Authors
S. J. Rheaume, C. M. Rachol, D. L. Hubbell, Andreanne Simard
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Estimated daily loads of nutrients, sediment, and chloride at USGS edge-of-field stations, tributaries to Lum Drain, Genesee County, Michigan, water years 2012-17 Estimated daily loads of nutrients, sediment, and chloride at USGS edge-of-field stations, tributaries to Lum Drain, Genesee County, Michigan, water years 2012-17

As part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have partnered to evaluate agricultural conservation practices focused on nutrient management. Monitoring methods allow for rapid assessment of water-quality changes in response to...
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Learn About the Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT)

Learn About the Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT)

National Map Training Videos

National Map Training Videos

Event Support Map Event Support Map

The Geospatial Information Response Team (GIRT) ensures that timely disaster event geospatial data are available for use by emergency responders, land and resource managers, and for scientific analysis. In an emergency and response capacity, the GIRT is responsible for facilitating the coordination, communication, and dissemination of geospatial data and information through the GIRT Event Support
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area, National Geospatial Program, NGP User Engagement Office

*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

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