Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dale M Robertson

Dale Robertson is a Research Hydrologist with the Upper Midwest Water Science Center.

He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Michigan Technological University, and University of Toledo, and a Honorary Fellow with the Center for Limnology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  His current research with the USGS deals with modeling eutrophication and mixing in lakes, estimating loads and concentrations of nutrients and sediment in streams over large geographic areas, such as the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins, developing nutrient criteria for streams and rivers, and examining the effects of climate change on the physical dynamics, ice cover, and productivity of lakes.

 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Biogeochemistry - Hydrology/Limnology
  • Eutrophication - Nutrient Transport and Fate
  • Limnology
  • Water-quality modeling in Lakes
  • Watershed modeling (SPARROW)
  • Influence of environmental factors, watershed management strategies, and in-lake management alternatives on the water quality of rivers and lakes
  • Climate Change - Ice as climatic indicators
  • Regional loading estimates

 

Education and Certifications

  • Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, in Reservoir Modeling - Centre for Water Research, University of Western Australia, Perth. 1989-1991.

  • Ph.D Oceanography and Limnology - University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    Dissertation: "The Use of Lake Water Temperature and Ice Cover as Climatic Indicators", 1984-1989.

  • M.S. Oceanography and Limnology-University of Wisconsin-Madison.

    Thesis:"Interbasin Separation and Its Impact on the Annual Heat Budgets of the Individual Basins in Trout Lake, Wisconsin," 1981-1984.

  • B.S. Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics - St. Norbert College, DePere, Wisconsin, 1976-1981.

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 15
link
Photo of the Camp Manito-wish YMCA boat house on Lake Boulder, Wis., during fall

Lake monitoring and research

Studying lakes provides an improved understanding of lake ecosystem dynamics and valuable information that helps lead to sound lake-management policies. The USGS collects hydrologic data in lake settings, studies water and nutrient budget development, conducts source-loading analysis, explores groundwater interactions, and performs lake water-quality modeling.
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center
link

Lake monitoring and research

Studying lakes provides an improved understanding of lake ecosystem dynamics and valuable information that helps lead to sound lake-management policies. The USGS collects hydrologic data in lake settings, studies water and nutrient budget development, conducts source-loading analysis, explores groundwater interactions, and performs lake water-quality modeling.
Learn More
link
Photo of aerators installed at Little St. Germain Lake, Wis., to prevent winter anoxia

Little St. Germain Lake: Phosphorus loading, winter anoxia, and stage regulation

Little St. Germain Lake, Wis., consists of four main basins separated by narrows. This study monitored lake water quality, identified phosphorus sources, determined spatial and temporal distribution of oxygen, evaluated the effectiveness of winter aeration systems, and modeled groundwater/lake-water interactions.
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center
link

Little St. Germain Lake: Phosphorus loading, winter anoxia, and stage regulation

Little St. Germain Lake, Wis., consists of four main basins separated by narrows. This study monitored lake water quality, identified phosphorus sources, determined spatial and temporal distribution of oxygen, evaluated the effectiveness of winter aeration systems, and modeled groundwater/lake-water interactions.
Learn More
link
Figure showing phosphorus delivered from throughout the MRB3 basin

SPARROW modeling: Great Lakes, Mississippi River, Ohio River, and Red River Basins

SPARROW models for the Great Lakes, Ohio River, Upper Mississippi River, and Red River Basins predict long-term mean annual loads, yields, concentrations, and source contributions of water, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment throughout the Midwest.
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center
link

SPARROW modeling: Great Lakes, Mississippi River, Ohio River, and Red River Basins

SPARROW models for the Great Lakes, Ohio River, Upper Mississippi River, and Red River Basins predict long-term mean annual loads, yields, concentrations, and source contributions of water, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment throughout the Midwest.
Learn More
link
Figure showing nutrient yields delivered from throughout the MARB to the Gulf of Mexico

SPARROW nutrient modeling: Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB)

SPARROW models for the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin(MARB) predict long-term average loads, concentrations, yields, and source contributions of water, nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediment to the Gulf of Mexico.
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center
link

SPARROW nutrient modeling: Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB)

SPARROW models for the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin(MARB) predict long-term average loads, concentrations, yields, and source contributions of water, nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended sediment to the Gulf of Mexico.
Learn More
link
Figure showing the Mid-Continental SPARROW model study area, with monitoring sites identified.

SPARROW nutrient modeling: Binational (US/Canada) models

SPARROW phosphorus and nitrogen models are being developed for the entire Great Lakes Basin and the Upper Midwest part of the U.S., and the Red and Assiniboine River Basin, as part of a Binational project between the USGS and the International Joint Commission (IJC) and National Research Council (NRC) of Canada.
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center
link

SPARROW nutrient modeling: Binational (US/Canada) models

SPARROW phosphorus and nitrogen models are being developed for the entire Great Lakes Basin and the Upper Midwest part of the U.S., and the Red and Assiniboine River Basin, as part of a Binational project between the USGS and the International Joint Commission (IJC) and National Research Council (NRC) of Canada.
Learn More
link
Image showing a schematic of the SPARROW model components

SPARROW modeling: Estimating nutrient, sediment, and dissolved solids transport

SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes) models estimate the amount of a contaminant transported from inland watersheds to larger water bodies by linking monitoring data with information on watershed characteristics and contaminant sources. Interactive, online SPARROW mapping tools allow for easy access to explore relations between human activities, natural processes, and...
By
Water Resources, National Water Quality Program, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
link

SPARROW modeling: Estimating nutrient, sediment, and dissolved solids transport

SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes) models estimate the amount of a contaminant transported from inland watersheds to larger water bodies by linking monitoring data with information on watershed characteristics and contaminant sources. Interactive, online SPARROW mapping tools allow for easy access to explore relations between human activities, natural processes, and...
Learn More
link

Winnebago pool lakes: Hydrology, water quality, and response to simulated changes in phosphorus loading

The Winnebago Pool Lakes are shallow, productive drainage lakes that have accumulated nutrients from its mixed agricultural/forest watershed and from the Fox River. High phosphorus concentrations often result in severe blue-green algae blooms that can produce harmful toxins. The USGS is evaluating the water quality and phosphorus budget of each lake and modeling eutrophication responses.
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center
link

Winnebago pool lakes: Hydrology, water quality, and response to simulated changes in phosphorus loading

The Winnebago Pool Lakes are shallow, productive drainage lakes that have accumulated nutrients from its mixed agricultural/forest watershed and from the Fox River. High phosphorus concentrations often result in severe blue-green algae blooms that can produce harmful toxins. The USGS is evaluating the water quality and phosphorus budget of each lake and modeling eutrophication responses.
Learn More
link
Main page of the Green Lake monitoring map.

Green Lake and its tributaries: Water quality and hydrology

Green Lake is the deepest natural inland lake in Wisconsin. Through time its water quality has degraded, with relatively high phosphorus concentrations and zones of hypoxia. This project is quantifying the water quality of the lake and its tributaries, and it will provide information to help guide efforts to improve the lake.
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center
link

Green Lake and its tributaries: Water quality and hydrology

Green Lake is the deepest natural inland lake in Wisconsin. Through time its water quality has degraded, with relatively high phosphorus concentrations and zones of hypoxia. This project is quantifying the water quality of the lake and its tributaries, and it will provide information to help guide efforts to improve the lake.
Learn More
link

Anvil Lake: Response of lake water quality to changes in nutrient loading, with special emphasis on the effects of changes in water level

Anvil Lake is a relatively shallow, high-quality lake whose water level has dropped dramatically in recent years, adversely affecting the recreational and aesthetic values of the lake. The USGS is developing detailed water and phosphorus budgets, determining groundwater contributions, modeling likely responses to changes in phosphorus loading, and assessing the effect of climate on water quality.
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center
link

Anvil Lake: Response of lake water quality to changes in nutrient loading, with special emphasis on the effects of changes in water level

Anvil Lake is a relatively shallow, high-quality lake whose water level has dropped dramatically in recent years, adversely affecting the recreational and aesthetic values of the lake. The USGS is developing detailed water and phosphorus budgets, determining groundwater contributions, modeling likely responses to changes in phosphorus loading, and assessing the effect of climate on water quality.
Learn More
link
Map showing locations of the study area and the monitoring sites on Jackson Creek

Delavan Lake: Hydrology, water quality, and biology

Eutrophication of Delavan Lake accelerated from the 1940s to 1980s, resulting in a hypereutrophic lake with severe blue-green algae blooms. Extensive rehabilitation efforts were implemented to improve water quality. The USGS measured nutrients, suspended sediment, water quality, and plankton populations to quantify the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts and guide future management decisions.
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center
link

Delavan Lake: Hydrology, water quality, and biology

Eutrophication of Delavan Lake accelerated from the 1940s to 1980s, resulting in a hypereutrophic lake with severe blue-green algae blooms. Extensive rehabilitation efforts were implemented to improve water quality. The USGS measured nutrients, suspended sediment, water quality, and plankton populations to quantify the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts and guide future management decisions.
Learn More
link
Photograph of Geneva Lake from the Geneva Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

Geneva Lake: Water quality, hydrology, and biology

To reduce the impact of increasing urban development and recreational use on Geneva Lake, efforts are being made to decrease point- and nonpoint-source pollution inputs. To document Geneva Lake's water quality, the USGS collected water-quality data and developed empirical eutrophication models to demonstrate that reductions in phosphorus loading were related to water-quality improvements.
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center
link

Geneva Lake: Water quality, hydrology, and biology

To reduce the impact of increasing urban development and recreational use on Geneva Lake, efforts are being made to decrease point- and nonpoint-source pollution inputs. To document Geneva Lake's water quality, the USGS collected water-quality data and developed empirical eutrophication models to demonstrate that reductions in phosphorus loading were related to water-quality improvements.
Learn More
link
Photograph of a tributary to the Fox River

Water quality of the lower Fox River tributaries and Duck Creek watersheds

The USGS is evaluating the effectiveness of non-point pollution control measures in five watersheds in the Lower Fox River and Duck Creek watersheds and comparing daily phosphorus and suspended solids loads for each watershed.
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center
link

Water quality of the lower Fox River tributaries and Duck Creek watersheds

The USGS is evaluating the effectiveness of non-point pollution control measures in five watersheds in the Lower Fox River and Duck Creek watersheds and comparing daily phosphorus and suspended solids loads for each watershed.
Learn More

Eutrophication models to simulate changes in the water quality of Green Lake, Wisconsin in response to changes in phosphorus loading, with supporting water-quality data for the lake, its tributaries, and atmospheric deposition

In this data release, we provide data to describe the water quality in Green Lake, Wisconsin, from 1905 to 2020, primarily the constituents for which it is impaired, including near-surface total phosphorus concentrations and metalimnetic dissolved oxygen concentrations, and quantify the water and phosphorus inputs to the lake. We also provide inputs to and outputs from the General Lake Model coupl
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Nutrient Load Data used to Quantify Regional Effects of Agricultural Best Management Practices: An application of the 2012 SPARROW models for the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast United States

Nitrogen and phosphorus losses from agricultural areas have impacted the water quality of downstream rivers, lakes, and oceans. As a result, investment in the adoption of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) has grown but assessments of their effectiveness at large spatial scales have been sparse. This study applies regional Spatially Referenced Regression On Watershed-attributes (SPARROW
By
Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

Long-term mean annual total nitrogen and total phosphorus loads estimated using Fluxmaster 5-parameter models and detrended to 2012, Midwest Region of the United States, 1999-2014

This USGS data release contains long-term mean annual total nitrogen and total phosphorus load estimates, and the model coefficients used to obtain the load estimates, for streams in the Midwest Region of the United States. The loads were estimated using the Fluxmaster program (Schwarz and others, 2006, https://pubs.usgs.gov/tm/2006/tm6b3) with a 5-parameter model and detrending to 2012 following
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

SPARROW model inputs and simulated streamflow, nutrient and suspended-sediment loads in streams of the Midwestern United States, 2012 Base Year

The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) model was used to aid in the interpretation of monitoring data and simulate streamflow and water-quality conditions in streams across the Midwest Region of the United States. SPARROW is a hybrid empirical/process-based mass balance model that can be used to estimate the major sources and environme
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Water-quality and streamflow datasets used for estimating long-term mean daily streamflow and annual loads to be considered for use in regional streamflow, nutrient and sediment SPARROW models, United States, 1999-2014

The United States Geological Survey's (USGS) SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) model was developed to aid in the interpretation of monitoring data and simulate water-quality conditions in streams across large spatial scales. SPARROW is a hybrid empirical/process-based mass balance model that can be used to estimate the major sources and environmental factors that a
By
Water Resources

Eutrophication water-quality models and supporting water-quality and phosphorus load data used to simulate changes in the water quality of the Winnebago Pool Lakes, Wisconsin, in response to change in phosphorus loading

Three eutrophication models (mass balance, BATHUB, and Jensen models) were developed and calibrated for the Winnebago Pools, Wisconsin. These models were used to quantify the input of phosphorus from the sediments of the lakes, and determine how the water quality (total phosphorus concentration, chlorophyll a concentrations, and Secchi depth) should respond to changes in phosphorus loading from th
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Water-quality and streamflow datasets used for estimating loads considered for use in the 2002 Midcontinent nutrient SPARROW models, United States and Canada, 1970-2012

The United States Geological Survey's (USGS) SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) model was developed to aid in the interpretation of monitoring data and simulate water-quality conditions in streams across large spatial scales. SPARROW is a hybrid empirical⁄process-based mass balance model that can be used to estimate the major sources and environmental factors
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Filter Total Items: 133

Estimating urban air pollution contribution to South Platte River nitrogen loads with National Atmospheric Deposition Program data and SPARROW model

Air pollution is commonly disregarded as a source of nutrient loading to impaired surface waters managed under the Clean Water Act per states’ 303(d) list programs. The contribution of air pollution to 2017–2018 South Platte River nitrogen (N) loads was estimated from the headwaters to the gage at Weldona, Colorado, USA (100 km downstream of Denver), using data from the National Atmospheric Deposi
By
Water Resources, Colorado Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Earlier winter/spring runoff and snowmelt during warmer winters lead to lower summer chlorophyll-a in north temperate lakes

Winter conditions, such as ice cover and snow accumulation, are changing rapidly at northern latitudes and can have important implications for lake processes. For example, snowmelt in the watershed—a defining feature of lake hydrology because it delivers a large portion of annual nutrient inputs—is becoming earlier. Consequently, earlier and a shorter duration of snowmelt are expected to affect an
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Appendix E. Water quality and hydrology of Green Lake, Wisconsin, and the response in its near-surface water-quality and metalimnetic dissolved oxygen minima to changes in phosphorus loading

Green Lake is the deepest natural inland lake in Wisconsin, USA, with a maximum depth of about 72 meters (m). In the early 1900’s, the lake was believed to have very good water quality (low nutrient concentrations and good water clarity), with low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations only in the deepest part of the lake. Because of increased phosphorus (P) inputs from anthropogenic activities in i
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Partitioning and transformation of organic and inorganic phosphorus among dissolved, colloidal and particulate phases in a hypereutrophic freshwater estuary

Phosphorus (P) loadings to the Great Lakes have been regulated for decades, but re-eutrophication and seasonal hypoxia have recently been increasingly reported. It is of paramount importance to better understand the fate, transformation, and biogeochemical cycling processes of different P species across the river-lake interface. We report here results on chemical speciation of P in the seasonally
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Nitrogen and phosphorus sources and delivery from the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin: An update using 2012 SPARROW models

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs throughout the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) have been linked to the Gulf of Mexico hypoxia and water‐quality problems throughout the MARB. To describe N and P loading throughout the MARB, SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) models were previously developed based on nutrient inputs and management similar to 1992 and
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Evaluating management options to reduce Lake Erie algal blooms using an ensemble of watershed models

Reducing harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie, situated between the United States and Canada, requires implementing best management practices to decrease nutrient loading from upstream sources. Bi-national water quality targets have been set for total and dissolved phosphorus loads, with the ultimate goal of reaching these targets in 9-out-of-10 years. Row crop agriculture dominates the land use in t
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Uncertainty in critical source area predictions from watershed-scale hydrologic models

Watershed-scale hydrologic models are frequently used to inform conservation and restoration efforts by identifying critical source areas (CSAs; alternatively 'hotspots'), defined as areas that export relatively greater quantities of nutrients and sediment. The CSAs can then be prioritized or ‘targeted’ for conservation and restoration to ensure efficient use of limited resources. However, CSA sim
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Importance of accurately quantifying internal loading in developing phosphorus reduction strategies for a chain of shallow lakes

The Winnebago Pool is a chain of 4 shallow lakes in Wisconsin. Because of high external phosphorus (P) inputs to the lakes, the lakes became highly eutrophic, with much P contained in their sediments. In developing a total maximum daily load (TMDL) for these lakes, it is important to determine how their phosphorus concentrations should respond to changes in external P loading. In many TMDLs, inter
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Forecasting the combined effects of anticipated climate change and agricultural conservation practices on fish recruitment dynamics in Lake Erie

Many aquatic ecosystems are experiencing multiple anthropogenic stressors that threaten their ability to support ecologically and economically important fish species. Two of the most ubiquitous stressors are climate change and non‐point source nutrient pollution.Agricultural conservation practices (ACPs, i.e. farming practices that reduce runoff, prevent erosion, and curb excessive nutrient loadin
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Spatially referenced models of streamflow and nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loads in streams of the midwestern United States

In this report, SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) models developed to describe long-term (2000–14) mean-annual streamflow, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and suspended-sediment (SS) transport in streams of the Midwestern part of the United States (the Mississippi River, Great Lakes, and Red River of the North Basins) are described. The nutrient and susp
By
Water Resources, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Seasonal epilimnetic temperature patterns and trends in a suite of lakes from Wisconsin (USA), Germany and Finland

Epilimnetic temperatures from the early 1980s through 2017 were analyzed for 12 Wisconsin, German and Finnish lakes. Seasonal temperature metrics exhibited large interannual variability with trends differing among regions. In the Wisconsin lakes, only late summer and fall temperatures increased significantly. In the northeastern Germany lakes, temperatures increased in all seasons, but only signif
By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Phosphorus and nitrogen transport in the binational Great Lakes Basin estimated using SPARROW watershed models

Eutrophication problems in the Great Lakes are caused by excessive nutrient inputs (primarily phosphorus, P, and nitrogen, N) from various sources throughout its basin. In developing protection and restoration plans, it is important to know where and from what sources the nutrients originate. As part of a binational effort, Midcontinent SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attribu
By
Water Resources, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Red–Assiniboine River Basin (RARB) SPARROW Mapper, 2002

This mapper displays SPARROW nutrient load and yield data and the importance of various nutrient sources for the RARB, given nutrient inputs similar to 2002. Rankings can be shown by country, state/province, HUC4, HUC8, and catchment. Nutrient data can be explored using maps and interactive graphs and tables. Modeling results can be exported as an Excel spreadsheet or a geospatial dataset.

By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Great Lakes, Ohio, Upper Mississippi, Red River Basins (MRB3) SPARROW Mapper, 2002

This mapper displays SPARROW nutrient load and yield data and the importance of various nutrient sources for the MRB3, given nutrient inputs similar to 2002. Rankings can be shown by major watershed, state, HUC8, tributary, and catchment. Nutrient data can be explored using maps and interactive graphs and tables. Modeling results can be exported as an Excel spreadsheet or a geospatial dataset.

By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Great Lakes SPARROW Mapper, 2002

This mapper displays SPARROW nutrient load and yield data specifically for U.S. tributaries to the Great Lakes. The results are based on the SPARROW models developed for the Great Lakes, Ohio, Upper Mississippi, Red River Basins (MRB3). Modeling results can be exported as an Excel spreadsheet or a geospatial dataset.

By
Water Resources, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) SPARROW Mapper, 2002

The mapper displays SPARROW nutrient load and yield data and the importance of various nutrient sources for the MARB, given nutrient inputs similar to 2002. Rankings can be shown by major watershed, state, HUC8, tributary, and catchment. Nutrient data can be explored using maps and interactive graphs and tables. Modeling results can be exported as an Excel spreadsheet or a geospatial dataset.

By
Water Resources, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Yellowstone River SPARROW Mapper, 2002

This mapper displays SPARROW nutrient load and yield data specifically for the Yellowstone River. The results are based on the SPARROW models developed for the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB). Modeling results can be exported as an Excel spreadsheet or a geospatial dataset.

By
Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Great Lakes SPARROW Mapper, 2002

This mapper displays SPARROW nutrient load and yield data specifically for U.S. tributaries to the Great Lakes. The results are based on the SPARROW models developed for the Great Lakes, Ohio, Upper Mississippi, Red River Basins (MRB3). Modeling results can be exported as an Excel spreadsheet or a geospatial dataset.

By
Water Resources, National Water Quality Program, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin (MARB) SPARROW Mapper, 2002

The mapper displays SPARROW nutrient load and yield data and the importance of various nutrient sources for the MARB, given nutrient inputs similar to 2002. Rankings can be shown by major watershed, state, HUC8, tributary, and catchment. Nutrient data can be explored using maps and interactive graphs and tables. Modeling results can be exported as an Excel spreadsheet or a geospatial dataset.

By
Water Resources, National Water Quality Program, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
link

Homing in on sources and yields of nitrogen and phosphorus throughout the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin

A new USGS study estimates total nitrogen (N) and total phosphorus (P) yields from catchments throughout the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin...

Read Article
link

Sources of Excessive Nutrients in the Transboundary Red-Assiniboine River Basin Identified by Binational Research Team

  

Read Article

Science and Products