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Daniel E. Christiansen

Daniel Christiansen is currently the Science Coordinator for the U.S. Geological Survey, Central Midwest Water Science Center in Iowa City, Iowa.

Dan has worked with the USGS Central Midwest Water Science Center in Iowa City, Iowa since 1998, and has served as a Hydrologist since 2001, during which he has led or been involved in a variety of hydrologic, hydraulic, and statistical modeling studies encompassing climate-related hydrologic trends, and stormwater-runoff quality and quantity. Additional activities include GPS surveying, water-quality and surface water field data collection, and creating GIS data layers to be used in interpretative reports. Dan is currently the CMWSC Science Coordinator.



 

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. Geosciences, University of Iowa, 2002

  • B.S. Geography, University of Iowa 1998

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 15

Simulation of daily streamflow for 12 river basins in western Iowa using the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, constructed Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System models to estimate daily streamflow for 12 river basins in western Iowa that drain into the Missouri River. The Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System is a deterministic, distributed-parameter, physical-process-based modeling system developed to evaluate the resp
Authors
Daniel E. Christiansen, Adel E. Haj, John C. Risley
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Simulated impacts of climate change on phosphorus loading to Lake Michigan

Phosphorus (P) loading to the Great Lakes has caused various types of eutrophication problems. Future climatic changes may modify this loading because climatic models project changes in future meteorological conditions, especially for the key hydrologic driver — precipitation. Therefore, the goal of this study is to project how P loading may change from the range of projected climatic changes. To
Authors
Dale M. Robertson, David A. Saad, Daniel E. Christiansen, David J Lorenz
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Simulation of daily streamflow for nine river basins in eastern Iowa using the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, constructed Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System models to estimate daily streamflow for nine river basins in eastern Iowa that drain into the Mississippi River. The models are part of a suite of methods for estimating daily streamflow at ungaged sites. The Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System is a determinis
Authors
Adel E. Haj, Daniel E. Christiansen, Kasey J. Hutchinson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Evaluation of statistical and rainfall-runoff models for predicting historical daily streamflow time series in the Des Moines and Iowa River watersheds

Daily records of streamflow are essential to understanding hydrologic systems and managing the interactions between human and natural systems. Many watersheds and locations lack streamgages to provide accurate and reliable records of daily streamflow. In such ungaged watersheds, statistical tools and rainfall-runoff models are used to estimate daily streamflow. Previous work compared 19 different
Authors
William H. Farmer, Rodney R. Knight, David A. Eash, Kasey J. Hutchinson, S. Mike Linhart, Daniel E. Christiansen, Stacey A. Archfield, Thomas M. Over, Julie E. Kiang
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Basin-scale simulation of current and potential climate changed hydrologic conditions in the Lake Michigan Basin, United States

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is the largest public investment in the Great Lakes in two decades. A task force of 11 Federal agencies developed an action plan to implement the initiative. The U.S. Department of the Interior was one of the 11 agencies that entered into an interagency agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of the GLRI to complete scientific p
Authors
Daniel E. Christiansen, John F. Walker, Randall J. Hunt
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The effects of Missouri River mainstem reservoir system operations on 2011 flooding using a Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System model

In 2011 the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System (Reservoir System) experienced the largest volume of flood waters since the initiation of record-keeping in the nineteenth century. The high levels of runoff from both snowpack and rainfall stressed the Reservoir System’s capacity to control flood waters and caused massive damage and disruption along the river. The flooding and resulting damage
Authors
Adel E. Haj, Daniel E. Christiansen, Roland J. Viger
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Comparison between two statistically based methods, and two physically based models developed to compute daily mean streamflow at ungaged locations in the Cedar River Basin, Iowa

A variety of individuals from water resource managers to recreational users need streamflow information for planning and decisionmaking at locations where there are no streamgages. To address this problem, two statistically based methods, the Flow Duration Curve Transfer method and the Flow Anywhere method, were developed for statewide application and the two physically based models, the Precipita
Authors
S. Mike Linhart, Jon F. Nania, Daniel E. Christiansen, Kasey J. Hutchinson, Curtis L. Sanders, Stacey A. Archfield
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Use of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for simulating hydrology and water quality in the Cedar River Basin, Iowa, 2000--10

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool to simulate streamflow and nitrate loads within the Cedar River Basin, Iowa. The goal was to assess the ability of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool to estimate streamflow and nitrate loads in gaged and ungaged basins in Iowa. The Cedar River Basin model uses measured
Authors
Kasey J. Hutchinson, Daniel E. Christiansen
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Simulation of daily streamflows at gaged and ungaged locations within the Cedar River Basin, Iowa, using a Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System model

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, conducted a study to examine techniques for estimation of daily streamflows using hydrological models and statistical methods. This report focuses on the use of a hydrologic model, the U.S. Geological Survey's Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System, to estimate daily streamflows at gaged and ungaged locations.
Authors
Daniel E. Christiansen
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Watershed scale response to climate change--Clear Creek Basin, Iowa

General Circulation Model simulations of future climate through 2099 project a wide range of possible scenarios. To determine the sensitivity and potential effect of long-term climate change on the freshwater resources of the United States, the U.S. Geological Survey Global Change study, "An integrated watershed scale response to global change in selected basins across the United States" was start
Authors
Daniel E. Christiansen, Lauren E. Hay, Steven L. Markstrom
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Integrated watershed-scale response to climate change for selected basins across the United States

A study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) evaluated the hydrologic response to different projected carbon emission scenarios of the 21st century using a hydrologic simulation model. This study involved five major steps: (1) setup, calibrate and evaluated the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) model in 14 basins across the United States by local USGS personnel; (2) acquire selected simu
Authors
Steven L. Markstrom, Lauren E. Hay, D. Christian Ward-Garrison, John C. Risley, William A. Battaglin, David M. Bjerklie, Katherine J. Chase, Daniel E. Christiansen, Robert W. Dudley, Randall J. Hunt, Kathryn M. Koczot, Mark C. Mastin, R. Steven Regan, Roland J. Viger, Kevin C. Vining, John F. Walker
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Impacts of climate change on the growing season in the United States

Understanding the effects of climate change on the vegetative growing season is key to quantifying future hydrologic water budget conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey modeled changes in future growing season length at 14 basins across 11 states. Simulations for each basin were generated using five general circulation models with three emission scenarios as inputs to the Precipitation-Runoff Mode
Authors
Steven L. Markstrom, Lauren E. Hay
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Christiansen, D. E., Markstrom, S.L, and Hay L. E., 2011, Impacts of Climate Change on the Growing Seasons in the United States: Earth Interactions, Vol 15, Iss. 33, pp. 1-17

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Flood-plain study of the Upper Iowa River in the vicinity of Decorah, Iowa

The city of Decorah, Iowa, has experienced severe flooding from the Upper Iowa River resulting in property damage to homes and businesses. Streamflow data from two U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow-gaging stations, the Upper Iowa River at Decorah, Iowa (station number 05387500), located upstream from the College Drive bridge; and the Upper Iowa River near Decorah, Iowa (station number 05388
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

By
Water Resources, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

By
Water Resources, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

By
Water Resources, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

By
Water Resources, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Eruptions of Lassen Peak, California, 1914 to 1917 — A Centennial Commemoration

Eruptions of Lassen Peak, California, 1914 to 1917 — A Centennial Commemoration

2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the May 22, 1915 explosive volcanic eruption of Lassen Peak in northern California. 

Read Article

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 15

Simulation of daily streamflow for 12 river basins in western Iowa using the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, constructed Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System models to estimate daily streamflow for 12 river basins in western Iowa that drain into the Missouri River. The Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System is a deterministic, distributed-parameter, physical-process-based modeling system developed to evaluate the resp
Authors
Daniel E. Christiansen, Adel E. Haj, John C. Risley
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Simulated impacts of climate change on phosphorus loading to Lake Michigan

Phosphorus (P) loading to the Great Lakes has caused various types of eutrophication problems. Future climatic changes may modify this loading because climatic models project changes in future meteorological conditions, especially for the key hydrologic driver — precipitation. Therefore, the goal of this study is to project how P loading may change from the range of projected climatic changes. To
Authors
Dale M. Robertson, David A. Saad, Daniel E. Christiansen, David J Lorenz
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Simulation of daily streamflow for nine river basins in eastern Iowa using the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, constructed Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System models to estimate daily streamflow for nine river basins in eastern Iowa that drain into the Mississippi River. The models are part of a suite of methods for estimating daily streamflow at ungaged sites. The Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System is a determinis
Authors
Adel E. Haj, Daniel E. Christiansen, Kasey J. Hutchinson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Evaluation of statistical and rainfall-runoff models for predicting historical daily streamflow time series in the Des Moines and Iowa River watersheds

Daily records of streamflow are essential to understanding hydrologic systems and managing the interactions between human and natural systems. Many watersheds and locations lack streamgages to provide accurate and reliable records of daily streamflow. In such ungaged watersheds, statistical tools and rainfall-runoff models are used to estimate daily streamflow. Previous work compared 19 different
Authors
William H. Farmer, Rodney R. Knight, David A. Eash, Kasey J. Hutchinson, S. Mike Linhart, Daniel E. Christiansen, Stacey A. Archfield, Thomas M. Over, Julie E. Kiang
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Basin-scale simulation of current and potential climate changed hydrologic conditions in the Lake Michigan Basin, United States

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) is the largest public investment in the Great Lakes in two decades. A task force of 11 Federal agencies developed an action plan to implement the initiative. The U.S. Department of the Interior was one of the 11 agencies that entered into an interagency agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of the GLRI to complete scientific p
Authors
Daniel E. Christiansen, John F. Walker, Randall J. Hunt
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The effects of Missouri River mainstem reservoir system operations on 2011 flooding using a Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System model

In 2011 the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System (Reservoir System) experienced the largest volume of flood waters since the initiation of record-keeping in the nineteenth century. The high levels of runoff from both snowpack and rainfall stressed the Reservoir System’s capacity to control flood waters and caused massive damage and disruption along the river. The flooding and resulting damage
Authors
Adel E. Haj, Daniel E. Christiansen, Roland J. Viger
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Comparison between two statistically based methods, and two physically based models developed to compute daily mean streamflow at ungaged locations in the Cedar River Basin, Iowa

A variety of individuals from water resource managers to recreational users need streamflow information for planning and decisionmaking at locations where there are no streamgages. To address this problem, two statistically based methods, the Flow Duration Curve Transfer method and the Flow Anywhere method, were developed for statewide application and the two physically based models, the Precipita
Authors
S. Mike Linhart, Jon F. Nania, Daniel E. Christiansen, Kasey J. Hutchinson, Curtis L. Sanders, Stacey A. Archfield
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Use of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for simulating hydrology and water quality in the Cedar River Basin, Iowa, 2000--10

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool to simulate streamflow and nitrate loads within the Cedar River Basin, Iowa. The goal was to assess the ability of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool to estimate streamflow and nitrate loads in gaged and ungaged basins in Iowa. The Cedar River Basin model uses measured
Authors
Kasey J. Hutchinson, Daniel E. Christiansen
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Simulation of daily streamflows at gaged and ungaged locations within the Cedar River Basin, Iowa, using a Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System model

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, conducted a study to examine techniques for estimation of daily streamflows using hydrological models and statistical methods. This report focuses on the use of a hydrologic model, the U.S. Geological Survey's Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System, to estimate daily streamflows at gaged and ungaged locations.
Authors
Daniel E. Christiansen
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Watershed scale response to climate change--Clear Creek Basin, Iowa

General Circulation Model simulations of future climate through 2099 project a wide range of possible scenarios. To determine the sensitivity and potential effect of long-term climate change on the freshwater resources of the United States, the U.S. Geological Survey Global Change study, "An integrated watershed scale response to global change in selected basins across the United States" was start
Authors
Daniel E. Christiansen, Lauren E. Hay, Steven L. Markstrom
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Integrated watershed-scale response to climate change for selected basins across the United States

A study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) evaluated the hydrologic response to different projected carbon emission scenarios of the 21st century using a hydrologic simulation model. This study involved five major steps: (1) setup, calibrate and evaluated the Precipitation Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) model in 14 basins across the United States by local USGS personnel; (2) acquire selected simu
Authors
Steven L. Markstrom, Lauren E. Hay, D. Christian Ward-Garrison, John C. Risley, William A. Battaglin, David M. Bjerklie, Katherine J. Chase, Daniel E. Christiansen, Robert W. Dudley, Randall J. Hunt, Kathryn M. Koczot, Mark C. Mastin, R. Steven Regan, Roland J. Viger, Kevin C. Vining, John F. Walker
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Impacts of climate change on the growing season in the United States

Understanding the effects of climate change on the vegetative growing season is key to quantifying future hydrologic water budget conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey modeled changes in future growing season length at 14 basins across 11 states. Simulations for each basin were generated using five general circulation models with three emission scenarios as inputs to the Precipitation-Runoff Mode
Authors
Steven L. Markstrom, Lauren E. Hay
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Christiansen, D. E., Markstrom, S.L, and Hay L. E., 2011, Impacts of Climate Change on the Growing Seasons in the United States: Earth Interactions, Vol 15, Iss. 33, pp. 1-17

**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Flood-plain study of the Upper Iowa River in the vicinity of Decorah, Iowa

The city of Decorah, Iowa, has experienced severe flooding from the Upper Iowa River resulting in property damage to homes and businesses. Streamflow data from two U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow-gaging stations, the Upper Iowa River at Decorah, Iowa (station number 05387500), located upstream from the College Drive bridge; and the Upper Iowa River near Decorah, Iowa (station number 05388
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

By
Water Resources, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

By
Water Resources, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

By
Water Resources, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2

Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey - Helicopter and Sensor 2

A helicopter towing a large, cylindrical sensor will make low-level flights over parts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as part of a groundwater survey in May 2017.

By
Water Resources, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Dakota Water Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Eruptions of Lassen Peak, California, 1914 to 1917 — A Centennial Commemoration

Eruptions of Lassen Peak, California, 1914 to 1917 — A Centennial Commemoration

2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the May 22, 1915 explosive volcanic eruption of Lassen Peak in northern California. 

Read Article
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