Daniel K Jones
Since joining the U.S. Geological Survey as a Geographer in 2012, Dan's work has focused on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing data to solve watershed-scale questions associated with catastrophic storms, urban development, and resource protection.
Dan also serves as the lead of the Geospatial Analysis and Applications Core Technology Team, a group of geographers, programmers, and statisticians focused on questions related to contaminants and environmental health across spatial scales.
During his university studies, Dan's research focused on using LiDAR to track watershed-scale geomorphic changes associated with the suburbanization of small, historically agricultural watersheds in Montgomery County, MD. During his degrees, Dan worked as a research support specialist at the Baltimore Ecosystem Study Long Term Ecological Research station, assisting in the long-term data collection of water, sediment, and vegetation samples associated with the project.
Education and Certifications
M.S. Geography and Environmental Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2013
B.S. Environmental Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2009
Science and Products
Geospatial Analyses and Applications Core Technology Team
USGS Chesapeake Publication Receives National Award for Outstanding Technology Paper
A National Assessment of Pesticide, PFAS, Microplastic, and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Exposures in White-Tailed Deer
Coproduced Science Linking Environmental and Public-Health Data to Evaluate Drinking Water Arsenic Exposure on Birth Outcomes
New study confirms loss of storage capacity in Lake Powell
Understanding the Effects of Stormwater Management Practices on Water Quality and Flow
Model code, input datasets, and prediction files for dynamic stream dissolved solids and static baseflow dissolved solids SPARROW models of the Upper Colorado River Basin, 1986-2017
Dust and sediment data from Great Salt Lake and northern Utah, 2022
Geomorphic metrics across four catchments in Clarksburg, Maryland, 2002-19
Elevation-area-capacity tables for Lake Powell, 2018
Quality assessed and modified Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) facility and outfall locations, 2007 - 2019
SPARROW model inputs and simulated future baseflow for streams of the Upper Colorado River Basin
Lidar-derived digital elevation models in Clarksburg, MD representing the years 2002, 2008, 2013, and 2018
Ephemeral channel heads and digital elevation models used to extract stream networks in Clarksburg, MD (ver. 2.0, October 2021)
A snapshot of stakeholder science needs related to drought in the Colorado River Basin
Modified topobathymetric elevation data for Lake Powell
Analytical inorganic chemistry results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Potential contaminant sources and other landscape variables summarized for NHDPlus Version 2.1 catchments within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (ver. 2.0, June 2021)
Temporal variability in irrigated land and climate influences on salinity loading across the Upper Colorado River Basin, 1986-2017
Integrated science strategy for assessing and monitoring water availability and migratory birds for terminal lakes across the Great Basin, United States
Assessing exposure of northern Utah communities to dust from the contaminated and dynamic Great Salt Lake playa
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in United States tapwater: Comparison of underserved private-well and public-supply exposures and associated health implications
Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST)
Industrial particulate pollution and historical land use contribute metals of concern to dust deposited in neighborhoods along the Wasatch Front, UT, USA
Tracking geomorphic changes after suburban development with a high density of green stormwater infrastructure practices in Montgomery County, Maryland
Addressing stakeholder science needs for integrated drought science in the Colorado River Basin
Ephemeral stream network extraction from lidar-derived elevation and topographic attributes in urban and forested landscapes
Arsenic in private well water and birth outcomes in the United States
Elevation-area-capacity relationships of Lake Powell in 2018 and estimated loss of storage capacity since 1963
Lessons learned from 20 y of monitoring suburban development with distributed stormwater management in Clarksburg, Maryland, USA
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in U.S. Tapwater: Comparison of Public-Supply and Underserved Private-Well Exposures and Associated Health Implications
Science and Products
- Science
Geospatial Analyses and Applications Core Technology Team
About the Research The Geospatial Analyses and Applications Core Technology Team (CTT) as part of the Environmental Health Program collaborates with teams across USGS to develop and apply geospatial analytical methods to answer broad-scale questions about source-sink and cause-effect relationships between contaminants and vulnerable communities.USGS Chesapeake Publication Receives National Award for Outstanding Technology Paper
The paper, Ephemeral Stream Network Extraction from Lidar-Derived Elevation and Topographic Attributes in Urban and Forested Landscapes, describes a new method of remotely mapping ephemeral headwater streams using wetness index and topographic openness derived from lidar. This work is part of a long-term USGS study assessing the impacts of suburban development on a range of ecosystem functions...A National Assessment of Pesticide, PFAS, Microplastic, and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Exposures in White-Tailed Deer
Research has documented exposures and consequential environmental health effects of pesticides, PFAS, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance genes in environmental biota. Little is known, however, regarding such effects in white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ).Coproduced Science Linking Environmental and Public-Health Data to Evaluate Drinking Water Arsenic Exposure on Birth Outcomes
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists teamed up with public-health epidemiologists to probe for associations between arsenic in drinking water and human-birth outcomes. They reported a modest inverse relation between birth weight and arsenic exposure. Findings indicate that future research efforts using individual-level exposure data such as measured arsenic concentrations in tap water could...New study confirms loss of storage capacity in Lake Powell
Beginning in 2017, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation, completed topobathymetric surveys of Lake Powell for the first update of elevation-area-capacity relationships since 1986. The recent report presents results of these surveys and comparisons with estimates from previous surveys. Current storage capacity at full pool (3702.91 feet above NAVD 88) is 25,160...Understanding the Effects of Stormwater Management Practices on Water Quality and Flow
Urban development can have detrimental impacts on streams including altering hydrology, increasing nutrient, sediment, and pollutant loadings, and degrading biological integrity. Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) can be used to mitigate the effects of urban development by retaining large volumes of stormwater runoff and treating runoff to remove pollutants. This project focuses on... - Data
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Model code, input datasets, and prediction files for dynamic stream dissolved solids and static baseflow dissolved solids SPARROW models of the Upper Colorado River Basin, 1986-2017
This data release contains model code and input data for, and predictions from, both a dynamic stream dissolved solids and a static baseflow dissolved solids SPARROW (SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes) model of the Upper Colorado River Basin for water years 1986-2017. Input data includes information on dissolved solids sources, landscape transport characteristics, and dissolvDust and sediment data from Great Salt Lake and northern Utah, 2022
These are physical and geochemical (elemental, strontium isotope) data from dust and sediments collected from and around Great Salt Lake, Utah. Data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey Utah Water Science Center (West Valley City, Utah) to better understand the degree to which populations in northern Utah are affected by Great Salt Lake dust, dust from other sources, and metals pollution.Geomorphic metrics across four catchments in Clarksburg, Maryland, 2002-19
This dataset contains geomorphic metrics across 32 cross-sections at four catchments within the Clarksburg Special Protection Area in Montgomery County, Maryland. These data were derived from raw cross-sectional data collected by the Montgomery County, Maryland Department of Environmental Protection. Geomorphic metrics include channel area, bed location, channel depth, channel width, and bank moveElevation-area-capacity tables for Lake Powell, 2018
This data release is associated with the following Scientific Investigations Report: Root, J.C. and Jones, D.K., 2022, Elevation-area-capacity relationships of Lake Powell in 2018 and estimated loss of storage capacity since 1963: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2022-5017, 21 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20225017. This dataset provides elevation-area-capacity relationshiQuality assessed and modified Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) facility and outfall locations, 2007 - 2019
Each year the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports permit, location, and discharge information for facilities across the United States and its territories through the Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR). Because these data are cataloged through a variety of systems, including self-reporting, there are discrepancies that may lead to incorrect spatial interpretation of content in the datSPARROW model inputs and simulated future baseflow for streams of the Upper Colorado River Basin
The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) model was used to estimate baseflow changes from historical (1984 - 2012) to thirty-year periods centered around 2030, 2050, and 2080 under warm/wet, median, and hot/dry climatic conditions. SPARROW is a spatially explicit hybrid statistical and process-based model that estimates mean baseflow oveLidar-derived digital elevation models in Clarksburg, MD representing the years 2002, 2008, 2013, and 2018
This is a collection of 3 ft resolution digital elevation model derived from light detection and ranging (lidar). Lidar was collected in 2002, 2008, 2013, and 2018. Coverage includes a portion of Clarksburg, Maryland, focused around the Clarksburg Special Protection Area (CSPA). Overall extent varies between each dataset, but all digital elevation models are aligned together with consistent overlaEphemeral channel heads and digital elevation models used to extract stream networks in Clarksburg, MD (ver. 2.0, October 2021)
This dataset describes the location of channel heads survyed in two headwater watersheds in Clarksburg, Montgomery County, Maryland, and the digital elevation models derived from light detection and ranging (lidar) covering the two watersheds. The digital elevation models were used to derive topographic attributes used to delineate drainage networks that were then assessed for accuracy using the fA snapshot of stakeholder science needs related to drought in the Colorado River Basin
Stakeholder science needs were determined by reviewing more than 200 recently published literature items and web pages from Colorado River Basin (CRB) stakeholders. These stakeholder communications were used to characterize over 400 stakeholder science needs by reviewing their priorities, strategies, issues, missions, and concerns related to drought in the CRB. Members of the CRB Integrated SciencByArizona Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Colorado River Basin: Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and TechnologyModified topobathymetric elevation data for Lake Powell
This dataset provides a modified version of the previously published Lake Powell topobathymetric digital elevation model (TBDEM; Poppenga and others, 2020). The original TBDEM is comprised of four source datasets: (1) a 2017 1-meter multibeam bathymetric survey; (2) a 2018 topographic light detection and ranging (lidar) derived digital elevation model (DEM); (3) a historical topographic DEM that wAnalytical inorganic chemistry results for samples collected for the Sediment-Bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy pilot study, northeastern United States, 2015
Coastal communities are uniquely vulnerable to sea-level rise (SLR) and severe storms such as hurricanes. These events enhance the dispersion and concentration of natural and anthropogenic chemicals and pathogenic microorganisms that could adversely affect the health and resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems in coming years. The U.S. Geological Survey has developed the Sediment-Bound CoPotential contaminant sources and other landscape variables summarized for NHDPlus Version 2.1 catchments within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (ver. 2.0, June 2021)
This dataset consists of 262 variables which describe various known and suspected point and non-point sources of contaminants and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Contaminant data was summarized to the NHDPlus Version 2.1 catchment level (1:100K). Contaminant data summarized span a time range of 2001 to 2016 and include regulated facilities, pesticides - Multimedia
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Filter Total Items: 27
Temporal variability in irrigated land and climate influences on salinity loading across the Upper Colorado River Basin, 1986-2017
Freshwater salinization is a growing global concern impacting human and ecosystem needs with impacts to water availability for human and ecological uses. In the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB), dissolved solids in streams compound ongoing water supply challenges to further limit water availability and cause economic damages. Much effort has been dedicated to understanding dissolved solid sourcesAuthorsOlivia L. Miller, Annie L. Putman, Richard A. Smith, Gregory E. Schwarz, Michael D. Hess, Morgan C. McDonnell, Daniel JonesIntegrated science strategy for assessing and monitoring water availability and migratory birds for terminal lakes across the Great Basin, United States
Executive SummaryIn 2022, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) established the Saline Lake Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment (IWAAs) to monitor and assess the hydrology of terminal lakes in the Great Basin and the migratory birds and other wildlife dependent on those habitats. Scientists from across the USGS (with specialties in water quantity, water quality, limnology, avian biologAuthorsRebecca J. Frus, Cameron L. Aldridge, Michael L. Casazza, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, Garth Herring, Scott A. Hynek, Daniel K. Jones, Susan K Kemp, Thomas M. Marston, Christopher M. Morris, Ramon C. Naranjo, Cee Nell, David R. O'Leary, Cory T. Overton, Bryce A. Pulver, Brian E. Reichert, Christine A. Rumsey, Rudy Schuster, Cassandra D. SmithAssessing exposure of northern Utah communities to dust from the contaminated and dynamic Great Salt Lake playa
No abstract available.AuthorsAnnie L. Putman, Molly Ann Blakowski, Morgan C. McDonnell, Destry N DiViesti, Diego P. Fernandez, Patrick Cullen Longley, Daniel JonesPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in United States tapwater: Comparison of underserved private-well and public-supply exposures and associated health implications
Drinking-water quality is a rising concern in the United States (US), emphasizing the need to broadly assess exposures and potential health effects at the point-of-use. Drinking-water exposures to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a national concern, however, there is limited information on PFAS in residential tapwater at the point-of-use, especially from private-wells. We conductedAuthorsKelly L. Smalling, Kristin M. Romanok, Paul M. Bradley, Matthew C. Morriss, James L. Gray, Leslie K. Kanagy, Stephanie Gordon, Brianna Williams, Sara E. Breitmeyer, Daniel Jones, Laura A. DeCicco, Collin Eagles-Smith, Tyler WagnerByEcosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Utah Water Science CenterColorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology (ASIST)
IntroductionThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is initiating a study approach focused on building cross-disciplinary connections to weave together the scientific knowledge related to drought conditions and effects in the Colorado River Basin. The basin is experiencing the worst drought in recorded history, posing unprecedented new challenges in the basin and in areas relying on water from the basinAuthorsKatharine G. Dahm, Daniel Jones, Patrick J. Anderson, Meghan C. Dick, Todd Hawbaker, Robert HortonIndustrial particulate pollution and historical land use contribute metals of concern to dust deposited in neighborhoods along the Wasatch Front, UT, USA
The Salt Lake Valley, UT, USA, is proximal to the desiccating Great Salt Lake (GSL). Prior work has found that this lakebed/playa contributes metals-laden dust to snow in the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains. Dust and industrial particulate pollution are also delivered to communities along the Wasatch Front, but their sources, compositions, and fluxes are poorly characterized. In this study, we analyzeAuthorsAnnie L. Putman, Daniel Jones, Molly Ann Blakowski, Destry N DiViesti, Scott Hynek, Diego P. Fernandez, Danielle MendozaTracking geomorphic changes after suburban development with a high density of green stormwater infrastructure practices in Montgomery County, Maryland
Stream morphology is affected by changes on the surrounding landscape. Understanding the effects of urbanization on stream morphology is a critical factor for land managers to maintain and improve vulnerable stream corridors in urbanizing landscapes. Stormwater practices are used in urban landscapes to manage runoff volumes and peak flows, potentially mitigating alterations to the flow regime thatAuthorsBrianna Williams, Kristina G. Hopkins, Marina Metes, Daniel Jones, Stephanie Gordon, William Bradley HamiltonAddressing stakeholder science needs for integrated drought science in the Colorado River Basin
Stakeholders need scientific data, analysis, and predictions of how drought the will impact the Colorado River Basin in a format that is continuously updated, intuitive, and easily accessible. The Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology Pilot Project was formed to demonstrate the effectiveness of addressing complex problems through stakeholder involvement anAuthorsAnne C. Tillery, Sally House, Rebecca J. Frus, Sharon L. Qi, Daniel Jones, William J. AndrewsByEcosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Arizona Water Science Center, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Washington Water Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Colorado River Basin: Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and TechnologyEphemeral stream network extraction from lidar-derived elevation and topographic attributes in urban and forested landscapes
Under-representations of headwater channels in digital stream networks can result in uncertainty in the magnitude of headwater habitat loss, stream burial, and watershed function. Increased availability of high-resolution (<2 m) elevation data makes the delineation of headwater channels more attainable. In this study, elevation data derived from light detection and ranging was used to predict epheAuthorsMarina Metes, Daniel Jones, Matthew E. Baker, Andrew J. Miller, Dianna M. Hogan, J.V. Loperfido, Kristina G. HopkinsArsenic in private well water and birth outcomes in the United States
BackgroundPrenatal exposure to drinking water with arsenic concentrations >50 μg/L is associated with adverse birth outcomes, with inconclusive evidence for concentrations ≤50 μg/L. In a collaborative effort by public health experts, hydrologists, and geologists, we used published machine learning model estimates to characterize arsenic concentrations in private wells—federally unregulated for driAuthorsCatherine Bulka, Molly Scannell Bryan, Melissa Lombard, Scott Bartell, Daniel Jones, Paul M. Bradley, Veronica Vieira, Debra Silverman, Michael J. Focazio, Patricia Toccalino, Johnni Daniel, Lorraine C. Backer, Joseph D. Ayotte, Matthew O. Gribble, Maria ArgosElevation-area-capacity relationships of Lake Powell in 2018 and estimated loss of storage capacity since 1963
Lake Powell is the second largest constructed water reservoir by storage capacity in the United States and represents a critical component in management of water resources in the Colorado River Basin. The reservoir provides hydroelectric power generation at Glen Canyon Dam, banks water storage for the Upper Colorado River Basin, stabilizes water commitments downstream, and buffers the Lower ColoraAuthorsJonathan Casey Root, Daniel JonesLessons learned from 20 y of monitoring suburban development with distributed stormwater management in Clarksburg, Maryland, USA
Urban development is a well-known stressor for stream ecosystems, presenting a challenge to managers tasked with mitigating its effects. For the past 20 y, streamflow, water quality, geomorphology, and benthic communities were monitored in 5 watersheds in Montgomery County, Maryland, USA. This study presents a synthesis of multiple studies of monitoring efforts in the study area and new analysis oAuthorsKristina G. Hopkins, Sean Woznicki, Brianna Williams, Charles C. Stillwell, Eric Naibert, Marina Metes, Daniel Jones, Dianna M. Hogan, Natalie Celeste Hall, Rosemary M. Fanelli, Aditi S. Bhaskar - Software
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in U.S. Tapwater: Comparison of Public-Supply and Underserved Private-Well Exposures and Associated Health Implications
This software involves files to fit the statistical models described in Smalling et al. Specifically, there are R scripts and associated stan model files (when appropriate) for comparing PFAS concentrations among public-supply and private-wells and as a function of geospatial predictor variables. There is also an R script for modeling the number of PFAS chemicals detected among water sources and - News