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.
Emilia L Bristow
Emilia (Emmy) joined the USGS in 2016 as a student employee and has worked as a Hydrologist since 2019. Her research interests include near-surface geophysical surveys and data processing for hydrologic investigations, Python coding for data handling and model development, and applications of GIS for study design and data interpretation and presentation.
Professional Experience
2016 - 2019 Student Trainee, USGS, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Iowa City, Iowa
2019 - present Hydrologist, USGS, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Iowa City, Iowa
Education and Certifications
BS Environmental Science, University of Iowa 2012
Science and Products
MODFLOW 6 Groundwater Flow Model for the Des Moines River Alluvial Aquifer near Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) is a regional municipal water utility that supplies residential and commercial water resources to about 600,000 customers in Des Moines, Iowa, and surrounding municipalities in central Iowa. DMWW has identified a need for increased water supply and is exploring the potential for expanding groundwater production capabilities in the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, wh
Aquaculture and irrigation water-use model (AIWUM) version 1.1 estimates and related datasets for the Mississippi Alluvial Plain
This data release contains monthly and annual water-use estimates from the aquaculture and irrigation water-use model (AIWUM) version 1.1 for the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, April 1999 to October 2019. Aquaculture and irrigation estimates contained in this data release are representative of groundwater withdrawal for six different categories: aquaculture, cotton, corn, rice, soybeans, and all othe
Aquaculture and Irrigation Water Use Model (AIWUM) 2.0 input and output datasets
Datasets are inputs and outputs of Aquaculture and Irrigation Water Use Model (AIWUM) 2.0. AIWUM 2.0 employs remote sensing data sets and machine learning utilizing Distributed Random Forests, an ensemble machine learning algorithm to estimate annual and monthly groundwater use for irrigation and aquaculture (2014–20) throughout this region at 1 km resolution, using annual pumping data from flowm
Geophysical Data Collected in the Des Moines River, Beaver Creek, and the Des Moines River Floodplain, Des Moines, Iowa, 2018
A suite of geophysical methods was used along the Des Moines River, Beaver Creek, and in the Des Moines River floodplain in Des Moines, Iowa to support the hydrogeologic characterization of the alluvial aquifer associated with the river. The aquifer consists of sands and gravels underlain by weathered shale bedrock. Groundwater from the aquifer along with surface water sources are used for municip
Geophysical Data Collected in the Cedar River Floodplain, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2015-2017
A suite of geophysical methods was used along the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to support the hydrogeologic characterization of the alluvial aquifer associated with the river and to assess the area for suitability for larger-scale airborne geophysics. The aquifer is comprised of sand and gravel, interbedded with finer sediments, and underlain by carbonate-dominated bedrock. The aquifer is the
Datasets for Characterization of Water-Quality and Bed-Sediment Conditions in Currituck Sound, North Carolina, 2011-18
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, conducted a study to establish baseline water-quality conditions and bed-sediment chemistry in Currituck Sound, North Carolina, prior to construction of the Mid-Currituck Bridge. This Data Release contains the associated data described in the Open-File Report, "Characterization of Water-Quality and Bed-Sediment
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey
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.
Groundwater flow model for the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer near Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) is a regional municipal water utility that provides residential and commercial water resources to about 600,000 customers in Des Moines, Iowa, and surrounding municipalities in central Iowa. DMWW has identified a need for increased water supply and is exploring the potential for expanding groundwater production capabilities in the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, wh
Authors
Emilia L. Bristow, Kyle W. Davis
Simulation of groundwater and surface-water interaction and lake resiliency at Crystal Lake, City of Crystal Lake, Illinois
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Crystal Lake, Illinois, started a study to increase understanding of groundwater and surface-water interaction between the glacial aquifer and the city’s namesake lake, Crystal Lake, and the effect of higher and lower precipitation conditions on groundwater and lake levels. The results from this study could be used by the city and others
Authors
Amy M. Gahala, Emilia L. Bristow, Jennifer B. Sharpe, Benjamin G Metcalf, Lisa A. Matson
Improving crop-specific groundwater use estimation in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain: Implications for integrated remote sensing and machine learning approaches in data-scarce regions
Study regionThe Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP) in the United States (US).Study focusUnderstanding local-scale groundwater use, a critical component of the water budget, is necessary for implementing sustainable water management practices. The MAP is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the US and extracts more than 11 km3/year for irrigation activities. Consequently, groundwater-le
Authors
Sayantan Majumdar, Ryan Smith, Md Fahim Hasan, Jordan Wilson, Vincent E. White, Emilia L. Bristow, James R. Rigby, Wade Kress, Jaime A. Painter
Application of geophysical methods to enhance aquifer characterization and groundwater-flow model development, Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, Des Moines, Iowa, 2022
Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) is one of the largest water providers in Iowa and as population growth continues, demand for drinking water is increasing. DMWW uses groundwater and surface water as raw water sources to supply the City of Des Moines and surrounding communities. In response to current and future demands, DMWW is in need of a thorough understanding of local groundwater resources, speci
Authors
Judith C. Thomas, Morgan A. Spring, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow
A steady-state groundwater flow model for the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer near Prospect Park, Des Moines, Iowa
The Des Moines River alluvial aquifer is an important source of water for Des Moines Water Works, the municipal water utility that provides residential and commercial water resources to the residents of Des Moines, Iowa, and surrounding municipalities. As an initial step in developing a better understanding of the groundwater resources of the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, the U.S. Geological
Authors
Kendall M. FitzGerald, Wonsook S. Ha, Adel E. Haj, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow, Jared R. Weber
Conceptual and numerical groundwater flow model of the Cedar River alluvial aquifer system with simulation of drought stress on groundwater availability near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 2011 through 2013
Between July 2011 and February 2013, the City of Cedar Rapids observed water level declines in their horizontal collector wells approaching 11 meters. As a result, pumping from these production wells had to be halted, and questions were raised about the reliability of the alluvial aquifer under future drought conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Cedar Rapids, com
Authors
Adel E. Haj, Wonsook S. Ha, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow, Amy M. Gahala, Joshua F. Valder, Carole D. Johnson, Eric A. White, Shelby P. Sterner
Characterization of water-quality and bed-sediment conditions in Currituck Sound, North Carolina, prior to the Mid-Currituck Bridge construction, 2011–18
The North Carolina Turnpike Authority plans to improve transportation in the Currituck Sound area by constructing a two-lane bridge—the Mid-Currituck Bridge—across Currituck Sound from the mainland to the Outer Banks, North Carolina. The results of the final environmental impact statement for the project indicate potential water-quality and habitat effects for Currituck Sound associated with the b
Authors
Stephen L. Harden, Sharon A. Fitzgerald, Chad R. Wagner, Emilia L. Bristow, Keith A. Loftin, Barry H. Rosen
Selected water-quality data from the Cedar River and Cedar Rapids well fields, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2008–17
The Cedar River alluvial aquifer is the primary source of municipal water in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Municipal wells are completed in the alluvial aquifer about 40 to 80 feet below land surface. The City of Cedar Rapids and the U.S. Geological Survey have led a cooperative study of the groundwater-flow system and water quality of the aquifer since 1992. Cooperative reports between the City of Cedar Ra
Authors
Shannon M. Meppelink, Erin A. Stelzer, Emilia L. Bristow, Gregory R. Littin
Aquaculture and Irrigation Water Use Model 2.0 Software
The Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP) is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the US and extracts more than 11 km3/year for irrigation activities. The heavy drivers of groundwater use are aquaculture and crops, which include rice, cotton, corn, and soybeans (Wilson, 2021). Consequently, groundwater-level declines in the MAP region (Clark and others, 2011) pose a substantial challenge
Science and Products
MODFLOW 6 Groundwater Flow Model for the Des Moines River Alluvial Aquifer near Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) is a regional municipal water utility that supplies residential and commercial water resources to about 600,000 customers in Des Moines, Iowa, and surrounding municipalities in central Iowa. DMWW has identified a need for increased water supply and is exploring the potential for expanding groundwater production capabilities in the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, wh
Aquaculture and irrigation water-use model (AIWUM) version 1.1 estimates and related datasets for the Mississippi Alluvial Plain
This data release contains monthly and annual water-use estimates from the aquaculture and irrigation water-use model (AIWUM) version 1.1 for the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, April 1999 to October 2019. Aquaculture and irrigation estimates contained in this data release are representative of groundwater withdrawal for six different categories: aquaculture, cotton, corn, rice, soybeans, and all othe
Aquaculture and Irrigation Water Use Model (AIWUM) 2.0 input and output datasets
Datasets are inputs and outputs of Aquaculture and Irrigation Water Use Model (AIWUM) 2.0. AIWUM 2.0 employs remote sensing data sets and machine learning utilizing Distributed Random Forests, an ensemble machine learning algorithm to estimate annual and monthly groundwater use for irrigation and aquaculture (2014–20) throughout this region at 1 km resolution, using annual pumping data from flowm
Geophysical Data Collected in the Des Moines River, Beaver Creek, and the Des Moines River Floodplain, Des Moines, Iowa, 2018
A suite of geophysical methods was used along the Des Moines River, Beaver Creek, and in the Des Moines River floodplain in Des Moines, Iowa to support the hydrogeologic characterization of the alluvial aquifer associated with the river. The aquifer consists of sands and gravels underlain by weathered shale bedrock. Groundwater from the aquifer along with surface water sources are used for municip
Geophysical Data Collected in the Cedar River Floodplain, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2015-2017
A suite of geophysical methods was used along the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to support the hydrogeologic characterization of the alluvial aquifer associated with the river and to assess the area for suitability for larger-scale airborne geophysics. The aquifer is comprised of sand and gravel, interbedded with finer sediments, and underlain by carbonate-dominated bedrock. The aquifer is the
Datasets for Characterization of Water-Quality and Bed-Sediment Conditions in Currituck Sound, North Carolina, 2011-18
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the North Carolina Turnpike Authority, conducted a study to establish baseline water-quality conditions and bed-sediment chemistry in Currituck Sound, North Carolina, prior to construction of the Mid-Currituck Bridge. This Data Release contains the associated data described in the Open-File Report, "Characterization of Water-Quality and Bed-Sediment
Cedar Rapids Geophysical Survey
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.
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.
Groundwater flow model for the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer near Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) is a regional municipal water utility that provides residential and commercial water resources to about 600,000 customers in Des Moines, Iowa, and surrounding municipalities in central Iowa. DMWW has identified a need for increased water supply and is exploring the potential for expanding groundwater production capabilities in the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, wh
Authors
Emilia L. Bristow, Kyle W. Davis
Simulation of groundwater and surface-water interaction and lake resiliency at Crystal Lake, City of Crystal Lake, Illinois
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Crystal Lake, Illinois, started a study to increase understanding of groundwater and surface-water interaction between the glacial aquifer and the city’s namesake lake, Crystal Lake, and the effect of higher and lower precipitation conditions on groundwater and lake levels. The results from this study could be used by the city and others
Authors
Amy M. Gahala, Emilia L. Bristow, Jennifer B. Sharpe, Benjamin G Metcalf, Lisa A. Matson
Improving crop-specific groundwater use estimation in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain: Implications for integrated remote sensing and machine learning approaches in data-scarce regions
Study regionThe Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP) in the United States (US).Study focusUnderstanding local-scale groundwater use, a critical component of the water budget, is necessary for implementing sustainable water management practices. The MAP is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the US and extracts more than 11 km3/year for irrigation activities. Consequently, groundwater-le
Authors
Sayantan Majumdar, Ryan Smith, Md Fahim Hasan, Jordan Wilson, Vincent E. White, Emilia L. Bristow, James R. Rigby, Wade Kress, Jaime A. Painter
Application of geophysical methods to enhance aquifer characterization and groundwater-flow model development, Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, Des Moines, Iowa, 2022
Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) is one of the largest water providers in Iowa and as population growth continues, demand for drinking water is increasing. DMWW uses groundwater and surface water as raw water sources to supply the City of Des Moines and surrounding communities. In response to current and future demands, DMWW is in need of a thorough understanding of local groundwater resources, speci
Authors
Judith C. Thomas, Morgan A. Spring, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow
A steady-state groundwater flow model for the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer near Prospect Park, Des Moines, Iowa
The Des Moines River alluvial aquifer is an important source of water for Des Moines Water Works, the municipal water utility that provides residential and commercial water resources to the residents of Des Moines, Iowa, and surrounding municipalities. As an initial step in developing a better understanding of the groundwater resources of the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, the U.S. Geological
Authors
Kendall M. FitzGerald, Wonsook S. Ha, Adel E. Haj, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow, Jared R. Weber
Conceptual and numerical groundwater flow model of the Cedar River alluvial aquifer system with simulation of drought stress on groundwater availability near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 2011 through 2013
Between July 2011 and February 2013, the City of Cedar Rapids observed water level declines in their horizontal collector wells approaching 11 meters. As a result, pumping from these production wells had to be halted, and questions were raised about the reliability of the alluvial aquifer under future drought conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Cedar Rapids, com
Authors
Adel E. Haj, Wonsook S. Ha, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow, Amy M. Gahala, Joshua F. Valder, Carole D. Johnson, Eric A. White, Shelby P. Sterner
Characterization of water-quality and bed-sediment conditions in Currituck Sound, North Carolina, prior to the Mid-Currituck Bridge construction, 2011–18
The North Carolina Turnpike Authority plans to improve transportation in the Currituck Sound area by constructing a two-lane bridge—the Mid-Currituck Bridge—across Currituck Sound from the mainland to the Outer Banks, North Carolina. The results of the final environmental impact statement for the project indicate potential water-quality and habitat effects for Currituck Sound associated with the b
Authors
Stephen L. Harden, Sharon A. Fitzgerald, Chad R. Wagner, Emilia L. Bristow, Keith A. Loftin, Barry H. Rosen
Selected water-quality data from the Cedar River and Cedar Rapids well fields, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2008–17
The Cedar River alluvial aquifer is the primary source of municipal water in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Municipal wells are completed in the alluvial aquifer about 40 to 80 feet below land surface. The City of Cedar Rapids and the U.S. Geological Survey have led a cooperative study of the groundwater-flow system and water quality of the aquifer since 1992. Cooperative reports between the City of Cedar Ra
Authors
Shannon M. Meppelink, Erin A. Stelzer, Emilia L. Bristow, Gregory R. Littin
Aquaculture and Irrigation Water Use Model 2.0 Software
The Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP) is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the US and extracts more than 11 km3/year for irrigation activities. The heavy drivers of groundwater use are aquaculture and crops, which include rice, cotton, corn, and soybeans (Wilson, 2021). Consequently, groundwater-level declines in the MAP region (Clark and others, 2011) pose a substantial challenge