Eric Reichard
Dr. Eric Reichard is Scientist Emeritus at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Eric Reichard is an Emeritus Scientist with the USGS California Water Science Center (CAWSC). He served as the Regional Director of the USGS Southwest Region from 2022-25, providing leadership to the ten USGS Science Centers in Arizona, California, and Nevada, and representing the Region at the national level. He served as CAWSC Center Director from 2009-2022, and previously worked as a Research Hydrologist and Program Chief at the CAWSC. During his tenure at the USGS, he led projects addressing a variety of hydrologic issues, including groundwater flow and transport, integrated groundwater-surface water management, saltwater intrusion, and water resources economics. He received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Rochester, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Hydrogeology from Stanford University. He also served as a Research Fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 26
Emergency use of groundwater as a backup supply: Quantifying hydraulic impacts and economic benefits Emergency use of groundwater as a backup supply: Quantifying hydraulic impacts and economic benefits
Groundwater can play an important role in water‐supply emergency planning. A framework is presented for assessing the hydraulic impacts and associated costs of using groundwater as a backup supply when imported‐water deliveries are disrupted, and for quantifying the emergency benefits of groundwater management strategies that enable better response to such disruptions. Response functions...
Authors
Eric G. Reichard, Zhen Li, Caroline Hermans
Saltwater intrusion in coastal regions of North America Saltwater intrusion in coastal regions of North America
Saltwater has intruded into many of the coastal aquifers of the United States, Mexico, and Canada, but the extent of saltwater intrusion varies widely among localities and hydrogeologic settings. In many instances, the area contaminated by saltwater is limited to small parts of an aquifer and to specific wells and has had little or no effect on overall groundwater supplies; in other...
Authors
Paul M. Barlow, Eric G. Reichard
Sample collection of ash and burned soils from the October 2007 southern California Wildfires Sample collection of ash and burned soils from the October 2007 southern California Wildfires
Between November 2 through 9, 2007 scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected samples of ash and burned soils from 28 sites in six areas burned as a result of the Southern California wildfires of October 2007, including the Harris, Witch, Santiago, Ammo, Canyon, and Grass Valley Fires. The primary goal of this sampling and analysis effort was to understand how...
Authors
Todd M. Hoefen, Raymond F. Kokaly, Deborah A. Martin, Carlton J. Rochester, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Greg Mendez, Eric G. Reichard, Robert N. Fisher
Comparison of groundwater flow in Southern California coastal aquifers Comparison of groundwater flow in Southern California coastal aquifers
Development of the coastal aquifer systems of Southern California has resulted in overdraft, changes in streamflow, seawater intrusion, land subsidence, increased vertical flow between aquifers, and a redirection of regional flow toward pumping centers. These water-management challenges can be more effectively addressed by incorporating new understanding of the geologic, hydrologic, and
Authors
Randall T. Hanson, John A. Izbicki, Eric G. Reichard, Brian D. Edwards, Michael Land, Peter Martin
Stratigraphic controls on seawater intrusion and implications for groundwater management, Dominguez Gap area of Los Angeles, California, USA Stratigraphic controls on seawater intrusion and implications for groundwater management, Dominguez Gap area of Los Angeles, California, USA
Groundwater pumping has led to extensive water-level declines and seawater intrusion in coastal Los Angeles, California (USA). A SUTRA-based solute-transport model was developed to test the hydraulic implications of a sequence-stratigraphic model of the Dominguez Gap area and to assess the effects of water-management scenarios. The model is two-dimensional, vertical and follows an...
Authors
Tracy Nishikawa, Adam J. Siade, Eric G. Reichard, Daniel J. Ponti, A.G. Canales, T.A. Johnson
Stratigraphic controls on saltwater intrusion in the Dominguez Gap area of coastal Los Angeles Stratigraphic controls on saltwater intrusion in the Dominguez Gap area of coastal Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Basin is a densely populated coastal area that significantly depends on groundwater. A part of this groundwater supply is at risk from saltwater intrusion—the impetus for this study. High-resolution seismic-reflection data collected from the Los Angeles–Long Beach Harbor Complex have been combined with borehole geophysical and descriptive geological data from four nearby...
Authors
Brian D. Edwards, Kenneth D. Ehman, Daniel J. Ponti, Eric G. Reichard, John Tinsley, Robert J. Rosenbauer, Michael T. Land
Characteristics of Southern California coastal aquifer systems Characteristics of Southern California coastal aquifer systems
Most groundwater produced within coastal Southern California occurs within three main types of siliciclastic basins: (1) deep (>600 m), elongate basins of the Transverse Ranges Physiographic Province, where basin axes and related fluvial systems strike parallel to tectonic structure, (2) deep (>6000 m), broad basins of the Los Angeles and Orange County coastal plains in the northern part...
Authors
B. D. Edwards, R. T. Hanson, E.G. Reichard, T.A. Johnson
Space geodetic observation of expansion of the San Gabriel Valley, California, aquifer system, during heavy rainfall in winter 2004-2005 Space geodetic observation of expansion of the San Gabriel Valley, California, aquifer system, during heavy rainfall in winter 2004-2005
[1] Starting early in 2005, the positions of GPS stations in the San Gabriel valley region of southern California showed statistically significant departures from their previous behavior. Station LONG moved up by about 47 mm, and nearby stations moved away from LONG by about 10 mm. These changes began during an extremely rainy season in southern California and coincided with a 16-m...
Authors
N.E. King, D. Argus, J. Langbein, D.C. Agnew, G. Bawden, R.S. Dollar, Z. Liu, D. Galloway, E. Reichard, A. Yong, F.H. Webb, Y. Bock, K. Stark, D. Barseghian
Hydrogeologic framework refinement, ground-water flow and storage, water-chemistry analyses, and water-budget components of the Yuma area, southwestern Arizona and southeastern California Hydrogeologic framework refinement, ground-water flow and storage, water-chemistry analyses, and water-budget components of the Yuma area, southwestern Arizona and southeastern California
The ground-water and surface-water system in the Yuma area in southwestern Arizona and southeastern California is managed intensely to meet water-delivery requirements of customers in the United States, to manage high ground-water levels in the valleys, and to maintain treaty-mandated water-quality and quantity requirements of Mexico. The following components in this report, which were...
Authors
Jesse E. Dickinson, Michael Land, Claudia C. Faunt, S. A. Leake, Eric G. Reichard, John B. Fleming, D. R. Pool
Geohydrology and water chemistry of the Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California Geohydrology and water chemistry of the Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
This study of the geohydrology and water chemistry of the Alexander Valley, California, was done to provide an improved scientific basis for addressing emerging water-management issues, including potential increases in water demand and changes in flows in the Russian River. The study tasks included (1) evaluation of existing geohydrological, geophysical, and geochemical data; (2)...
Authors
Loren F. Metzger, Christopher D. Farrar, Kathryn M. Koczot, Eric G. Reichard
Geohydrological characterization, water-chemistry, and ground-water flow simulation model of the Sonoma Valley area, Sonoma County, California Geohydrological characterization, water-chemistry, and ground-water flow simulation model of the Sonoma Valley area, Sonoma County, California
The Sonoma Valley, located about 30 miles north of San Francisco, is one of several basins in Sonoma County that use a combination of ground water and water delivered from the Russian River for supply. Over the past 30 years, Sonoma Valley has experienced rapid population growth and land-use changes. In particular, there has been a significant increase in irrigated agriculture...
Authors
Christopher D. Farrar, Loren F. Metzger, Tracy Nishikawa, Kathryn M. Koczot, Eric G. Reichard, Victoria E. Langenheim
Geological, hydrological, and biological issues related to the proposed development of a park at the confluence of the Los Angeles River and the Arroyo Seco, Los Angeles County, California Geological, hydrological, and biological issues related to the proposed development of a park at the confluence of the Los Angeles River and the Arroyo Seco, Los Angeles County, California
A new park is being considered for the confluence of the Los Angeles River and the Arroyo Seco in Los Angeles County, California. Components of the park development may include creation of a temporary lake on the Los Angeles River, removal of channel lining along part of the Arroyo Seco, restoration of native plants, creation of walking paths, and building of facilities such as a boat...
Authors
Michael Land, Peter C. Trenham, Daniel J. Ponti, Eric G. Reichard, John C. Tinsley, Jonathan A. Warrick, Robert W. Meyer
Non-USGS Publications**
Konikow, L.F., Reichard, E.G. and King, M.J. (2023), John D. Bredehoeft (1933-2023)—A Geologist at the Frontiers of Hydrogeology. Groundwater, 61: 446-451. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwat.13313
**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.
Geohydrologic Study of the Central and West Coast Basins of Los Angeles County
Using the new information, along with the recently acquired seismic reflection data, USGS scientists and co-workers have been able to develop a much more detailed understanding of the stratigraphy and structure of the Central and West Coast Basins.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 26
Emergency use of groundwater as a backup supply: Quantifying hydraulic impacts and economic benefits Emergency use of groundwater as a backup supply: Quantifying hydraulic impacts and economic benefits
Groundwater can play an important role in water‐supply emergency planning. A framework is presented for assessing the hydraulic impacts and associated costs of using groundwater as a backup supply when imported‐water deliveries are disrupted, and for quantifying the emergency benefits of groundwater management strategies that enable better response to such disruptions. Response functions...
Authors
Eric G. Reichard, Zhen Li, Caroline Hermans
Saltwater intrusion in coastal regions of North America Saltwater intrusion in coastal regions of North America
Saltwater has intruded into many of the coastal aquifers of the United States, Mexico, and Canada, but the extent of saltwater intrusion varies widely among localities and hydrogeologic settings. In many instances, the area contaminated by saltwater is limited to small parts of an aquifer and to specific wells and has had little or no effect on overall groundwater supplies; in other...
Authors
Paul M. Barlow, Eric G. Reichard
Sample collection of ash and burned soils from the October 2007 southern California Wildfires Sample collection of ash and burned soils from the October 2007 southern California Wildfires
Between November 2 through 9, 2007 scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected samples of ash and burned soils from 28 sites in six areas burned as a result of the Southern California wildfires of October 2007, including the Harris, Witch, Santiago, Ammo, Canyon, and Grass Valley Fires. The primary goal of this sampling and analysis effort was to understand how...
Authors
Todd M. Hoefen, Raymond F. Kokaly, Deborah A. Martin, Carlton J. Rochester, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Greg Mendez, Eric G. Reichard, Robert N. Fisher
Comparison of groundwater flow in Southern California coastal aquifers Comparison of groundwater flow in Southern California coastal aquifers
Development of the coastal aquifer systems of Southern California has resulted in overdraft, changes in streamflow, seawater intrusion, land subsidence, increased vertical flow between aquifers, and a redirection of regional flow toward pumping centers. These water-management challenges can be more effectively addressed by incorporating new understanding of the geologic, hydrologic, and
Authors
Randall T. Hanson, John A. Izbicki, Eric G. Reichard, Brian D. Edwards, Michael Land, Peter Martin
Stratigraphic controls on seawater intrusion and implications for groundwater management, Dominguez Gap area of Los Angeles, California, USA Stratigraphic controls on seawater intrusion and implications for groundwater management, Dominguez Gap area of Los Angeles, California, USA
Groundwater pumping has led to extensive water-level declines and seawater intrusion in coastal Los Angeles, California (USA). A SUTRA-based solute-transport model was developed to test the hydraulic implications of a sequence-stratigraphic model of the Dominguez Gap area and to assess the effects of water-management scenarios. The model is two-dimensional, vertical and follows an...
Authors
Tracy Nishikawa, Adam J. Siade, Eric G. Reichard, Daniel J. Ponti, A.G. Canales, T.A. Johnson
Stratigraphic controls on saltwater intrusion in the Dominguez Gap area of coastal Los Angeles Stratigraphic controls on saltwater intrusion in the Dominguez Gap area of coastal Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Basin is a densely populated coastal area that significantly depends on groundwater. A part of this groundwater supply is at risk from saltwater intrusion—the impetus for this study. High-resolution seismic-reflection data collected from the Los Angeles–Long Beach Harbor Complex have been combined with borehole geophysical and descriptive geological data from four nearby...
Authors
Brian D. Edwards, Kenneth D. Ehman, Daniel J. Ponti, Eric G. Reichard, John Tinsley, Robert J. Rosenbauer, Michael T. Land
Characteristics of Southern California coastal aquifer systems Characteristics of Southern California coastal aquifer systems
Most groundwater produced within coastal Southern California occurs within three main types of siliciclastic basins: (1) deep (>600 m), elongate basins of the Transverse Ranges Physiographic Province, where basin axes and related fluvial systems strike parallel to tectonic structure, (2) deep (>6000 m), broad basins of the Los Angeles and Orange County coastal plains in the northern part...
Authors
B. D. Edwards, R. T. Hanson, E.G. Reichard, T.A. Johnson
Space geodetic observation of expansion of the San Gabriel Valley, California, aquifer system, during heavy rainfall in winter 2004-2005 Space geodetic observation of expansion of the San Gabriel Valley, California, aquifer system, during heavy rainfall in winter 2004-2005
[1] Starting early in 2005, the positions of GPS stations in the San Gabriel valley region of southern California showed statistically significant departures from their previous behavior. Station LONG moved up by about 47 mm, and nearby stations moved away from LONG by about 10 mm. These changes began during an extremely rainy season in southern California and coincided with a 16-m...
Authors
N.E. King, D. Argus, J. Langbein, D.C. Agnew, G. Bawden, R.S. Dollar, Z. Liu, D. Galloway, E. Reichard, A. Yong, F.H. Webb, Y. Bock, K. Stark, D. Barseghian
Hydrogeologic framework refinement, ground-water flow and storage, water-chemistry analyses, and water-budget components of the Yuma area, southwestern Arizona and southeastern California Hydrogeologic framework refinement, ground-water flow and storage, water-chemistry analyses, and water-budget components of the Yuma area, southwestern Arizona and southeastern California
The ground-water and surface-water system in the Yuma area in southwestern Arizona and southeastern California is managed intensely to meet water-delivery requirements of customers in the United States, to manage high ground-water levels in the valleys, and to maintain treaty-mandated water-quality and quantity requirements of Mexico. The following components in this report, which were...
Authors
Jesse E. Dickinson, Michael Land, Claudia C. Faunt, S. A. Leake, Eric G. Reichard, John B. Fleming, D. R. Pool
Geohydrology and water chemistry of the Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California Geohydrology and water chemistry of the Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
This study of the geohydrology and water chemistry of the Alexander Valley, California, was done to provide an improved scientific basis for addressing emerging water-management issues, including potential increases in water demand and changes in flows in the Russian River. The study tasks included (1) evaluation of existing geohydrological, geophysical, and geochemical data; (2)...
Authors
Loren F. Metzger, Christopher D. Farrar, Kathryn M. Koczot, Eric G. Reichard
Geohydrological characterization, water-chemistry, and ground-water flow simulation model of the Sonoma Valley area, Sonoma County, California Geohydrological characterization, water-chemistry, and ground-water flow simulation model of the Sonoma Valley area, Sonoma County, California
The Sonoma Valley, located about 30 miles north of San Francisco, is one of several basins in Sonoma County that use a combination of ground water and water delivered from the Russian River for supply. Over the past 30 years, Sonoma Valley has experienced rapid population growth and land-use changes. In particular, there has been a significant increase in irrigated agriculture...
Authors
Christopher D. Farrar, Loren F. Metzger, Tracy Nishikawa, Kathryn M. Koczot, Eric G. Reichard, Victoria E. Langenheim
Geological, hydrological, and biological issues related to the proposed development of a park at the confluence of the Los Angeles River and the Arroyo Seco, Los Angeles County, California Geological, hydrological, and biological issues related to the proposed development of a park at the confluence of the Los Angeles River and the Arroyo Seco, Los Angeles County, California
A new park is being considered for the confluence of the Los Angeles River and the Arroyo Seco in Los Angeles County, California. Components of the park development may include creation of a temporary lake on the Los Angeles River, removal of channel lining along part of the Arroyo Seco, restoration of native plants, creation of walking paths, and building of facilities such as a boat...
Authors
Michael Land, Peter C. Trenham, Daniel J. Ponti, Eric G. Reichard, John C. Tinsley, Jonathan A. Warrick, Robert W. Meyer
Non-USGS Publications**
Konikow, L.F., Reichard, E.G. and King, M.J. (2023), John D. Bredehoeft (1933-2023)—A Geologist at the Frontiers of Hydrogeology. Groundwater, 61: 446-451. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwat.13313
**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.
Geohydrologic Study of the Central and West Coast Basins of Los Angeles County
Using the new information, along with the recently acquired seismic reflection data, USGS scientists and co-workers have been able to develop a much more detailed understanding of the stratigraphy and structure of the Central and West Coast Basins.