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Erik Smith, Ph.D.

Dr. Smith constructs predictive hydrodynamic and water-quality models (CE-QUAL-W2; EFDC) to better understand land-use and hydrologic modification effects on nutrient fate/transport for inland lakes, estuaries, and reservoir systems. He also has a strong interest in improving the predictive capacity of these models to simulate harmful algal blooms.

Erik Smith has been a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey since 2005. Other hydrodynamic modeling interests include applied models to better serve water resource managers, such as the timing of harmful algal blooms and water-quality changes from large interbasin water transfers. Aside from hydrodynamic and water-quality modeling, Erik has applied experience with machine learning techniques (such as boosted regression trees) and Geographic Information Systems (including all ESRI products and QGIS).

Erik started his career as a supporting scientist and full-time hydrologist on the NAWQA program's Agricultural Chemicals Transport (ACT) team (South Fork Iowa River). Building on this experience, he has spent much of his career leading studies to better understand agricultural impacts on groundwater recharge from both subsurface tile drainage and crop irrigation.

Education and Certifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Water Resources Science, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 2012

  • Master of Science, Geology and Geophysics, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 2005

Science and Products

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Grey icy waters of the narrow channel are lines with snow and yellow grasses.

Modeling the water-quality effects to the Klamath River from drain recirculation

What could happen to nutrient loads in the Klamath River if water from the Klamath Straits Drain is recirculated into the Ady Canal? USGS scientists investigate.
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Oregon Water Science Center
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Modeling the water-quality effects to the Klamath River from drain recirculation

What could happen to nutrient loads in the Klamath River if water from the Klamath Straits Drain is recirculated into the Ady Canal? USGS scientists investigate.
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Image: Vegetation Drought

Drought Prediction Science

Drought is a prolonged and widespread deficit in available water supplies that creates multiple stressors across ecosystems and communities. The U.S. Geological Survey Water Mission Area conducts drought research and modeling to improve drought prediction capabilities. The research focus is on understanding the hydrological, ecological, and economic ramifications of drought. The modeling focus...
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Water Resources Mission Area, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Drought
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Drought Prediction Science

Drought is a prolonged and widespread deficit in available water supplies that creates multiple stressors across ecosystems and communities. The U.S. Geological Survey Water Mission Area conducts drought research and modeling to improve drought prediction capabilities. The research focus is on understanding the hydrological, ecological, and economic ramifications of drought. The modeling focus...
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Soybeans growing along an agricultural drainage ditch

Impacts of agricultural drainage on groundwater recharge

Artificial subsurface drainage is being increasingly utilized on agricultural land in southeast Minnesota. This region is underlain by thinner glacial deposits than are found in the historically drained areas of the State. Due to these thinner deposits, drainage in this area may have a greater impact on recharge to the underlying bedrock aquifers, a critical resource to the region.
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
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Impacts of agricultural drainage on groundwater recharge

Artificial subsurface drainage is being increasingly utilized on agricultural land in southeast Minnesota. This region is underlain by thinner glacial deposits than are found in the historically drained areas of the State. Due to these thinner deposits, drainage in this area may have a greater impact on recharge to the underlying bedrock aquifers, a critical resource to the region.
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CE–QUAL–W2 water-quality models for Klamath Straits Drain recirculation scenarios, Klamath River, Oregon, 2006–15

A hydrodynamic, water-temperature, and water-quality model (CE-QUAL-W2; Wells, 2020) of the Link-Keno reach of the Klamath River (Oregon) was used for calendar years 2006–15 to run a series of base and recirculation scenarios. These model runs were implemented to test alternative scenarios for routing some of the Klamath Straits Drain discharge into Ady Canal. The model scenarios were configured f
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Oregon Water Science Center

St. Louis River estuary (Minnesota-Wisconsin) EFDC model scenarios for velocity profiles around Munger Landing, selected years (2012-2019)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ran a series of model scnearios using a predictive, mechanistic, three-dimensional hydrodynamic model for the St. Louis River Estuary (SLRE), Minnesota-Wisconsin. The original SLRE model was developed and published in the U.S. Ge
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

St. Louis River estuary (Minnesota-Wisconsin) EFDC hydrodynamic model for discharge and temperature simulations: 2016-17

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, developed a predictive, mechanistic, three-dimensional hydrodynamic model for the St. Louis River Estuary (SLRE), Minnesota. This model was developed with Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC), a grid-based, surface-water
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Soil-Water Balance model datasets used to estimate recharge for southeastern Minnesota, 2014-2018

A previous soil-water balance (SWB) model [Smith and Westenbroek, 2015; http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20155038) for Minnesota was updated to simulate potential recharge rates from 2014 to 2018. The previous model was developed to estimate mean annual potential recharge from 1995 to 2010. The updated model was also run with a newer version of the SWB model, also known as SWB version 2.0 {Westenbroek
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Potential groundwater recharge estimates based on a groundwater rise analysis technique for two agricultural sites in southeastern Minnesota, 2016-2018

A water table fluctuation model simulated potential recharge rates from 2016 to 2018 for two agricultural sites in southeastern Minnesota. The model calculated potential recharge rates through the analysis of groundwater rises. A total of 42 piezometers were analyzed for this study using the water table fluctuation model. This methodology of calculating potential recharge rates was used as an inde
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

DRAINMOD simulations for two agricultural drainage sites in western Fillmore County, southeastern Minnesota

DRAINMOD, a field-scale, process-based, distributed model (Skaggs, 1980; https://www.bae.ncsu.edu/agricultural-water-management/DRAINMOD/), was used to simulate subsurface drainage flow and field water-surface elevations. DRAINMOD simulations are often used to optimize drainage patterns for agricultural fields with subsurface drainage. For this study, the model results were also used to simulate d
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Lake Houston (Texas) EFDC hydrodynamic model for water-surface elevation and specific conductance simulations, 2009-2017

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in a partnership with ExxonMobil Corporation, developed an updated Lake Houston EFDC model for predicting water-surface elevation, residence time, water temperature, and salinity. With a focus on salinity and water-surface elevations, the updated model simulated conditions from 2009-2017 with additional flow to simulate the Luce Bayou Interbasin Transfer under th
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Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

CEQUALW2 water-quality model and supporting LOADEST models for Lake St. Croix, Wisconsin and Minnesota, 2013

A mechanistic, biophysical water-quality model (CEQUALW2) was developed and calibrated for Lake St. Croix, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Lake St. Croix CEQUALW2 model was simulated and calibrated using data collected from April through November 2013. Loads developed for the model were based on water-quality data collected by various agencies, including the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The calibra
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Soil-Water-Balance model data sets for the St. Louis River drainage basin, northeast Minnesota, 1995-2010

A soil-water balance model (SWB) was developed to estimate potential recharge and surface runoff for portions of the St. Louis River drainage basin, northeast Minnesota, for the period 1995 through 2010. The model was used in the creation of St. Louis River streamflow distribution maps, as part of the associated report, U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 2017-3390 (http://dx.doi.
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Soil-Water-Balance model data sets for the Cannon River drainage basin, southeast Minnesota, 1995-2010

A soil-water balance model (SWB) was developed to estimate potential recharge and surface runoff for portions of the Cannon River drainage basin, southeast Minnesota, for the period 1995 through 2010. The model was used in the creation of Cannon River streamflow distribution maps, as part of the associated report, U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 2017-3390 (http://dx.doi.org/10
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Soil-Water Balance model datasets used to estimate groundwater recharge to the I-94 growth corridor surficial aquifer, Minnesota, 2010-2014

A soil-water balance model (SWB) was developed to estimate potential recharge to the Interstate 94 Corridor surficial aquifer, located in central Minnesota, for the period 2010 through 2014. The model was not calibrated; however, various water budget components from the model output compared reasonably well with other estimates. Furthermore, the model was based upon the statewide Minnesota SWB pot
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Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Streamflow distribution maps for the Cannon River drainage basin, southeast Minnesota, and the St. Louis River drainage basin, northeast Minnesota

Streamflow distribution maps for the Cannon River and St. Louis River drainage basins were developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, to illustrate relative and cumulative streamflow distributions. The Cannon River was selected to provide baseline data to assess the effects of potential surficial sand mining, and the St.
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
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Drought prediction and water availability: A report on the 2022 ​​USGS-NIDIS National Listening Session Series

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) conducted a series of four Listening Sessions in 2022 – each with a different application or topical focus – to seek input on priorities and needs related to predicting water availability changes under drought conditions at national and regional scales. This input was gathered to help inform the USG
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Marina Skumanich, Erik Smith, Joel Lisonbee, John C. Hammond
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Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Modeling the water-quality effects to the Klamath River from recirculation in drains and canals, Oregon and California, 2006–15

The potential recirculation of Klamath Strait Drain (hereafter called by its local name, “Klamath Straits Drain”) water into Ady Canal to reduce the drain discharge of high nutrient loads into the Klamath River was assessed by the U.S. Geological Survey for the Bureau of Reclamation. To study the feasibility of recirculation, this investigation evaluated three recirculation scenarios over a 10-yea
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Erik A. Smith, Annett B. Sullivan
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center

Evaluation of the Bushy Park Reservoir three-dimensional hydrodynamic and water-quality model, South Carolina, 2012–15

The Bushy Park Reservoir is a relatively shallow impoundment in southeastern South Carolina. The reservoir, located under a semi-tropical climate, is the principal water supply for the city of Charleston, South Carolina, and the surrounding areas including the Bushy Park Industrial Complex. Although there was an adequate supply of freshwater in the reservoir in 2022, water-quality concerns are pre
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Erik A. Smith, Madhu Akasapu-Smith, Matthew D. Petkewich, Paul A. Conrads
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Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Water Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water-Use Data and Research (WUDR) program overview and status as of March 31, 2022

The USGS Water-Use Data and Research Program (WUDR) is an appropriated program and is authorized under the SECURE Water Act (Sec. 9508 (c)). WUDR provides financial assistance through cooperative agreements to State water resource agencies. The WUDR Program has two main goals: • To improve the availability, quality, compatibility, and delivery of water-use data that are collected and/or estimated
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Erik A. Smith, Kimberly Shaffer
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Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Hydrodynamic modeling results showing the effects of the Luce Bayou interbasin transfer on salinity in Lake Houston, TX

An overreliance on groundwater resources in the Houston (Texas) metropolitan area led to aquifer drawdowns and land subsidence, so regional water suppliers have been turning to surface water resources to meet water demand. Lake Houston, an important water supply reservoir 24 kilometers (15 miles) northeast of downtown Houston, requires new water supply sources to continue to meet water supply dema
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Erik A. Smith, Sachin D. Shah
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Simulation of discharge, water-surface elevations, and water temperatures for the St. Louis River estuary, Minnesota-Wisconsin, 2016–17

The St. Louis River estuary is a large freshwater estuary, next to Duluth, Minnesota, that encompasses the headwaters of Lake Superior. The St. Louis River estuary is one of the most complex and compromised near-shore systems in the upper Great Lakes with a long history of environmental contamination caused by logging, mining, paper mills, and other heavy industrial activities. Presently (2020), a
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Erik A. Smith, Richard L. Kiesling, Earl J. Hayter
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Potential groundwater recharge rates for two subsurface-drained agricultural fields, southeastern Minnesota, 2016–18

Subsurface drainage is used to efficiently drain saturated soils to support productive agriculture in poorly drained terrains. Although subsurface drainage alters the water balance for agricultural fields, its effect on groundwater resources and groundwater recharge is poorly understood. In Minnesota, subsurface drainage has begun to increase in southeastern Minnesota, even though this part of the
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Erik A. Smith, Andrew M. Berg
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Updates to the Madison Lake (Minnesota) CE–QUAL–W2 water-quality model for assessing algal community dynamics

A previously developed CE–QUAL–W2 model for Madison Lake, Minnesota, simulated the algal community dynamics, water quality, and fish habitat suitability of Madison Lake under recent (2014) meteorological conditions. Additionally, this previously developed model simulated the complex interplay between external nutrient loading, internal nutrient loading from sediment release of phosphorus, and the
Authors
Erik A. Smith, Richard L. Kiesling
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Specific conductance as a tracer of preferential flow in a subsurface-drained field

Specific conductance (SC), soil volumetric water content (VWC), and discharge were monitored on a subsurface agricultural drain for a 2-yr period (2007–2008) to differentiate preferential flow paths from matrix flow paths. A major observation from the 2-yr period was the fast SC decrease after relatively small rainfall events, often <5 mm. A total of 25 paired rainfall–SC events were classified, w
Authors
Erik A. Smith, Paul D. Capel
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Simulation of hydrodynamics, water quality, and lake sturgeon habitat volumes in Lake St. Croix, Wisconsin and Minnesota, 2013

Lake St. Croix is a naturally impounded, riverine lake that makes up the last 40 kilometers of the St. Croix River. Substantial land-use changes during the past 150 years, including increased agriculture and urban development, have reduced Lake St. Croix water-quality and increased nutrient loads delivered to Lake St. Croix. A recent (2012–13) total maximum daily load phosphorus-reduction plan set
Authors
Erik A. Smith, Richard L. Kiesling, Jeffrey R. Ziegeweid, Sarah M. Elliott, Suzanne Magdalene
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Drain tiles and groundwater resources: Understanding the relations

Executive SummaryDrainage for agricultural production over the past 150 years has been an integral component of human-driven change to Minnesota’s rural landscapes.Benefits of drainageHistorically, poorly drained soils across much of the State would often remain saturated or flooded after spring snowmelt, preventing timely farm operations such as tilling and planting crops (Arneman, 1963). Install
Authors
Erik A. Smith, Timothy Gillette, Kristen Blann, Mary Coburn, Bryce Hoppie, Suzanne Rhees
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Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Groundwater discharge to the Mississippi River and groundwater balances for the Interstate 94 Corridor surficial aquifer, Clearwater to Elk River, Minnesota, 2012–14

The Interstate 94 Corridor has been identified as 1 of 16 Minnesota groundwater areas of concern because of its limited available groundwater resources. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, completed six seasonal and annual groundwater balances for parts of the Interstate 94 Corridor surficial aquifer to better understand its long-term (nex
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Erik A. Smith, David L. Lorenz, Erich W. Kessler, Andrew M. Berg, Christopher A. Sanocki
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Water Resources Mission Area, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Mississippi River
New project webpage: Modeling the water-quality effects to the Klamath River from drain recirculation

New project webpage: Modeling the water-quality effects to the Klamath River from drain recirculation

A recent U.S. Geological Survey report explores what could happen to nutrient loads in the Klamath River when water from the Klamath Straits Drain is...

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