Gregory Cherry

Education California State University at Chico Bachelor of Science, Geology, 1986   Professional Work Experience United States Geological Survey, Atlanta, Georgia South Atlantic Water Science Center, Norcross Office Hydrologist, GS-1315-12, 2002-Present Currently serving as Project Chief for the Brunswick/Glynn County Cooperative Water Program, which monitors saltwater contamination in the Upper Floridan aquifer. The project combines groundwater modeling with annual water-quality sampling to assess saltwater movement near the City of Brunswick. Model development has involved using a regional model and refining into a smaller grid configuration near the area of interest. The modeling work has used optimization techniques (GWM code) to maximize pumping near active production wells while preserving hydraulic head gradients and the mitigate movement of the chloride plume. Provides monthly progress reports for the Water Resource Management Advisory Committee (WRMAC) at meetings held in Brunswick. The WRMAC consists of representatives from local government agencies, industrial facilities, and concerned citizens. Previously, data collected annually was submitted to the WRMAC in a written report, but data is now published as a USGS open-file report and made available on the USGS website. Data and significant findings have been presented at conferences, symposia, and local outreach events. Project Chief on several small modeling projects in which existing models were used to evaluate increases in pumping and determine effects on the local aquifers. One of these projects used the groundwater model constructed for the Savannah River Site (SRS) and evaluated potential increases in pumping at the Plant Vogtle Electrical Generating Facility. The other project used a regional groundwater model of coastal Georgia and parts of South Carolina and Florida to determine changes in the Upper Floridan aquifer caused by increased pumping at U.S. Army Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. The work for the U.S. Army had very tight schedules and required concurrent reviews to meet project deadlines. Similar studies have been performed for the cities of Pooler, Rincon, and Berwick located in Chatham County, Georgia. Project Chief for the SRS groundwater-flow model, which evaluated flow paths and the potential migration of contaminants near the Georgia side of the Savannah River. Modified and updated the model to 2002 hydrologic conditions, dissemination of results, and the simulation of various groundwater management scenarios. Participated in technical advisory committee meetings, presented the significant findings at conferences, and published as an SIR. Utilized USGS particle-tracking program MODPATH to identify areas susceptible to further migration of contaminants. This was used in conjunction with USGS ZONEBUDGET to evaluate both vertical and horizontal hydraulic head gradients along with recharge and discharge areas according to simulated results. Altered pumping and recharge values in various groundwater management scenarios to evaluate possible changes in groundwater-flow direction and time-of-travel from active wells to recharge areas. United States Geological Survey, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico Caribbean Water Science Center Hydrologist, GS-1315-11, 1990 - 2002 Hydrologist in charge of the field offices on St. Thomas and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) from 1992 to 1994. Projects included an assessment on the viability of artificial recharge on the island of St. Croix. Served as the field coordinator for an exploratory drilling program designed to increase freshwater supplies on the islands. In addition, coordinated all USGS cooperative water resource programs in the USVI. Daily activities included collection of hydrologic data, water-quality sampling, and providing monthly reports to the cooperator on the status of public-supply wells. Performed pump tests to determine aquifer properties and assess the amount of water available from the major aquifers of the islands. Water-quality sampling included the analysis of VOCs at a public-supply well field to determine the extent of contamination from leaky tanks from a nearby gasoline station. Responsible for the collection and quality control of water-use data in the USVI. Project coordinator in a study to assess the freshwater supplies of Isla de Vieques and Isla de Culebra. This project included water-quality sampling to assess the potential for saltwater encroachment, pump tests to determine hydraulic properties of the aquifers, and restoration of a public-supply well field. Relocated to the USGS Caribbean District Office in San Juan during 1994 and assigned on a detail to assess the potential risk of contamination at U.S. Army Reserve facilities located in 14 states. The project required the inspection of 31 facilities and the primary purpose of the study was to advise the U.S. Army on the necessary storm-water permits and make changes to existing storm-water pollution prevention plans. Project Chief on a study of the major aquifers in Puerto Rico with the primary goal to establish an island-wide ground-water monitoring network. Another integral part of the program was the evaluation of saltwater encroachment in areas where pumping exceeds offshore ground-water flow. Utilized surface geophysics to determine the position of the freshwater/saltwater interface. Also, coordinated the effort to update the Ground Water Site Inventory (GWSI), which involved additional field reconnaissance, use of GPS equipment, and conducting elevation surveys on selected wells. Project Chief for a study which utilized USGS MODFLOW computer code to simulate ground-water flow along a section of the Upper North Coast Limestone aquifer of Puerto Rico. The project work included managing all input files, model calibration, low-flow assessments to determine ground-water/surface-water interaction, and generation of all model output. A transient simulation was conducted as additional calibration to reproduce the historical ground-water pumping and estimate future ground-water conditions in the area. Bechtel Corporation, San Francisco, California Geologist, 1984 - 1990 Duties included the implementation of ground-water monitoring programs for the Department of Energy (DOE) at sites in St. Louis, Missouri, and Buffalo, New York. Responsibilities included overseeing the daily activities of a drilling contractor and directing continuous soil-sampling operations. Administered laboratory tests on core samples of marl to determine the engineering properties and potential hazards to a nuclear power plant in Barcelona, Spain. Assigned to a 6-month detail working on a Superfund site in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico. Duties included overseeing the drilling contractor and the installation of multi-port monitoring wells at selected locations. Upon completion of the monitoring wells, participated in a water-quality sampling program to determine the extent of the trichloroethylene plume.   Georgia Association of Water Professionals--Member Georgia Ground Water Association--Vice Chairman 2005 to Present