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Heather R Best

I am a hydrologist within the Water Resources Mission Area and work out of the Fairbanks Field Office.

As a hydrologist in the data program, I am involved in all aspects of streamgage work.  Currently I am a member of the Hydroacoustics Workgroup (HaWG) and Surface Velocity Workgroup.  Both groups are focused on advancing instrumentation and applications of technology to improve the quality of and add to the toolbox for stream monitoring through equipment testing and technology dissemination. I have also recently been working in coordination with a variety of remote sensing groups to collect ground based measurements of streamflow or water levels to calibrate and validate data from airborne or satellite-borne sensors.

Professional Experience

  • 2003 - Present          Hydrologist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Fairbanks, AK

  • 2003                            Hydrologist, Eagle Lake Field Office, Bureau of Land Management, Susanville, CA

Education and Certifications

  • M.S.       2003           Boise State University, Boise, ID             Geophysics-Hydrology

  • B.S.        2000           Bradley University, Peoria, IL                  Environmental Science

  • B.S.        2000           Bradley University, Peoria, IL                  Geology

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • American Water Resources Association - Alaska Section, 2004-present

Science and Products

Hydrochemistry and Age Date Tracers from Springs, Streams, and Rivers in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, 2019-2022

These data include water chemistry from springs, streams, rivers, and shallow groundwater collected in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northern Alaska. Chemical analyses were performed for hydrochemical parameters including field parameters, major ions, nutrients, metals, stable isotopes of water, and tritium, as well as for dissolved gases useful for determining the timescale over which th
By
Alaska Science Center

Macroinvertebrates From Streams and Springs in the 1002 Region of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2021

This dataset includes tables related to macroinvertebrate collections in streams and springs of the 1002 region of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Alaska. Macroinvertebrates were collected using kicknets and driftnets in April and August with the goal of comparing populations to those sampled from the same water bodies by the USGS in the 1970s.
By
Alaska Science Center

Water Surface Elevation Data Derived from Submersible Pressure Transducers Deployed in the Susitna, Yukon, and Nushagak Rivers, Alaska, Summers 2020-2021

This dataset includes locations and water surface elevation measurements from submersible pressure transducers deployed in channels of three rivers in Alaska: Susitna and Yukon Rivers (July-October 2020), and Nushagak River (May to September 2021).
By
Alaska Science Center

Flood Frequency Data and 2022 Observed Flood Probability for Two Streamgages in the Delta River Basin, Alaska, 1963-2022

This data release provides the source data and results of a flood frequency analysis and annual exceedance probability estimation for a flood that occurred on July 11, 2022 in the Delta River Basin, Alaska. Data are provided for two streamgages that had at least 10 years of peak-flow record. The data include streamgage information, PeakFQ input (.txt and .PSF files) PeakFQ output (.PRT, .EXP, and
By
Alaska Science Center
White patches of frozen ice on top of ground. River to left with green vegetation and snow-covered mountains.
Remnant aufeis on the Katakturuk River
Remnant aufeis on the Katakturuk River
White patches of frozen ice on top of ground. River to left with green vegetation and snow-covered mountains.

Remnant aufeis on the Katakturuk River

Remnant aufeis on the Katakturuk River

Photo of Katakturuk River in Alaska with aufeis.  Aufeis forms when overflowing water freezes as it encounters cold air during the winter.

By
Alaska Science Center
White patches of frozen ice on top of ground. River to left with green vegetation and snow-covered mountains.

Remnant aufeis on the Katakturuk River

Remnant aufeis on the Katakturuk River

Photo of Katakturuk River in Alaska with aufeis.  Aufeis forms when overflowing water freezes as it encounters cold air during the winter.

By
Alaska Science Center
USGS gage 15955000 Canning River above Staines River near Deadhorse, AK. Derek Frohbelter loading helicopter for return to Kavik
USGS Employee Loading Helicopter At Gage 15955000 Canning River, AK.
USGS Employee Loading Helicopter At Gage 15955000 Canning River, AK.
USGS gage 15955000 Canning River above Staines River near Deadhorse, AK. Derek Frohbelter loading helicopter for return to Kavik

USGS Employee Loading Helicopter At Gage 15955000 Canning River, AK.

USGS Employee Loading Helicopter At Gage 15955000 Canning River, AK.

USGS gage 15955000 Canning River above Staines River near Deadhorse, AK. Derek Frohbelter loading helicopter for return to Kavik.

By
Water Resources
USGS gage 15955000 Canning River above Staines River near Deadhorse, AK. Derek Frohbelter loading helicopter for return to Kavik

USGS Employee Loading Helicopter At Gage 15955000 Canning River, AK.

USGS Employee Loading Helicopter At Gage 15955000 Canning River, AK.

USGS gage 15955000 Canning River above Staines River near Deadhorse, AK. Derek Frohbelter loading helicopter for return to Kavik.

By
Water Resources

A comparison of contemporary and historical hydrology and water quality in the foothills and coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic Slope, northern Alaska

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a unique landscape in northern Alaska with limited water resources, substantial biodiversity of rare and threatened species, as well as oil and gas resources. The region has unique hydrology related to perennial springs, and the formation of large aufeis fields—sheets of ice that grow in the river channels where water reaches the surface in the winter and fre
Authors
Joshua C. Koch, Heather Best, Carson Baughman, Charles Couvillion, Michael P. Carey, Jeff Conaway
By
Alaska Science Center

QCam: sUAS-based doppler radar for measuring river discharge

The U.S. Geological Survey is actively investigating remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge (discharge) from satellite-, high altitude-, small, unmanned aircraft systems- (sUAS or drone), and permanent (fixed) deployments. This initiative is important in ungaged basins and river reaches that lack the infrastructure to deploy conventional streamgaging equipment. By coupling alternat
Authors
John W. Fulton, Isaac E. Anderson, C.-L. Chiu, Wolfram Sommer, Josip Adams, Tommaso Moramarco, David M. Bjerklie, Janice M. Fulford, Jeff L. Sloan, Heather Best, Jeffrey S. Conaway, Michelle J. Kang, Michael S. Kohn, Matthew J. Nicotra, Jeremy J. Pulli
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, National Innovation Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Near-field remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge using radars and the probability concept at 10 USGS streamgages

Near-field remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge (discharge) were measured using coherent, continuous wave Doppler and pulsed radars. Traditional streamgaging requires sensors be deployed in the water column; however, near-field remote sensing has the potential to transform streamgaging operations through non-contact methods in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other agencies
Authors
John Fulton, Chris A. Mason, Jack R. Eggleston, Matthew J. Nicotra, C.-L. Chiu, Mark F. Henneberg, Heather Best, Jay Cederberg, Stephen R. Holnbeck, R. Russell Lotspeich, Christopher Laveau, Tommaso Moramarco, Mark E. Jones, Jonathan J Gourley, Danny Wasielewski
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center, National Innovation Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center
USGS Scientists Podcast Interviews

USGS Scientists Podcast Interviews

In 2023, USGS Alaska Science Center scientists participated in a weekly radio program and podcast called Liquid Assets, airing on KTNA 88.9 FM, a...

Read Article

Science and Products

Hydrochemistry and Age Date Tracers from Springs, Streams, and Rivers in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, 2019-2022

These data include water chemistry from springs, streams, rivers, and shallow groundwater collected in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northern Alaska. Chemical analyses were performed for hydrochemical parameters including field parameters, major ions, nutrients, metals, stable isotopes of water, and tritium, as well as for dissolved gases useful for determining the timescale over which th
By
Alaska Science Center

Macroinvertebrates From Streams and Springs in the 1002 Region of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 2021

This dataset includes tables related to macroinvertebrate collections in streams and springs of the 1002 region of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Alaska. Macroinvertebrates were collected using kicknets and driftnets in April and August with the goal of comparing populations to those sampled from the same water bodies by the USGS in the 1970s.
By
Alaska Science Center

Water Surface Elevation Data Derived from Submersible Pressure Transducers Deployed in the Susitna, Yukon, and Nushagak Rivers, Alaska, Summers 2020-2021

This dataset includes locations and water surface elevation measurements from submersible pressure transducers deployed in channels of three rivers in Alaska: Susitna and Yukon Rivers (July-October 2020), and Nushagak River (May to September 2021).
By
Alaska Science Center

Flood Frequency Data and 2022 Observed Flood Probability for Two Streamgages in the Delta River Basin, Alaska, 1963-2022

This data release provides the source data and results of a flood frequency analysis and annual exceedance probability estimation for a flood that occurred on July 11, 2022 in the Delta River Basin, Alaska. Data are provided for two streamgages that had at least 10 years of peak-flow record. The data include streamgage information, PeakFQ input (.txt and .PSF files) PeakFQ output (.PRT, .EXP, and
By
Alaska Science Center
White patches of frozen ice on top of ground. River to left with green vegetation and snow-covered mountains.
Remnant aufeis on the Katakturuk River
Remnant aufeis on the Katakturuk River
White patches of frozen ice on top of ground. River to left with green vegetation and snow-covered mountains.

Remnant aufeis on the Katakturuk River

Remnant aufeis on the Katakturuk River

Photo of Katakturuk River in Alaska with aufeis.  Aufeis forms when overflowing water freezes as it encounters cold air during the winter.

By
Alaska Science Center
White patches of frozen ice on top of ground. River to left with green vegetation and snow-covered mountains.

Remnant aufeis on the Katakturuk River

Remnant aufeis on the Katakturuk River

Photo of Katakturuk River in Alaska with aufeis.  Aufeis forms when overflowing water freezes as it encounters cold air during the winter.

By
Alaska Science Center
USGS gage 15955000 Canning River above Staines River near Deadhorse, AK. Derek Frohbelter loading helicopter for return to Kavik
USGS Employee Loading Helicopter At Gage 15955000 Canning River, AK.
USGS Employee Loading Helicopter At Gage 15955000 Canning River, AK.
USGS gage 15955000 Canning River above Staines River near Deadhorse, AK. Derek Frohbelter loading helicopter for return to Kavik

USGS Employee Loading Helicopter At Gage 15955000 Canning River, AK.

USGS Employee Loading Helicopter At Gage 15955000 Canning River, AK.

USGS gage 15955000 Canning River above Staines River near Deadhorse, AK. Derek Frohbelter loading helicopter for return to Kavik.

By
Water Resources
USGS gage 15955000 Canning River above Staines River near Deadhorse, AK. Derek Frohbelter loading helicopter for return to Kavik

USGS Employee Loading Helicopter At Gage 15955000 Canning River, AK.

USGS Employee Loading Helicopter At Gage 15955000 Canning River, AK.

USGS gage 15955000 Canning River above Staines River near Deadhorse, AK. Derek Frohbelter loading helicopter for return to Kavik.

By
Water Resources

A comparison of contemporary and historical hydrology and water quality in the foothills and coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic Slope, northern Alaska

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a unique landscape in northern Alaska with limited water resources, substantial biodiversity of rare and threatened species, as well as oil and gas resources. The region has unique hydrology related to perennial springs, and the formation of large aufeis fields—sheets of ice that grow in the river channels where water reaches the surface in the winter and fre
Authors
Joshua C. Koch, Heather Best, Carson Baughman, Charles Couvillion, Michael P. Carey, Jeff Conaway
By
Alaska Science Center

QCam: sUAS-based doppler radar for measuring river discharge

The U.S. Geological Survey is actively investigating remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge (discharge) from satellite-, high altitude-, small, unmanned aircraft systems- (sUAS or drone), and permanent (fixed) deployments. This initiative is important in ungaged basins and river reaches that lack the infrastructure to deploy conventional streamgaging equipment. By coupling alternat
Authors
John W. Fulton, Isaac E. Anderson, C.-L. Chiu, Wolfram Sommer, Josip Adams, Tommaso Moramarco, David M. Bjerklie, Janice M. Fulford, Jeff L. Sloan, Heather Best, Jeffrey S. Conaway, Michelle J. Kang, Michael S. Kohn, Matthew J. Nicotra, Jeremy J. Pulli
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, National Innovation Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Near-field remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge using radars and the probability concept at 10 USGS streamgages

Near-field remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge (discharge) were measured using coherent, continuous wave Doppler and pulsed radars. Traditional streamgaging requires sensors be deployed in the water column; however, near-field remote sensing has the potential to transform streamgaging operations through non-contact methods in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other agencies
Authors
John Fulton, Chris A. Mason, Jack R. Eggleston, Matthew J. Nicotra, C.-L. Chiu, Mark F. Henneberg, Heather Best, Jay Cederberg, Stephen R. Holnbeck, R. Russell Lotspeich, Christopher Laveau, Tommaso Moramarco, Mark E. Jones, Jonathan J Gourley, Danny Wasielewski
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center, National Innovation Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center
USGS Scientists Podcast Interviews

USGS Scientists Podcast Interviews

In 2023, USGS Alaska Science Center scientists participated in a weekly radio program and podcast called Liquid Assets, airing on KTNA 88.9 FM, a...

Read Article

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government