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Janet Barclay

Janet Barclay is a Research Hydrologist in the New England Water Science Center.

Janet is interested in questions about the flow of water, nutrients and pollutants in groundwater and surface water systems, and in the innovative use of data for model calibration and evaluation. Her work focuses on modeling groundwater flow, stream temperature, and surface-water and groundwater transport of nitrogen. She uses process-based models, such as MODFLOW, machine learning models, and statistical analysis.

Professional Experience

  • Research Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, 2025 to Present

  • Acting Chief, U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, Environmental Hydrology Section, 2025

  • Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, 2019 to 2024

  • Student Trainee (Hydrology), U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, 2018 to 2018

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Connecticut, 2019

  • M.S. Biological & Environmental Engineering, Ecohydrology & Environmental Processes, Cornell University, 2013

  • B.S. Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 1999

Abstracts and Presentations

  • Seeing what hides beneath: teaching a stream temperature model to make groundwater-informed predictions at ecologically-relevant spatial scales, Janet Barclay, Lauren Koenig, Simon Topp, Margaux Sleckman, Alison Appling, (December 14, 2022)

  • Spatial And Temporal Patterns Of Nitrogen Loading, Travel Time, And Flowpath Depth - And Their Response To Management Actions – In Watersheds Across Coastal Connecticut, Janet Barclay, John Mullaney, and Maddy Holland (December 14, 2022)

  • Remember where you are: teaching a stream temperature model to embrace long-term groundwater exchange patterns, Janet Barclay, Simon Topp, Jeff Sadler, Alison Appling (December 2021)

  • 2020 Drought in New England, Pamela Lombard, Janet Barclay, Dee-Ann McCarthy, Richard Kiah, Matt Ely, (February 22, 2021)

  • An iterative approach to developing and refining a regional groundwater model to provide actionable understanding of groundwater flow and nitrogen transport in coastal subbasins, Janet Barclay, John Mullaney, (December 2020)

  • Estimation of high groundwater levels at unmonitored sites, Janet Barclay, (July 16, 2019)

  • Groundwater flow and nitrogen attenuation in aquifers on the north shore of Long Island Sound, Janet Barclay, (March 6, 2019)

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 14

Thermal Infrared images and field data on areas of groundwater discharge in the Farmington River watershed Thermal Infrared images and field data on areas of groundwater discharge in the Farmington River watershed

Areas of groundwater discharge are hydrologically and ecologically important, and yet are difficult to predict at the river network scale. Thermal infrared imagery can be used to identify areas of groundwater discharge based on an observed temperature anomaly (colder during the late summer or warmer during the late winter). The thermal images, direct temperature measurements (11 cm depth...
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Data on Tidally Filtered Groundwater and Surface-Water Levels, and Climatological Data Near Mill Creek and the Herring River, Cape Cod, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 2017-2018 Data on Tidally Filtered Groundwater and Surface-Water Levels, and Climatological Data Near Mill Creek and the Herring River, Cape Cod, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 2017-2018

Groundwater and estuary water levels near Mill Creek, and the Herring River in Wellfleet Massachusetts were measured from June 2017 to June 14, 2018. Water-level data have been filtered to remove the effects of the daily tides. The mean daily value of the tidally filtered 15 minute water-level data is presented. The data also include a composite data set of daily precipitation values, as...
By
New England Water Science Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 15

Updating data inputs, assessing trends, and evaluating a method to estimate probable high groundwater levels in selected areas of Massachusetts Updating data inputs, assessing trends, and evaluating a method to estimate probable high groundwater levels in selected areas of Massachusetts

A method to estimate the probable high groundwater level in Massachusetts, excluding Cape Cod and the islands, was developed in 1981. The method uses a groundwater measurement from a test site, groundwater measurements from an index well, and a distribution of high groundwater levels from wells in similar geologic and topographic settings. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with...
Authors
Janet R. Barclay, John R. Mullaney
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Hydrogeology and interactions of groundwater and surface water near Mill Creek and the Herring River, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 2017–18 Hydrogeology and interactions of groundwater and surface water near Mill Creek and the Herring River, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 2017–18

Groundwater levels and stream stage were monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Friends of Herring River, at 19 sites in the Mill Creek Basin, a tributary of the Herring River in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, on outer Cape Cod, to provide baseline data prior to a proposed restoration of tidal flow to the Herring River estuary at the Cape Cod National Seashore. Tidal...
Authors
John R. Mullaney, Janet R. Barclay, Kaitlin L. Laabs, Katherine D. Lavallee
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

2020 drought in New England 2020 drought in New England

Below average and infrequent rainfall from May through September 2020 led to an extreme hydrologic drought across much of New England, with some areas experiencing a flash drought, reflecting its quick onset. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded record-low streamflow and groundwater levels throughout the region. In September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (2020) declared...
Authors
Pamela J. Lombard, Janet R. Barclay, Dee-Ann E. Crozier
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Adaptive Management as an Effective Strategy: Interdisciplinary Perceptions for Natural Resources Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-016-0785-0

Do waterbody classifications predict water quality?, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.08.071

Introducing Adaptive Management for Natural Resources: An Estuary Case Study, http://dx.doi.org/10.4195/nse2015.0023

Modeling denitrification in a changing climate, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.swaqe.2014.12.006

Modeling denitrification in an agricultural catchment in Central New York, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.swaqe.2014.12.007

**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.

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 14

Thermal Infrared images and field data on areas of groundwater discharge in the Farmington River watershed Thermal Infrared images and field data on areas of groundwater discharge in the Farmington River watershed

Areas of groundwater discharge are hydrologically and ecologically important, and yet are difficult to predict at the river network scale. Thermal infrared imagery can be used to identify areas of groundwater discharge based on an observed temperature anomaly (colder during the late summer or warmer during the late winter). The thermal images, direct temperature measurements (11 cm depth...
By
Water Resources Mission Area

Data on Tidally Filtered Groundwater and Surface-Water Levels, and Climatological Data Near Mill Creek and the Herring River, Cape Cod, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 2017-2018 Data on Tidally Filtered Groundwater and Surface-Water Levels, and Climatological Data Near Mill Creek and the Herring River, Cape Cod, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 2017-2018

Groundwater and estuary water levels near Mill Creek, and the Herring River in Wellfleet Massachusetts were measured from June 2017 to June 14, 2018. Water-level data have been filtered to remove the effects of the daily tides. The mean daily value of the tidally filtered 15 minute water-level data is presented. The data also include a composite data set of daily precipitation values, as...
By
New England Water Science Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 15

Updating data inputs, assessing trends, and evaluating a method to estimate probable high groundwater levels in selected areas of Massachusetts Updating data inputs, assessing trends, and evaluating a method to estimate probable high groundwater levels in selected areas of Massachusetts

A method to estimate the probable high groundwater level in Massachusetts, excluding Cape Cod and the islands, was developed in 1981. The method uses a groundwater measurement from a test site, groundwater measurements from an index well, and a distribution of high groundwater levels from wells in similar geologic and topographic settings. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with...
Authors
Janet R. Barclay, John R. Mullaney
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Hydrogeology and interactions of groundwater and surface water near Mill Creek and the Herring River, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 2017–18 Hydrogeology and interactions of groundwater and surface water near Mill Creek and the Herring River, Wellfleet, Massachusetts, 2017–18

Groundwater levels and stream stage were monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Friends of Herring River, at 19 sites in the Mill Creek Basin, a tributary of the Herring River in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, on outer Cape Cod, to provide baseline data prior to a proposed restoration of tidal flow to the Herring River estuary at the Cape Cod National Seashore. Tidal...
Authors
John R. Mullaney, Janet R. Barclay, Kaitlin L. Laabs, Katherine D. Lavallee
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

2020 drought in New England 2020 drought in New England

Below average and infrequent rainfall from May through September 2020 led to an extreme hydrologic drought across much of New England, with some areas experiencing a flash drought, reflecting its quick onset. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded record-low streamflow and groundwater levels throughout the region. In September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (2020) declared...
Authors
Pamela J. Lombard, Janet R. Barclay, Dee-Ann E. Crozier
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Adaptive Management as an Effective Strategy: Interdisciplinary Perceptions for Natural Resources Management, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-016-0785-0

Do waterbody classifications predict water quality?, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.08.071

Introducing Adaptive Management for Natural Resources: An Estuary Case Study, http://dx.doi.org/10.4195/nse2015.0023

Modeling denitrification in a changing climate, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.swaqe.2014.12.006

Modeling denitrification in an agricultural catchment in Central New York, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.swaqe.2014.12.007

**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.

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