Jeff P Raffensperger, Ph.D.
Dr. Jeff Raffensperger is a hydrologist in the MD-DE-DC Water Science Center. He has led or collaborated on studies of hydrologic processes, water quality, and modeling. He has been a member of several National Teams working to improve estimation of water budgets, with a research focus on groundwater discharge and base flow to streams and rivers.
Professional Experience
2009-present: HYDROLOGIST, USGS MD-DE-DC WSC
Member, National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Team, National Water Budget Estimation and Evaluation (WBEEP) Team, and the Water Budget Baseline (WBB) Team, investigating sources of streamflow.
2006-2023: GROUNDWATER SPECIALIST, USGS MD-DE-DC WSC
Responsible for overall quality of groundwater science and data for the MD-DE-DC Water Science Center.
Leader, Data Quality Management Team, 2014-2017. Member, 2017-present. Worked closely with database administrators to develop and implement data-quality assurance processes.2004-09: HYDROLOGIST/RESEARCH HYDROLOGIST, USGS MD-DE-DC WSC
Project chief, Chesapeake Bay River Input Monitoring project, 2005-07. Managed project resources and data collection at four major river water-quality sites. Developed new methods for analyzing and communicating results of load and trend estimation (using ESTIMATOR) to Cooperators.
1999-2004: SUPERVISORY HYDROLOGIST, USGS MD-DE-DC WSC
Supervisory responsibility for the Watershed Studies Section. Wrote work plan and managed the DE Inland Bays HSPF model project. Co-authored Delaware Inland Bays HSPF model report. Developed new studies and wrote work plans for the Potomac TMDL, Mattawoman Creek, and Anacostia River water-quality projects.
2009-2022: LECTURER, The Johns Hopkins University, Engineering for Professionals, Baltimore, MD.
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Hydrogeology, 1993, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
M.A. in Hydrogeology, 1990, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
M.S. in Geology, 1988, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
B.S. in Geology (Cum Laude), 1985, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Science and Products
Effects of Withdrawals on Ground-Water Levels in Southern Maryland and the Adjacent Eastern Shore, 1980-2005
Changes in streamflow and water quality in selected nontidal basins in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, 1985-2004
Estimates of the loads of nitrite + nitrate in the flow of Bassett Creek to the Maryland Coastal Bays adjacent to Assateague Island National Seashore, water years 2003-2004
Development of land segmentation, stream-reach network, and watersheds in support of hydrological simulation program: Fortran (HSPF) modeling, Chesapeake Bay watershed, and adjacent parts of Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia
Sediment calibration strategies of Phase 5 Chesapeake Bay watershed model
Changes in streamflow and water quality in selected nontidal sites in the Chesapeake Bay Basin, 1985-2003
A hydrogeologic model of stratiform copper mineralization in the Midcontinent Rift System, Northern Michigan, USA
Development, calibration, and analysis of a hydrologic and water-quality model of the Delaware Inland Bays watershed
Coupled heat and fluid flow modeling of the Carboniferous Kuna Basin, Alaska: Implications for the genesis of the Red Dog Pb-Zn-Ag-Ba ore district
Predictions of hydrothermal alteration within near-ridge oceanic crust from coordinated geochemical and fluid flow models
Shallow subsurface storm flow in a forested headwater catchment: Observations and modeling using a modified TOPMODEL
The potential for free and mixed convection in sedimentary basins
Non-USGS Publications**
**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
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 24
Effects of Withdrawals on Ground-Water Levels in Southern Maryland and the Adjacent Eastern Shore, 1980-2005
Ground water is the primary source of water supply in most areas of Maryland?s Atlantic Coastal Plain, including Southern Maryland. The counties in this area are experiencing some of the most rapid growth and development in the State, resulting in an increased demand for ground-water production. The cooperative, basic water-data program of the U.S. Geological Survey and the Maryland GeologicalAuthorsDaniel J. Soeder, Jeff P. Raffensperger, Mark R. NardiChanges in streamflow and water quality in selected nontidal basins in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, 1985-2004
As part of an annual evaluation of water-quality conditions by the Chesapeake Bay Program, water-quality and streamflow data from 32 sites in nontidal parts of the Chesapeake Bay watershed were analyzed to document annual nutrient and sediment trends for 1985 through 2004. This study also formalized different trend tests and methodologies used in assessing the effectiveness of man-agement actionsAuthorsMichael J. Langland, Jeff P. Raffensperger, Douglas Moyer, Jurate M. Landwehr, Gregory E. SchwarzEstimates of the loads of nitrite + nitrate in the flow of Bassett Creek to the Maryland Coastal Bays adjacent to Assateague Island National Seashore, water years 2003-2004
No abstract available.AuthorsJonathan J.A. Dillow, Jeff P. RaffenspergerDevelopment of land segmentation, stream-reach network, and watersheds in support of hydrological simulation program: Fortran (HSPF) modeling, Chesapeake Bay watershed, and adjacent parts of Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia
The U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program Office, Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, Maryland Department of the Environment, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science are collaborating on the Chesapeake Bay Regional WatAuthorsSarah K. Martucci, Jennifer L. Krstolic, Jeff P. Raffensperger, Katharine J. HopkinsSediment calibration strategies of Phase 5 Chesapeake Bay watershed model
Sediment is a primary constituent of concern for Chesapeake Bay due to its effect on water clarity. Accurate representation of sediment processes and behavior in Chesapeake Bay watershed model is critical for developing sound load reduction strategies. Sediment calibration remains one of the most difficult components of watershed-scale assessment. This is especially true for Chesapeake Bay watershAuthorsJ. Wu, G.W. Shenk, Jeff P. Raffensperger, D. Moyer, L.C. LinkerChanges in streamflow and water quality in selected nontidal sites in the Chesapeake Bay Basin, 1985-2003
Water-quality and streamflow data from 33 sites in nontidal portions of the Chesapeake Bay Basin were analyzed to document annual nutrient and sediment loads and trends for 1985 through 2003 as part of an annual evaluation of water-quality conditions by the Chesapeake Bay Program. As part of this study, different trend tests and methodologies were evaluated for future use in assessment of the effeAuthorsMichael J. Langland, Scott Phillips, Jeff P. Raffensperger, Douglas MoyerA hydrogeologic model of stratiform copper mineralization in the Midcontinent Rift System, Northern Michigan, USA
This paper presents a suite of two-dimensional mathematical models of basin-scale groundwater flow and heat transfer for the middle Proterozoic Midcontinent Rift System. The models were used to assess the hydrodynamic driving mechanisms responsible for main-stage stratiform copper mineralization of the basal Nonesuch Formation during the post-volcanic/pre-compressional phase of basin evolution. ReAuthorsJ.B. Swenson, M. Person, Jeff P. Raffensperger, W. F. Cannon, L. G. Woodruff, M.E. BerndtDevelopment, calibration, and analysis of a hydrologic and water-quality model of the Delaware Inland Bays watershed
Excessive nutrients and sediment are among the most significant environmental stressors in the Delaware Inland Bays (Rehoboth, Indian River, and Little Assawoman Bays). Sources of nutrients, sediment, and other contaminants within the Inland Bays watershed include point-source discharges from industries and wastewater-treatment plants, runoff and infiltration to ground water from agricultural fielAuthorsAngelica L. Gutierrez-Magness, Jeff P. RaffenspergerCoupled heat and fluid flow modeling of the Carboniferous Kuna Basin, Alaska: Implications for the genesis of the Red Dog Pb-Zn-Ag-Ba ore district
The Red Dog deposit is a giant 175 Mton (16% Zn, 5% Pb), shale-hosted Pb-Zn-Ag-Ba ore district situated in the Carboniferous Kuna Basin, Western Brooks Range, Alaska. These SEDEX-type ores are thought to have formed in calcareous turbidites and black mudstone at elevated sub-seafloor temperatures (120-150??C) within a hydrogeologic framework of submarine convection that was structurally organizedAuthorsG. Garven, Jeff P. Raffensperger, Julie A. Dumoulin, D.A. Bradley, L. E. Young, K. D. Kelley, D. L. LeachPredictions of hydrothermal alteration within near-ridge oceanic crust from coordinated geochemical and fluid flow models
Coordinated geochemical and hydrological calculations guide our understanding of the composition, fluid flow patterns, and thermal structure of near-ridge oceanic crust. The case study presented here illustrates geochemical and thermal changes taking place as oceanic crust ages from 0.2 to 1.0 Myr. Using a finite element code, we model fluid flow and heat transport through the upper few hundred meAuthorsL.R. Wetzel, Jeff P. Raffensperger, E.L. ShockShallow subsurface storm flow in a forested headwater catchment: Observations and modeling using a modified TOPMODEL
Transient, perched water tables in the shallow subsurface are observed at the South Fork Brokenback Run catchment in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Crest piezometers installed along a hillslope transect show that the development of saturated conditions in the upper 1.5 m of the subsurface is controlled by total precipitation and antecedent conditions, not precipitation intensity, although soiAuthorsTodd M. Scanlon, Jeff P. Raffensperger, George M. Hornberger, Roger B. ClappThe potential for free and mixed convection in sedimentary basins
Free thermal convection and mixed convection are considered as potential mechanisms for mass and heat transport in sedimentary basins. Mixed convection occurs when horizontal flows (forced convection) are superimposed on thermally driven flows. In cross section, mixed convection is characterized by convection cells that migrate laterally in the direction of forced convective flow. Two-dimensionalAuthorsJeff P. Raffensperger, D. VlassopoulosNon-USGS Publications**
Raffensperger, J.P., 1997, Evidence and modeling of large-scale groundwater convection in Precambrian sedimentary basins, in Montañez, I.P., Gregg, J.M., and Shelton, K.L., eds., Basin-wide Diagenetic Patterns: Integrated Petrologic, Geochemical, and Hydrologic Considerations: Tulsa, OK, SEPM, No. 57, p. 15-26, http://archives.datapages.com/data/sepm_sp/SP57/Evidence_and_Modeling_of_Large-Scale.htm.Garven, G., and Raffensperger, J.P., 1997, Hydrogeology and geochemistry of ore genesis in sedimentary basins, in Barnes, H.L., ed., Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits (3rd ed.): New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., p. 125-189.Person, M., Raffensperger, J.P., Ge, S., and Garven, G., 1996, Basin-scale hydrogeologic modeling: Reviews of Geophysics, v. 34, no. 1, p. 61-87, https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/95RG03286.Raffensperger, J.P., 1996, Numerical simulation of sedimentary basin-scale hydrochemical processes, in Corapcioglu, M.Y., ed., Advances in Porous Media: Amsterdam, Elsevier, Volume 3, p. 185-305.Raffensperger, J.P., 1996, Earth's hydrosphere, in Dasch, E.J., ed., Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences: New York, Simon & Schuster Macmillan, Volume 1, p. 243-246.Garven, G., and Raffensperger, J.P., 1996, Two-dimensional reactive-flow modeling of uranium transport in Proterozoic sedimentary basins, in Joint U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Workshop on Research Related to Low-level Radioactive Waste Disposal: National Center, Reston, Virginia, May 4-6, 1993: U. S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 95-4015, p. 196-200, https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/wri954015.Raffensperger, J.P., and Garven, G., 1995, The formation of unconformity-type uranium ore deposits 1. Coupled groundwater flow and heat transport modeling: American Journal of Science, v. 295, no. 5, p. 581-636, http://www.ajsonline.org/content/295/5/581.full.pdf+html.Raffensperger, J.P., and Garven, G., 1995, The formation of unconformity-type uranium ore deposits 2. Coupled hydrochemical modeling: American Journal of Science, v. 295, no. 6, p. 639-696, http://www.ajsonline.org/content/295/6/639.full.pdf+html.Evans, D.G., and Raffensperger, J.P., 1992, On the stream function for variable-density groundwater flow: Water Resources Research, v. 28, no. 8, p. 2141-2145, https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/92WR01060.Raffensperger, J.P., and Ferrell, R.E., 1991, An empirical model of intrinsic permeability in reactive clay-bearing sands: Water Resources Research, v. 27, no. 11, p. 2835-2844, https://dx.doi.org/10.1029/91WR01570.Raffensperger, J.P., and Ferrell, R.E., Jr., 1990, Permeant-induced changes in the permeability, microtexture, and pore structure of unconsolidated water-sensitive sediments. Proceedings of the 9th International Clay Conference, Strasbourg, 1989: Sciences Géologiques, Mémoires, v. 87, p. 75-83.**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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