Jeff Kennedy, PhD
Jeff Kennedy is a Research Hydrologist in the Arizona Water Science Center, Flagstaff Office.
My research focuses on measuring and interpreting small changes in gravity as they relate to the hydrology of alluvial basins in the southwestern U.S. Current projects focus on basin-scale monitoring of aquifer-storage change in response to pumping and artificial recharge in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
As the geophysics specialist at the Arizona Water Science Center, I oversee the Southwest Gravity Program, a joint effort of the New Mexico, Arizona, and California Water Science Centers to collect high-quality repeat microgravity data for hydrology studies throughout the western U.S.
Professional Experience
2018-present: Research Hydrologist, Arizona Water Science Center
2018-present: Adjunct Faculty, Northern Arizona University, School of Earth and Sustainability
2008-2018: Hydrologist, Arizona Water Science Center
2006-2008: Student Hydrologist, Arizona Water Science Center
2001-2003: Hydrologic Technician, USDA-ARS Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed
Education and Certifications
2016: PhD in Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson
2008: M.S. in Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson
2000: B.S. in Geology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union
Arizona Hydrological Society
National Groundwater Association
Abstracts and Presentations
Kennedy, J., 2022, Hydrologic model calibration with repeat microgravity (Invited): AGU Frontiers in Hydrology Meeting, June 20-24, San Juan, PR
Kennedy, J., and Wildermuth, L., 2020, Monitoring the movement of artificial-recharge water with repeat microgravity surveys: 17th Biannual Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge, Oct. 7-9, virtual.
Bell, M., Kahler, L., Kennedy, J., Robertson, A., 2019, A Microgravity Pilot Study: Insights into Storage Change, Specific Yield, and Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction in the Mesilla Groundwater Basin, New Mexico. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Dec. 9-13, San Francisco, CA
Kennedy, J., Van Westrum, D. 2019, Comparing approaches to network design and drift correction for relative-gravity surveys, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Dec. 9-13, San Francisco, CA
Kennedy, J., 2019, Using cosmic-ray soil neutron sensing to separate changes in soil moisture from aquifer-storage change in gravity data, International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics General Assembly, July 8-18, Montreal, Canada.
Kennedy, J., 2018, Hydro-gravity signals, from large to small, First workshop on the international geodynamics and Earth tide service, June 18-20, Potsdam, Germany.
Kennedy, J., Macy, J., 2017, Non-invasive water-table imaging with joint DC-resistivity/microgravity/hydrologic model inversion, AGU Fall Meeting, Dec. 11-15, New Orleans, LA, Abstract NS11A-01
Kennedy, J., Bell, M., Norton, S., 2017, Using time-lapse gravity to monitor storage-change during a groundwater injection test in Albuquerque, NM, Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems (SAGEEP 2017), Denver, CO, Mar. 20-22.
Pool, D.R., J. Kennedy, P. MacQueen, and T.M. Neibauer, 2016, Hydrologic Interpretations of Long-Term Gravity Records at Tucson, Arizona, AGU Fall Meeting, Dec. 12-16, San Francisco, CA. Abstract H42D-06.
Kennedy, J., Ramirez-Hernandez, J., and E. Rodriguez Burgueño, 2015, Experimental Floods in a Time of Drought: The 2014 Pulse Flow in the Lower Colorado River, Arizona, USA, and Mexico, AGU Fall Meeting, Abstract H21B-1356.
Kennedy, J., and Ferré, T., 2014, Too Fast to Measure: Network Adjustment of Rapidly Changing Gravity Fields: AGU Fall Meeting, Dec. 15-19, San Francisco, CA. Abstract 43C-02
Kennedy, J., Ferré, T.P., Abe, M., and Güntner, A., 2013, Increased accuracy through variable-baseline gradient measurements with multiple superconducting gravimeters: AGU Fall Meeting, Dec. 9–13, San Francisco, CA. Abstract G11A-0906
Kennedy, J., Ferré, T., Creutzfeldt, B., Güntner, A., Neumeyer, J., Brinton, E., and Warburton, R., 2013, Smaller is better: first experiences using the iGrav superconducting gravimeter in a field enclosure. 17th International Symposium on Earth Tides, Apr. 15–19, Warsaw, Poland.
Creutzfeldt, B., J. Kennedy, and P. A. Ferré., 2012, Water-storage change measured with high-precision gravimetry at a groundwater recharge facility in Tucson, USA (Invited): AGU Fall Meeting, Dec. 3–7, San Francisco, CA. Abstract NS44A-02
Kennedy, J., B. Creutzfeldt, and P.A. Ferré., 2012, Monitoring vadose zone infiltration with time-lapse gravity data at a municipal recharge and withdrawal facility (Invited): Geological Society of America annual meeting, Nov. 4–7, Charlotte, NC.
Kennedy, J., Creutzfeldt, B., Ferré, P.A., and Güntner, A., 2012. Gravity-measured water storage change and subsurface hydraulic properties at a managed recharge facility in Tucson, AZ (Invited): EAGE Near Surface Meeting, Sep. 3–5, Paris, France.
Kennedy, J., Murdoch, L., Long, A., and Koth, K., 2011, Measuring groundwater flow at the Sanford Laboratory with coupled surface/subsurface time-lapse gravity measurements (Invited): American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Dec. 5–9, San Francisco, CA. Abstract NH54A-01
Kennedy, J., Pool, D., Ferré, P.A., and Wilson, C., 2011, Using high-resolution gravity and pumping data to infer aquifer parameters: American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Dec. 5–9, San Francisco, CA. Abstract H43E-1273
Kennedy, J., 2009, Expanding the Usefulness of Existing Data-Collection Infrastructure with Wireless Sensor Networks: American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Dec. 14–18, San Francisco, CA. Abstract IN23C-1073
Science and Products
Methods for estimating magnitude and frequency of 1-, 3-, 7-, 15-, and 30-day flood-duration flows in Arizona
Evaluation of the magnitude and frequency of floods in urban watersheds in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona
Direct measurement of sub-surface mass change using the variable-baseline gravity gradient method
Evaluation of the expected moments algorithm and a multiple low-outlier test for flood frequency analysis at streamgaging stations in Arizona
Using the KINEROS2 modeling framework to evaluate the increase in storm runoff from residential development in a semi-arid environment
Hydrogeologic framework and estimates of groundwater storage for the Hualapai Valley, Detrital Valley, and Sacramento Valley basins, Mohave County, Arizona
Depth of cinder deposits and water-storage capacity at Cinder Lake, Coconino County, Arizona
Results of the first North American comparison of absolute gravimeters, NACAG-2010
KINEROS2/AGWA: Model use, calibration and validation
Gravity data from the San Pedro River Basin, Cochise County, Arizona
Geologic map of Detrital, Hualapai, and Sacramento Valleys and surrounding areas, northwest Arizona
Quantity and sources of base flow in the San Pedro River near Tombstone, Arizona
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.
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Filter Total Items: 38
Methods for estimating magnitude and frequency of 1-, 3-, 7-, 15-, and 30-day flood-duration flows in Arizona
Large floods have historically caused extensive damage in Arizona. Although peak-flow frequency estimates are required for managing the risk posed by floods, estimates of the frequency of sustained flood flow (flood-duration flow) are also useful for planning and assessing the adequacy of retention and conveyance structures and for water-resource planning. This report presents a flood-duration floAuthorsJeffrey R. Kennedy, Nicholas V. Paretti, Andrea G. VeilleuxEvaluation of the magnitude and frequency of floods in urban watersheds in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona
Flooding in urban areas routinely causes severe damage to property and often results in loss of life. To investigate the effect of urbanization on the magnitude and frequency of flood peaks, a flood frequency analysis was carried out using data from urbanized streamgaging stations in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. Flood peaks at each station were predicted using the log-Pearson Type III distributionAuthorsJeffrey R. Kennedy, Nicholas V. ParettiDirect measurement of sub-surface mass change using the variable-baseline gravity gradient method
Time-lapse gravity data provide a direct, non-destructive method to monitor mass changes at scales from cm to km. But, the effectively infinite spatial sensitivity of gravity measurements can make it difficult to isolate the signal of interest. The variable-baseline gravity gradient method, based on the difference of measurements between two gravimeters, is an alternative to the conventional approAuthorsJeffrey Kennedy, Ty P.A. Ferré, Andreas Güntner, Maiko Abe, Benjamin CreutzfeldtEvaluation of the expected moments algorithm and a multiple low-outlier test for flood frequency analysis at streamgaging stations in Arizona
Flooding is among the costliest natural disasters in terms of loss of life and property in Arizona, which is why the accurate estimation of flood frequency and magnitude is crucial for proper structural design and accurate floodplain mapping. Current guidelines for flood frequency analysis in the United States are described in Bulletin 17B (B17B), yet since B17B’s publication in 1982 (InteragencyAuthorsNicholas V. Paretti, Jeffrey R. Kennedy, Timothy A. CohnUsing the KINEROS2 modeling framework to evaluate the increase in storm runoff from residential development in a semi-arid environment
The increase in runoff from urbanization is well known; one extreme example comes from a 13 hectare residential neighborhood in southeast Arizona where runoff was 27 times greater than an adjacent grassland watershed over a forty‐month period from 2005 to 2008. Rainfall‐runoff modeling using the newly‐described KINEROS2 urban element and tension infiltrometer measurements indicate that 17±14 perceAuthorsJeffrey R. Kennedy, David C. Goodrich, Carl L. UnkrichHydrogeologic framework and estimates of groundwater storage for the Hualapai Valley, Detrital Valley, and Sacramento Valley basins, Mohave County, Arizona
We have investigated the hydrogeology of the Hualapai Valley, Detrital Valley, and Sacramento Valley basins of Mohave County in northwestern Arizona to develop a better understanding of groundwater storage within the basin fill aquifers. In our investigation we used geologic maps, well-log data, and geophysical surveys to delineate the sedimentary textures and lithology of the basin fill. We usedAuthorsMargot Truini, L. Sue Beard, Jeffrey Kennedy, Dave W. AnningDepth of cinder deposits and water-storage capacity at Cinder Lake, Coconino County, Arizona
The 2010 Schultz fire northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona, burned more than 15,000 acres on the east side of San Francisco Mountain from June 20 to July 3. As a result, several drainages in the burn area are now more susceptible to increased frequency and volume of runoff, and downstream areas are more susceptible to flooding. Resultant flooding in areas downgradient of the burn has resulted in extensAuthorsJamie P. Macy, Lee Amoroso, Jeff Kennedy, Joel UnemaResults of the first North American comparison of absolute gravimeters, NACAG-2010
The first North American Comparison of absolute gravimeters (NACAG-2010) was hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration at its newly renovated Table Mountain Geophysical Observatory (TMGO) north of Boulder, Colorado, in October 2010. NACAG-2010 and the renovation of TMGO are part of NGS’s GRAV-D project (Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum). Nine absoluteAuthorsDavid Schmerge, Olvier Francis, J. Henton, D. Ingles, D. Jones, Jeffrey R. Kennedy, K. Krauterbluth, J. Liard, D. Newell, R. Sands, J. Schiel, J. Silliker, D. van WestrumKINEROS2/AGWA: Model use, calibration and validation
KINEROS (KINematic runoff and EROSion) originated in the 1960s as a distributed event-based model that conceptualizes a watershed as a cascade of overland flow model elements that flow into trapezoidal channel model elements. KINEROS was one of the first widely available watershed models that interactively coupled a finite difference approximation of the kinematic overland flow equations to a physAuthorsD.C. Goodrich, I.S. Burns, C.L. Unkrich, Darius J. Semmens, D.P. Guertin, M. Hernandez, S. Yatheendradas, Jeffrey R. Kennedy, Lainie R. LevickGravity data from the San Pedro River Basin, Cochise County, Arizona
The U.S. Geological Survey, Arizona Water Science Center in cooperation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Geodetic Survey has collected relative and absolute gravity data at 321 stations in the San Pedro River Basin of southeastern Arizona since 2000. Data are of three types: observed gravity values and associated free-air, simple Bouguer, and complete Bouguer anomAuthorsJeffrey R. Kennedy, Daniel WinesterGeologic map of Detrital, Hualapai, and Sacramento Valleys and surrounding areas, northwest Arizona
A 1:250,000-scale geologic map and report covering the Detrital, Hualapai, and Sacramento valleys in northwest Arizona is presented for the purpose of improving understanding of the geology and geohydrology of the basins beneath those valleys. The map was compiled from existing geologic mapping, augmented by digital photogeologic reconnaissance mapping. The most recent geologic map for the area, aAuthorsL. Sue Beard, Jeffrey Kennedy, Margot Truini, Tracey FelgerQuantity and sources of base flow in the San Pedro River near Tombstone, Arizona
Base flow in the upper San Pedro River at the gaging station (USGS station 09471550) near Tombstone, Arizona, is an important factor in the long-term sustainability of the river's riparian ecosystem. Most base flow occurs during the non-summer months (typically, from November to May), because evapotranspiration (ET) is greater than groundwater discharge to the riparian zone during the growing seaAuthorsJeffrey R. Kennedy, Bruce GungleNon-USGS Publications**
Paige, G.B., Stone, J.J., Smith, J., and Kennedy, J.R., 2003. The Walnut Gulch rainfall simulator: A computer-controlled variable intensity rainfall simulator: Applied Engr. in Agric., vol. 20(1), p. 25-31.**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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*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