Shanafield, Margaret, Jennifer Johnson, Emile Sawyer, Jena Green, Jason Assam, Hesham Becket, Scott Brown, William Carlos, DeEtta Fosbury, Darren Meadows, Michael Meinert, Brian Rasmussen, Gitane Royce, Chad Stein, Kurt Unger, Mervin Wright, David Hunkup, Dominic Wolf, Rick Susfalk, and Scott W. Tyler, 2005, Analysis of Hungry Valley Groundwater Pumping and Management, Washoe County, Nevada: Journal of Nevada Water Resources, vol. 2, no.2, p. 1-14.
Jena Huntington
Jena is a project hydrologist with the USGS in Carson City, NV.
Biography
Jena Huntington started her hydrology career with the U.S. Geological Survey constructing and calibrating groundwater models. Her work since has included basin water budgets, groundwater flow, evapotranspiration, geothermal and basin-fill aquifer connectivity, groundwater quality at the local, basin, and regional scales, and localized surface water quality. Jena's experience sampling groundwater quality has lead her to join the national groundwater quality instructors team where she helps teach water quality field methods.
Education
M.S. in Hydrogeology, University of Nevada, Reno, 2006
B.S. in Geoscience, Northland College, 2003
Employment
2003 - 2005 Research Assistant, University of Nevada, Reno
2005 - 2006 SCEP student, U.S. Geological Survey, Carson City, NV
2006 - Present Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Carson City, NV
Professional Memberships
National Groundwater Association (NGWA)
American Geophysical Association (AGU)
Nevada Water Resources Association (NWRA), Board Member 2016 - Present
Media Highlights
Nevada Wells Test Positive for Polonium: Geotimes Article
Nevada Division of Forestry works to eliminate wildfire risk: Nevada Appeal Article
Agencies Prepare Forest to Withstand Wildfire: 2News TV Interview
Science and Products
Date published: June 12, 2019
Status: Active Lake Tahoe Water Quality Shorezone Monitoring
USGS Nevada Water Science Center (NVWSC) is sampling for Volitile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in 2019 in order to confirm previous data collection efforts at Lake Tahoe. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) requested sampling in targeted locations and at times when petroleum constituents are most likely to be detected in the lake.
Contacts: Jena Huntington
Attribution: Nevada Water Science Center
Date published: November 29, 2017
Status: Active Science in the Carson River Basin
The Carson River begins in the Sierra Nevada as the East Fork and West Fork of the Carson River. These two forks come together in the Carson Valley, not far from Carson City, Nev. The river then flows through the Carson River Basin until its terminus at the Carson Sink. The Carson River is a popular recreation spot with rafters, hikers, and fishermen.
Contacts: Kip Allander
Attribution: Nevada Water Science Center
Date published: March 9, 2017
Status: Active Monitoring Sediment and Water Quality in Clear Creek
Clear Creek is a small alpine stream that begins near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada. The creek flows roughly parallel to U.S. Highway 50 and discharges to the Carson River near Carson City, Nevada. The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) is concerned about how historical and ongoing development in the Clear Creek drainage basin has/is affecting Clear Creek and its sediment-transport...
Contacts: Jena Huntington
Attribution: Nevada Water Science Center
Year Published: 2020
Early warning pesticide monitoring in Nevada’s surface waters
A pesticide is a substance, or mixture of substances, used to kill or control insects, weeds, plant diseases, and other pest organisms. Commercial pesticide applicators, farmers, and homeowners apply about 1.1 billion pounds of pesticides annually to agricultural land, non-crop land, and urban areas throughout the United States. Although intended...
Huntington, Jena M.; Entz, Derek C.; Thodal, Carl E.Attribution: Nevada Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
Huntington, J.M., Entz, D.C., and Thodal, C.E., 2020, Early warning pesticide monitoring in Nevada’s surface waters: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2020–3070, 6 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20203070.
Year Published: 2018
Discharge, sediment, and water chemistry in Clear Creek, western Nevada, water years 2013–16
Clear Creek is a small stream that drains the eastern Carson Range near Lake Tahoe, flows roughly parallel to the Highway 50 corridor, and discharges to the Carson River near Carson City, Nevada. Historical and ongoing development in the drainage basin is thought to be affecting Clear Creek and its sediment-transport characteristics. Previous...
Huntington, Jena M.; Riddle, Daniel J.; Paul, Angela P.Attribution: Nevada Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
Huntington, J.M., Riddle, D.J., and Paul, A.P., 2018, Discharge, sediment, and water chemistry in Clear Creek, western Nevada, water years 2013–16: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific-Investigations Report 2018–5050, 55 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185050.
Year Published: 2016
Budgets and chemical characterization of groundwater for the Diamond Valley flow system, central Nevada, 2011–12
The Diamond Valley flow system consists of six hydraulically connected hydrographic areas in central Nevada. The general down-gradient order of the areas are southern and northern Monitor Valleys, Antelope Valley, Kobeh Valley, Stevens Basin, and Diamond Valley. Groundwater flow in the Diamond Valley flow system terminates at a large playa in the...
Berger, David L.; Mayers, C. Justin; Garcia, C. Amanda; Buto, Susan G.; Huntington, Jena M.Attribution: Nevada Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
Berger, D.L., Mayers, C.J., Garcia, C.A., Buto, S.G., and Huntington, J.M., 2016, Budgets and chemical characterization of groundwater for the Diamond Valley flow system, central Nevada, 2011–12: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2016–5055, 83 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20165055.
Year Published: 2015
Discharge, suspended sediment, bedload, and water quality in Clear Creek, western Nevada, water years 2010-12
Clear Creek is a small stream that drains the eastern Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe, flows roughly parallel to the U.S. Highway 50 corridor, and discharges to the Carson River near Carson City, Nevada. Historical and ongoing development in the drainage basin is thought to be affecting Clear Creek and its sediment-transport characteristics. A...
Huntington, Jena M.; Savard, Charles S.Attribution: Nevada Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
Huntington, J.M., and Savard, C.S., 2015, Discharge, suspended sediment, bedload, and water quality in Clear Creek, western Nevada, water years 2010–12: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2015-5124, 39 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20155124.
Year Published: 2014
Hydrogeologic framework and occurrence, movement, and chemical characterization of groundwater in Dixie Valley, west-central Nevada
Dixie Valley, a primarily undeveloped basin in west-central Nevada, is being considered for groundwater exportation. Proposed pumping would occur from the basin-fill aquifer. In response to proposed exportation, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation and Churchill County, conducted a study to improve the...
Huntington, Jena M.; Garcia, C. Amanda; Rosen, Michael R.Attribution: Nevada Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
Hydrogeologic framework and occurrence, movement, and chemical characterization of groundwater in Dixie Valley, west-central Nevada; 2014; SIR; 2014-5152; Huntington, Jena M.; Garcia, C. Amanda; Rosen, Michael R.
Year Published: 2014
Groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, Dixie Valley, west-central Nevada, March 2009-September 2011
With increasing population growth and land-use change, urban communities in the desert Southwest are progressively looking toward remote basins to supplement existing water supplies. Pending applications by Churchill County for groundwater appropriations from Dixie Valley, Nevada, a primarily undeveloped basin east of the Carson Desert, have...
Garcia, C. Amanda; Huntington, Jena M; Buto, Susan G.; Moreo, Michael T.; Smith, J. LaRue; Andraski, Brian J.Attribution: Nevada Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
Groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, Dixie Valley, west-central Nevada, March 2009-September 2011; 2014; PP; 1805; Garcia, C. Amanda; Huntington, Jena M; Buto, Susan G.; Moreo, Michael T.; Smith, J. LaRue; Andraski, Brian J.
Year Published: 2012
Maps of estimated nitrate and arsenic concentrations in basin-fill aquifers of the southwestern United States
Human-health concerns and economic considerations associated with meeting drinking-water standards motivated a study of the vulnerability of basin-fill aquifers to nitrate contamination and arsenic enrichment in the southwestern United States. Statistical models were developed by using the random forest classifier algorithm to predict...
Beisner, Kimberly R.; Anning, David W.; Paul, Angela P.; McKinney, Tim S.; Huntington, Jena M.; Bexfield, Laura M.; Thiros, Susan A.Attribution: New Mexico Water Science Center, Arizona Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Water Resources, Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin
View Citation
Maps of estimated nitrate and arsenic concentrations in basin-fill aquifers of the southwestern United States; 2012; SIM; 3234; Beisner, Kimberly R.; Anning, David W.; Paul, Angela P.; McKinney, Tim S.; Huntington, Jena M.; Bexfield, Laura M.; Thiros, Susan A.
Year Published: 2012
Predicted nitrate and arsenic concentrations in basin-fill aquifers of the Southwestern United States
The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting a regional analysis of water quality in the principal aquifer systems across the United States. The Southwest Principal Aquifers (SWPA) study is building a better understanding of the susceptibility and vulnerability of basin-fill aquifers in...
Anning, David W.; Paul, Angela P.; McKinney, Tim S.; Huntington, Jena M.; Bexfield, Laura M.; Thiros, Susan A.Attribution: New Mexico Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Arizona Water Science Center, Water Resources, Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin
View Citation
Predicted nitrate and arsenic concentrations in basin-fill aquifers of the Southwestern United States; 2012; SIR; 2012-5065; Anning, David W.; Paul, Angela P.; McKinney, Tim S.; Huntington, Jena M.; Bexfield, Laura M.; Thiros, Susan A.
Year Published: 2011
Effects of natural and human factors on groundwater quality of basin-fill aquifers in the southwestern United States-conceptual models for selected contaminants
As part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program, the Southwest Principal Aquifers (SWPA) study is building a better understanding of the factors that affect water quality in basin-fill aquifers in the Southwestern United States. The SWPA study area includes four principal aquifers of the United States: the...
Bexfield, Laura M.; Thiros, Susan A.; Anning, David W.; Huntington, Jena M.; McKinney, Tim S.Attribution: Nevada Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Arizona Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Water Resources, Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin
View Citation
Effects of natural and human factors on groundwater quality of basin-fill aquifers in the southwestern United States-conceptual models for selected contaminants; 2011; SIR; 2011-5020; Bexfield, Laura M.; Thiros, Susan A.; Anning, David W.; Huntington, Jena M.; McKinney, Tim S.
Year Published: 2010
Conceptual understanding and groundwater quality of selected basin-fill aquifers in the Southwestern United States
The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey has been conducting a regional analysis of water quality in the principal aquifer systems in the southwestern United States (hereinafter, “Southwest”) since 2005. Part of the NAWQA Program, the objective of the Southwest Principal Aquifers (SWPA) study is to...
Thiros, Susan A.; Bexfield, Laura M.; Anning, David W.; Huntington, Jena M.Attribution: Utah Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, Arizona Water Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Water Resources, Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin
View Citation
Conceptual understanding and groundwater quality of selected basin-fill aquifers in the Southwestern United States; 2010; PP; 1781; Thiros, Susan A.; Bexfield, Laura M.; Anning, David W.; Huntington, Jena M.
Year Published: 2009
Southwest principal aquifers regional ground-water quality assessment
The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program of the U.S. Geological Survey is conducting a regional analysis of water quality in the principal aquifers in the southwestern United States. The Southwest Principal Aquifers (SWPA) study is building a better understanding of the susceptibility and vulnerability of basin-fill aquifers in the...
Anning, D.W.; Thiros, Susan A.; Bexfield, L.M.; McKinney, T.S.; Green, J.M.View Citation
Southwest Principal Aquifers Regional Ground-Water Quality Assessment; 2009; FS; 2009-3015; Anning, D. W.; Thiros, S. A.; Bexfield, L. M.; McKinney, T. S.; Green, J. M.
Year Published: 2008
Hydrologic and Water-Quality Responses in Shallow Ground Water Receiving Stormwater Runoff and Potential Transport of Contaminants to Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada, 2005-07
Clarity of Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada has been decreasing due to inflows of sediment and nutrients associated with stormwater runoff. Detention basins are considered effective best management practices for mitigation of suspended sediment and nutrients associated with runoff, but effects of infiltrated stormwater on shallow ground water are...
Green, Jena M.; Thodal, Carl E.; Welborn, Toby L.Attribution: Nevada Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
Hydrologic and Water-Quality Responses in Shallow Ground Water Receiving Stormwater Runoff and Potential Transport of Contaminants to Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada, 2005-07; 2008; SIR; 2008-5162; Green, Jena M.; Thodal, Carl E.; Welborn, Toby L.
Pre-USGS Publications
Thodal, C.E., and Green, J.M., Ground-water quality and flow responses from storm-water detentions basins—Best Management practices, South Lake Tahoe, California, Journal of Nevada Water Resources, vol. 4, no.1, p. 18.