Groundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage.
Jenn Fair, PhD
Dr. Fair is an ecohydrologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center's S.O. Conte Fish Research Center in Turners Falls, MA.
Fair leads an interdisciplinary team of fish ecologists, biologists, and hydrologists working to better understand the ecological impacts of streamflow extremes. Our team builds data systems that allow cooperators to share data, explore data, and visualize model predictions. Check out the USGS Flow Photo Explorer and the larger family os USGS ecoSHEDS data system applications.
Professional Experience
USGS; 2018 to present
Milone and MacBroom; 2010 to 2012
ARCADIS; 2005 to 2008
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Hydrology, Yale School of the Environment, 2018
M.E.M., Water Resources, Yale School of the Environment, 2010
B.S., Environmental Engineering, Yale University, 2005
Science and Products
Integrating Streamflow and Temperature to Identify Streams with Coldwater Refugia in the Northeast
Sleepers River Research Watershed
About the Ecosystems Mission Area
The USGS is sought out by thousands of partners and stakeholders across the United States for our expertise in earth and biological science that supports public resources in wild and urban spaces, and all landscapes in-between.
USGS EcoDrought Stream Discharge, Gage Height, and Water Temperature in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
USGS EcoDrought Stream Discharge, Gage Height, and Water Temperature Data in Massachusetts
Groundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage.
Groundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage.
Groundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage.
Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Physical Scientist Serena Matt inserting a fiberglass snow tube during the Snow Depth and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) measurement. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont.
Physical Scientist Serena Matt inserting a fiberglass snow tube during the Snow Depth and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) measurement. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont.
Physical Scientist Serena Matt posing next to a snow scale during the Snow Depth and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) measurement. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont.
Physical Scientist Serena Matt posing next to a snow scale during the Snow Depth and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) measurement. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont.
CGS: Coupled growth and survival model with cohort fairness
Stabilising effects of karstic groundwater on stream fish communities
Bedrock depth influences spatial patterns of summer baseflow, temperature and flow disconnection for mountainous headwater streams
VIMTS: Variational-based Imputation for Multi-modal Time Series
Evaluating streamwater dissolved organic carbon dynamics in context of variable flowpath contributions with a tracer-based mixing model
Source switching maintains dissolved organic matter chemostasis across discharge levels in a large temperate river network
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.
Flow Photo Explorer
The Flow Photo Explorer is an integrated database, machine learning, and data visualization platform for monitoring streamflow and other hydrologic conditions using timelapse images.
EcoSHEDS
EcoSHEDS is a collection of Spatial Hydro-Ecological Data Systems (SHEDS) designed to improve our understanding of stream ecosystems. The goal of EcoSHEDS is to provide a series of user-friendly tools for gaining insight and supporting transparent research, management, and decision-making of hydro-ecological resources.
Science and Products
- Science
Integrating Streamflow and Temperature to Identify Streams with Coldwater Refugia in the Northeast
The amount of water flowing through a stream is an important driver of aquatic habitat, but scientists don’t often measure streamflow in the small stream networks that feed larger rivers. Monitoring smaller streams is especially important as climate change is causing them to (a) flood more often and more intensely, and (b) lose habitat as drought events and water temperatures increase. A better unSleepers River Research Watershed
The Sleepers River Research Watershed in Danville, Vermont has been the site of active hydrologic research since 1959, when the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established a research program in the watershed. The Sleepers River site is now operated by the USGS, in cooperation with several other Federal agencies and universities.About the Ecosystems Mission Area
The USGS is sought out by thousands of partners and stakeholders across the United States for our expertise in earth and biological science that supports public resources in wild and urban spaces, and all landscapes in-between.
- Data
USGS EcoDrought Stream Discharge, Gage Height, and Water Temperature in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Mission Area (WMA) - Ecosystems Mission Area (EMA) EcoDrought project is comprised of interdisciplinary teams in five pilot regions across the country. The over-arching project goal is to measure streamflow in headwater streams and to relate flow variation to stream fish population dynamics. For the catchments located in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia,USGS EcoDrought Stream Discharge, Gage Height, and Water Temperature Data in Massachusetts
The USGS Water Mission Area (WMA) - Ecosystems Mission Area (EMA) EcoDrought project is comprised of interdisciplinary teams in five pilot regions across the country. The over-arching project goal is to measure streamflow in headwater streams and to relate flow variation to stream fish population dynamics. In the northeast, the New England Water Science Center (NewEngWSC) partnered with the fish - Multimedia
Hot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream TemperatureHot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream TemperatureHot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream Temperature
Groundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage.
Groundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage.
Hot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream Temperature (AD)Hot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream Temperature (AD)Hot Stream, Cold Stream – Measuring the impact of Groundwater on Stream Temperature (AD)Groundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage.
Groundwater that drains to surface water through seeps and springs is generally referred to as “discharge.” Groundwater discharge is a primary component of stream base flow, or streamflow that occurs between storms, periods of snowmelt runoff, and periods of quick soil drainage.
Eyes On Streams - The Short StoryFlow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Eyes On Streams - The Short Story (AD)Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Imagery as Streamflow Data: Introducing the USGS Flow Photo ExplorerImagery as Streamflow Data: Introducing the USGS Flow Photo ExplorerImagery as Streamflow Data: Introducing the USGS Flow Photo ExplorerFlow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Imagery as Streamflow Data: Introducing the USGS Flow Photo Explorer (AD)Imagery as Streamflow Data: Introducing the USGS Flow Photo Explorer (AD)Imagery as Streamflow Data: Introducing the USGS Flow Photo Explorer (AD)Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Flow is a critical variable in streams since it affects aquatic and riparian biological communities and human uses of water (i.e., recreation, public water supply, etc.). Flow regimes are changing due to anthropogenic (e.g., water withdrawals) and natural impacts (e.g., extreme weather events).
Scientist inserting a snow tubePhysical Scientist Serena Matt inserting a fiberglass snow tube during the Snow Depth and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) measurement. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont.
Physical Scientist Serena Matt inserting a fiberglass snow tube during the Snow Depth and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) measurement. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont.
Scientist posing next to a snow scalePhysical Scientist Serena Matt posing next to a snow scale during the Snow Depth and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) measurement. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont.
Physical Scientist Serena Matt posing next to a snow scale during the Snow Depth and Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) measurement. Sleepers River Research Watershed, Danville, Vermont.
- Publications
CGS: Coupled growth and survival model with cohort fairness
Fish modeling in complex environments is critical for understanding drivers of population dynamics in aquatic systems. This paper proposes a Bayesian network method for modeling fish survival and growth over multiple connected rivers. Traditional fish survival models capture the effect of multiple environmental drivers (e.g., stream temperature, stream flow) by adding different variables, which inAuthorsErhu He, Yue Wan, Benjamin Letcher, Jennifer Burlingame Hoyle Fair, Yiquin Xie, Xiaowei JiaStabilising effects of karstic groundwater on stream fish communities
Although groundwater exchange processes are known to modulate atmospheric influences on stream temperature and flow, the implications for ecological stability are poorly understood. Here, we evaluated temporal change in stream fish communities across a gradient of groundwater influence defined by karst terrain (carbonate parent materials) within the Potomac River basin of eastern North America. WeAuthorsNathaniel P. Hitt, Karli M Rogers, Karmann G. Kessler, Martin Briggs, Jennifer Burlingame Hoyle FairBedrock depth influences spatial patterns of summer baseflow, temperature and flow disconnection for mountainous headwater streams
In mountain headwater streams, the quality and resilience of summer cold-water habitat is generally regulated by stream discharge, longitudinal stream channel connectivity and groundwater exchange. These critical hydrologic processes are thought to be influenced by the stream corridor bedrock contact depth (sediment thickness), a parameter often inferred from sparse hillslope borehole information,AuthorsMartin Briggs, Phillip J. Goodling, Zachary Johnson, Karli M. Rogers, Nathaniel P. Hitt, Jennifer Burlingame Hoyle Fair, Craig D. SnyderVIMTS: Variational-based Imputation for Multi-modal Time Series
Multi-modal time series data in real applications often contain data of different dimensionalities, e.g., high-dimensional modality such as image data series, and low-dimensional univariate time series. Multi-modal time series data with missing high-dimensional modal values are ubiquitous in real-world classification and regression applications. To accurately predict the target labels, it is imporAuthorsXiaowei Jia, Jennifer Burlingame Hoyle Fair, Benjamin LetcherEvaluating streamwater dissolved organic carbon dynamics in context of variable flowpath contributions with a tracer-based mixing model
This study focuses on characterizing the contributions of key terrestrial pathways that deliver dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to streams during hydrological events and on elucidating factors governing variation in water and DOC fluxes from these pathways. We made high-frequency measurements of discharge, specific conductance (SC), and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) during 221 eventsAuthorsJames E. Saiers, Jennifer Burlingame Hoyle Fair, James B. Shanley, J.D. Hosen, Serena Matt, Kevin A Ryan, P.A. RaymondSource switching maintains dissolved organic matter chemostasis across discharge levels in a large temperate river network
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) helps regulate aquatic ecosystem structure and function. In small streams, DOM concentrations are controlled by transport of terrestrial materials to waterways, and are thus highly variable. As rivers become larger, the River Continuum Concept hypothesizes that internal primary production is an increasingly important DOM source, but direct evidence is limited. RecentAuthorsJ.D. Hosen, K.S. Aho, Jennifer Burlingame Hoyle Fair, E.D. Kyzivat, S. Matt, Jonathan Morrison, A. Stubbins, L.C. Weber, B. Yoon, P.A. RaymondNon-USGS Publications**
An intense precipitation event causes a temperate forested drainage network to shift from N2O source to sink. K. S. Aho, J. H. Fair, J. D. Hosen, E. D. Kyzivat, L. Logozzo, L. C. Weber, B. Yoon, P. A. Raymond. 2022. Limnology and Oceanography. DOI: 10.1002/lno.12006Evaluating Streamwater Dissolved Organic Carbon Dynamics in Context of Variable Flowpath Contributions with a Tracer-Based Mixing Model. J.E. Saiers, J.H. Fair, J.B. Shanley, J.D. Hosen, S. Matt, K.A. Ryan, P.A. Raymond. 2021. Water Resources Research. DOI: 10.1029/2021WR030529.Distinct concentration-discharge dynamics in temperate streams and rivers: CO2 exhibits chemostasis while CH4 exhibits source limitation due to temperature control. K. S. Aho, J. H. Fair, J. D. Hosen, E. D. Kyzivat, L. Logozzo, G. Rocher-Ros, L. C. Weber, B. Yoon, P. A. Raymond. 2021. Limnology and Oceanography. DOI: 10.1002/lno.11906Export of photolabile and photprimable dissolved organic carbon from the Connecticut River. B. Yoon, J.D. Hosen, E.D. Kyzivat, J.H. Fair, L.C. Weber, K.S. Aho, R. Lowenthal, S. Matt, W.V. Sobczak, J.B. Shanley, J. Morrison, J.E. Saiers, A. Stubbins, P.A. Raymond. 2021. Aquatic Sciences. DOI: 10.1007/s00027-021-00778-8.Source Switching Maintains Dissolved Organic Matter Chemostasis Across Discharge Levels in a Large Temperate River Netowrk J.D. Hosen, K.S. Aho, J.H. Fair, E.D. Kyzivat, S. Matt, J. Morrison, A. Stubbins, L.C. Weber, B. Yoon, P.A. Raymond. 2021. Ecosystems. DOI: 10.1007/s10021-020-00514-7Enhancement of primary production during drought in a temperate watershed is greater in larger rivers than headwater streams. J.D. Hosen, K.S. Aho, A.P. Appling, C.E. Creech, J.H. Fair, R.O. Hall Jr., E.D. Kyzivat, S. Matt, J. Morrison, J.E. Saiers, J.B. Shanley, L.C. Weber, B. Yoon, P.A. Raymond. 2019. Limnology and Oceanography. DOI: 10.1002/lno.11127Molecular Hysteresis: Hydrologically‐driven changes in riverine dissolved organic matter chemistry during a storm event. Wagner, S., J. Hoyle Fair, S. Matt, J. Hosen, P. Raymond, J. Saiers, J. Shanley, T. Dittmar, and A. Stubbins. 2019. Journal of Geophysical Research-Biosciences. DOI: 10.1029/2018JG004817Global state and potential scope of investments in watershed services for large cities. C. L. Romulo, S. Posner, S. Cousins, J. Hoyle Fair, D. E. Bennett, Huber-Stearns, H. R., and R. C. Richards. 2018. Nature Communications 9:4375 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06538-xSocial-ecological enabling conditions for payments for ecosystem services Huber-Stearns, H. R., D. E. Bennett, S. Posner, R. C. Richards, J. Hoyle Fair, S. J. M. Cousins and C. L. Romulo. 2017. Ecology and Society 22 (1):18. DOI: 10.5751/ES-08979-220118The Crooked River Watershed, Sebago Lake and the Drinking Water Supply for the City of Portland, Maine, Hoyle, J., 2013. In: Alcott, E., Ashton, M. and Gentry, B., (Eds.) Natural and Engineered Solutions for Drinking Water Supplies: Lessons from the Northeastern United States and Directions for Global Watershed Management, CRC Press.Source Water Protection in Massachusetts: Lessons from and Opportunities for Worcester and Boston, Alcott, E., Caligiuri, P., Hoyle, J., and Karres, N., 2013. In: Alcott, E., Ashton, M. and Gentry, B., (Eds.) Natural and Engineered Solutions for Drinking Water Supplies: Lessons from the Northeastern United States and Directions for Global Watershed Management, CRC Press.**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.
- Web Tools
Flow Photo Explorer
The Flow Photo Explorer is an integrated database, machine learning, and data visualization platform for monitoring streamflow and other hydrologic conditions using timelapse images.
EcoSHEDS
EcoSHEDS is a collection of Spatial Hydro-Ecological Data Systems (SHEDS) designed to improve our understanding of stream ecosystems. The goal of EcoSHEDS is to provide a series of user-friendly tools for gaining insight and supporting transparent research, management, and decision-making of hydro-ecological resources.