Stratified sand in an excavation near the Connecticut River in Portland, Connecticut. The sand was deposited as a delta in a glacial lake that occupied the Connecticut River Valley about 18,000-19,000 years ago.
John R Mullaney
John Mullaney is a Scientist Emeritus with the New England Water Science Center.
John R. Mullaney, a USGS emeritus scientist, has studied groundwater and water quality in Connecticut and New England for four decades. His work includes regional and national studies on nutrient loading to estuaries, groundwater quality, groundwater–surface water interactions, and groundwater recharge and storage.
His current interest is to improve the understanding of drought in New England through analysis of groundwater levels, recharge patterns, and base flows. A secondary interest is improving public access to water-resources information through statistical analysis and visualization.
Science and Products
Connecticut Active Water Level Network
This site provides an interactive map with symbols showing locations of groundwater level measurement sites in New England. The symbols are color coded to indicate percentile classes and whether the sites report data in real-time-delivered to NWISWEB, continuous or periodic measurements.
Chloride Data for Streams in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island
As part of water-quality data collection activities in New England, water samples are analyzed for chloride in monitoring networks and projects across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Chloride is of interest because high concentrations may affect aquatic life in streams or affect water quality of reservoirs and aquifers used for drinking water.
New England Drought, 2020
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 (quick-onset) drought.
New England Drought Information
Droughts are one of the most expensive and damaging hydrologic hazards in the United States. They are generally slow in developing, frequently occur over a long period of time, and can affect large areas and populations.
Development of a Regional-Scale Model to Simulate Groundwater Flow and Nitrogen Loading in Watersheds Along the Connecticut Coast of Long Island Sound
In 2018 USGS began work on the development of regional-scale groundwater flow and nitrogen transport models of areas along the Connecticut coast. The model will be used as a quantitative tool to evaluate groundwater flow and nitrogen loading to Long Island Sound.
Groundwater and Surface-Water Monitoring in the Mill Creek Watershed, Wellfleet and Truro, Massachusetts
The Herring River estuary and salt marsh system, within the Cape Cod National Seashore in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, has been diked off from the ocean for more than 100 years. The National Park Service is now preparing to restore the 1,100 acre estuary-marsh system.
Updating a Method to Estimate Probable High Groundwater Levels in Massachusetts
Periodic high groundwater levels are a major cause of septic system-failures, wet basements, and other problems for suburban and rural residents in Massachusetts. To address this issue, a method (commonly referred to as the Frimpter method) was developed in early 1980’s to estimate probable high groundwater levels across the state. The USGS New England Water Science Center, in cooperation with the...
Stratified Sand
Stratified sand in an excavation near the Connecticut River in Portland, Connecticut. The sand was deposited as a delta in a glacial lake that occupied the Connecticut River Valley about 18,000-19,000 years ago.
Groundwater Well in Mill Creek Basin in Cape Cod National Seashore
Groundwater Well in Mill Creek Basin in Cape Cod National SeashoreA Geoscientist-in-the-Park Guest Scientist for the National Park Service services a USGS groundwater well located within the Mill Creek basin near the Herring River in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.
Groundwater Well in Mill Creek Basin in Cape Cod National Seashore
Groundwater Well in Mill Creek Basin in Cape Cod National SeashoreA Geoscientist-in-the-Park Guest Scientist for the National Park Service services a USGS groundwater well located within the Mill Creek basin near the Herring River in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.
Tidal water moving through a tide control structure in Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Tidal water moving through a tide control structure in Wellfleet, MassachusettsA gage on the backside of a tide control structure on the Herring River at Chequessett Neck Rd at Wellfleet, Massachusetts. It is evident to see the movement of incoming tide in this picture. Data was collected at this site for several years prior to the removal of the dike in 2023.
Tidal water moving through a tide control structure in Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Tidal water moving through a tide control structure in Wellfleet, MassachusettsA gage on the backside of a tide control structure on the Herring River at Chequessett Neck Rd at Wellfleet, Massachusetts. It is evident to see the movement of incoming tide in this picture. Data was collected at this site for several years prior to the removal of the dike in 2023.
Cape Cod National Seashore
A look to the north along the bluffs at the Cape Cod National Seashore, from Marconi Station. Over the years, the USGS continues to work with the National Park Service at the Cape Cod National Seashore.
A look to the north along the bluffs at the Cape Cod National Seashore, from Marconi Station. Over the years, the USGS continues to work with the National Park Service at the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Storm-tide sensor installation before Hurricane Sandy
Storm-tide sensor installation before Hurricane SandyHydrologic technician installs a storm-tide sensor ahead of Hurricane Sandy in Milford Harbor, Connecticut.
Storm-tide sensor installation before Hurricane Sandy
Storm-tide sensor installation before Hurricane SandyHydrologic technician installs a storm-tide sensor ahead of Hurricane Sandy in Milford Harbor, Connecticut.
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Saugatuck River
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Saugatuck RiverUSGS hydrologist holding a dry erase board to identify the storm surge sensor location deployment on August 27, 2011. The sensor is strapped to the back of a dock piling on the Saugatuck River in Westport, CT owned by the Saugatuck River Rowing Club.
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Saugatuck River
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Saugatuck RiverUSGS hydrologist holding a dry erase board to identify the storm surge sensor location deployment on August 27, 2011. The sensor is strapped to the back of a dock piling on the Saugatuck River in Westport, CT owned by the Saugatuck River Rowing Club.
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Housatonic River
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Housatonic RiverUSGS hydrologist pointing to the location of a storm surge sensor deployment near the mouth of the Housatonic River in Stratford, CT at the Sikorsky aircraft facility on August 27, 2011.
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Housatonic River
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Housatonic RiverUSGS hydrologist pointing to the location of a storm surge sensor deployment near the mouth of the Housatonic River in Stratford, CT at the Sikorsky aircraft facility on August 27, 2011.
Science and Products
Connecticut Active Water Level Network
This site provides an interactive map with symbols showing locations of groundwater level measurement sites in New England. The symbols are color coded to indicate percentile classes and whether the sites report data in real-time-delivered to NWISWEB, continuous or periodic measurements.
Chloride Data for Streams in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island
As part of water-quality data collection activities in New England, water samples are analyzed for chloride in monitoring networks and projects across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Chloride is of interest because high concentrations may affect aquatic life in streams or affect water quality of reservoirs and aquifers used for drinking water.
New England Drought, 2020
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 (quick-onset) drought.
New England Drought Information
Droughts are one of the most expensive and damaging hydrologic hazards in the United States. They are generally slow in developing, frequently occur over a long period of time, and can affect large areas and populations.
Development of a Regional-Scale Model to Simulate Groundwater Flow and Nitrogen Loading in Watersheds Along the Connecticut Coast of Long Island Sound
In 2018 USGS began work on the development of regional-scale groundwater flow and nitrogen transport models of areas along the Connecticut coast. The model will be used as a quantitative tool to evaluate groundwater flow and nitrogen loading to Long Island Sound.
Groundwater and Surface-Water Monitoring in the Mill Creek Watershed, Wellfleet and Truro, Massachusetts
The Herring River estuary and salt marsh system, within the Cape Cod National Seashore in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, has been diked off from the ocean for more than 100 years. The National Park Service is now preparing to restore the 1,100 acre estuary-marsh system.
Updating a Method to Estimate Probable High Groundwater Levels in Massachusetts
Periodic high groundwater levels are a major cause of septic system-failures, wet basements, and other problems for suburban and rural residents in Massachusetts. To address this issue, a method (commonly referred to as the Frimpter method) was developed in early 1980’s to estimate probable high groundwater levels across the state. The USGS New England Water Science Center, in cooperation with the...
Stratified Sand
Stratified sand in an excavation near the Connecticut River in Portland, Connecticut. The sand was deposited as a delta in a glacial lake that occupied the Connecticut River Valley about 18,000-19,000 years ago.
Stratified sand in an excavation near the Connecticut River in Portland, Connecticut. The sand was deposited as a delta in a glacial lake that occupied the Connecticut River Valley about 18,000-19,000 years ago.
Groundwater Well in Mill Creek Basin in Cape Cod National Seashore
Groundwater Well in Mill Creek Basin in Cape Cod National SeashoreA Geoscientist-in-the-Park Guest Scientist for the National Park Service services a USGS groundwater well located within the Mill Creek basin near the Herring River in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.
Groundwater Well in Mill Creek Basin in Cape Cod National Seashore
Groundwater Well in Mill Creek Basin in Cape Cod National SeashoreA Geoscientist-in-the-Park Guest Scientist for the National Park Service services a USGS groundwater well located within the Mill Creek basin near the Herring River in Wellfleet, Massachusetts.
Tidal water moving through a tide control structure in Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Tidal water moving through a tide control structure in Wellfleet, MassachusettsA gage on the backside of a tide control structure on the Herring River at Chequessett Neck Rd at Wellfleet, Massachusetts. It is evident to see the movement of incoming tide in this picture. Data was collected at this site for several years prior to the removal of the dike in 2023.
Tidal water moving through a tide control structure in Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Tidal water moving through a tide control structure in Wellfleet, MassachusettsA gage on the backside of a tide control structure on the Herring River at Chequessett Neck Rd at Wellfleet, Massachusetts. It is evident to see the movement of incoming tide in this picture. Data was collected at this site for several years prior to the removal of the dike in 2023.
Cape Cod National Seashore
A look to the north along the bluffs at the Cape Cod National Seashore, from Marconi Station. Over the years, the USGS continues to work with the National Park Service at the Cape Cod National Seashore.
A look to the north along the bluffs at the Cape Cod National Seashore, from Marconi Station. Over the years, the USGS continues to work with the National Park Service at the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Storm-tide sensor installation before Hurricane Sandy
Storm-tide sensor installation before Hurricane SandyHydrologic technician installs a storm-tide sensor ahead of Hurricane Sandy in Milford Harbor, Connecticut.
Storm-tide sensor installation before Hurricane Sandy
Storm-tide sensor installation before Hurricane SandyHydrologic technician installs a storm-tide sensor ahead of Hurricane Sandy in Milford Harbor, Connecticut.
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Saugatuck River
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Saugatuck RiverUSGS hydrologist holding a dry erase board to identify the storm surge sensor location deployment on August 27, 2011. The sensor is strapped to the back of a dock piling on the Saugatuck River in Westport, CT owned by the Saugatuck River Rowing Club.
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Saugatuck River
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Saugatuck RiverUSGS hydrologist holding a dry erase board to identify the storm surge sensor location deployment on August 27, 2011. The sensor is strapped to the back of a dock piling on the Saugatuck River in Westport, CT owned by the Saugatuck River Rowing Club.
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Housatonic River
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Housatonic RiverUSGS hydrologist pointing to the location of a storm surge sensor deployment near the mouth of the Housatonic River in Stratford, CT at the Sikorsky aircraft facility on August 27, 2011.
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Housatonic River
Storm surge sensor deployment on the Housatonic RiverUSGS hydrologist pointing to the location of a storm surge sensor deployment near the mouth of the Housatonic River in Stratford, CT at the Sikorsky aircraft facility on August 27, 2011.