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Joseph Affinati

Joe Affinati is a Geographer and UAS Pilot with the USGS Arizona Water Science Center, Flagstaff office.

Professional Experience

  • 2023-present, Geographer, USGS AZ Water Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ

  • 2016-2023, Hydrologic Technician, USGS AZ Water Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. in Community and Regional Planning, University of New Mexico, 2015

  • M.S. in Water Resources Management, University of New Mexico, 2015

  • B.A. in Environmental Policy, Lawrence University, 2011

Science and Products

Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

Assessing the vulnerability of cultural resources to rainfall-driven erosion in the Deadman Wash and Wupatki Wash drainages of Wupatki National Monument, Arizona

Project Overview Increased precipitation events and environmental damage from wildfires have resulted in more severe flooding events in the southwest. While these events have impacts across the landscape, it has had a significant impact on cultural resources within the region’s National Parks and Monuments. Wupakti National Monument in particular has experienced adverse resource impacts...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Assessing the vulnerability of cultural resources to rainfall-driven erosion in the Deadman Wash and Wupatki Wash drainages of Wupatki National Monument, Arizona

Assessing the vulnerability of cultural resources to rainfall-driven erosion in the Deadman Wash and Wupatki Wash drainages of Wupatki National Monument, Arizona

Project Overview Increased precipitation events and environmental damage from wildfires have resulted in more severe flooding events in the southwest. While these events have impacts across the landscape, it has had a significant impact on cultural resources within the region’s National Parks and Monuments. Wupakti National Monument in particular has experienced adverse resource impacts due to
Learn More

High-resolution small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS) and terrestrial lidar system (TLS) lidar datasets for border security within San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ documenting invasive vegetation management and stream restoration, 2024 High-resolution small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS) and terrestrial lidar system (TLS) lidar datasets for border security within San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ documenting invasive vegetation management and stream restoration, 2024

The U.S. Geological Survey collected low-altitude airborne lidar data via a small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS) and terrestrial lidar system (TLS) for quantifying surficial conditions along the Black Draw ephemeral stream channel in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge (SBNWR) in Arizona in February 2024. Data collection was during the...
By
Arizona Water Science Center

High resolution natural color, thermal, and multispectral imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping vegetation health and natural spring change at Hoxworth Springs, Clark Well and Buck Springs in the Coconino National Forest, AZ, 202 High resolution natural color, thermal, and multispectral imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping vegetation health and natural spring change at Hoxworth Springs, Clark Well and Buck Springs in the Coconino National Forest, AZ, 202

The U.S. Geological Survey collected low-altitude airborne natural color imagery, surface temperatures and multispectral imagery via a hexacopter uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping Hoxworth Springs, Clark Well and Buck Springs in the Coconino National Forest in Arizona. Visual imagery was collected in jpg (for color imagery) and TIFF (for thermal imagery and multispectral imagery...
By
Colorado Water Science Center

High resolution natural color and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping forest health post forest thinning at Sawmill Springs in the Kaibab National Forest, AZ, 2025 High resolution natural color and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping forest health post forest thinning at Sawmill Springs in the Kaibab National Forest, AZ, 2025

The U.S. Geological Survey collected low-altitude airborne natural color imagery and LIDAR data via a fixed-wing uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping Sawmill Springs area in the Kaibab National Forest in Arizona. Visual imagery was collected in joint photographic experts group (jpg) (for color imagery) format and Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry techniques were applied to...
By
Arizona Water Science Center

Bathymetric Survey of Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff, Arizona in 2024 - Digital Elevation Model Bathymetric Survey of Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff, Arizona in 2024 - Digital Elevation Model

The City of Flagstaff in northern Arizona utilizes Upper Lake Mary reservoir for approximately 25 to 30 percent of its water supply and understanding the detailed topography of the storage basin is essential for effective water management. The U.S. Geological Survey incorporated modern bathymetric and ground survey techniques to construct a 1-meter (1m) resolution digital elevation model...
By
Arizona Water Science Center

High resolution natural color and thermal imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping vegetation change and natural spring identification at Tavasci Marsh in the Tuzigoot National Monument, AZ during 2023-2024 High resolution natural color and thermal imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping vegetation change and natural spring identification at Tavasci Marsh in the Tuzigoot National Monument, AZ during 2023-2024

The U.S. Geological Survey collected low-altitude airborne natural color imagery, thermal imagery, and 10-band multispectral imagery (2023 only) via a hexacopter uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) in 2023 and 2024 for mapping effects of fire at Tavasci Marsh in the Tuzigoot National Monument in Arizona. Visual imagery was collected to derive high-resolution natural color, thermal (surface...
By
Arizona Water Science Center

Colorado River at Windy Gap near Granby, CO - 2022/06/13 Water Surface Velocity Map Using Particle Image Velocimetry Colorado River at Windy Gap near Granby, CO - 2022/06/13 Water Surface Velocity Map Using Particle Image Velocimetry

The dataset consists of a .csv and shapefile of measurements of surface velocity magnitude and direction at the Colorado River at Windy Gap near Granby, CO, on June 13, 2022. The dataset contains approximately 2 km of river length. The surface velocity measurements were made by applying Large-Scale Particle Image Velocimetry (LSPIV) techniques, using overlapping videos collected by small...
By
Arizona Water Science Center

Bathymetric survey and storage capacity of Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff, Arizona in 2024 Bathymetric survey and storage capacity of Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff, Arizona in 2024

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the city of Flagstaff, collected bathymetric, light detection and ranging (lidar), and land-survey data of Upper Lake Mary in Arizona during the months of April and October 2024. The city of Flagstaff uses a combination of groundwater from well fields throughout the Flagstaff area and surface water, mainly from Upper Lake Mary, for...
Authors
Joseph A. Affinati, Matthew A. Kaplinski, Paul E. Grams, Katherine A. Chapman
By
Arizona Water Science Center
2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ
2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ
2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ
2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

USGS Geographer Joe Affinati flying a small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS) for lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ.

By
Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program
2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

USGS Geographer Joe Affinati flying a small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS) for lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ.

By
Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program

Science and Products

Image Collage of Landsat, pollinator, and volcanologist

Assessing the vulnerability of cultural resources to rainfall-driven erosion in the Deadman Wash and Wupatki Wash drainages of Wupatki National Monument, Arizona

Project Overview Increased precipitation events and environmental damage from wildfires have resulted in more severe flooding events in the southwest. While these events have impacts across the landscape, it has had a significant impact on cultural resources within the region’s National Parks and Monuments. Wupakti National Monument in particular has experienced adverse resource impacts...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Assessing the vulnerability of cultural resources to rainfall-driven erosion in the Deadman Wash and Wupatki Wash drainages of Wupatki National Monument, Arizona

Assessing the vulnerability of cultural resources to rainfall-driven erosion in the Deadman Wash and Wupatki Wash drainages of Wupatki National Monument, Arizona

Project Overview Increased precipitation events and environmental damage from wildfires have resulted in more severe flooding events in the southwest. While these events have impacts across the landscape, it has had a significant impact on cultural resources within the region’s National Parks and Monuments. Wupakti National Monument in particular has experienced adverse resource impacts due to
Learn More

High-resolution small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS) and terrestrial lidar system (TLS) lidar datasets for border security within San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ documenting invasive vegetation management and stream restoration, 2024 High-resolution small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS) and terrestrial lidar system (TLS) lidar datasets for border security within San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ documenting invasive vegetation management and stream restoration, 2024

The U.S. Geological Survey collected low-altitude airborne lidar data via a small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS) and terrestrial lidar system (TLS) for quantifying surficial conditions along the Black Draw ephemeral stream channel in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge (SBNWR) in Arizona in February 2024. Data collection was during the...
By
Arizona Water Science Center

High resolution natural color, thermal, and multispectral imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping vegetation health and natural spring change at Hoxworth Springs, Clark Well and Buck Springs in the Coconino National Forest, AZ, 202 High resolution natural color, thermal, and multispectral imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping vegetation health and natural spring change at Hoxworth Springs, Clark Well and Buck Springs in the Coconino National Forest, AZ, 202

The U.S. Geological Survey collected low-altitude airborne natural color imagery, surface temperatures and multispectral imagery via a hexacopter uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping Hoxworth Springs, Clark Well and Buck Springs in the Coconino National Forest in Arizona. Visual imagery was collected in jpg (for color imagery) and TIFF (for thermal imagery and multispectral imagery...
By
Colorado Water Science Center

High resolution natural color and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping forest health post forest thinning at Sawmill Springs in the Kaibab National Forest, AZ, 2025 High resolution natural color and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping forest health post forest thinning at Sawmill Springs in the Kaibab National Forest, AZ, 2025

The U.S. Geological Survey collected low-altitude airborne natural color imagery and LIDAR data via a fixed-wing uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping Sawmill Springs area in the Kaibab National Forest in Arizona. Visual imagery was collected in joint photographic experts group (jpg) (for color imagery) format and Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry techniques were applied to...
By
Arizona Water Science Center

Bathymetric Survey of Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff, Arizona in 2024 - Digital Elevation Model Bathymetric Survey of Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff, Arizona in 2024 - Digital Elevation Model

The City of Flagstaff in northern Arizona utilizes Upper Lake Mary reservoir for approximately 25 to 30 percent of its water supply and understanding the detailed topography of the storage basin is essential for effective water management. The U.S. Geological Survey incorporated modern bathymetric and ground survey techniques to construct a 1-meter (1m) resolution digital elevation model...
By
Arizona Water Science Center

High resolution natural color and thermal imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping vegetation change and natural spring identification at Tavasci Marsh in the Tuzigoot National Monument, AZ during 2023-2024 High resolution natural color and thermal imagery collected by uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for mapping vegetation change and natural spring identification at Tavasci Marsh in the Tuzigoot National Monument, AZ during 2023-2024

The U.S. Geological Survey collected low-altitude airborne natural color imagery, thermal imagery, and 10-band multispectral imagery (2023 only) via a hexacopter uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) in 2023 and 2024 for mapping effects of fire at Tavasci Marsh in the Tuzigoot National Monument in Arizona. Visual imagery was collected to derive high-resolution natural color, thermal (surface...
By
Arizona Water Science Center

Colorado River at Windy Gap near Granby, CO - 2022/06/13 Water Surface Velocity Map Using Particle Image Velocimetry Colorado River at Windy Gap near Granby, CO - 2022/06/13 Water Surface Velocity Map Using Particle Image Velocimetry

The dataset consists of a .csv and shapefile of measurements of surface velocity magnitude and direction at the Colorado River at Windy Gap near Granby, CO, on June 13, 2022. The dataset contains approximately 2 km of river length. The surface velocity measurements were made by applying Large-Scale Particle Image Velocimetry (LSPIV) techniques, using overlapping videos collected by small...
By
Arizona Water Science Center

Bathymetric survey and storage capacity of Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff, Arizona in 2024 Bathymetric survey and storage capacity of Upper Lake Mary near Flagstaff, Arizona in 2024

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the city of Flagstaff, collected bathymetric, light detection and ranging (lidar), and land-survey data of Upper Lake Mary in Arizona during the months of April and October 2024. The city of Flagstaff uses a combination of groundwater from well fields throughout the Flagstaff area and surface water, mainly from Upper Lake Mary, for...
Authors
Joseph A. Affinati, Matthew A. Kaplinski, Paul E. Grams, Katherine A. Chapman
By
Arizona Water Science Center
2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ
2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ
2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ
2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

USGS Geographer Joe Affinati flying a small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS) for lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ.

By
Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program
2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

2024 lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

USGS Geographer Joe Affinati flying a small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS) for lidar collection at Black Draw in the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge, AZ.

By
Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program
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