Joseph Nielsen is the Director of Integrated Information Dissemination Division (IIDD) for the USGS Water Resources Mission Area.
Joe currently manages the Integrated Information Dissemination Division (IIDD) within the USGS Water Resources Mission Area. In this role he leads a broad team of science communication specialists, developers, visualization specialists, data scientists, social scientists, and decision scientists to further the IIDD mission to provide water information to empower decision-making, education, and science.
A career USGS employee, Joe has previously served in a variety of staff and management roles encompassing hydraulic modeling, water data collection, quality assurance, IT development, and project management.
Professional Experience
Director, U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Mission Area, Integrated Information Dissemination Division – 2018-Present
Chief Projects Officer, USGS Water Resources Mission Area – 2017-2018
Associate Chief of Projects, USGS Office of Water Information – 2015-2017
Chief, National Water Information System – 2014-2015
Hydrologist, USGS Office of Surface Water – 2002-2014
Data Section Chief, USGS Maine District – 1992-2002
Hydrologist, USGS New England District – 1988-1992
Education and Certifications
B.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1988. University of Wisconsin -Madison
Former Professional Engineer – Wisconsin, Maine
Science and Products
From the River to You: USGS Real-Time Streamflow Information...from the National Streamflow Information Program
Water budget for Sebago Lake, Maine, 1996-99
Streamflow Statistics for the Narraguagus River at Cherryfield, Maine
Record Extension and Streamflow Statistics for the Pleasant River, Maine
Geohydrology and ground-water quality, Eastern Surplus Superfund Site, Meddybemps, Maine
The continuous-record streamflow data-collection program in Maine
Summary of floods in the United States during 1990 and 1991
Geohydrology, water quality, and conceptual model of the hydrologic system Saco Landfill area, Saco, Maine
Flood Inundation Mapping Toolbox
Flood Inundation Map (FIM) Libraries
Emerging Flood Inundation Mapping Technologies
Flood Inundation Mapping - Loss Estimation
FIM Toolbox: Prepare Your FIM Report
FIM Toolbox: Obtain Approval and Publish Your FIM Library
FIM Toolbox: Outreach and Education Resources
Flood Inundation Mapping Science
Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Program
FIM Toolbox: Prepare Your FIM Science
Science and Products
- Publications
From the River to You: USGS Real-Time Streamflow Information...from the National Streamflow Information Program
This Fact Sheet is one in a series that highlights information or recent research findings from the USGS National Streamflow Information Program (NSIP). The investigations and scientific results reported in this series require a nationally consistent streamgaging network with stable long-term monitoring sites and a rigorous program of data, quality assurance, management, archiving, and synthesis.AuthorsJoseph P. Nielsen, J. Michael NorrisWater budget for Sebago Lake, Maine, 1996-99
Annual water budgets were developed for Sebago Lake in southwestern Maine. The inflow components of the water budget are direct precipitation to the surface of the lake and surface-water inflow. Mean annual inflow to Sebago Lake during water years 1996-99 was 35,100 million cubic feet. The outflow components of the water budget are evaporation from the surface of the lake, municipal water-supply wAuthorsRobert W. Dudley, Glenn A. Hodgkins, Joseph P. NielsenStreamflow Statistics for the Narraguagus River at Cherryfield, Maine
Streamflow data have been collected for the Narraguagus River from 1948 to the present (2000) at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgaging station at Cherryfield, Maine. This report describes a study done by the USGS to determine streamflow statistics using the streamflow record at the Narraguagus River station for use in total water use management plans implemented by State and Federal agencAuthorsRobert W. Dudley, Joseph P. NielsenRecord Extension and Streamflow Statistics for the Pleasant River, Maine
Historical streamflow data for the Pleasant River are limited to 11 years (from 1980 to 1991) at the U.S. Geological Survey streamgaging station near Epping. Analysis of these data in conjunction with flow data from other nearby stations indicates that the 11 years of record for the Pleasant River may not be representative of longer-term conditions in the basin. A correlation between the historicaAuthorsJoseph P. NielsenGeohydrology and ground-water quality, Eastern Surplus Superfund Site, Meddybemps, Maine
No abstract available.AuthorsF. P. Lyford, J. R. Stone, J.P. Nielsen, B. P. HansenThe continuous-record streamflow data-collection program in Maine
No abstract available.AuthorsJoseph P. NielsenSummary of floods in the United States during 1990 and 1991
This volume contains 50 articles describing severe, widespread, or unusual flooding in 28 of the 50 States during 1990 and 1991. Each flood is described to an extent commensurate with its significance and the availability of data on the hydrology and the damages. Each article includes one or more maps showing the general area of flooding. Most articles include tables of data that allow comparisonAuthorsPaul Robert Jordan, L. J. CombsGeohydrology, water quality, and conceptual model of the hydrologic system Saco Landfill area, Saco, Maine
A geohydrologic study of the Saco Municipal Landfill in Saco, Maine, was done during 1993-94 to provide a preliminary interpretation of the geology and hydrology needed to guide additional studies at the landfill as part of the Superfund Program. The Saco Landfill, which was active from the early 1960's until 1986, includes three disposal areas on a 90-acre parcel. Sandy Brook, a small perennial sAuthorsM.G. Nielsen, J. R. Stone, B. P. Hansen, J.P. Nielsen - Science
Flood Inundation Mapping Toolbox
The FIM Toolbox contains comprehensive information on the Flood Inundation Mapping program, including how to develop a flood inundation map library. Resources include process documents, scientific and technical requirements, forms and templates, outreach and educational materials, and contact information. The FIM Toolbox is updated as new resources become available.Flood Inundation Map (FIM) Libraries
The Flood Inundation Mapping Program focuses on developing flood inundation map libraries and helping communities pair those libraries with real-time stream data and National Weather Service flood forecasts to form a two-dimensional flood warning system. Together, these products can help communities estimate the extent of a flood and identify at-risk areas and resources in advance of floodwaters...Emerging Flood Inundation Mapping Technologies
The following technologies represent state-of-the-art tools, methodologies, and techniques that the USGS and our partners are researching and testing. Most of these techniques are experimental and not publicly available, but could significantly improve our ability to plan for and respond to flooding events in the future.Flood Inundation Mapping - Loss Estimation
Using a flood inundation map library to estimate where floodwaters will go and how deep they will be is crucial for planning and preparing for floods. By performing loss-estimation modeling, the potential physical, economic, and social impacts of disasters can be calculated, helping communities anticipate the effects of flooding and identify specific strategies to reduce losses and speed recovery.FIM Toolbox: Prepare Your FIM Report
The FIM Toolbox contains comprehensive information on the Flood Inundation Mapping program, including how to develop a flood inundation map library. This section of the FIM Toolbox provides information on how to prepare your FIM report. The Toolbox is updated as new resources become available.FIM Toolbox: Obtain Approval and Publish Your FIM Library
The FIM Toolbox contains a comprehensive information on the Flood Inundation Mapping program, including how to develop a flood inundation map library. This section of the FIM Toolbox provides information on obtaining approval and publishing your FIM library. The Toolbox is updated as new resources become available.FIM Toolbox: Outreach and Education Resources
Outreach and education resources to help build flood inundation libraries.Flood Inundation Mapping Science
When planning for a flood, there are three key questions that must be answered: What areas will be flooded? How deep will the flood waters get? When will the flood arrive? Historical flooding can help a community anticipate how much impact similar flood events could have, but there are other methods and tools that can provide more accurate and nuanced estimations of a wide variety of flood...Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Program
Floods are the leading cause of natural-disaster losses in the U.S. More than 75 percent of declared Federal disasters are related to floods, and annual flood losses average almost $8 billion with over 90 fatalities per year. Although the amount of fatalities has declined due to improved early warning systems, economic losses continue to rise with increased urbanization in flood-hazard areas.FIM Toolbox: Prepare Your FIM Science
The FIM Toolbox contains comprehensive information on the Flood Inundation Mapping program, including how to develop a flood inundation map library. This section of the FIM Toolbox provides information on how to prepare your FIM science. The Toolbox is updated as new resources become available.