Joshua C Koch, Ph.D.
Surface water / groundwater interactions; hyporheic zone hydrology and biogeochemistry; carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling; flow above / through frozen ground; preferential flow and soil pipe formation and transport.
Professional Experience
2011 - Present Research Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Anchorage, AK
2006 - 2011 Student Hydrologist, Branch of Regional Research, USGS, Boulder, CO
2005 - 2006 Research Assistant, Institute of Alpine and Arctic Research, University of Colorado, Boulder
2003 - 2005 Research Assistant, Semi-Arid Hydrology and Riparian Areas, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
2002 - 2003 Hydrologist Intern, Branch of Regional Research, USGS, Lakewood, CO
2001 - 2002 Hydrologist Intern, MA-RI Water District, USGS, Northborough, MA
Education and Certifications
PhD 2010 University of Colorado, Boulder, CO Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
MS 2005 University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ Department of Hydrology
BA 2001 Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT Earth and Environmental Sciences
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union, Hydrology and Cryosphere Sections
American Water Resources Association - Alaska Chapter
Association of Polar Early Career Scientists
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Filter Total Items: 32
Nitrogen biogeochemistry in a boreal headwater stream network in Interior Alaska, 2008 to 2011 Nitrogen biogeochemistry in a boreal headwater stream network in Interior Alaska, 2008 to 2011
High latitude, boreal watersheds are nitrogen-limited ecosystems that export large amounts of organic carbon. Key controls on carbon cycling in these environments are the biogeochemical processes affecting the nitrogen cycle. This data release presents results of a 3-year field study from 2008-2011 to document the relation between seasonal and transport-associated changes in carbon and...
Water Level, Temperature, and Discharge of Headwater Streams in the Noatak and Kobuk River Basins, Northwest Alaska, 2015-2017 Water Level, Temperature, and Discharge of Headwater Streams in the Noatak and Kobuk River Basins, Northwest Alaska, 2015-2017
This dataset includes 15-minute interval data on stream temperature, stage, and discharge from low-order streams in the Noatak and Kobuk River valleys in Northwestern Alaska, collected during the summer months. Several sites in the Agashashok River basin were monitored in 2015 and 2016, and additional sites were added in 2017. The depth of the water and temperature were determined using...
Physical, Chemical, and Invertebrate Data from Chipp North Pond Manipulations, North Slope, Alaska, 2013 Physical, Chemical, and Invertebrate Data from Chipp North Pond Manipulations, North Slope, Alaska, 2013
These data are in five tables related to a series of ponds, visited weekly over the summer of 2013, in the Chipp River Basin on the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska. The tables provide: 1) location and description of each of the ponds, 2) physical information on pond characteristics (area, volume, temperature), water chemistry (electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH...
Influenza A Virus Persistence Data from an Urban Wetland in Anchorage, Alaska, 2018-2019 Influenza A Virus Persistence Data from an Urban Wetland in Anchorage, Alaska, 2018-2019
This dataset is three tables with details of samples and aliquots of waterfowl feces deposited in filtered surface water collected from an urban waterbody in Anchorage, Alaska in 2018-2019. Sample vials were submerged underwater in the same waterbody from which the samples were collected and the samples were tested for the presence and viability of influenza A virus. Temperature data and...
Carbon Isotope Concentrations in Stream Food Webs of the Arctic Network National Parks, Alaska, 2014-2016 Carbon Isotope Concentrations in Stream Food Webs of the Arctic Network National Parks, Alaska, 2014-2016
This dataset is one table with information on the carbon isotopes in samples collected from organic and mineral soils, streams, algae, invertebrates, and fish in the Arctic Network Parks.
West Twin Creek Alaska Subsurface Bromide Tracer Experiment, 2015 West Twin Creek Alaska Subsurface Bromide Tracer Experiment, 2015
This data was produced as part of a subsurface tracer experiment performed on a boreal hillslope in July, 2015. The data is separated into three files: 'subsurfaceFlow_bromideTracer_well_wTwinCr_koch.csv' includes the location and depth of well screens, concentrations of the bromide tracer in time, saturation state of the subsurface at the wells, ground cover at the wells, and depth of...
Filter Total Items: 69
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 61
Storm-scale and seasonal dynamics of carbon export from a nested subarctic watershed underlain by permafrost Storm-scale and seasonal dynamics of carbon export from a nested subarctic watershed underlain by permafrost
Subarctic catchments underlain by permafrost sequester a major stock of frozen organic carbon (C), which may be mobilized as the Arctic warms. Warming can impact C export from thawing soils by altering the depth and timing of runoff related to changing storm and fire regimes and altered soil thaw depths. We investigated C export in a first order headwater stream (West Twin Creek) and its...
Authors
Joshua C. Koch, Mark Dornblaser, Rob Striegl
Arctic insect emergence timing and composition differs across thaw ponds of varying morphology Arctic insect emergence timing and composition differs across thaw ponds of varying morphology
Freshwater ponds provide habitats for aquatic insects that emerge and subsidize consumers in terrestrial ecosystems. In the Arctic, insects provide an important seasonal source of energy to birds that breed and rear young on the tundra. The abundance and timing of insect emergence from arctic thaw ponds is poorly understood, but understanding these fluxes is important, given the role of...
Authors
Sarah M. Laske, Kirsty E. B. Gurney, Joshua C. Koch, Joel A. Schmutz, Mark S. Wipfli
Nitrogen biogeochemistry in a boreal headwater stream network in interior Alaska Nitrogen biogeochemistry in a boreal headwater stream network in interior Alaska
High latitude, boreal watersheds are nitrogen (N)-limited ecosystems that export large amounts of organic carbon (C). Key controls on C cycling in these environments are the biogeochemical processes affecting the N cycle. A study was conducted in Nome Creek, an upland headwater tributary of the Yukon River, and two first-order tributaries to Nome Creek, to examine the relation between...
Authors
Richard L. Smith, Deborah A. Repert, Joshua C. Koch
USGS permafrost research determines the risks of permafrost thaw to biologic and hydrologic resources USGS permafrost research determines the risks of permafrost thaw to biologic and hydrologic resources
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with university, Federal, Tribal, and independent partners, conducts fundamental research on the distribution, vulnerability, and importance of permafrost in arctic and boreal ecosystems. Scientists, land managers, and policy makers use USGS data to help make decisions for development, wildlife habitat, and other needs. Native villages...
Authors
Mark P. Waldrop, Lesleigh Anderson, Mark Dornblaser, Li H. Erikson, Ann E. Gibbs, Nicole M. Herman-Mercer, Stephanie R. James, Miriam C. Jones, Joshua C. Koch, Mary-Cathrine Leewis, Kristen L. Manies, Burke J. Minsley, Neal J. Pastick, Vijay Patil, Frank Urban, Michelle A. Walvoord, Kimberly P. Wickland, Christian Zimmerman
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Volcano Hazards Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Volcano Science Center
Permafrost promotes shallow groundwater flow and warmer headwater streams Permafrost promotes shallow groundwater flow and warmer headwater streams
The presence of permafrost influences the flow paths of water through Arctic landscapes and thereby has the potential to impact stream discharge and thermal regimes. Observations from eleven headwater streams in Alaska showed that July water temperatures were higher in catchments with more near‐surface permafrost. We apply a fully coupled cryohydrology model to investigate if the impact...
Authors
Ylva Sjoberg, Adam K. Janke, S Painter, E. Coonradt, Michael P. Carey, Jonathan A. O’Donnell, Joshua C. Koch
Carbon dioxide and methane flux in a dynamic Arctic tundra landscape: Decadal‐scale impacts of ice wedge degradation and stabilization Carbon dioxide and methane flux in a dynamic Arctic tundra landscape: Decadal‐scale impacts of ice wedge degradation and stabilization
Ice wedge degradation is a widespread occurrence across the circumpolar Arctic causing extreme spatial heterogeneity in water distribution, vegetation, and energy balance across landscapes. These heterogeneities influence carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) fluxes, yet there is little understanding of how they effect change in landscape‐level carbon (C) gas flux over time. We measured...
Authors
Kimberly P. Wickland, M.Torre Jorgenson, Joshua C. Koch, Mikhail Z. Kanevskiy, Robert G. Striegl
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 17
Filter Total Items: 32
Nitrogen biogeochemistry in a boreal headwater stream network in Interior Alaska, 2008 to 2011 Nitrogen biogeochemistry in a boreal headwater stream network in Interior Alaska, 2008 to 2011
High latitude, boreal watersheds are nitrogen-limited ecosystems that export large amounts of organic carbon. Key controls on carbon cycling in these environments are the biogeochemical processes affecting the nitrogen cycle. This data release presents results of a 3-year field study from 2008-2011 to document the relation between seasonal and transport-associated changes in carbon and...
Water Level, Temperature, and Discharge of Headwater Streams in the Noatak and Kobuk River Basins, Northwest Alaska, 2015-2017 Water Level, Temperature, and Discharge of Headwater Streams in the Noatak and Kobuk River Basins, Northwest Alaska, 2015-2017
This dataset includes 15-minute interval data on stream temperature, stage, and discharge from low-order streams in the Noatak and Kobuk River valleys in Northwestern Alaska, collected during the summer months. Several sites in the Agashashok River basin were monitored in 2015 and 2016, and additional sites were added in 2017. The depth of the water and temperature were determined using...
Physical, Chemical, and Invertebrate Data from Chipp North Pond Manipulations, North Slope, Alaska, 2013 Physical, Chemical, and Invertebrate Data from Chipp North Pond Manipulations, North Slope, Alaska, 2013
These data are in five tables related to a series of ponds, visited weekly over the summer of 2013, in the Chipp River Basin on the Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska. The tables provide: 1) location and description of each of the ponds, 2) physical information on pond characteristics (area, volume, temperature), water chemistry (electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH...
Influenza A Virus Persistence Data from an Urban Wetland in Anchorage, Alaska, 2018-2019 Influenza A Virus Persistence Data from an Urban Wetland in Anchorage, Alaska, 2018-2019
This dataset is three tables with details of samples and aliquots of waterfowl feces deposited in filtered surface water collected from an urban waterbody in Anchorage, Alaska in 2018-2019. Sample vials were submerged underwater in the same waterbody from which the samples were collected and the samples were tested for the presence and viability of influenza A virus. Temperature data and...
Carbon Isotope Concentrations in Stream Food Webs of the Arctic Network National Parks, Alaska, 2014-2016 Carbon Isotope Concentrations in Stream Food Webs of the Arctic Network National Parks, Alaska, 2014-2016
This dataset is one table with information on the carbon isotopes in samples collected from organic and mineral soils, streams, algae, invertebrates, and fish in the Arctic Network Parks.
West Twin Creek Alaska Subsurface Bromide Tracer Experiment, 2015 West Twin Creek Alaska Subsurface Bromide Tracer Experiment, 2015
This data was produced as part of a subsurface tracer experiment performed on a boreal hillslope in July, 2015. The data is separated into three files: 'subsurfaceFlow_bromideTracer_well_wTwinCr_koch.csv' includes the location and depth of well screens, concentrations of the bromide tracer in time, saturation state of the subsurface at the wells, ground cover at the wells, and depth of...
Filter Total Items: 69
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 61
Storm-scale and seasonal dynamics of carbon export from a nested subarctic watershed underlain by permafrost Storm-scale and seasonal dynamics of carbon export from a nested subarctic watershed underlain by permafrost
Subarctic catchments underlain by permafrost sequester a major stock of frozen organic carbon (C), which may be mobilized as the Arctic warms. Warming can impact C export from thawing soils by altering the depth and timing of runoff related to changing storm and fire regimes and altered soil thaw depths. We investigated C export in a first order headwater stream (West Twin Creek) and its...
Authors
Joshua C. Koch, Mark Dornblaser, Rob Striegl
Arctic insect emergence timing and composition differs across thaw ponds of varying morphology Arctic insect emergence timing and composition differs across thaw ponds of varying morphology
Freshwater ponds provide habitats for aquatic insects that emerge and subsidize consumers in terrestrial ecosystems. In the Arctic, insects provide an important seasonal source of energy to birds that breed and rear young on the tundra. The abundance and timing of insect emergence from arctic thaw ponds is poorly understood, but understanding these fluxes is important, given the role of...
Authors
Sarah M. Laske, Kirsty E. B. Gurney, Joshua C. Koch, Joel A. Schmutz, Mark S. Wipfli
Nitrogen biogeochemistry in a boreal headwater stream network in interior Alaska Nitrogen biogeochemistry in a boreal headwater stream network in interior Alaska
High latitude, boreal watersheds are nitrogen (N)-limited ecosystems that export large amounts of organic carbon (C). Key controls on C cycling in these environments are the biogeochemical processes affecting the N cycle. A study was conducted in Nome Creek, an upland headwater tributary of the Yukon River, and two first-order tributaries to Nome Creek, to examine the relation between...
Authors
Richard L. Smith, Deborah A. Repert, Joshua C. Koch
USGS permafrost research determines the risks of permafrost thaw to biologic and hydrologic resources USGS permafrost research determines the risks of permafrost thaw to biologic and hydrologic resources
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with university, Federal, Tribal, and independent partners, conducts fundamental research on the distribution, vulnerability, and importance of permafrost in arctic and boreal ecosystems. Scientists, land managers, and policy makers use USGS data to help make decisions for development, wildlife habitat, and other needs. Native villages...
Authors
Mark P. Waldrop, Lesleigh Anderson, Mark Dornblaser, Li H. Erikson, Ann E. Gibbs, Nicole M. Herman-Mercer, Stephanie R. James, Miriam C. Jones, Joshua C. Koch, Mary-Cathrine Leewis, Kristen L. Manies, Burke J. Minsley, Neal J. Pastick, Vijay Patil, Frank Urban, Michelle A. Walvoord, Kimberly P. Wickland, Christian Zimmerman
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Volcano Hazards Program, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Volcano Science Center
Permafrost promotes shallow groundwater flow and warmer headwater streams Permafrost promotes shallow groundwater flow and warmer headwater streams
The presence of permafrost influences the flow paths of water through Arctic landscapes and thereby has the potential to impact stream discharge and thermal regimes. Observations from eleven headwater streams in Alaska showed that July water temperatures were higher in catchments with more near‐surface permafrost. We apply a fully coupled cryohydrology model to investigate if the impact...
Authors
Ylva Sjoberg, Adam K. Janke, S Painter, E. Coonradt, Michael P. Carey, Jonathan A. O’Donnell, Joshua C. Koch
Carbon dioxide and methane flux in a dynamic Arctic tundra landscape: Decadal‐scale impacts of ice wedge degradation and stabilization Carbon dioxide and methane flux in a dynamic Arctic tundra landscape: Decadal‐scale impacts of ice wedge degradation and stabilization
Ice wedge degradation is a widespread occurrence across the circumpolar Arctic causing extreme spatial heterogeneity in water distribution, vegetation, and energy balance across landscapes. These heterogeneities influence carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) fluxes, yet there is little understanding of how they effect change in landscape‐level carbon (C) gas flux over time. We measured...
Authors
Kimberly P. Wickland, M.Torre Jorgenson, Joshua C. Koch, Mikhail Z. Kanevskiy, Robert G. Striegl
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government