I am a software project manager, programmer, and data analyst.
I work on a variety of projects related to computer systems and data analysis, mostly in the sediment domain. Currently I am serving as the project manager for the modernization of the National Water Information System discrete sample data sub-system. I am also the developer for the Sediment Laboratory Environmental Database System (SLEDS), the information management system used by USGS sediment laboratories to track samples and compute results for physical analysis of sediment samples. My other recent work includes:
- quantitative analysis of uncertainty and analytical method performance in support of quality control in the USGS sediment labs.
- conducting testing and research to determine how laser diffraction particle size analysis can best be used in support of USGS sediment science.
- revising historical sediment lab results for samples collected in the Lower Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin.
- instrumentation development for imaging particle size analysis.
- method development for custom sediment analyses such as bulk density, specific gravity, settling velocity.
My MS thesis was on sediment resuspension from urban stormwater detention ponds; my MST thesis was on how science service learning programs can promote high school girls' interest in science. Since I finished graduate school in December 2008, I've been working for the CVO Sediment Lab.
Education and Certifications
AAS Computer Information Systems Portland Community College 2012
MS Environmental Science, Portland State University 2009
MST in Science Teaching, Portland State University 2009
BS in Restoration Ecology, UC Davis 2002
Science and Products
Assessing the precision and accuracy of particle-size analysis with a laboratory laser-diffraction analyzer
The purpose of this study is to assess the precision and accuracy of laboratory laser-diffraction particle-size distribution (PSD) analysis in support of an effort to formally adopt the method for routine use in U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) sediment laboratories. USGS sediment laboratories analyze the PSD of sediment in support of a wide variety of sediment-transport and water-quality studies fr
Authors
Katherine K. Norton
Revisions to suspended-sediment concentration, percent smaller than 0.063 millimeter, and instantaneous suspended-sediment discharge reported for a cooperative program between the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the lower Mi
This report presents revised results for four parameters reported for suspended-sediment samples that were collected in the lower Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin as part of a cooperative program between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, New Orleans District and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The cooperative program has been active since 1973 at seven sites: two
Authors
Katherine K. Norton, Lisa D. Olsen, Todd E. Baumann, Lane B. Simmons, Athena P. Clark, Dennis K. Demcheck, Marlon Johnson
Transport and deposition of asbestos-rich sediment in the Sumas River, Whatcom County, Washington
Heavy sediment loads in the Sumas River of Whatcom County, Washington, increase seasonal turbidity and cause locally acute sedimentation. Most sediment in the Sumas River is derived from a deep-seated landslide of serpentinite that is located on Sumas Mountain and drained by Swift Creek, a tributary to the Sumas River. This mafic sediment contains high amounts of naturally occurring asbestiform ch
Authors
Christopher A. Curran, Scott W. Anderson, Jack E. Barbash, Christopher S. Magirl, Stephen E. Cox, Katherine K. Norton, Andrew S. Gendaszek, Andrew R. Spanjer, James R. Foreman
Particle-size analysis results for a variety of natural and man-made materials used to assess the precision and accuracy of laboratory laser-diffraction particle-size analysis of fluvial sediment
The dataset documents results from testing of 1) vendor-supplied reference materials 2) NIST-traceable polysidperse glass bead reference materials 3) mixtures of commercially-available glass beads 4) mixtures of internal reference materials prepared from geologic material
Revised Data and Supporting Information for Seven Sites located on the Lower Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers sampled as part of a cooperative sediment program with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, October 1989 through February 2015
Suspended-sediment concentration, percent by mass finer than 0.0625 millimeters, instantaneous stream discharge, and suspended-sediment discharge for seven sites in the Lower Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin have been revised following a program review. This dataset provides the pre- and post-review revised values, along with supporting information as described in the associated publication (No
Science and Products
- Publications
Assessing the precision and accuracy of particle-size analysis with a laboratory laser-diffraction analyzer
The purpose of this study is to assess the precision and accuracy of laboratory laser-diffraction particle-size distribution (PSD) analysis in support of an effort to formally adopt the method for routine use in U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) sediment laboratories. USGS sediment laboratories analyze the PSD of sediment in support of a wide variety of sediment-transport and water-quality studies frAuthorsKatherine K. NortonRevisions to suspended-sediment concentration, percent smaller than 0.063 millimeter, and instantaneous suspended-sediment discharge reported for a cooperative program between the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the lower Mi
This report presents revised results for four parameters reported for suspended-sediment samples that were collected in the lower Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin as part of a cooperative program between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, New Orleans District and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The cooperative program has been active since 1973 at seven sites: twoAuthorsKatherine K. Norton, Lisa D. Olsen, Todd E. Baumann, Lane B. Simmons, Athena P. Clark, Dennis K. Demcheck, Marlon JohnsonTransport and deposition of asbestos-rich sediment in the Sumas River, Whatcom County, Washington
Heavy sediment loads in the Sumas River of Whatcom County, Washington, increase seasonal turbidity and cause locally acute sedimentation. Most sediment in the Sumas River is derived from a deep-seated landslide of serpentinite that is located on Sumas Mountain and drained by Swift Creek, a tributary to the Sumas River. This mafic sediment contains high amounts of naturally occurring asbestiform chAuthorsChristopher A. Curran, Scott W. Anderson, Jack E. Barbash, Christopher S. Magirl, Stephen E. Cox, Katherine K. Norton, Andrew S. Gendaszek, Andrew R. Spanjer, James R. Foreman - Data
Particle-size analysis results for a variety of natural and man-made materials used to assess the precision and accuracy of laboratory laser-diffraction particle-size analysis of fluvial sediment
The dataset documents results from testing of 1) vendor-supplied reference materials 2) NIST-traceable polysidperse glass bead reference materials 3) mixtures of commercially-available glass beads 4) mixtures of internal reference materials prepared from geologic materialRevised Data and Supporting Information for Seven Sites located on the Lower Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers sampled as part of a cooperative sediment program with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, October 1989 through February 2015
Suspended-sediment concentration, percent by mass finer than 0.0625 millimeters, instantaneous stream discharge, and suspended-sediment discharge for seven sites in the Lower Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin have been revised following a program review. This dataset provides the pre- and post-review revised values, along with supporting information as described in the associated publication (No