Katie Walton-Day
Katie is a Research Hydrologist with the USGS Colorado Water Science Center.
Katie is a research hydrologist and has worked at the U.S. Geological Survey located in Denver, Colorado for over 35 years. During this time her research has primarily focused on understanding the sources and mobility of trace metals associated with hard rock and uranium mineral deposits primarily in the western United States. A primary goal of her research is to provide science-based information to facilitate decisions about remediation in areas affected by historic mining practices. Recently she has begun developing communication products to broaden the audience for USGS scientific studies related to mining and reclamation. Finally, her research has expanded into understanding the effects of harmful algal blooms in Colorado Reservoirs.
Professional Experience
1981-1983 – Exploration Geochemist, Anaconda Minerals Company
1983-1991 – Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey
1991-1996 – Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey
1996-Present – Research Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Education and Certifications
PhD. Geology Colorado School of Mines, 1991
MS Geology Colorado School of Mines, 1985
BA Geology Smith College, 1981
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 16
Soil sample data for four uranium mine sites, Mohave County, Arizona, April and November 2018 Soil sample data for four uranium mine sites, Mohave County, Arizona, April and November 2018
This U.S. Geological Survey data release is a spreadsheet containing soil-profile measurements of ambient spring and fall water-potential and water-content conditions, and physical and chemical properties for four mine sites, Mohave County, Arizona, April and November 2018. The four mines sampled in both April and November were Kanab North (native soil and reclaimed soil), EZ2 (native...
Water quality and discharge data from draining mine tunnels near Silverton, Colorado 1993-2015 Water quality and discharge data from draining mine tunnels near Silverton, Colorado 1993-2015
The American Tunnel, the Black Hawk mine, the Gold King mine, the Mogul mine, and the Red and Bonita mine are located in the Cement Creek watershed, tributary to the upper Animas River near Silverton, Colorado. All five sites have tunnels that drain groundwater from abandoned underground mine workings to the surface. This draining water has elevated concentrations of metals and degrades...
Surrogate regression models for computation of time series suspended-sediment concentrations at Muddy Creek above Paonia Reservoir, Anthracite Creek above mouth near Somerset, and North Fork Gunnison below Raven Gulch near Somerset, Colorado Surrogate regression models for computation of time series suspended-sediment concentrations at Muddy Creek above Paonia Reservoir, Anthracite Creek above mouth near Somerset, and North Fork Gunnison below Raven Gulch near Somerset, Colorado
This model archive summary documents the surrogate regression model used to compute suspended-sediment concentrations at Muddy Creek above Paonia Reservoir, CO, USGS site number 385903107210800. The methods used follow U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) guidance as referenced in relevant Office of Surface Water Technical Memorandum (TM) 2016.07 and Office of Water Quality TM 2016.10, and USGS
Surface Materials Data from Breccia-Pipe Uranium Mine and Reference Sites, Arizona, USA Surface Materials Data from Breccia-Pipe Uranium Mine and Reference Sites, Arizona, USA
This data release includes elemental analysis of soil samples collected at breccia-pipe uranium mines, at one undeveloped breccia-pipe uranium deposit, and at a reference site in northern Arizona. Samples were collected near the Arizona 1, Canyon, Kanab North, and Pinenut uranium mines, over the EZ2 breccia-pipe uranium deposit, and at the Little Robinson Tank reference site. Samples...
Filter Total Items: 72
Laboratory simulation of groundwater along uranium-mining-affected flow paths near the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA Laboratory simulation of groundwater along uranium-mining-affected flow paths near the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA
Mining of volumetrically small, but relatively enriched (average 0.6% U3O8) breccia pipe uranium (BPU) deposits near the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA has the potential to affect groundwater and springs in the area. Such deposits also contain base metal sulfides that can oxidize to generate acid mine drainage and release trace metals. In this study, sequential batch experiments were...
Authors
Carleton R. Bern, Kate M. Campbell, Katherine Walton-Day, Bradley S. Van Gosen
Development and description of a composite hydrogeologic framework for inclusion in a geoenvironmental assessment of undiscovered uranium resources in Pliocene- to Pleistocene-age geologic units of the Texas Coastal Plain Development and description of a composite hydrogeologic framework for inclusion in a geoenvironmental assessment of undiscovered uranium resources in Pliocene- to Pleistocene-age geologic units of the Texas Coastal Plain
A previously completed mineral resources assessment of the Texas Coastal Plain indicated the potential for the future discovery of uranium resources. Geoenvironmental assessments that include the hydrogeologic framework can be used as a tool to understand the potential effects of mining operations. The hydrogeologic framework for this study focused on the composite hydrogeologic unit of...
Authors
Andrew Teeple, Kent D Becher, Katherine Walton-Day, Delbert G Humberson, Tanya J. Gallegos
Quantification of metal loading using tracer dilution and instantaneous synoptic sampling and importance of diel cycling in Leavenworth Creek, Clear Creek County, Colorado, 2012 Quantification of metal loading using tracer dilution and instantaneous synoptic sampling and importance of diel cycling in Leavenworth Creek, Clear Creek County, Colorado, 2012
Leavenworth Creek, a tributary of South Clear Creek and Clear Creek near Georgetown, Colorado, contains copper, lead, and zinc at concentrations close to or in excess of aquatic-life standards. In the summer of 2012, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, conducted...
Authors
Katherine Walton-Day, Robert L. Runkel, Christin D. Smith, Briant A. Kimball
Water-quality change following remediation using structural bulkheads in abandoned draining mines, upper Arkansas River and upper Animas River, Colorado USA Water-quality change following remediation using structural bulkheads in abandoned draining mines, upper Arkansas River and upper Animas River, Colorado USA
Water-quality effects after remediating abandoned draining mine tunnels using structural bulkheads were examined in two study areas in Colorado, USA. A bulkhead was installed in the Dinero mine tunnel in 2009 to improve water quality in Lake Fork Creek, a tributary to the upper Arkansas River. Although bulkhead installation improved pH, and manganese and zinc concentrations and loads at...
Authors
Katherine Walton-Day, M. Alisa Mast, Robert L. Runkel
Nontuberculous mycobacterial disease and molybdenum in Colorado watersheds Nontuberculous mycobacterial disease and molybdenum in Colorado watersheds
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental bacteria that may cause chronic lung disease. Environmental factors that favor NTM growth likely increase the risk of NTM exposure within specific environments. We aimed to identify water-quality constituents (Al, As, Cd, Ca, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, K, Se, Na, Zn, and pH) associated with NTM disease across Colorado watersheds. We...
Authors
Ettie M Lipner, Joshua French, Carleton R. Bern, Katherine Walton-Day, David Knox, Michael Strong, D. Rebecca Prevots, James L Crooks
Natural and anthropogenic processes affecting radon releases during mining and early stage reclamation activities, Pinenut uranium mine, Arizona, USA Natural and anthropogenic processes affecting radon releases during mining and early stage reclamation activities, Pinenut uranium mine, Arizona, USA
Radon (Rnair) was monitored in open air in publicly accessible areas surrounding the Pinenut uranium (U) mine during mining and reclamation activities in 2015–16 to address concerns about mining related effects to areas surrounding Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) in Arizona, USA. During July 2015, Rnair concentrations associated with the ore storage pile monitoring site were larger...
Authors
David L. Naftz, Katherine Walton-Day, W. Payton Gardner, Michael C. Duniway, Donald J. Bills
Improved enrichment factor calculations through principal component analysis: Examples from soils near breccia pipe uranium mines, Arizona, USA Improved enrichment factor calculations through principal component analysis: Examples from soils near breccia pipe uranium mines, Arizona, USA
The enrichment factor (EF) is a widely used metric for determining how much the presence of an element in a sampling media has increased relative to average natural abundance because of human activity. Calculation of an EF requires the selection of both a background composition and a reference element, choices that can strongly influence the result of the calculation. Here, it is shown...
Authors
Carleton R. Bern, Katherine Walton-Day, David L. Naftz
Cinnamon gulch revisited: Another look at separating natural and mining-impacted contributions to instream metal load Cinnamon gulch revisited: Another look at separating natural and mining-impacted contributions to instream metal load
Baseline, premining data for streams draining abandoned mine lands is virtually non existent, and indirect methods for estimating premining conditions are needed to establish realistic, cost effective cleanup goals. One such indirect method is the proximal analog approach, in which premining conditions are estimated using data from nearby mineralized areas that are unaffected by mining...
Authors
Robert L. Runkel, Philip L. Verplanck, Briant Kimball, Katherine Walton-Day
Synoptic sampling and principal components analysis to identify sources of water and metals to an acid mine drainage stream Synoptic sampling and principal components analysis to identify sources of water and metals to an acid mine drainage stream
Combining the synoptic mass balance approach with principal components analysis (PCA) can be an effective method for discretising the chemistry of inflows and source areas in watersheds where contamination is diffuse in nature and/or complicated by groundwater interactions. This paper presents a field-scale study in which synoptic sampling and PCA are employed in a mineralized watershed...
Authors
Patrick Byrne, Robert L. Runkel, Katherine Walton-Day
Geochemistry and hydrology of perched groundwater springs: assessing elevated uranium concentrations at Pigeon Spring relative to nearby Pigeon Mine, Arizona (USA) Geochemistry and hydrology of perched groundwater springs: assessing elevated uranium concentrations at Pigeon Spring relative to nearby Pigeon Mine, Arizona (USA)
The processes that affect water chemistry as the water flows from recharge areas through breccia-pipe uranium deposits in the Grand Canyon region of the southwestern United States are not well understood. Pigeon Spring had elevated uranium in 1982 (44 μg/L), compared to other perched springs (2.7–18 μg/L), prior to mining operations at the nearby Pigeon Mine. Perched groundwater springs...
Authors
Kimberly R. Beisner, Nicholas V. Paretti, Fred D. Tillman, David L. Naftz, Donald J. Bills, Katherine Walton-Day, Tanya J. Gallegos
The precipitation of indium at elevated pH in a stream influenced by acid mine drainage The precipitation of indium at elevated pH in a stream influenced by acid mine drainage
Indium is an increasingly important metal in semiconductors and electronics and has uses in important energy technologies such as photovoltaic cells and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). One significant flux of indium to the environment is from lead, zinc, copper, and tin mining and smelting, but little is known about its aqueous behavior after it is mobilized. In this study, we use Mineral...
Authors
Sarah Jane O. White, Fatima A. Hussain, Harold F. Hemond, Sarah A. Sacco, James P. Shine, Robert L. Runkel, Katherine Walton-Day, Briant A. Kimball
Establishing a pre-mining geochemical baseline at a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park, USA Establishing a pre-mining geochemical baseline at a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park, USA
During 2012, approximately 404,000 ha of Federal Land in northern Arizona was withdrawn from consideration of mineral extraction for a 20-year period to protect the Grand Canyon watershed from potentially adverse effects of U mineral exploration and development. The development, operation, and reclamation of the Canyon Mine during the withdrawal period provide an excellent field site to...
Authors
David L. Naftz, Katherine Walton-Day
Non-USGS Publications**
Day, K.W., 1986, Determination of processes controlling vertical trace element distribution in Filson Creek bog, Lake County, Minnesota: Golden, Colorado School of Mines, M.S. thesis # 3149, 236 p.
Walton-Day, Katherine, 1991, Hydrology and geochemistry of a natural wetland affected by acid mine drainage, St. Kevin Gulch, Lake County, Colorado: Golden, Colorado School of Mines, Ph.D. dissertation # 4033, 299 p.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 16
Soil sample data for four uranium mine sites, Mohave County, Arizona, April and November 2018 Soil sample data for four uranium mine sites, Mohave County, Arizona, April and November 2018
This U.S. Geological Survey data release is a spreadsheet containing soil-profile measurements of ambient spring and fall water-potential and water-content conditions, and physical and chemical properties for four mine sites, Mohave County, Arizona, April and November 2018. The four mines sampled in both April and November were Kanab North (native soil and reclaimed soil), EZ2 (native...
Water quality and discharge data from draining mine tunnels near Silverton, Colorado 1993-2015 Water quality and discharge data from draining mine tunnels near Silverton, Colorado 1993-2015
The American Tunnel, the Black Hawk mine, the Gold King mine, the Mogul mine, and the Red and Bonita mine are located in the Cement Creek watershed, tributary to the upper Animas River near Silverton, Colorado. All five sites have tunnels that drain groundwater from abandoned underground mine workings to the surface. This draining water has elevated concentrations of metals and degrades...
Surrogate regression models for computation of time series suspended-sediment concentrations at Muddy Creek above Paonia Reservoir, Anthracite Creek above mouth near Somerset, and North Fork Gunnison below Raven Gulch near Somerset, Colorado Surrogate regression models for computation of time series suspended-sediment concentrations at Muddy Creek above Paonia Reservoir, Anthracite Creek above mouth near Somerset, and North Fork Gunnison below Raven Gulch near Somerset, Colorado
This model archive summary documents the surrogate regression model used to compute suspended-sediment concentrations at Muddy Creek above Paonia Reservoir, CO, USGS site number 385903107210800. The methods used follow U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) guidance as referenced in relevant Office of Surface Water Technical Memorandum (TM) 2016.07 and Office of Water Quality TM 2016.10, and USGS
Surface Materials Data from Breccia-Pipe Uranium Mine and Reference Sites, Arizona, USA Surface Materials Data from Breccia-Pipe Uranium Mine and Reference Sites, Arizona, USA
This data release includes elemental analysis of soil samples collected at breccia-pipe uranium mines, at one undeveloped breccia-pipe uranium deposit, and at a reference site in northern Arizona. Samples were collected near the Arizona 1, Canyon, Kanab North, and Pinenut uranium mines, over the EZ2 breccia-pipe uranium deposit, and at the Little Robinson Tank reference site. Samples...
Filter Total Items: 72
Laboratory simulation of groundwater along uranium-mining-affected flow paths near the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA Laboratory simulation of groundwater along uranium-mining-affected flow paths near the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA
Mining of volumetrically small, but relatively enriched (average 0.6% U3O8) breccia pipe uranium (BPU) deposits near the Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA has the potential to affect groundwater and springs in the area. Such deposits also contain base metal sulfides that can oxidize to generate acid mine drainage and release trace metals. In this study, sequential batch experiments were...
Authors
Carleton R. Bern, Kate M. Campbell, Katherine Walton-Day, Bradley S. Van Gosen
Development and description of a composite hydrogeologic framework for inclusion in a geoenvironmental assessment of undiscovered uranium resources in Pliocene- to Pleistocene-age geologic units of the Texas Coastal Plain Development and description of a composite hydrogeologic framework for inclusion in a geoenvironmental assessment of undiscovered uranium resources in Pliocene- to Pleistocene-age geologic units of the Texas Coastal Plain
A previously completed mineral resources assessment of the Texas Coastal Plain indicated the potential for the future discovery of uranium resources. Geoenvironmental assessments that include the hydrogeologic framework can be used as a tool to understand the potential effects of mining operations. The hydrogeologic framework for this study focused on the composite hydrogeologic unit of...
Authors
Andrew Teeple, Kent D Becher, Katherine Walton-Day, Delbert G Humberson, Tanya J. Gallegos
Quantification of metal loading using tracer dilution and instantaneous synoptic sampling and importance of diel cycling in Leavenworth Creek, Clear Creek County, Colorado, 2012 Quantification of metal loading using tracer dilution and instantaneous synoptic sampling and importance of diel cycling in Leavenworth Creek, Clear Creek County, Colorado, 2012
Leavenworth Creek, a tributary of South Clear Creek and Clear Creek near Georgetown, Colorado, contains copper, lead, and zinc at concentrations close to or in excess of aquatic-life standards. In the summer of 2012, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, conducted...
Authors
Katherine Walton-Day, Robert L. Runkel, Christin D. Smith, Briant A. Kimball
Water-quality change following remediation using structural bulkheads in abandoned draining mines, upper Arkansas River and upper Animas River, Colorado USA Water-quality change following remediation using structural bulkheads in abandoned draining mines, upper Arkansas River and upper Animas River, Colorado USA
Water-quality effects after remediating abandoned draining mine tunnels using structural bulkheads were examined in two study areas in Colorado, USA. A bulkhead was installed in the Dinero mine tunnel in 2009 to improve water quality in Lake Fork Creek, a tributary to the upper Arkansas River. Although bulkhead installation improved pH, and manganese and zinc concentrations and loads at...
Authors
Katherine Walton-Day, M. Alisa Mast, Robert L. Runkel
Nontuberculous mycobacterial disease and molybdenum in Colorado watersheds Nontuberculous mycobacterial disease and molybdenum in Colorado watersheds
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental bacteria that may cause chronic lung disease. Environmental factors that favor NTM growth likely increase the risk of NTM exposure within specific environments. We aimed to identify water-quality constituents (Al, As, Cd, Ca, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, K, Se, Na, Zn, and pH) associated with NTM disease across Colorado watersheds. We...
Authors
Ettie M Lipner, Joshua French, Carleton R. Bern, Katherine Walton-Day, David Knox, Michael Strong, D. Rebecca Prevots, James L Crooks
Natural and anthropogenic processes affecting radon releases during mining and early stage reclamation activities, Pinenut uranium mine, Arizona, USA Natural and anthropogenic processes affecting radon releases during mining and early stage reclamation activities, Pinenut uranium mine, Arizona, USA
Radon (Rnair) was monitored in open air in publicly accessible areas surrounding the Pinenut uranium (U) mine during mining and reclamation activities in 2015–16 to address concerns about mining related effects to areas surrounding Grand Canyon National Park (GCNP) in Arizona, USA. During July 2015, Rnair concentrations associated with the ore storage pile monitoring site were larger...
Authors
David L. Naftz, Katherine Walton-Day, W. Payton Gardner, Michael C. Duniway, Donald J. Bills
Improved enrichment factor calculations through principal component analysis: Examples from soils near breccia pipe uranium mines, Arizona, USA Improved enrichment factor calculations through principal component analysis: Examples from soils near breccia pipe uranium mines, Arizona, USA
The enrichment factor (EF) is a widely used metric for determining how much the presence of an element in a sampling media has increased relative to average natural abundance because of human activity. Calculation of an EF requires the selection of both a background composition and a reference element, choices that can strongly influence the result of the calculation. Here, it is shown...
Authors
Carleton R. Bern, Katherine Walton-Day, David L. Naftz
Cinnamon gulch revisited: Another look at separating natural and mining-impacted contributions to instream metal load Cinnamon gulch revisited: Another look at separating natural and mining-impacted contributions to instream metal load
Baseline, premining data for streams draining abandoned mine lands is virtually non existent, and indirect methods for estimating premining conditions are needed to establish realistic, cost effective cleanup goals. One such indirect method is the proximal analog approach, in which premining conditions are estimated using data from nearby mineralized areas that are unaffected by mining...
Authors
Robert L. Runkel, Philip L. Verplanck, Briant Kimball, Katherine Walton-Day
Synoptic sampling and principal components analysis to identify sources of water and metals to an acid mine drainage stream Synoptic sampling and principal components analysis to identify sources of water and metals to an acid mine drainage stream
Combining the synoptic mass balance approach with principal components analysis (PCA) can be an effective method for discretising the chemistry of inflows and source areas in watersheds where contamination is diffuse in nature and/or complicated by groundwater interactions. This paper presents a field-scale study in which synoptic sampling and PCA are employed in a mineralized watershed...
Authors
Patrick Byrne, Robert L. Runkel, Katherine Walton-Day
Geochemistry and hydrology of perched groundwater springs: assessing elevated uranium concentrations at Pigeon Spring relative to nearby Pigeon Mine, Arizona (USA) Geochemistry and hydrology of perched groundwater springs: assessing elevated uranium concentrations at Pigeon Spring relative to nearby Pigeon Mine, Arizona (USA)
The processes that affect water chemistry as the water flows from recharge areas through breccia-pipe uranium deposits in the Grand Canyon region of the southwestern United States are not well understood. Pigeon Spring had elevated uranium in 1982 (44 μg/L), compared to other perched springs (2.7–18 μg/L), prior to mining operations at the nearby Pigeon Mine. Perched groundwater springs...
Authors
Kimberly R. Beisner, Nicholas V. Paretti, Fred D. Tillman, David L. Naftz, Donald J. Bills, Katherine Walton-Day, Tanya J. Gallegos
The precipitation of indium at elevated pH in a stream influenced by acid mine drainage The precipitation of indium at elevated pH in a stream influenced by acid mine drainage
Indium is an increasingly important metal in semiconductors and electronics and has uses in important energy technologies such as photovoltaic cells and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). One significant flux of indium to the environment is from lead, zinc, copper, and tin mining and smelting, but little is known about its aqueous behavior after it is mobilized. In this study, we use Mineral...
Authors
Sarah Jane O. White, Fatima A. Hussain, Harold F. Hemond, Sarah A. Sacco, James P. Shine, Robert L. Runkel, Katherine Walton-Day, Briant A. Kimball
Establishing a pre-mining geochemical baseline at a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park, USA Establishing a pre-mining geochemical baseline at a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park, USA
During 2012, approximately 404,000 ha of Federal Land in northern Arizona was withdrawn from consideration of mineral extraction for a 20-year period to protect the Grand Canyon watershed from potentially adverse effects of U mineral exploration and development. The development, operation, and reclamation of the Canyon Mine during the withdrawal period provide an excellent field site to...
Authors
David L. Naftz, Katherine Walton-Day
Non-USGS Publications**
Day, K.W., 1986, Determination of processes controlling vertical trace element distribution in Filson Creek bog, Lake County, Minnesota: Golden, Colorado School of Mines, M.S. thesis # 3149, 236 p.
Walton-Day, Katherine, 1991, Hydrology and geochemistry of a natural wetland affected by acid mine drainage, St. Kevin Gulch, Lake County, Colorado: Golden, Colorado School of Mines, Ph.D. dissertation # 4033, 299 p.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.