Science+

Science Explorer

Mission Areas

Regions

Frequently Asked Questions

Education

Products+

Data and Tools

Maps

Publications

Software

Multimedia Gallery

Park Passes

USGS Library

News+

Featured Stories

News Releases

Science Snippets

Technical Announcements

Employees in the News

Get Our News

Media Contacts

I'm a Reporter

Connect+

Headquarters

Locations

Contact Us

Staff Profiles

Social Media

About+

About Us

Organization

Key Officials

Congressional

Budget

Opportunities

Doing Business

Emergency Management

Survey Manual

Kelly O Maloney, Ph.D.

Biography

Intro

Dr. Kelly O. Maloney is an ecologist whose research focuses on the effects of anthropogenic activities on the quantity and quality of freshwater resources with a goal to synthesize scientific findings into tools to aid in the monitoring, assessment and management of these precious resources. He conducts and coordinates a highly diverse range of research to address the informational needs of the DOI, its partners, state agencies and NGOs.  Dr. Maloney has centered his research program on two areas: 1) ecological flow requirements of aquatic systems, and 2) effects of anthropogenic activities on aquatic ecosystem structure and function. Within each focal area he conducts research to answer questions at multiple scales, employing a combination of field surveys, statistical analyses, computer simulations and meta-analyses. 

He held post-doctoral positions at the Illinois Natural History Survey and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center prior to joining the U.S. Geological Survey Leetown Science Center in June of 2010.

Education

  • B.S. Environmental Resource Management, 1994,The Pennsylvania State University
  • M.S. Earth and Environmental Science, 2000, Lehigh University
  • M.P.S. Discrete and Statistical Science, 2004, Auburn University
  • Ph.D. Biological Sciences, 2004, Auburn University. 

Current Position

Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Leetown Science Center

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 3
Bathymetric LiDAR mapping result.
Date published: April 26, 2019
Status: Active

Mapping riverine habitats of the Delaware River using bathymetric LiDAR

Ecosystem management and assessment of rivers requires detailed data on bathymetry before estimates of aquatic habitats can be determined. However, mapping bathymetry in shallow rivers is challenging due to river depth limitations for watercraft.  Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology has revolutionized aerial mapping of topography and vegetation, but the infrared lasers used on these...

Contacts: John A Young, Kelly O Maloney, Ph.D., Randy Bennett, M.B.A., Heather Galbraith
Attribution: Ecosystems, Fisheries Program, Leetown Science Center
Chesapeake Bay image
Date published: April 26, 2019
Status: Active

Assessing stream health and fish habitat in streams of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Streams and rivers provide habitat for a diverse array of aquatic and semi-aquatic species. However, human alteration to landscapes and riverscapes has affected this habitat resulting in its degradation and thus loss of habitat and associated sensitive aquatic species.  While this relationship has been known for many years, only recently has the availability of data and analytical capabilities...

Contacts: Kelly O Maloney, Ph.D., John A Young
Attribution: Ecosystems, Environmental Health, Environments Program, Fisheries Program, Leetown Science Center
Night photo of drilling unit
Date published: April 26, 2019
Status: Active

Exploring the potential effects of shale oil and gas development on freshwaters

Widespread shale oil and gas (unconventional oil and gas, UOG) has only recently begun and many gaps in our knowledge of its potential effects to freshwaters exist. We conducted several studies aimed at filling these gaps, providing data on the rates and volumes of materials spilled, proximity of spills to important ecosystems, and overall production of wastes. These data together with current...

Contacts: Kelly O Maloney, Ph.D.
Attribution: Ecosystems, Energy & Wildlife, Fisheries Program, Leetown Science Center
Filter Total Items: 20
Publication Thumbnail
Year Published: 2018

Predicting biological conditions for small headwater streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed

A primary goal for Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration is to improve stream health and function in 10% of stream miles by 2025. Predictive spatial modeling of stream conditions, when accurate, is one method to fill gaps in monitoring coverage and estimate baseline conditions for restoration goals. Predictive modeling can also monitor progress as...

Maloney, Kelly O.; Smith, Zachary M.; Buchanan, Claire; Nagel, Andrea; Young, John A.

Publication Thumbnail
Year Published: 2018

Canopy volume removal from oil and gas development activity in the upper Susquehanna River basin in Pennsylvania and New York (USA): An assessment using lidar data

Oil and gas development is changing the landscape in many regions of the United States and globally. However, the nature, extent, and magnitude of landscape change and development, and precisely how this development compares to other ongoing land conversion (e.g. urban/sub-urban development, timber harvest) is not well understood. In this study,...

Young, John A.; Maloney, Kelly O.; Slonecker, Terrance; Milheim, Lesley E.; Siripoonsup, David
View Citation
Young, J.A., K. O. Maloney, E.T. Slonecker, L.E. Milheim, and D. Siripoonsup. 2018. Canopy volume removal from oil and gas development activity in the upper Susquehanna River basin in Pennsylvania and New York (USA): An assessment using lidar data. Journal of Environmental Management 222: 66-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.05.041

Publication Thumbnail
Year Published: 2018

Brook trout distributional response to unconventional oil and gas development: Landscape context matters

We conducted a large-scale assessment of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development effects on brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) distribution. We compiled 2231 brook trout collection records from the Upper Susquehanna River Watershed, USA. We used boosted regression tree (BRT) analysis to predict occurrence probability at the 1:24,000 stream-...

Merriam, Eric R.; Petty, J. Todd; Maloney, Kelly O.; Young, John A.; Faulkner, Stephen; Slonecker, Terrance; Milheim, Lesley E.; Hailegiorgis, Atesmachew; Niles, Jonathan M.
View Citation
Merriam, E. R., J. T. Petty, K. O. Maloney, J. A. Young, S. P. Faulkner, E. T. Slonecker, L. E. Milheim, A. Hailegiorgis, and J. Niles. 2018. Brook trout distributional response to unconventional oil and gas development: Landscape context matters. Science of The Total Environment 628-629:338-349.

Publication Thumbnail
Year Published: 2018

Water stress from high-volume hydraulic fracturing potentially threatens aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem services in Arkansas, United States

Demand for high-volume, short duration water withdrawals could create water stress to aquatic organisms in Fayetteville Shale streams sourced for hydraulic fracturing fluids. We estimated potential water stress using permitted water withdrawal volumes and actual water withdrawals compared to monthly median, low, and high streamflows. Risk for...

Entrekin, Sally; Trainor, Anne; Saiers, James; Patterson, Lauren; Maloney, Kelly O.; Fargione, Joseph; Kiesecker, Joseph M.; Baruch-Mordo, Sharon; Konschnik, Katherine E.; Wiseman, Hannah; Nicot, Jean-Philippe; Ryan, Joseph N.
View Citation
Entrekin, S., A. Trainor, J. Saiers, L. Patterson, K. Maloney, J. Fargione, J. Kiesecker, S. Baruch-Mordo, K. Konschnik, H. Wiseman, J.-P. Nicot, and J. N. Ryan. 2018. Water Stress from High-Volume Hydraulic Fracturing Potentially Threatens Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Arkansas, United States. Environmental Science & Technology 52:2349-2358.

Publication Thumbnail
Year Published: 2018

A detailed risk assessment of shale gas development on headwater streams in the Pennsylvania portion of the Upper Susquehanna River Basin, U.S.A.

The development of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) involves infrastructure development (well pads, roads and pipelines), well drilling and stimulation (hydraulic fracturing), and production; all of which have the potential to affect stream ecosystems. Here, we developed a fine-scaled (1:24,000) catchment-level disturbance intensity index (DII)...

Maloney, Kelly O.; Young, John A.; Faulkner, Stephen; Hailegiorgis, Atesmachew; Slonecker, E. Terrence; Milheim, Lesley
View Citation
Maloney, K. O., J. A. Young, S. P. Faulkner, A. Hailegiorgis, E. T. Slonecker, and L. E. Milheim. 2018. A detailed risk assessment of shale gas development on headwater streams in the Pennsylvania portion of the Upper Susquehanna River Basin, U.S.A. Science of The Total Environment 610:154-166.

Publication Thumbnail
Year Published: 2017

Unconventional oil and gas spills: Materials, volumes, and risks to surface waters in four states of the U.S.

Extraction of oil and gas from unconventional sources, such as shale, has dramatically increased over the past ten years, raising the potential for spills or releases of chemicals, waste materials, and oil and gas. We analyzed spill data associated with unconventional wells from Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota and Pennsylvania from 2005 to 2014...

Maloney, Kelly O.; Baruch-Mordo, Sharon; Patterson, Lauren A.; Nicot, Jean-Philippe; Entrekin, Sally; Fargione, Joe E.; Kiesecker, Joseph M.; Konschnik, Kate E.; Ryan, Joseph N.; Trainor, Anne M.; Saiers, James E.; Wiseman, Hannah J.
View Citation
Maloney, K. O., S. Baruch-Mordo, L. A. Patterson, J.-P. Nicot, S. A. Entrekin, J. E. Fargione, J. M. Kiesecker, K. E. Konschnik, J. N. Ryan, A. M. Trainor, J. E. Saiers, and H. J. Wiseman. 2017. Unconventional oil and gas spills: Materials, volumes, and risks to surface waters in four states of the U.S. Science of The Total Environment 581–582:369-377.

Publication Thumbnail
Year Published: 2017

Unconventional oil and gas spills: Risks, mitigation priorities, and state reporting requirements

Rapid growth in unconventional oil and gas (UOG) has produced jobs, revenue, and energy, but also concerns over spills and environmental risks. We assessed spill data from 2005 to 2014 at 31 481 UOG wells in Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania. We found 2–16% of wells reported a spill each year. Median spill volumes ranged from 0....

Patterson, Lauren A.; Konschnik, Katherine E.; Wiseman, Hannah; Fargione, Joseph; Maloney, Kelly O.; Kiesecker, Joseph M.; Nicot, Jean-Philippe; Baruch-Mordo, Sharon; Entrekin, Sally; Trainor, Anne; Saiers, James
View Citation
Patterson, L. A., K. E. Konschnik, H. Wiseman, J. Fargione, K. O. Maloney, J. Kiesecker, J.-P. Nicot, S. Baruch-Mordo, S. Entrekin, and A. Trainor. 2017. Unconventional Oil and Gas Spills: Risks, Mitigation Priorities, and State Reporting Requirements. Environmental Science & Technology 51:2563-2573.

Publication Thumbnail
Year Published: 2016

Transport of hydraulic fracturing waste from Pennsylvania wells: A county-level analysis of road use and associated road repair costs

Pennsylvania’s rapid unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development—from a single well in 2004 to more than 6700 wells in 2013—has dramatically increased UOG waste transport by heavy trucks. This study quantified the amount of UOG waste and the distance it traveled between wells and disposal facilities on each type of road in each county between...

Patterson, Lauren A.; Maloney, Kelly O.
View Citation
Patterson, L. A., and K. O. Maloney. 2016. Transport of hydraulic fracturing waste from Pennsylvania wells: A county-level analysis of road use and associated road repair costs. Journal of Environmental Management 181:353-362.

Publication Thumbnail
Year Published: 2016

Evaluating methods to establish habitat suitability criteria: A case study in the upper Delaware River Basin, USA

Defining habitat suitability criteria (HSC) of aquatic biota can be a key component to environmental flow science. HSC can be developed through numerous methods; however, few studies have evaluated the consistency of HSC developed by different methodologies. We directly compared HSC for depth and velocity developed by the Delphi method (expert...

Galbraith, Heather S.; Blakeslee, Carrie J.; Cole, Jeffrey C.; Talbert, Colin; Maloney, Kelly O.
View Citation
Galbraith, H. S., Blakeslee, C. J., Cole, J. C., Talbert, C. A., and Maloney, K. O. (2016) Evaluating Methods to Establish Habitat Suitability Criteria: A Case Study in the Upper Delaware River Basin, USA. River Res. Applic., 32: 1765–1775. doi: 10.1002/rra.3025.

Publication Thumbnail
Year Published: 2015

Sediment and discharge yields within a minimally disturbed, headwater watershed in North Central Pennsylvania, USA, with an emphasis on Superstorm Sandy

We estimated discharge and suspended sediment (SS) yield in a minimally disturbed watershed in North Central Pennsylvania, USA, and compared a typical storm (September storm, 4.80 cm) to a large storm (Superstorm Sandy, 7.47 cm rainfall). Depending on branch, Sandy contributed 9.7–19.9 times more discharge and 11.5–37.4 times more SS...

Maloney, Kelly O.; Shull, Dustin R.

Publication Thumbnail
Year Published: 2015

Stream vulnerability to widespread and emergent stressors: a focus on unconventional oil and gas

Multiple stressors threaten stream physical and biological quality, including elevated nutrients and other contaminants, riparian and in-stream habitat degradation and altered natural flow regime. Unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development is one emerging stressor that spans the U.S. UOG development could alter stream sedimentation, riparian...

Entrekin, Sally; Maloney, Kelly O.; Katherine E. Kapo; Walters, Annika W.; Evans-White, Michelle A.; Klemow, Kenneth M.

Publication Thumbnail
Year Published: 2015

An integrated Riverine Environmental Flow Decision Support System (REFDSS) to evaluate the ecological effects of alternative flow scenarios on river ecosystems

In regulated rivers, managers must evaluate competing flow release scenarios that attempt to balance both human and natural needs. Meeting these natural flow needs is complex due to the myriad of interacting physical and hydrological factors that affect ecosystems. Tools that synthesize the voluminous scientific data and models on these factors...

Maloney, Kelly O.; Talbert, Colin B.; Cole, Jeffrey C.; Galbraith, Heather S.; Blakeslee, Carrie J.; Hanson, Leanne; Holmquist-Johnson, Christopher L.
View Citation
Maloney, K.O., C.B. Talbert, J.C. Cole, H.S. Galbraith, C.J. Blakeslee, L. Hanson, and C.L. Holmquist-Johnson. 2015. An integrated riverine environmental flow decision support system (REFDSS) to evaluate the ecological effects of alternative flow scenarios on river ecosystems. Fundamental and Applied Limnology/Archiv für Hydrobiologie 186:171-192.

Pre-USGS Publications

Landscape ecology and wildlife habitat evaluation: critical information for ecological risk assessment, land-use, management activities and biodiversity enhancement practices.
Dale, V. H., P. J. Mulholland, L. M. Olsen, J. W. Feminella, K. O. Maloney, D. C. White, A. Peacock, and T. Foster. 2004. Selecting a suite of ecological indicators for resource management. L. A. Kapustka, H. Gilbraith, M. Luxon, and G. R. Biddinger (editors). Landscape ecology and wildlife habitat evaluation: critical information for ecological risk assessment, land-use, management activities and biodiversity enhancement practices. American Society for Testing and Materials STP 1458. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA.