Kenneth Skinner is a hydrologist with the USGS Idaho Water Science Center in Boise, Idaho.
Kenneth’s current research focuses on nutrients in groundwater and surface water. Specifically, he evaluates nutrient trends in groundwater and point-source nutrient loads in streams. Kenneth also develops surrogate models to determine continuous real-time nutrient concentrations in springs to aid in managing endangered and threatened species. Other research includes groundwater source-water assessments for public supply drinking water systems.
Education and Certifications
M.S. Environmental Science, 2005, University of Idaho
B.S. Geophysics and Geology, 1996, Boise State University
Science and Products
Continuous Water-Quality Monitoring of Middle Snake River Springs in Support of Threatened and Endangered Snail Species
Two species of aquatic snails, the Banbury Springs limpet (Idaholanx fresti) and the Bliss Rapids snail (Taylorconcha serpenticola) live in springs along the middle Snake River in south-central Idaho. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed these species as Endangered (Banbury Springs limpet) and Threatened (Bliss Rapids snail). Both species need clean, cold spring water to survive.
Groundwater Quality and Quantity Trends in the Middle Snake River Region, South-Central Idaho
Groundwater-quality and groundwater-level data have been collected by the USGS and various state agencies in the mid-Snake area since at least the early 1990s. However, no trend analyses have been conducted on the data since 2012. Assessing groundwater-quality trends will help resource managers determine if they should continue or modify current nutrient management practices. Groundwater-level...
Groundwater Quality and Nutrient Trends near Marsing, Southwestern Idaho
In cooperation with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, we sampled groundwater from 15 wells during spring 2018 near the city of Marsing in rural northwestern Owyhee County, southwestern Idaho. Samples were analyzed for field parameters, nutrients, trace elements, major inorganics, and dissolved gas, including methane. To examine trends in individual wells and in the region, ammonia and...
Water Quality in Aquifers Used for Drinking-Water Supplies, Gem County
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Gem County and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, is assessing the quality of groundwater from freshwater aquifers used for drinking-water supplies.
Wood River Valley Hydrologic Trends and Comparisons
Wood River Valley residents rely on groundwater for domestic supply, either from domestic or municipal-supply wells. The rapid population growth since the 1970s has caused concern about the long-term sustainability of the groundwater resource.
Debris-Flow Hazard Assessment of the Area Burned by the 2013 Beaver Creek Fire
In August 2013, the Beaver Creek wildfire burned more than 100,000 acres of public and private land northwest of Hailey, Idaho. According to the U.S. Forest Service, about 57 percent of the area is considered moderately burned, and the risk of post-fire soil erosion is high on more than 8,400 acres.
Science and Products
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- Science
Continuous Water-Quality Monitoring of Middle Snake River Springs in Support of Threatened and Endangered Snail Species
Two species of aquatic snails, the Banbury Springs limpet (Idaholanx fresti) and the Bliss Rapids snail (Taylorconcha serpenticola) live in springs along the middle Snake River in south-central Idaho. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed these species as Endangered (Banbury Springs limpet) and Threatened (Bliss Rapids snail). Both species need clean, cold spring water to survive.Groundwater Quality and Quantity Trends in the Middle Snake River Region, South-Central Idaho
Groundwater-quality and groundwater-level data have been collected by the USGS and various state agencies in the mid-Snake area since at least the early 1990s. However, no trend analyses have been conducted on the data since 2012. Assessing groundwater-quality trends will help resource managers determine if they should continue or modify current nutrient management practices. Groundwater-level...Groundwater Quality and Nutrient Trends near Marsing, Southwestern Idaho
In cooperation with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, we sampled groundwater from 15 wells during spring 2018 near the city of Marsing in rural northwestern Owyhee County, southwestern Idaho. Samples were analyzed for field parameters, nutrients, trace elements, major inorganics, and dissolved gas, including methane. To examine trends in individual wells and in the region, ammonia and...Water Quality in Aquifers Used for Drinking-Water Supplies, Gem County
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Gem County and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, is assessing the quality of groundwater from freshwater aquifers used for drinking-water supplies.Wood River Valley Hydrologic Trends and Comparisons
Wood River Valley residents rely on groundwater for domestic supply, either from domestic or municipal-supply wells. The rapid population growth since the 1970s has caused concern about the long-term sustainability of the groundwater resource.Debris-Flow Hazard Assessment of the Area Burned by the 2013 Beaver Creek Fire
In August 2013, the Beaver Creek wildfire burned more than 100,000 acres of public and private land northwest of Hailey, Idaho. According to the U.S. Forest Service, about 57 percent of the area is considered moderately burned, and the risk of post-fire soil erosion is high on more than 8,400 acres. - Data
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