View of trees in the Auwahi reforestation area with glimpses of the invasive grassland in the distance.
Kimberlie Perkins
Kimberlie Perkins is a Research Hydrologist for the USGS Water Resources Mission Area.
Education:
San Jose State University: M.S. in Geology, December 2005.
University of California, Berkeley: B.S. in Soil Science, December 1996
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Research Experience:
1997- Present Research Hydrologist, Water Mission Area, Earth Surface Processes Division, Water Cycle Branch, United States Geological Survey, Supervisor: Dr. John Nimmo
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Research Interests:
- Land use changes and their hydrologic influence on ecosystems.
- Understanding water flow and contaminant transport in the unsaturated zone using a combination of laboratory measurements, field experiments, and modeling.
- Aquifer recharge estimation techniques.
- Laboratory measurement and modeling of unsaturated hydraulic properties of porous materials.
- Development of physically-based models for estimating hydraulic properties without the need for direct measurement.
- Field techniques for measuring and quantifying hydrologic processes.
- Mechanisms and quantification of preferential flow in the unsaturated zone.
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Awards:
USGS Star Award for outstanding performance received in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009. 2010, 2011, 2018
San Jose State University Graduate Studies Scholarship 2003.
Science and Products
Characterizing high-resolution soil burn severity, erosion risk, and recovery using Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)
The western United States is experiencing severe wildfires whose observed impacts, including post-wildfire floods and debris flows, appear to be increasing over time.
Identifying the Risk of Runoff and Erosion in Hawaiʻi’s National Parks
Haleakalā National Park (HNP) and the surrounding landscape spans many different land cover types, some of which are undergoing vegetation changes that can reduce the amount of water that infiltrates into soil. Decreased soil infiltration can lead to the erosion of terrestrial habitats, increases in the amount of sediment entering aquatic habitats, and flooding of downstream areas as...
Auwahi Reforestation Area, Maui
View of trees in the Auwahi reforestation area with glimpses of the invasive grassland in the distance.
Auwahi Reforestation Area, Maui
View of the Auwahi reforestation area fence line with native species on the left and invasive grassland on the right.
View of the Auwahi reforestation area fence line with native species on the left and invasive grassland on the right.
Science and Products
Characterizing high-resolution soil burn severity, erosion risk, and recovery using Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS)
The western United States is experiencing severe wildfires whose observed impacts, including post-wildfire floods and debris flows, appear to be increasing over time.
Identifying the Risk of Runoff and Erosion in Hawaiʻi’s National Parks
Haleakalā National Park (HNP) and the surrounding landscape spans many different land cover types, some of which are undergoing vegetation changes that can reduce the amount of water that infiltrates into soil. Decreased soil infiltration can lead to the erosion of terrestrial habitats, increases in the amount of sediment entering aquatic habitats, and flooding of downstream areas as...
Auwahi Reforestation Area, Maui
View of trees in the Auwahi reforestation area with glimpses of the invasive grassland in the distance.
View of trees in the Auwahi reforestation area with glimpses of the invasive grassland in the distance.
Auwahi Reforestation Area, Maui
View of the Auwahi reforestation area fence line with native species on the left and invasive grassland on the right.
View of the Auwahi reforestation area fence line with native species on the left and invasive grassland on the right.