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Lisa D Miller

Lisa is a Hydrologist with the USGS Colorado Water Science Center, Southeast Colorado Office, in Pueblo, CO.

Since joining the USGS in 1994, she has conducted a variety of surface-water, groundwater, and water-quality studies throughout the country. Her areas of interest include groundwater/surface-water interactions and developing tools and techniques to help water managers optimize water use and water quality in their daily activities.
 

Professional Experience

  • 2005 - present – Hydrologist, USGS Pueblo, CO

  • 2004 - 2005 – Hydrologist, USGS Columbus, OH

  • 2002 - 2004 – Hydrologist, USGS San Antonio, TX

  • 1998 - 2002 – Hydrologist, USGS Honolulu, HI

  • 1995 - 1998 – Hydrologist/Engineer, USGS Lincoln, NE

  • 1994 - 1995 – Hydrologist/Engineer, USGS Rapid City, SD
     

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. (1995) Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, SD

  • B.S. (1993) Civil Engineering, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ
     

Science and Products

link
Nodes and Subreaches Along Monument and Fountain Creeks and Location of Streamflow Stations Used in Transit-Loss Accounting Prog

Transit-loss accounting program for Monument and Fountain Creeks, El Paso and Pueblo Counties, Colorado

Since the 1980s, a transit-loss accounting program has been used for daily accounting of native and transmountain water by the Colorado Division of Water Resources (CDWR) to determine transit losses and water allocations along Fountain Creek and Monument Creek, Colorado. The Colorado Water Science Center has been involved in developing, modifying, and supporting the program over the course of its...
By
Colorado Water Science Center
link

Transit-loss accounting program for Monument and Fountain Creeks, El Paso and Pueblo Counties, Colorado

Since the 1980s, a transit-loss accounting program has been used for daily accounting of native and transmountain water by the Colorado Division of Water Resources (CDWR) to determine transit losses and water allocations along Fountain Creek and Monument Creek, Colorado. The Colorado Water Science Center has been involved in developing, modifying, and supporting the program over the course of its...
Learn More
link
Screen shot web application. Identify water-quality conditions, Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, near Pueblo, Colorado

Identifying Changes in Background Water-Quality Conditions, Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, Colorado

Demands for water are projected to increase in the Lower Arkansas River Basin as the population continues to grow. Strategies to meet those demands include continued operation of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project water, enlargement of Pueblo and Turquoise Reservoirs, and various conservation measures; the overall strategy is defined in the Preferred Storage Options Plan (PSOP: see the Southeastern...
By
Colorado Water Science Center
link

Identifying Changes in Background Water-Quality Conditions, Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, Colorado

Demands for water are projected to increase in the Lower Arkansas River Basin as the population continues to grow. Strategies to meet those demands include continued operation of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project water, enlargement of Pueblo and Turquoise Reservoirs, and various conservation measures; the overall strategy is defined in the Preferred Storage Options Plan (PSOP: see the Southeastern...
Learn More

Public supply water use reanalysis for the 2000-2020 period by HUC12, month, and year for the conterminous United States (ver. 2.0, August 2024)

The U.S. Geological Survey is developing national water-use models to support water resources management in the United States. Model benefits include a nationally consistent estimation approach, greater temporal and spatial resolution of estimates, efficient and automated updates of results, and capabilities to forecast water use into the future and assess model uncertainty. The term “reanalysis”
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Analysis of Escherichia coli, total recoverable iron, and dissolved selenium concentrations and loads for selected 303(d) listed segments in the Grand Valley, western Colorado, 1991-2018 (ver. 3.0, August 2021)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Grand Valley Drainage District and the Colorado Water Conservation Board, conducted a loading analysis for selected constituents and tributaries to the Colorado River in the Grand Valley, western Colorado, using data from 1991 to 2018, to characterize concentrations, stream loading, and load reductions for Escherichia coli, total recoverab
By
Colorado Water Science Center
Filter Total Items: 19

Next generation public supply water withdrawal estimation for the conterminous United States using machine learning and operational frameworks

Estimation of human water withdrawals is more important now than ever due to uncertain water supplies, population growth, and climate change. Fourteen percent of the total water withdrawal in the United States is used for public supply, typically including deliveries to domestic, commercial, and occasionally including industrial, irrigation, and thermoelectric water withdrawal. Stewards of water r
Authors
Ayman H. Alzraiee, Richard G. Niswonger, Carol L. Luukkonen, Joshua Larsen, Donald Martin, Deidre Mary Herbert, Cheryl A. Buchwald, Cheryl A. Dieter, Lisa D. Miller, Jana Stewart, Natalie Houston, Scott R. Paulinski, Kristen Valseth
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Analysis of Escherichia coli, total recoverable iron, and dissolved selenium concentrations, loading, and identifying data gaps for selected 303(d) listed streams, Grand Valley, western Colorado, 1980–2018

Tributaries to the Colorado River in the Grand Valley in western Colorado (segment COLCLC13b) have been placed on the State of Colorado 303(d) list as impaired for Escherichia coli (E. coli), total recoverable iron, and dissolved selenium. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Water Quality Control Division is required to develop total maximum daily loads for these constituents
Authors
Lisa D. Miller, Rachel G. Gidley, Natalie K. Day, Judith C. Thomas
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center

Upgrades to a Fortran program for estimating stream transit losses of reusable water, El Paso and Pueblo Counties, Colorado

In 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority and the Colorado Water Conservation Board, began a study to modernize a Fortran transit-loss accounting program developed by the U.S. Geological Survey to estimate net reusable flows in Fountain and Monument Creeks in El Paso and Pueblo Counties, Colorado. More than 6,000 lines of this FORTRAN77 transit-lo
Authors
Susan J. Colarullo, Lisa D. Miller
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Volcanic aquifers of Hawai‘i—Hydrogeology, water budgets, and conceptual models

Hawai‘i’s aquifers have limited capacity to store fresh groundwater because each island is small and surrounded by saltwater. Saltwater also underlies much of the fresh groundwater. Fresh groundwater resources are, therefore, particularly vulnerable to human activity, short-term climate cycles, and long-term climate change. Availability of fresh groundwater for human use is constrained by the degr
Authors
Scot K. Izuka, John A. Engott, Kolja Rotzoll, Maoya Bassiouni, Adam G. Johnson, Lisa D. Miller, Alan Mair
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pacific Islands Water Science Center

Characterization of water quality and suspended sediment during cold-season flows, warm-season flows, and stormflows in the Fountain and Monument Creek watersheds, Colorado, 2007–2015

From 2007 through 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Colorado Springs City Engineering, conducted a study in the Fountain and Monument Creek watersheds, Colorado, to characterize surface-water quality and suspended-sediment conditions for three different streamflow regimes with an emphasis on characterizing water quality during storm runoff. Data collected during this study were
Authors
Lisa D. Miller, Robert W. Stogner, Sr.
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

A water-budget analysis of Medina and Diversion Lakes and the Medina/Diversion Lake system, with estimated recharge to Edwards aquifer, San Antonio area, Texas

In January 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey—in cooperation with the Edwards Aquifer Authority—began a study to refine and, if possible, extend previously derived (1995–96) relations between the stage in Medina Lake and recharge to the Edwards aquifer to include the effects of reservoir stages below 1,018 feet and greater than 1,046 feet above National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929. The principal
Authors
Richard N. Slattery, Lisa D. Miller
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Analysis of water quality in the Blue River watershed, Colorado, 1984 through 2007

Water quality of streams, reservoirs, and groundwater in the Blue River watershed in the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado has been affected by local geologic conditions, historical hard-rock metal mining, and recent urban development. With these considerations, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Summit Water Quality Committee, conducted a study to compile historical water-quali
Authors
Nancy J. Bauch, Lisa D. Miller, Sharon Yacob
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Assessment of historical surface-water quality data in southwestern Colorado, 1990-2005

The spatial and temporal distribution of selected physical and chemical surface-water-quality characteristics were analyzed at stream sites throughout the Dolores and San Juan River Basins in southwestern Colorado using historical data collected from 1990 through 2005 by various local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies. Overall, streams throughout the study area were well oxygenated. Values of p
Authors
Lisa D. Miller, Keelin R. Schaffrath, Joshua I. Linard
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Occurrence and distribution of dissolved solids, selenium, and uranium in groundwater and surface water in the Arkansas River Basin from the headwaters to Coolidge, Kansas, 1970-2009

In 2007, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with City of Aurora, Colorado Springs Utilities, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District, Pueblo Board of Water Works, Southeastern Colorado Water Activity Enterprise, Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, and Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District began a retrospective evaluation
Authors
Lisa D. Miller, Kenneth R. Watts, Roderick F. Ortiz
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Revised Comparisons of Simulated Hydrodynamics and Water Quality for Projected Demands in 2046, Pueblo Reservoir, Southeastern Colorado

Pueblo Reservoir is one of southeastern Colorado's most valuable water resources. The reservoir provides irrigation, municipal, and industrial water to various entities throughout the region. The reservoir also provides flood control, recreational activities, sport fishing, and wildlife enhancement to the region. The Southern Delivery System (SDS) project is a regional water-delivery project that
Authors
Roderick F. Ortiz, Lisa D. Miller
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Comparisons of Simulated Hydrodynamics and Water Quality for Projected Demands in 2046, Pueblo Reservoir, Southeastern Colorado

Pueblo Reservoir is one of southeastern Colorado's most valuable water resources. The reservoir provides irrigation, municipal, and industrial water to various entities throughout the region. The reservoir also provides flood control, recreational activities, sport fishing, and wildlife enhancement to the region. The Bureau of Reclamation is working to meet its goal to issue a Final Environmental
Authors
Roderick F. Ortiz, Joel M. Galloway, Lisa D. Miller, David P. Mau
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Ground-Water Quality and Potential Effects of Individual Sewage Disposal System Effluent on Ground-Water Quality in Park County, Colorado, 2001-2004

In 2000, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Park County, Colorado, began a study to evaluate ground-water quality in the various aquifers in Park County that supply water to domestic wells. The focus of this study was to identify and describe the principal natural and human factors that affect ground-water quality. In addition, the potential effects of individual sewage disposal syste
Authors
Lisa D. Miller, Roderick F. Ortiz
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Fortran Program for Estimating Stream Transit Losses of Reusable Water, El Paso and Pueblo Counties, Colorado

The transit-loss accounting program, which has been in continuous daily use in some form since April 1989, has provided water-rights administrators with a tool to effectively manage RRFs and administer water diversion priorities along Fountain Creek on a daily basis.

By
Colorado Water Science Center

Science and Products

link
Nodes and Subreaches Along Monument and Fountain Creeks and Location of Streamflow Stations Used in Transit-Loss Accounting Prog

Transit-loss accounting program for Monument and Fountain Creeks, El Paso and Pueblo Counties, Colorado

Since the 1980s, a transit-loss accounting program has been used for daily accounting of native and transmountain water by the Colorado Division of Water Resources (CDWR) to determine transit losses and water allocations along Fountain Creek and Monument Creek, Colorado. The Colorado Water Science Center has been involved in developing, modifying, and supporting the program over the course of its...
By
Colorado Water Science Center
link

Transit-loss accounting program for Monument and Fountain Creeks, El Paso and Pueblo Counties, Colorado

Since the 1980s, a transit-loss accounting program has been used for daily accounting of native and transmountain water by the Colorado Division of Water Resources (CDWR) to determine transit losses and water allocations along Fountain Creek and Monument Creek, Colorado. The Colorado Water Science Center has been involved in developing, modifying, and supporting the program over the course of its...
Learn More
link
Screen shot web application. Identify water-quality conditions, Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, near Pueblo, Colorado

Identifying Changes in Background Water-Quality Conditions, Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, Colorado

Demands for water are projected to increase in the Lower Arkansas River Basin as the population continues to grow. Strategies to meet those demands include continued operation of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project water, enlargement of Pueblo and Turquoise Reservoirs, and various conservation measures; the overall strategy is defined in the Preferred Storage Options Plan (PSOP: see the Southeastern...
By
Colorado Water Science Center
link

Identifying Changes in Background Water-Quality Conditions, Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, Colorado

Demands for water are projected to increase in the Lower Arkansas River Basin as the population continues to grow. Strategies to meet those demands include continued operation of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project water, enlargement of Pueblo and Turquoise Reservoirs, and various conservation measures; the overall strategy is defined in the Preferred Storage Options Plan (PSOP: see the Southeastern...
Learn More

Public supply water use reanalysis for the 2000-2020 period by HUC12, month, and year for the conterminous United States (ver. 2.0, August 2024)

The U.S. Geological Survey is developing national water-use models to support water resources management in the United States. Model benefits include a nationally consistent estimation approach, greater temporal and spatial resolution of estimates, efficient and automated updates of results, and capabilities to forecast water use into the future and assess model uncertainty. The term “reanalysis”
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Analysis of Escherichia coli, total recoverable iron, and dissolved selenium concentrations and loads for selected 303(d) listed segments in the Grand Valley, western Colorado, 1991-2018 (ver. 3.0, August 2021)

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Grand Valley Drainage District and the Colorado Water Conservation Board, conducted a loading analysis for selected constituents and tributaries to the Colorado River in the Grand Valley, western Colorado, using data from 1991 to 2018, to characterize concentrations, stream loading, and load reductions for Escherichia coli, total recoverab
By
Colorado Water Science Center
Filter Total Items: 19

Next generation public supply water withdrawal estimation for the conterminous United States using machine learning and operational frameworks

Estimation of human water withdrawals is more important now than ever due to uncertain water supplies, population growth, and climate change. Fourteen percent of the total water withdrawal in the United States is used for public supply, typically including deliveries to domestic, commercial, and occasionally including industrial, irrigation, and thermoelectric water withdrawal. Stewards of water r
Authors
Ayman H. Alzraiee, Richard G. Niswonger, Carol L. Luukkonen, Joshua Larsen, Donald Martin, Deidre Mary Herbert, Cheryl A. Buchwald, Cheryl A. Dieter, Lisa D. Miller, Jana Stewart, Natalie Houston, Scott R. Paulinski, Kristen Valseth
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Analysis of Escherichia coli, total recoverable iron, and dissolved selenium concentrations, loading, and identifying data gaps for selected 303(d) listed streams, Grand Valley, western Colorado, 1980–2018

Tributaries to the Colorado River in the Grand Valley in western Colorado (segment COLCLC13b) have been placed on the State of Colorado 303(d) list as impaired for Escherichia coli (E. coli), total recoverable iron, and dissolved selenium. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Water Quality Control Division is required to develop total maximum daily loads for these constituents
Authors
Lisa D. Miller, Rachel G. Gidley, Natalie K. Day, Judith C. Thomas
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center

Upgrades to a Fortran program for estimating stream transit losses of reusable water, El Paso and Pueblo Counties, Colorado

In 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority and the Colorado Water Conservation Board, began a study to modernize a Fortran transit-loss accounting program developed by the U.S. Geological Survey to estimate net reusable flows in Fountain and Monument Creeks in El Paso and Pueblo Counties, Colorado. More than 6,000 lines of this FORTRAN77 transit-lo
Authors
Susan J. Colarullo, Lisa D. Miller
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Volcanic aquifers of Hawai‘i—Hydrogeology, water budgets, and conceptual models

Hawai‘i’s aquifers have limited capacity to store fresh groundwater because each island is small and surrounded by saltwater. Saltwater also underlies much of the fresh groundwater. Fresh groundwater resources are, therefore, particularly vulnerable to human activity, short-term climate cycles, and long-term climate change. Availability of fresh groundwater for human use is constrained by the degr
Authors
Scot K. Izuka, John A. Engott, Kolja Rotzoll, Maoya Bassiouni, Adam G. Johnson, Lisa D. Miller, Alan Mair
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Pacific Islands Water Science Center

Characterization of water quality and suspended sediment during cold-season flows, warm-season flows, and stormflows in the Fountain and Monument Creek watersheds, Colorado, 2007–2015

From 2007 through 2015, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Colorado Springs City Engineering, conducted a study in the Fountain and Monument Creek watersheds, Colorado, to characterize surface-water quality and suspended-sediment conditions for three different streamflow regimes with an emphasis on characterizing water quality during storm runoff. Data collected during this study were
Authors
Lisa D. Miller, Robert W. Stogner, Sr.
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

A water-budget analysis of Medina and Diversion Lakes and the Medina/Diversion Lake system, with estimated recharge to Edwards aquifer, San Antonio area, Texas

In January 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey—in cooperation with the Edwards Aquifer Authority—began a study to refine and, if possible, extend previously derived (1995–96) relations between the stage in Medina Lake and recharge to the Edwards aquifer to include the effects of reservoir stages below 1,018 feet and greater than 1,046 feet above National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929. The principal
Authors
Richard N. Slattery, Lisa D. Miller
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Analysis of water quality in the Blue River watershed, Colorado, 1984 through 2007

Water quality of streams, reservoirs, and groundwater in the Blue River watershed in the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado has been affected by local geologic conditions, historical hard-rock metal mining, and recent urban development. With these considerations, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Summit Water Quality Committee, conducted a study to compile historical water-quali
Authors
Nancy J. Bauch, Lisa D. Miller, Sharon Yacob
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Assessment of historical surface-water quality data in southwestern Colorado, 1990-2005

The spatial and temporal distribution of selected physical and chemical surface-water-quality characteristics were analyzed at stream sites throughout the Dolores and San Juan River Basins in southwestern Colorado using historical data collected from 1990 through 2005 by various local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies. Overall, streams throughout the study area were well oxygenated. Values of p
Authors
Lisa D. Miller, Keelin R. Schaffrath, Joshua I. Linard
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Occurrence and distribution of dissolved solids, selenium, and uranium in groundwater and surface water in the Arkansas River Basin from the headwaters to Coolidge, Kansas, 1970-2009

In 2007, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with City of Aurora, Colorado Springs Utilities, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Lower Arkansas Valley Water Conservancy District, Pueblo Board of Water Works, Southeastern Colorado Water Activity Enterprise, Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, and Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District began a retrospective evaluation
Authors
Lisa D. Miller, Kenneth R. Watts, Roderick F. Ortiz
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Revised Comparisons of Simulated Hydrodynamics and Water Quality for Projected Demands in 2046, Pueblo Reservoir, Southeastern Colorado

Pueblo Reservoir is one of southeastern Colorado's most valuable water resources. The reservoir provides irrigation, municipal, and industrial water to various entities throughout the region. The reservoir also provides flood control, recreational activities, sport fishing, and wildlife enhancement to the region. The Southern Delivery System (SDS) project is a regional water-delivery project that
Authors
Roderick F. Ortiz, Lisa D. Miller
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Comparisons of Simulated Hydrodynamics and Water Quality for Projected Demands in 2046, Pueblo Reservoir, Southeastern Colorado

Pueblo Reservoir is one of southeastern Colorado's most valuable water resources. The reservoir provides irrigation, municipal, and industrial water to various entities throughout the region. The reservoir also provides flood control, recreational activities, sport fishing, and wildlife enhancement to the region. The Bureau of Reclamation is working to meet its goal to issue a Final Environmental
Authors
Roderick F. Ortiz, Joel M. Galloway, Lisa D. Miller, David P. Mau
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Ground-Water Quality and Potential Effects of Individual Sewage Disposal System Effluent on Ground-Water Quality in Park County, Colorado, 2001-2004

In 2000, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Park County, Colorado, began a study to evaluate ground-water quality in the various aquifers in Park County that supply water to domestic wells. The focus of this study was to identify and describe the principal natural and human factors that affect ground-water quality. In addition, the potential effects of individual sewage disposal syste
Authors
Lisa D. Miller, Roderick F. Ortiz
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Fortran Program for Estimating Stream Transit Losses of Reusable Water, El Paso and Pueblo Counties, Colorado

The transit-loss accounting program, which has been in continuous daily use in some form since April 1989, has provided water-rights administrators with a tool to effectively manage RRFs and administer water diversion priorities along Fountain Creek on a daily basis.

By
Colorado Water Science Center
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