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Lyndsay B Ball

Lyndsay is a Research Geophysicist at the Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center in Denver, Colorado.

Her research explores hydrogeologic systems and subsurface processes using integrated hydrological and geophysical approaches, with an emphasis on electrical, electromagnetic, and airborne geophysical methods.  Her current projects focus on the characterization of groundwater salinity and geologic controls on groundwater flow in mountain and intermountain settings. 

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Geological Sciences, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2012 

  • B.S., Environmental Science (soils concentration), Virginia Tech, 2003 

Science and Products

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Map of Crested Butte Low-Level Flight Study Area

Metal Transport in Mineralized Mountain Watersheds

The central objective of this project is to develop a greater understanding of deep bedrock groundwater circulation and its contribution to surface water metal loads in mineralized mountain blocks composed of sedimentary rocks. This work is being performed in cooperation with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as part of a broader research program aimed at understanding processes controlling...
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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Metal Transport in Mineralized Mountain Watersheds

The central objective of this project is to develop a greater understanding of deep bedrock groundwater circulation and its contribution to surface water metal loads in mineralized mountain blocks composed of sedimentary rocks. This work is being performed in cooperation with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory as part of a broader research program aimed at understanding processes controlling...
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helicopter with survey equipment

Geophysical mapping of produced water in near-surface environments

This task within the Oil and Gas Waters Project focuses on the development of oil and gas resources results in substantial volumes of produced water. Particularly when produced from deep geologic formations, these waters can exhibit elevated salinity in comparison to shallow groundwater at the same location. Knowing the spatial and temporal occurrence of high salinity produced water in groundwater...
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Energy Resources Program, Central Energy Resources Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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Geophysical mapping of produced water in near-surface environments

This task within the Oil and Gas Waters Project focuses on the development of oil and gas resources results in substantial volumes of produced water. Particularly when produced from deep geologic formations, these waters can exhibit elevated salinity in comparison to shallow groundwater at the same location. Knowing the spatial and temporal occurrence of high salinity produced water in groundwater...
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Airborne Geophysical Survey Inventory of the Conterminous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico (ver. 3.0, November 2021)

This data release is a compilation of the locations of airborne geophysical surveys in the United States. The inventory documents public airborne geophysical surveys primarily flown by or contracted by the USGS from 1943 to present. In addition, surveys from the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS): Airborne GeophysWeb, the Bureau
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne electromagnetic, magnetic, and radiometric survey, upper East River and surrounding watersheds near Crested Butte, Colorado, 2017

This data release consists of 1,984 line-kilometers of airborne electromagnetic (AEM), magnetic data and radiometric data collected from October to November 2017 in the upper East River and surrounding watersheds in central Colorado. The U.S. Geological Survey contracted Geotech Ltd. to acquire these data as part of regional investigations into the geologic structure and hydrologic framework of th
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Supporting groundwater salinity data used for salinity mapping adjacent to the Lost Hills and Belridge oil fields, Kern County, California

This dataset contains summarized historical groundwater salinity observations from wells near the Lost Hills and Belridge oil fields in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley, Kern County, California. Total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration, electrical fluid conductivity (EC), and well construction information were aggregated from public data sources and local water management agencies. Trends in
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey, southwestern San Joaquin Valley near Lost Hills, California, 2016

Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during October 2016 along 1,443 line kilometers in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley near Lost Hills, California. These data were collected in support of groundwater salinity mapping and hydrogeologic framework development as part of the U.S. Geological Survey California Oil, Gas, and Groundwater program and the California St
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Hydrologic and geophysical data from high-elevation boreholes in Redwell Basin near Crested Butte, Colorado

Four boreholes (MW1, MW1UZ, MW2, MW2.1) were drilled in the fall of 2017 and summer of 2018 in upper Redwell Basin, a headwater catchment underlain by hydrothermally altered sedimentary rock in the Elk Mountains near the town of Crested Butte, Colorado. The boreholes were continuously cored using a wireline HQ-sized coring system and sample a combination of Quaternary-aged surficial colluvium and
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Ground conductivity measurements at selected National Wildlife Refuges, Montana and North Dakota, 2017-2018

Shallow subsurface electrical conductivity was mapped at selected U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service managed lands in northeast Montana and northwest North Dakota using the DUALEM421 electromagnetic sensor (Dualem, Inc., ON, Canada) in the winters of 2017 and 2018. Data were acquired by towing the DUALEM421 sensor on a sled behind an all-terrain vehicle or snow machine, with the sensor at a nominal he
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Environmental tracer data from surface water and groundwater samples collected in Redwell Basin near Crested Butte, Colorado, 2017-2019

This dataset contains environmental tracer data from surface water and groundwater samples collected by the U.S. Geological Survey in Redwell Basin, an alpine watershed in the Elk Mountains near the town of Crested Butte, Colorado. The basin is underlain by interbedded shale and sandstone that have been variably hydrothermally altered and silicified by local magmatic intrusions. Samples were colle
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey, western Hualapai Indian Reservation near Grand Canyon West and Peach Springs, Arizona, 2018

Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during March 2018 along 1,637 line line-kilometers over the western Hualapai Indian Reservation and surrounding areas. The survey was conducted as part of a study of the groundwater resources of the Truxton basin and Hualapai Plateau. The survey was designed to improve the understanding of the geometry of the major hydrostratig
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Geological, geochemical, and geophysical data from the Lost Hills and Belridge oil fields

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board compiled and analyzed data for mapping groundwater salinity and characterizing aquifer systems in and near selected oil and gas fields in California. Data for the Lost Hills, North Belridge, and South Belridge oil fields include production and injection volumes, oil show data, formation pressur
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California Water Science Center

Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) Survey Inventory

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been engaged in airborne electromagnetics (AEM) since the 1970s, playing a role in the development of early acquisition systems, developing calibration methods, refining standards for data acquisition, improving data processing, modeling, and interpretation methods, and expanding the range of AEM applications. However, USGS AEM survey visibility and data acces
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Mineral Resources Program, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Electrical Resistivity Tomography Data at Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California, 2015 and 2017

The U.S. Army Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC), approximately 35 mi north-northeast of Barstow, California, covers approximately 1,177 square miles, and is comprised of ten groundwater basins, three of which have been subdivided into subbasins on the basis of additional hydrologic testing. Since the early 1990s, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has been studying water resources issues at
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California Water Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, East Poplar Oil Field and surrounding area, October 2014, Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana

Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during October 2014 in a 553-square-kilometer area that includes the East Poplar oil field on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in northeastern Montana, USA. Data surround the town of Poplar and extend south into the Missouri River floodplain. Data were acquired with the SkyTEM301 transient electromagnetic helicopter-borne sys
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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Direct observation of the depth of active groundwater circulation in an alpine watershed

The depth of active groundwater circulation is a fundamental control on stream flows and chemistry in mountain watersheds, yet it remains challenging to characterize and is rarely well constrained. We collected hydraulic conductivity, hydraulic head, temperature, chemical, noble gas, and 3H/3He groundwater age data from discrete levels in two boreholes 46 and 81 m deep in an alpine watershed, in c
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Groundwater availability in the Truxton basin, northwestern Arizona

This is a summary chapter of a multichapter volume that includes a brief description of the study area and descriptions of the hydrogeologic framework, numerical groundwater-flow model, and estimates of simulated changes to groundwater levels of the Truxton aquifer.
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Water Resources, Arizona Water Science Center

Major hydrostratigraphic contacts of the Truxton basin and Hualapai Plateau, northwestern Arizona, developed from airborne electromagnetic data

The area surrounding the Grand Canyon has spectacular outcrop exposure in the modern canyon walls, leading to stratigraphic contact delineations that are well constrained near canyons yet poorly constrained where the terrain remains undissected and relatively unexplored by boreholes. An airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey of the western Hualapai Indian Reservation and surrounding areas wa
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Probabilistic categorical groundwater salinity mapping from airborne electromagnetic data adjacent to California’s Lost Hills and Belridge oil fields

Growing water stress has led to emerging interest in protecting fresh and brackish groundwater as a potential supplement to water supplies and raised questions about factors that could affect the future quality of fresh and brackish aquifers. Limited well infrastructure, particularly in regions where elevated salinity has led to limited historical groundwater development, hinders traditional mappi
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

High-resolution mapping of the freshwater-brine interface using deterministic and Bayesian inversion of airborne electromagnetic data at Paradox Valley, USA

Salt loads in the Colorado River Basin are a primary water quality concern. Natural groundwater brine discharge to the Dolores River where it passes through the collapsed salt anticline of the Paradox Valley in western Colorado is a significant source of salt to the Colorado River. An airborne electromagnetic survey of Paradox Valley has provided insights into the 3D distribution of brine in the
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Groundwater salinity and the effects of produced water disposal in the Lost Hills-Belridge oilfields, Kern County, California

Increased oil and gas production in many areas has led to concerns over the effects these activities may be having on nearby groundwater quality. In this study we determine the lateral and vertical extent of groundwater with less than 10,000 milligrams per liter (mg/l) total dissolved solids (TDS) near the Lost Hills-Belridge oilfields in northwestern Kern County, California and document evidence
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Water Resources, California Water Science Center

Airborne geophysical characterizationof geologic structure in a mountain headwater system, upper East River, Colorado

Geologic controls on groundwater flow, particularly in tectonically and topographically complex mountainous terrain, can be difficult to quantify without a detailed understanding of the regional subsurface geologic structure. This structure can influence the magnitude of groundwater flow through the mountain block, which in turn impacts groundwater composition and the flux of metals and nutrients
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Monitoring brine contamination using time-lapse airborne electromagnetic surveys, East Poplar Oil Field, Montana

Integrated geophysical and water-quality studies have been used to delineate areas of saline groundwater in shallow unconfined aquifers underlying the East Poplar oil field in northeastern Montana. In 2004, a RESOLVE survey was conducted over the oil field to identify high conductivity areas potentially associated with brine contamination and to map the shale unit comprising the base of aquifer. I
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Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Mapping protected groundwater adjacent to oil and gas fields, San Joaquin Valley, California

Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys are a major component of a regional study of groundwater quality adjacent to oil and gas fields in the San Joaquin Valley of California, USA. AEM resistivity models are being used to delineate groundwater salinity in an effort to locate groundwater adjacent to oil and gas fields that could have future beneficial use. AEM models are also being used to improve
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California Water Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Water-resources and land-surface deformation evaluation studies at Fort Irwin National Training Center, Mojave Desert, California

The U.S. Army Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC), in the Mojave Desert, obtains all of its potable water supply from three groundwater basins (Irwin, Langford, and Bicycle) within the NTC boundaries (fig. 1; California Department of Water Resources, 2003). Because of increasing water demands at the NTC, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Army, completed several
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Water Resources, California Water Science Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Automatic mapping of the base of aquifer — A case study from Morrill, Nebraska

When a geologist sets up a geologic model, various types of disparate information may be available, such as exposures, boreholes, and (or) geophysical data. In recent years, the amount of geophysical data available has been increasing, a trend that is only expected to continue. It is nontrivial (and often, in practice, impossible) for the geologist to take all the details of the geophysical data i
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Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center

Semiautomatic mapping of permafrost in the Yukon Flats, Alaska

Thawing of permafrost due to global warming can have major impacts on hydrogeological processes, climate feedback, arctic ecology, and local environments. To understand these effects and processes, it is crucial to know the distribution of permafrost. In this study we exploit the fact that airborne electromagnetic (AEM) data are sensitive to the distribution of permafrost and demonstrate how the d
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Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
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Low-flying Helicopter Surveying Groundwater and Geology in the Poplar River Valley Area, Montana

Citizens should not be alarmed if they see a low-flying helicopter towing a large wire-loop contraption hanging from a cable in the Poplar, Montana...

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