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
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...
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...
Delineation of Brine Contamination in and near the East Poplar Oil Field, Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Northeastern Montana
Brine is a byproduct of crude oil production. Handling and disposal of brine during the last 50 years in the East Poplar oil field has resulted in contamination of not only the shallow Quaternary aquifers, but also the Poplar River. Previous investigations have documented and partially delineated the extent of brine contamination in the East Poplar oil field during the early 1990s. In the 10 years...
Filter Total Items: 21
Regional airborne electromagnetic and magnetic surveys of the Basin and Range Province in Nevada, Oregon, and California, 2022-2023 Regional airborne electromagnetic and magnetic surveys of the Basin and Range Province in Nevada, Oregon, and California, 2022-2023
Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected from December 2022 through March 2023 over a distance of 11,079 line kilometers in western Nevada and eastern California; central Nevada; and northern Nevada and southeastern Oregon. These data were collected in support of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), which aims to...
Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, southwestern San Joaquin Valley near Elk Hills, California, 2017 Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, southwestern San Joaquin Valley near Elk Hills, California, 2017
Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during November 2017 over a total distance of 1,980 line kilometers in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley of California adjacent to the Elk Hills, North and South Coles Levee, and Buena Vista oil fields. These data were collected in support of groundwater salinity mapping and hydrogeologic framework development as...
Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, southwestern San Joaquin Valley near Maricopa, California, 2018 Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, southwestern San Joaquin Valley near Maricopa, California, 2018
Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during November 2018 over a total distance of 1,480 line kilometers in the Maricopa Flats and surrounding areas of southwestern San Joaquin Valley of California adjacent to the Buena Vista, Midway Sunset, Yowlumne, Los Lobos, Pioneer, Landslide, San Emidio Nose, Rio Viejo, and White Wolf oil fields. These data were...
Surface geophysical data from Ollalie North springs, west-central Oregon Surface geophysical data from Ollalie North springs, west-central Oregon
Surface electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) data were collected in September of 2018 near Ollalie North springs in the upper McKenzie River watershed of west-central Oregon. ERT data were acquired along a single transect on the north bank of Ollalie Creek using a combination of inverse Schlumberger, dipole-dipole, and Wenner arrays. These data were collected to contribute high...
Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey of Delaware Bay and surrounding regions of New Jersey and Delaware, 2022 (ver 2.0, April 2025) Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey of Delaware Bay and surrounding regions of New Jersey and Delaware, 2022 (ver 2.0, April 2025)
Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during July and August 2022 over a distance of 3,588.5 line kilometers covering Delaware Bay and surrounding regions in New Jersey and Delaware. Data were collected as part of the USGS Delaware River Basin Next Generation Water Observing Systems (NGWOS) project to improve understanding of groundwater salinity...
Produced water disposal at percolation and evaporation ponds in and near oil fields in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley, California (ver. 2.0, October 2024) Produced water disposal at percolation and evaporation ponds in and near oil fields in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley, California (ver. 2.0, October 2024)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board compiled and analyzed data on water production and produced water disposal on land at oil and gas fields in the southwestern San Joaquin Vallley, Kern County, California. Data were compiled from information in state and local agencies’ databases and cover a period of record ranging...
Filter Total Items: 41
Relations of groundwater quality to long-term surface disposal of produced water near the Midway-Sunset and Buena Vista Oil Fields, California, USA Relations of groundwater quality to long-term surface disposal of produced water near the Midway-Sunset and Buena Vista Oil Fields, California, USA
Contamination of groundwater by oil-field fluids in proximity to oil and gas development has been an issue of concern to water users and regulators given long histories of development and legacy disposal practices. A robust set of geochemical tracers including petroleum hydrocarbon compounds, thermogenic gases, inorganic ion concentrations, stable isotopes, radioactive isotopes, and...
Authors
Riley Gannon, Matthew K. Landon, Justin T. Kulongoski, Michael J. Stephens, Lyndsay B. Ball, John G. Warden, Tracy Davis, Janice M. Gillespie, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
State shifts in the deep Critical Zone drive landscape evolution in volcanic terrains State shifts in the deep Critical Zone drive landscape evolution in volcanic terrains
Understanding the near-surface environment where atmospheric and solid earth processes interact, often termed the “Critical Zone,” is important for assessing resources and building resilient societies. Here, we examine a volcanic landscape in the Oregon Cascade Range, an understudied Critical Zone setting that is host to major regional water resources, pervasive silicate weathering, and
Authors
Leif Karlstrom, Nathaniel Klema, Gordon E. Grant, Carol A. Finn, Pamela L. Sullivan, Sarah Cooley, Alex Simpson, Becky Fasth, Katherine Cashman, Ken Ferrier, Lyndsay B. Ball, Daniele McKay
Beyond the wedge: Impact of tidal streams on salinization of groundwater in a coastal aquifer stressed by pumping and sea-level rise Beyond the wedge: Impact of tidal streams on salinization of groundwater in a coastal aquifer stressed by pumping and sea-level rise
Saltwater intrusion (SWI) is a well-studied phenomenon that threatens the freshwater supplies of coastal communities around the world. The development and advancement of numerical models has led to improved assessment of the risk of salinization. However, these studies often fail to include the impact of surface waters as potential sources of aquifer salinity and how they may impact SWI...
Authors
Mary C. Hingst, R.M. Housego, C. He, Burke J. Minsley, Lyndsay B. Ball, Holly A. Michael
Assessing potential effects of oil and gas development activities on groundwater quality near and overlying the Elk Hills and North Coles Levee Oil Fields, San Joaquin Valley, California Assessing potential effects of oil and gas development activities on groundwater quality near and overlying the Elk Hills and North Coles Levee Oil Fields, San Joaquin Valley, California
Groundwater resources are utilized near areas of intensive oil and gas development in California’s San Joaquin Valley. In this study, we examined chemical and isotopic data to assess if thermogenic gas or saline water from oil producing formations have mixed with groundwater near the Elk Hills and North Coles Levee Oil Fields in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley. Major ion...
Authors
John G. Warden, Matthew K. Landon, Michael J. Stephens, Tracy Davis, Janice M. Gillespie, Peter B. McMahon, Justin T. Kulongoski, Andrew G. Hunt, David H. Shimabukuro, Riley Gannon, Lyndsay B. Ball
Evaluation of the characteristics, discharge, and water quality of selected springs at Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California Evaluation of the characteristics, discharge, and water quality of selected springs at Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California
Eight springs and seeps at Fort Irwin National Training Center were described and categorized by their general characteristics, discharge, geophysical properties, and water quality between 2015 and 2017. The data collected establish a modern (2017) baseline of hydrologic conditions at the springs. Two types of springs were identified: (1) precipitation-fed upland springs (Cave, Desert...
Authors
Jill N. Densmore, Drew C. Thayer, Meghan C. Dick, Peter W. Swarzenski, Lyndsay B. Ball, Celia Z. Rosecrans, Cordell Johnson
Airborne electromagnetic survey results near the Poso Creek oil field, San Joaquin Valley, California, fall 2016 Airborne electromagnetic survey results near the Poso Creek oil field, San Joaquin Valley, California, fall 2016
An airborne electromagnetic survey west of the Poso Creek oil field, located in the southeastern San Joaquin Valley, California, was flown in October 2016 to improve understanding of the hydrogeologic setting and the distribution of groundwater salinity in the area. The airborne electromagnetic data were used to develop resistivity models of the subsurface, where the mean depth of...
Authors
Katrina D. Zamudio, Lyndsay B. Ball, Michael J. Stephens
Science and Products
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...
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...
Delineation of Brine Contamination in and near the East Poplar Oil Field, Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Northeastern Montana
Brine is a byproduct of crude oil production. Handling and disposal of brine during the last 50 years in the East Poplar oil field has resulted in contamination of not only the shallow Quaternary aquifers, but also the Poplar River. Previous investigations have documented and partially delineated the extent of brine contamination in the East Poplar oil field during the early 1990s. In the 10 years...
Filter Total Items: 21
Regional airborne electromagnetic and magnetic surveys of the Basin and Range Province in Nevada, Oregon, and California, 2022-2023 Regional airborne electromagnetic and magnetic surveys of the Basin and Range Province in Nevada, Oregon, and California, 2022-2023
Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected from December 2022 through March 2023 over a distance of 11,079 line kilometers in western Nevada and eastern California; central Nevada; and northern Nevada and southeastern Oregon. These data were collected in support of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), which aims to...
Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, southwestern San Joaquin Valley near Elk Hills, California, 2017 Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, southwestern San Joaquin Valley near Elk Hills, California, 2017
Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during November 2017 over a total distance of 1,980 line kilometers in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley of California adjacent to the Elk Hills, North and South Coles Levee, and Buena Vista oil fields. These data were collected in support of groundwater salinity mapping and hydrogeologic framework development as...
Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, southwestern San Joaquin Valley near Maricopa, California, 2018 Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey data, southwestern San Joaquin Valley near Maricopa, California, 2018
Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during November 2018 over a total distance of 1,480 line kilometers in the Maricopa Flats and surrounding areas of southwestern San Joaquin Valley of California adjacent to the Buena Vista, Midway Sunset, Yowlumne, Los Lobos, Pioneer, Landslide, San Emidio Nose, Rio Viejo, and White Wolf oil fields. These data were...
Surface geophysical data from Ollalie North springs, west-central Oregon Surface geophysical data from Ollalie North springs, west-central Oregon
Surface electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) data were collected in September of 2018 near Ollalie North springs in the upper McKenzie River watershed of west-central Oregon. ERT data were acquired along a single transect on the north bank of Ollalie Creek using a combination of inverse Schlumberger, dipole-dipole, and Wenner arrays. These data were collected to contribute high...
Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey of Delaware Bay and surrounding regions of New Jersey and Delaware, 2022 (ver 2.0, April 2025) Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey of Delaware Bay and surrounding regions of New Jersey and Delaware, 2022 (ver 2.0, April 2025)
Airborne electromagnetic (AEM) and magnetic survey data were collected during July and August 2022 over a distance of 3,588.5 line kilometers covering Delaware Bay and surrounding regions in New Jersey and Delaware. Data were collected as part of the USGS Delaware River Basin Next Generation Water Observing Systems (NGWOS) project to improve understanding of groundwater salinity...
Produced water disposal at percolation and evaporation ponds in and near oil fields in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley, California (ver. 2.0, October 2024) Produced water disposal at percolation and evaporation ponds in and near oil fields in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley, California (ver. 2.0, October 2024)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the California State Water Resources Control Board compiled and analyzed data on water production and produced water disposal on land at oil and gas fields in the southwestern San Joaquin Vallley, Kern County, California. Data were compiled from information in state and local agencies’ databases and cover a period of record ranging...
Filter Total Items: 41
Relations of groundwater quality to long-term surface disposal of produced water near the Midway-Sunset and Buena Vista Oil Fields, California, USA Relations of groundwater quality to long-term surface disposal of produced water near the Midway-Sunset and Buena Vista Oil Fields, California, USA
Contamination of groundwater by oil-field fluids in proximity to oil and gas development has been an issue of concern to water users and regulators given long histories of development and legacy disposal practices. A robust set of geochemical tracers including petroleum hydrocarbon compounds, thermogenic gases, inorganic ion concentrations, stable isotopes, radioactive isotopes, and...
Authors
Riley Gannon, Matthew K. Landon, Justin T. Kulongoski, Michael J. Stephens, Lyndsay B. Ball, John G. Warden, Tracy Davis, Janice M. Gillespie, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli
State shifts in the deep Critical Zone drive landscape evolution in volcanic terrains State shifts in the deep Critical Zone drive landscape evolution in volcanic terrains
Understanding the near-surface environment where atmospheric and solid earth processes interact, often termed the “Critical Zone,” is important for assessing resources and building resilient societies. Here, we examine a volcanic landscape in the Oregon Cascade Range, an understudied Critical Zone setting that is host to major regional water resources, pervasive silicate weathering, and
Authors
Leif Karlstrom, Nathaniel Klema, Gordon E. Grant, Carol A. Finn, Pamela L. Sullivan, Sarah Cooley, Alex Simpson, Becky Fasth, Katherine Cashman, Ken Ferrier, Lyndsay B. Ball, Daniele McKay
Beyond the wedge: Impact of tidal streams on salinization of groundwater in a coastal aquifer stressed by pumping and sea-level rise Beyond the wedge: Impact of tidal streams on salinization of groundwater in a coastal aquifer stressed by pumping and sea-level rise
Saltwater intrusion (SWI) is a well-studied phenomenon that threatens the freshwater supplies of coastal communities around the world. The development and advancement of numerical models has led to improved assessment of the risk of salinization. However, these studies often fail to include the impact of surface waters as potential sources of aquifer salinity and how they may impact SWI...
Authors
Mary C. Hingst, R.M. Housego, C. He, Burke J. Minsley, Lyndsay B. Ball, Holly A. Michael
Assessing potential effects of oil and gas development activities on groundwater quality near and overlying the Elk Hills and North Coles Levee Oil Fields, San Joaquin Valley, California Assessing potential effects of oil and gas development activities on groundwater quality near and overlying the Elk Hills and North Coles Levee Oil Fields, San Joaquin Valley, California
Groundwater resources are utilized near areas of intensive oil and gas development in California’s San Joaquin Valley. In this study, we examined chemical and isotopic data to assess if thermogenic gas or saline water from oil producing formations have mixed with groundwater near the Elk Hills and North Coles Levee Oil Fields in the southwestern San Joaquin Valley. Major ion...
Authors
John G. Warden, Matthew K. Landon, Michael J. Stephens, Tracy Davis, Janice M. Gillespie, Peter B. McMahon, Justin T. Kulongoski, Andrew G. Hunt, David H. Shimabukuro, Riley Gannon, Lyndsay B. Ball
Evaluation of the characteristics, discharge, and water quality of selected springs at Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California Evaluation of the characteristics, discharge, and water quality of selected springs at Fort Irwin National Training Center, San Bernardino County, California
Eight springs and seeps at Fort Irwin National Training Center were described and categorized by their general characteristics, discharge, geophysical properties, and water quality between 2015 and 2017. The data collected establish a modern (2017) baseline of hydrologic conditions at the springs. Two types of springs were identified: (1) precipitation-fed upland springs (Cave, Desert...
Authors
Jill N. Densmore, Drew C. Thayer, Meghan C. Dick, Peter W. Swarzenski, Lyndsay B. Ball, Celia Z. Rosecrans, Cordell Johnson
Airborne electromagnetic survey results near the Poso Creek oil field, San Joaquin Valley, California, fall 2016 Airborne electromagnetic survey results near the Poso Creek oil field, San Joaquin Valley, California, fall 2016
An airborne electromagnetic survey west of the Poso Creek oil field, located in the southeastern San Joaquin Valley, California, was flown in October 2016 to improve understanding of the hydrogeologic setting and the distribution of groundwater salinity in the area. The airborne electromagnetic data were used to develop resistivity models of the subsurface, where the mean depth of...
Authors
Katrina D. Zamudio, Lyndsay B. Ball, Michael J. Stephens