Marie C. Peppler serves as the Bureau Emergency Management Coordinator; her scope of work includes all hazards and missions.
Marie's primary responsibilities include unifying USGS response teams to support the sharing of resources and skills, ensuring our science is used in the decision-making process, coordinating safe access for our scientists and technicians into hazard zones, updating continuity and preparedness plans, and training USGS staff to interact with the emergency management community.
Marie previously worked as the Deputy Director of the Integrated Information Dissemination Division in the Water Mission Area, the Federal Agency Liaison for the Office of Surface Water, and the National USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Coordinator. Marie started her career at the Wisconsin Water Science Center as a Fluvial Geomorphologist and project coordinator for Web Informatics and Mapping.
Education and Certifications
M.S. in Geography (Fluvial Geomorphology), University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2006
B.S. in Geography (Physical Processes), University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2003
Honors and Awards
2022 - Meritorious Service Award
2020 - Team Leadership Award
2017 - Shoemaker Excellent in Communications Award
2012 - Superior Service Award
Science and Products
Collection methods, data compilation, and lessons learned from a study of stream geomorphology associated with riparian cattle grazing along the Fever River, University of Wisconsin- Platteville Pioneer Farm, Wisconsin, 2004–11
The Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) network of the U.S. Geological Survey—Past and future implementation of storm-response monitoring, data collection, and data delivery
Flood-frequency characteristics of Wisconsin streams
Identifying and preserving high-water mark data
Geomorphic, flood, and groundwater-flow characteristics of Bayfield Peninsula streams, Wisconsin, and implications for brook-trout habitat
Developing a national stream morphology data exchange: needs, challenges, and opportunities
Precipitation-runoff relations and water-quality characteristics at edge-of-field stations, Discovery Farms and Pioneer Farm, Wisconsin, 2003-8
Relation of urbanization to stream habitat and geomorphic characteristics in nine metropolitan areas of the United States
Effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems along an agriculture-to-urban land-use gradient, Milwaukee to Green Bay, Wisconsin, 2003-2004
Selected Physical, Chemical, and Biological Data Used to Study Urbanizing Streams in Nine Metropolitan Areas of the United States, 1999-2004
Flood of June 2008 in Southern Wisconsin
Geomorphic characteristics and classification of Duluth-area streams, Minnesota
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Flood Inundation Mapping Toolbox
Flood Inundation Map (FIM) Libraries
Emerging Flood Inundation Mapping Technologies
Flood Inundation Mapping - Loss Estimation
FIM Toolbox: Prepare Your FIM Report
FIM Toolbox: Outreach and Education Resources
FIM Toolbox: Obtain Approval and Publish Your FIM Library
Flood Inundation Mapping Science
Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Program
FIM Toolbox: Prepare Your FIM Science
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 15
Collection methods, data compilation, and lessons learned from a study of stream geomorphology associated with riparian cattle grazing along the Fever River, University of Wisconsin- Platteville Pioneer Farm, Wisconsin, 2004–11
Stream geomorphic characteristics were monitored along a 0.8-mile reach of the Fever River in the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin from 2004 to 2011 where cattle grazed in paddocks along the riverbank at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Pioneer Farm. The study reach encompassed seven paddocks that covered a total of 30 acres on both sides of the river. Monitoring data included chaAuthorsMarie C. Peppler, Faith A. FitzpatrickThe Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) network of the U.S. Geological Survey—Past and future implementation of storm-response monitoring, data collection, and data delivery
After Hurricane Sandy made landfall along the northeastern Atlantic coast of the United States on October 29, 2012, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) carried out scientific investigations to assist with protecting coastal communities and resources from future flooding. The work included development and implementation of the Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) network consisting of more thaAuthorsRichard J. Verdi, R. Russell Lotspeich, Jeanne C. Robbins, Ronald Busciolano, John R. Mullaney, Andrew J. Massey, William S. Banks, Mark A. Roland, Harry L. Jenter, Marie C. Peppler, Thomas P. Suro, Christopher E. Schubert, Mark R. NardiFlood-frequency characteristics of Wisconsin streams
Flood-frequency characteristics for 360 gaged sites on unregulated rural streams in Wisconsin are presented for percent annual exceedance probabilities ranging from 0.2 to 50 using a statewide skewness map developed for this report. Equations of the relations between flood-frequency and drainage-basin characteristics were developed by multiple-regression analyses. Flood-frequency characteristics fAuthorsJohn F. Walker, Marie C. Peppler, Mari E. Danz, Laura E. HubbardIdentifying and preserving high-water mark data
High-water marks provide valuable data for understanding recent and historical flood events. The proper collection and recording of high-water mark data from perishable and preserved evidence informs flood assessments, research, and water resource management. Given the high cost of flooding in developed areas, experienced hydrographers, using the best available techniques, can contribute high-qualAuthorsTodd A. Koenig, Jennifer L. Bruce, Jim O'Connor, Benton D. McGee, Robert R. Holmes, Ryan Hollins, Brandon T. Forbes, Michael S. Kohn, Mathew Schellekens, Zachary W. Martin, Marie C. PepplerGeomorphic, flood, and groundwater-flow characteristics of Bayfield Peninsula streams, Wisconsin, and implications for brook-trout habitat
In 2002–03, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a study of the geomorphic, flood, and groundwater-flow characteristics of five Bayfield Peninsula streams, Wisconsin (Cranberry River, Bark River, Raspberry River, Sioux River, and Whittlesey Creek) to determine the physical limitations for brook-trout habitat. The goals of the study were threefold: (1) to describe geomorphic characteristics and proAuthorsFaith A. Fitzpatrick, Marie C. Peppler, David A. Saad, Dennis M. Pratt, Bernard N. LenzDeveloping a national stream morphology data exchange: needs, challenges, and opportunities
Stream morphology data, primarily consisting of channel and foodplain geometry and bed material size measurements, historically have had a wide range of applications and uses including culvert/ bridge design, rainfall- runoff modeling, food inundation mapping (e.g., U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency food insurance studies), climate change studies, channel stability/sediment source investigaAuthorsMathias J. Collins, John R. Gray, Marie C. Peppler, Faith A. Fitzpatrick, Joseph P. Schubauer-BeriganPrecipitation-runoff relations and water-quality characteristics at edge-of-field stations, Discovery Farms and Pioneer Farm, Wisconsin, 2003-8
A cooperative study between the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Discovery Farms program (Discovery Farms), and the UW-Platteville Pioneer Farm program (Pioneer Farm) was developed to identify typical ranges and magnitudes, temporal distributions, and principal factors affecting concentrations and yields of sediment, nutrients, and other selected constituents in runAuthorsTodd D. Stuntebeck, Matthew J. Komiskey, Marie C. Peppler, David W. Owens, Dennis R. FrameRelation of urbanization to stream habitat and geomorphic characteristics in nine metropolitan areas of the United States
The relation of urbanization to stream habitat and geomorphic characteristics was examined collectively and individually for nine metropolitan areas of the United States?Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City, Utah; Denver, Colorado; Dallas?Forth Worth, Texas; Milwaukee?Green Bay, Wisconsin; Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Boston, Massachusetts. The study was part ofAuthorsFaith A. Fitzpatrick, Marie C. PepplerEffects of urbanization on stream ecosystems along an agriculture-to-urban land-use gradient, Milwaukee to Green Bay, Wisconsin, 2003-2004
In 2003 and 2004, 30 streams near Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wisconsin, were part of a national study by the U.S. Geological Survey to assess urbanization effects on physical, chemical, and biological characteristics along an agriculture-to-urban land-use gradient. A geographic information system was used to characterize natural landscape features that define the environmental setting and the degreeAuthorsKevin D. Richards, Barbara C. Scudder, Faith A. Fitzpatrick, Jeffery J. Steuer, Amanda H. Bell, Marie C. Peppler, Jana S. Stewart, Mitchell A. HarrisSelected Physical, Chemical, and Biological Data Used to Study Urbanizing Streams in Nine Metropolitan Areas of the United States, 1999-2004
This report documents and summarizes physical, chemical, and biological data collected during 1999-2004 in a study titled Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecosystems, undertaken as part of the U.S. Geological Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment Program. Data-collection methods and data processing are described in this report for streamflow; stream temperature; instream chemistry; instreamAuthorsElise M. P. Giddings, Amanda H. Bell, Karen M. Beaulieu, Thomas F. Cuffney, James F. Coles, Larry R. Brown, Faith A. Fitzpatrick, James A. Falcone, Lori A. Sprague, Wade L. Bryant, Marie C. Peppler, Cory Stephens, Gerard McMahonFlood of June 2008 in Southern Wisconsin
In June 2008, heavy rain caused severe flooding across southern Wisconsin. The floods were aggravated by saturated soils that persisted from unusually wet antecedent conditions from a combination of floods in August 2007, more than 100 inches of snow in winter 2007-08, and moist conditions in spring 2008. The flooding caused immediate evacuations and road closures and prolonged, extensive damagesAuthorsFaith A. Fitzpatrick, Marie C. Peppler, John F. Walker, William J. Rose, Robert J. Waschbusch, James L. KennedyGeomorphic characteristics and classification of Duluth-area streams, Minnesota
In 2003 and 2004, a geomorphic assessment of streams in 20 watersheds in the Duluth, Minn., area was conducted to identify and summarize geomorphic characteristics, processes, disturbance mechanisms, and potential responses to disturbance. Methods used to assess the streams included watershed characterization, descriptions of segment slopes and valley types, historical aerial photograph interpretaAuthorsFaith A. Fitzpatrick, Marie C. Peppler, Michele M. DePhilip, Kathy LeeNon-USGS Publications**
Peppler, Marie C., 2006, Effects of Magnitude and Duration of Large Floods on Channel Morphology: A Case Study of North Fish Creek, Bayfield County, Wisconsin, 2000–2005. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Master of Science Thesis. 101 p.**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
- Science
Flood Inundation Mapping Toolbox
The FIM Toolbox contains comprehensive information on the Flood Inundation Mapping program, including how to develop a flood inundation map library. Resources include process documents, scientific and technical requirements, forms and templates, outreach and educational materials, and contact information. The FIM Toolbox is updated as new resources become available.Flood Inundation Map (FIM) Libraries
The Flood Inundation Mapping Program focuses on developing flood inundation map libraries and helping communities pair those libraries with real-time stream data and National Weather Service flood forecasts to form a two-dimensional flood warning system. Together, these products can help communities estimate the extent of a flood and identify at-risk areas and resources in advance of floodwaters...Emerging Flood Inundation Mapping Technologies
The following technologies represent state-of-the-art tools, methodologies, and techniques that the USGS and our partners are researching and testing. Most of these techniques are experimental and not publicly available, but could significantly improve our ability to plan for and respond to flooding events in the future.Flood Inundation Mapping - Loss Estimation
Using a flood inundation map library to estimate where floodwaters will go and how deep they will be is crucial for planning and preparing for floods. By performing loss-estimation modeling, the potential physical, economic, and social impacts of disasters can be calculated, helping communities anticipate the effects of flooding and identify specific strategies to reduce losses and speed recovery.FIM Toolbox: Prepare Your FIM Report
The FIM Toolbox contains comprehensive information on the Flood Inundation Mapping program, including how to develop a flood inundation map library. This section of the FIM Toolbox provides information on how to prepare your FIM report. The Toolbox is updated as new resources become available.FIM Toolbox: Outreach and Education Resources
Outreach and education resources to help build flood inundation libraries.FIM Toolbox: Obtain Approval and Publish Your FIM Library
The FIM Toolbox contains a comprehensive information on the Flood Inundation Mapping program, including how to develop a flood inundation map library. This section of the FIM Toolbox provides information on obtaining approval and publishing your FIM library. The Toolbox is updated as new resources become available.Flood Inundation Mapping Science
When planning for a flood, there are three key questions that must be answered: What areas will be flooded? How deep will the flood waters get? When will the flood arrive? Historical flooding can help a community anticipate how much impact similar flood events could have, but there are other methods and tools that can provide more accurate and nuanced estimations of a wide variety of flood...Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Program
Floods are the leading cause of natural-disaster losses in the U.S. More than 75 percent of declared Federal disasters are related to floods, and annual flood losses average almost $8 billion with over 90 fatalities per year. Although the amount of fatalities has declined due to improved early warning systems, economic losses continue to rise with increased urbanization in flood-hazard areas.FIM Toolbox: Prepare Your FIM Science
The FIM Toolbox contains comprehensive information on the Flood Inundation Mapping program, including how to develop a flood inundation map library. This section of the FIM Toolbox provides information on how to prepare your FIM science. The Toolbox is updated as new resources become available. - Multimedia