Matt Ely
Matt Ely serves as the Director of the USGS Colorado Water Science Center.
In September 2021, Matt Ely became the Director of the USGS Colorado Water Science Center. He leads a diverse team of 120 scientists and administrative and IT professionals. Prior to joining the Colorado WSC, Matt served as the Deputy Director and Associate Director of Hydrologic Interpretive Programs with the New England Water Science Center, Geohydrology Studies Supervisor with the USGS New Mexico Water Science Center, and as a project hydrologist with the USGS Washington Water Science Center. He developed numerous groundwater-flow and watershed models and served as project manager on regional water resource assessments. Matt began his career with the USGS in 1995.
Professional Experience
Director, USGS Colorado Water Science Center, 2021 – Present
Deputy Director, USGS New England Water Science Center, 2020 – 2021
Associate Director for Hydrologic Interpretive Programs, USGS New England Water Science Center, 2016 – 2020
Supervisory Hydrologist, USGS New Mexico Water Science Center, 2013 – 2016
Hydrologist, USGS Washington Water Science Center, 1998 – 2013
Graduate Research Assistant, Desert Research Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1996 – 1998
Hydrologic Technician, USGS Washington Water Science Center, 1995 – 1996
Education and Certifications
Master of Science, Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1998
Bachelor of Science, Marine Science, University of South Carolina, 1990
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 15
Numerical simulation of groundwater flow for the Yakima River basin aquifer system, Washington Numerical simulation of groundwater flow for the Yakima River basin aquifer system, Washington
A regional, three-dimensional, transient numerical model of groundwater flow was constructed for the Yakima River basin aquifer system to better understand the groundwater-flow system and its relation to surface-water resources. The model described in this report can be used as a tool by water-management agencies and other stakeholders to quantitatively evaluate proposed alternative...
Authors
D.M. Ely, M.P. Bachmann, J. J. Vaccaro
Hydrogeologic Framework of the Yakima River Basin Aquifer System, Washington Hydrogeologic Framework of the Yakima River Basin Aquifer System, Washington
The Yakima River basin aquifer system underlies about 6,200 square miles in south-central Washington. The aquifer system consists of basin-fill deposits occurring in six structural-sedimentary basins, the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG), and generally older bedrock. The basin-fill deposits were divided into 19 hydrogeologic units, the CRBG was divided into three units separated by two...
Authors
J. J. Vaccaro, M. A. Jones, D.M. Ely, M. E. Keys, T. D. Olsen, W.B. Welch, S.E. Cox
Seepage Investigation for Selected River Reaches in the Chehalis River Basin, Washington Seepage Investigation for Selected River Reaches in the Chehalis River Basin, Washington
A study was completed in September 2007 in the Chehalis River basin to determine gain or loss of streamflow by measuring discharge at selected intervals within various reaches along the Chehalis River and its tributaries. Discharge was measured at 68 new and existing streamflow sites, where gains and losses were determined for 36 stream reaches. Streamflow gains were measured for 22...
Authors
D. Matthew Ely, Kenneth E. Frasl, Cameron A. Marshall, Fred Reed
OPR-PPR, a computer program for assessing data importance to model predictions using linear statistics OPR-PPR, a computer program for assessing data importance to model predictions using linear statistics
The OPR-PPR program calculates the Observation-Prediction (OPR) and Parameter-Prediction (PPR) statistics that can be used to evaluate the relative importance of various kinds of data to simulated predictions. The data considered fall into three categories: (1) existing observations, (2) potential observations, and (3) potential information about parameters. The first two are addressed...
Authors
Matthew J. Tonkin, Claire R. Tiedeman, D. Matthew Ely, Mary C. Hill
Analysis of sensitivity of simulated recharge to selected parameters for seven watersheds modeled using the precipitation-runoff modeling system Analysis of sensitivity of simulated recharge to selected parameters for seven watersheds modeled using the precipitation-runoff modeling system
Recharge is a vital component of the ground-water budget and methods for estimating it range from extremely complex to relatively simple. The most commonly used techniques, however, are limited by the scale of application. One method that can be used to estimate ground-water recharge includes process-based models that compute distributed water budgets on a watershed scale. These models...
Authors
D. Matthew Ely
Conceptual model and numerical simulation of the ground-water-flow system in the unconsolidated deposits of the Colville River Watershed, Stevens County, Washington Conceptual model and numerical simulation of the ground-water-flow system in the unconsolidated deposits of the Colville River Watershed, Stevens County, Washington
Increased use of ground- and surface-water supplies in watersheds of Washington State in recent years has created concern that insufficient instream flows remain for fish and other uses. Issuance of new ground-water rights in the Colville River Watershed was halted by the Washington Department of Ecology due to possible hydraulic continuity of the ground and surface waters. A ground...
Authors
D. Matthew Ely, Sue C. Kahle
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.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 15
Numerical simulation of groundwater flow for the Yakima River basin aquifer system, Washington Numerical simulation of groundwater flow for the Yakima River basin aquifer system, Washington
A regional, three-dimensional, transient numerical model of groundwater flow was constructed for the Yakima River basin aquifer system to better understand the groundwater-flow system and its relation to surface-water resources. The model described in this report can be used as a tool by water-management agencies and other stakeholders to quantitatively evaluate proposed alternative...
Authors
D.M. Ely, M.P. Bachmann, J. J. Vaccaro
Hydrogeologic Framework of the Yakima River Basin Aquifer System, Washington Hydrogeologic Framework of the Yakima River Basin Aquifer System, Washington
The Yakima River basin aquifer system underlies about 6,200 square miles in south-central Washington. The aquifer system consists of basin-fill deposits occurring in six structural-sedimentary basins, the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG), and generally older bedrock. The basin-fill deposits were divided into 19 hydrogeologic units, the CRBG was divided into three units separated by two...
Authors
J. J. Vaccaro, M. A. Jones, D.M. Ely, M. E. Keys, T. D. Olsen, W.B. Welch, S.E. Cox
Seepage Investigation for Selected River Reaches in the Chehalis River Basin, Washington Seepage Investigation for Selected River Reaches in the Chehalis River Basin, Washington
A study was completed in September 2007 in the Chehalis River basin to determine gain or loss of streamflow by measuring discharge at selected intervals within various reaches along the Chehalis River and its tributaries. Discharge was measured at 68 new and existing streamflow sites, where gains and losses were determined for 36 stream reaches. Streamflow gains were measured for 22...
Authors
D. Matthew Ely, Kenneth E. Frasl, Cameron A. Marshall, Fred Reed
OPR-PPR, a computer program for assessing data importance to model predictions using linear statistics OPR-PPR, a computer program for assessing data importance to model predictions using linear statistics
The OPR-PPR program calculates the Observation-Prediction (OPR) and Parameter-Prediction (PPR) statistics that can be used to evaluate the relative importance of various kinds of data to simulated predictions. The data considered fall into three categories: (1) existing observations, (2) potential observations, and (3) potential information about parameters. The first two are addressed...
Authors
Matthew J. Tonkin, Claire R. Tiedeman, D. Matthew Ely, Mary C. Hill
Analysis of sensitivity of simulated recharge to selected parameters for seven watersheds modeled using the precipitation-runoff modeling system Analysis of sensitivity of simulated recharge to selected parameters for seven watersheds modeled using the precipitation-runoff modeling system
Recharge is a vital component of the ground-water budget and methods for estimating it range from extremely complex to relatively simple. The most commonly used techniques, however, are limited by the scale of application. One method that can be used to estimate ground-water recharge includes process-based models that compute distributed water budgets on a watershed scale. These models...
Authors
D. Matthew Ely
Conceptual model and numerical simulation of the ground-water-flow system in the unconsolidated deposits of the Colville River Watershed, Stevens County, Washington Conceptual model and numerical simulation of the ground-water-flow system in the unconsolidated deposits of the Colville River Watershed, Stevens County, Washington
Increased use of ground- and surface-water supplies in watersheds of Washington State in recent years has created concern that insufficient instream flows remain for fish and other uses. Issuance of new ground-water rights in the Colville River Watershed was halted by the Washington Department of Ecology due to possible hydraulic continuity of the ground and surface waters. A ground...
Authors
D. Matthew Ely, Sue C. Kahle
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.