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Matthew R. Kearns

Matt Kearns is a hydrologist in the Charleston Field Office of the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center.

Matt works on a variety of water resources studies, including water availability and water use.

Current projects and interests:

  • Mid-Atlantic water use and consumption
  • Drought monitoring of surface and groundwater resources
  • Water quality in the New River Gorge National Park and Chesapeake Bay
  • Groundwater, recharge, and water use modeling
  • Water resources management for ecological and environmental flows

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. Forest Resource Management, West Virginia University

  • B.S. Marine and Environmental Science, United States Coast Guard Academy

Science and Products

Small stonefly nymph perched on a scientist's hand

Effects of Abandoned Coal Mine Drainage in the New River Gorge

Many abandoned historic mines surround the New River Gorge. Untreated water draining from these mines has the potential to alter the temperature and water quality of nearby creeks and rivers. Remediation and restoration has been proposed for many of these abandoned mines. However, the cold water seeping out of these mines may also create wetland areas along the flat mine benches which were cut...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Effects of Abandoned Coal Mine Drainage in the New River Gorge

Effects of Abandoned Coal Mine Drainage in the New River Gorge

Many abandoned historic mines surround the New River Gorge. Untreated water draining from these mines has the potential to alter the temperature and water quality of nearby creeks and rivers. Remediation and restoration has been proposed for many of these abandoned mines. However, the cold water seeping out of these mines may also create wetland areas along the flat mine benches which were cut...
Learn More

Estimated aquifer distribution for private-domestic wells; estimated spatial distribution of the self-supplied domestic population for 2020 and 2010; and estimated monthly self-supplied domestic withdrawals of groundwater for the Virginia Coastal Plain Estimated aquifer distribution for private-domestic wells; estimated spatial distribution of the self-supplied domestic population for 2020 and 2010; and estimated monthly self-supplied domestic withdrawals of groundwater for the Virginia Coastal Plain

The USGS developed methods and results to improve estimation of the aquifer system, location, and quantity of private-domestic well groundwater withdrawals and the self-supplied domestic population of the Virginia Coastal Plain. This USGS data release includes (1) tabular datasets with the estimated aquifer distribution of 8,264 private-domestic wells aggregated by locality/county, USGS...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Data from 126 logged groundwater wells analyzed to assess geologic, topographic, and physiographic controls on the occurrence and distribution of fractures and transmissivity of water-bearing fractures in West Virginia Data from 126 logged groundwater wells analyzed to assess geologic, topographic, and physiographic controls on the occurrence and distribution of fractures and transmissivity of water-bearing fractures in West Virginia

This data release summarizes 126 borehole geophysical logs collected in fractured rock aquifers within the state of West Virginia. Data includes site information for the wells logged, in addition to all fractures identified as part of processing of borehole logs collected for the study. A machine learning algorithm was used to identify values in logs characteristic of specific lithologic...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Water withdrawal data of selected public water systems in West Virginia, 2014 - 2020 Water withdrawal data of selected public water systems in West Virginia, 2014 - 2020

These data were collected to support a drought-vulnerability assessment and near real-time drought awareness web tool for public water systems (PWS) on surface water supply in West Virginia. PWS withdrawal rates were evaluated against USGS low-flow stream statistics, modeled streamflow from the National Water Model, and thresholds from state drought response guidelines and ecological...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Raster and vector geospatial data of interpolated groundwater level altitude associated with a groundwater-level map of Fauquier County, Virginia, October - November 2018 Raster and vector geospatial data of interpolated groundwater level altitude associated with a groundwater-level map of Fauquier County, Virginia, October - November 2018

This dataset is the product of a geospatial interpolation using groundwater-level data obtained from a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) synoptic survey of 129 groundwater wells in Fauquier County, VA from October 29 through November 2, 2018 and selected points from the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Methodology is detailed in USGS SIR 2022-5014 "Groundwater-level contour map of...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge
Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge
Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge
Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge

Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge

Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge

Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge in support of USGS-NPS partnership.

Fall 2022 Photo Contest Winner: Matt Kearns, USGS at Work category

By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge

Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge

Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge

Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge in support of USGS-NPS partnership.

Fall 2022 Photo Contest Winner: Matt Kearns, USGS at Work category

By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Estimated hydrogeologic, spatial, and temporal distribution of self-supplied domestic groundwater withdrawals for aquifers of the Virginia Coastal Plain Estimated hydrogeologic, spatial, and temporal distribution of self-supplied domestic groundwater withdrawals for aquifers of the Virginia Coastal Plain

Water use from private-domestic wells accounts for nearly 40 percent of total groundwater withdrawals in the Virginia Coastal Plain Physiographic Province (henceforth called the Virginia Coastal Plain). However, because self-supplied domestic water use generally falls below the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) reporting and management threshold of 300,000 gallons per...
Authors
Matthew R. Kearns, Jason P. Pope
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Drought-vulnerability assessment of public water systems in West Virginia Drought-vulnerability assessment of public water systems in West Virginia

Water withdrawn from rivers and streams accounts for approximately 80 percent of the public water supply in West Virginia. Localized and (or) seasonal droughts may threaten future water availability in the state, particularly in rural communities located in the headwaters of unregulated watersheds. Monthly water withdrawal data obtained from the West Virginia Department of Environmental...
Authors
Matthew R. Kearns, Kaycee E. Faunce, Terence Messinger
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Groundwater-level contour map of Fauquier County, Virginia, October-November 2018 Groundwater-level contour map of Fauquier County, Virginia, October-November 2018

Groundwater withdrawals provide most public-water supplies and all private-domestic users in Fauquier County, Virginia, a fast-growing rural area southwest of Washington, D.C. Groundwater levels were measured in 129 wells during a county-wide synoptic survey from October 29 through November 2, 2018. Field measurements, combined with datapoints from the National Hydrography Dataset, were...
Authors
Matthew R. Kearns, Kurt J. McCoy
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Interactive Map: West Virginia Public Water System Drought Risk Interactive Map: West Virginia Public Water System Drought Risk

This application is intended to help emergency, environmental, and public health managers at the federal, state, and local levels in West Virginia evaluate, plan for, and respond to potential drought conditions in at-risk communities. It uses estimated public water supply withdrawal rates to symbolize modeled drought conditions once every hour using National Water Model streamflow estimates.
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center, Drought

Science and Products

Small stonefly nymph perched on a scientist's hand

Effects of Abandoned Coal Mine Drainage in the New River Gorge

Many abandoned historic mines surround the New River Gorge. Untreated water draining from these mines has the potential to alter the temperature and water quality of nearby creeks and rivers. Remediation and restoration has been proposed for many of these abandoned mines. However, the cold water seeping out of these mines may also create wetland areas along the flat mine benches which were cut...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Effects of Abandoned Coal Mine Drainage in the New River Gorge

Effects of Abandoned Coal Mine Drainage in the New River Gorge

Many abandoned historic mines surround the New River Gorge. Untreated water draining from these mines has the potential to alter the temperature and water quality of nearby creeks and rivers. Remediation and restoration has been proposed for many of these abandoned mines. However, the cold water seeping out of these mines may also create wetland areas along the flat mine benches which were cut...
Learn More

Estimated aquifer distribution for private-domestic wells; estimated spatial distribution of the self-supplied domestic population for 2020 and 2010; and estimated monthly self-supplied domestic withdrawals of groundwater for the Virginia Coastal Plain Estimated aquifer distribution for private-domestic wells; estimated spatial distribution of the self-supplied domestic population for 2020 and 2010; and estimated monthly self-supplied domestic withdrawals of groundwater for the Virginia Coastal Plain

The USGS developed methods and results to improve estimation of the aquifer system, location, and quantity of private-domestic well groundwater withdrawals and the self-supplied domestic population of the Virginia Coastal Plain. This USGS data release includes (1) tabular datasets with the estimated aquifer distribution of 8,264 private-domestic wells aggregated by locality/county, USGS...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Data from 126 logged groundwater wells analyzed to assess geologic, topographic, and physiographic controls on the occurrence and distribution of fractures and transmissivity of water-bearing fractures in West Virginia Data from 126 logged groundwater wells analyzed to assess geologic, topographic, and physiographic controls on the occurrence and distribution of fractures and transmissivity of water-bearing fractures in West Virginia

This data release summarizes 126 borehole geophysical logs collected in fractured rock aquifers within the state of West Virginia. Data includes site information for the wells logged, in addition to all fractures identified as part of processing of borehole logs collected for the study. A machine learning algorithm was used to identify values in logs characteristic of specific lithologic...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Water withdrawal data of selected public water systems in West Virginia, 2014 - 2020 Water withdrawal data of selected public water systems in West Virginia, 2014 - 2020

These data were collected to support a drought-vulnerability assessment and near real-time drought awareness web tool for public water systems (PWS) on surface water supply in West Virginia. PWS withdrawal rates were evaluated against USGS low-flow stream statistics, modeled streamflow from the National Water Model, and thresholds from state drought response guidelines and ecological...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Raster and vector geospatial data of interpolated groundwater level altitude associated with a groundwater-level map of Fauquier County, Virginia, October - November 2018 Raster and vector geospatial data of interpolated groundwater level altitude associated with a groundwater-level map of Fauquier County, Virginia, October - November 2018

This dataset is the product of a geospatial interpolation using groundwater-level data obtained from a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) synoptic survey of 129 groundwater wells in Fauquier County, VA from October 29 through November 2, 2018 and selected points from the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD). Methodology is detailed in USGS SIR 2022-5014 "Groundwater-level contour map of...
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge
Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge
Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge
Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge

Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge

Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge

Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge in support of USGS-NPS partnership.

Fall 2022 Photo Contest Winner: Matt Kearns, USGS at Work category

By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge

Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge

Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge

Collecting water quality samples from the New River Gorge in support of USGS-NPS partnership.

Fall 2022 Photo Contest Winner: Matt Kearns, USGS at Work category

By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Estimated hydrogeologic, spatial, and temporal distribution of self-supplied domestic groundwater withdrawals for aquifers of the Virginia Coastal Plain Estimated hydrogeologic, spatial, and temporal distribution of self-supplied domestic groundwater withdrawals for aquifers of the Virginia Coastal Plain

Water use from private-domestic wells accounts for nearly 40 percent of total groundwater withdrawals in the Virginia Coastal Plain Physiographic Province (henceforth called the Virginia Coastal Plain). However, because self-supplied domestic water use generally falls below the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) reporting and management threshold of 300,000 gallons per...
Authors
Matthew R. Kearns, Jason P. Pope
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Drought-vulnerability assessment of public water systems in West Virginia Drought-vulnerability assessment of public water systems in West Virginia

Water withdrawn from rivers and streams accounts for approximately 80 percent of the public water supply in West Virginia. Localized and (or) seasonal droughts may threaten future water availability in the state, particularly in rural communities located in the headwaters of unregulated watersheds. Monthly water withdrawal data obtained from the West Virginia Department of Environmental...
Authors
Matthew R. Kearns, Kaycee E. Faunce, Terence Messinger
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Groundwater-level contour map of Fauquier County, Virginia, October-November 2018 Groundwater-level contour map of Fauquier County, Virginia, October-November 2018

Groundwater withdrawals provide most public-water supplies and all private-domestic users in Fauquier County, Virginia, a fast-growing rural area southwest of Washington, D.C. Groundwater levels were measured in 129 wells during a county-wide synoptic survey from October 29 through November 2, 2018. Field measurements, combined with datapoints from the National Hydrography Dataset, were...
Authors
Matthew R. Kearns, Kurt J. McCoy
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center

Interactive Map: West Virginia Public Water System Drought Risk Interactive Map: West Virginia Public Water System Drought Risk

This application is intended to help emergency, environmental, and public health managers at the federal, state, and local levels in West Virginia evaluate, plan for, and respond to potential drought conditions in at-risk communities. It uses estimated public water supply withdrawal rates to symbolize modeled drought conditions once every hour using National Water Model streamflow estimates.
By
Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center, Drought
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