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Michael Como

Michael Como is a supervisory hydrologist with the USGS New York Water Science Center, Coram Program Office.  

He received his undergraduate degree in Geology from Hofstra University in 2009 and his graduate degree in Hydrogeology from Stony Brook University in 2013.  Michael supervises the Coram data section (Coram POD) which collects, analyzes, and disseminates groundwater and surface water data.  His background includes groundwater mapping, geophysics, and aquifer test analyses.

Professional Experience

  • supervisory hydrologist with the USGS New York Water Science Center.

Education and Certifications

  • MS. in Hydrogeology from Stony Brook University in 2013.

  • BS. in Geology from Hofstra University in 2009.

Science and Products

Delineation of the freshwater-saltwater interface on southwestern Long Island, New York, through use of surface and borehole geophysical methods

The U.S. Geological Survey used surface and borehole geophysical methods to delineate the freshwater-saltwater interface in coastal plain aquifers along the southwestern part of Long Island, New York. Over pumping of groundwater in the early 20th century combined with freshwater-saltwater interfaces at the coastline created saltwater intrusion in the upper glacial, Jameco, Magothy, and Lloyd aquif
Authors
Frederick Stumm, Michael D. Como, Marie A. Zuck
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Use of time domain electromagnetic soundings and borehole electromagnetic induction logs to delineate the freshwater/saltwater interface on southwestern Long Island, New York, 2015–17

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, used surface and borehole geophysical methods to delineate the freshwater/saltwater interface in coastal plain aquifers along the southwestern part of Long Island, New York. Over pumping of groundwater in the early 20th century combined with freshwater/saltwater interfaces at the coastline
Authors
Frederick Stumm, Michael D. Como, Marie A. Zuck
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

Delineation of salt water intrusion through use of electromagnetic-induction logging: A case study in Southern Manhattan Island, New York

Groundwater with chloride concentrations up to 15,000 mg/L has intruded the freshwater aquifer underlying southern Manhattan Island, New York. Historical (1940–1950) chloride concentration data of glacial aquifer wells in the study area indicate the presence of four wedges of saltwater intrusion that may have been caused by industrial pumpage. The limited recharge capability of the aquifer, due to
Authors
Frederick Stumm, Michael D. Como
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Delineation of fractures, foliation, and groundwater of the bedrock at a geothermal feasibility site on Roosevelt Island, New York County, New York

Advanced borehole-geophysical methods were used to investigate the hydrogeology of the crystalline bedrock in three boreholes on Roosevelt Island, New York County, New York. Cornell University was evaluating the feasibility of using geothermal energy for a future campus at the site. The borehole-logging techniques were used to delineate bedrock fractures, foliation, and groundwater-flow zones of t
Authors
Frederick Stumm, Anthony Chu, Michael D. Como, Michael L. Noll, Peter K. Joesten
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Delineation of fractures, foliation, and groundwater-flow zones of the bedrock at the Harlem River Tunnel in northern New York County, New York

Advanced borehole-geophysical methods were used to investigate the hydrogeology of the crystalline bedrock in 36 boreholes on the northernmost part of New York County, New York, for the construction of a utilities tunnel beneath the Harlem River. The borehole-logging techniques were used to delineate bedrock fractures, foliation, and groundwater-flow zones in test boreholes at the site. Fracture i
Authors
Frederick Stumm, Anthony Chu, Peter K. Joesten, Michael L. Noll, Michael D. Como
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Preliminary analysis of the hydrologic effects of temporary shutdowns of the Rondout-West Branch Water Tunnel on the groundwater-flow system in Wawarsing, New York

Flooding of streets and residential basements, and bacterial contamination of private-supply wells with Escherichia coli (E. coli) are recurring problems in the Rondout Valley near the Town of Wawarsing, Ulster County, New York. Leakage from the Rondout-West Branch (RWB) Water Tunnel and above-normal precipitation have been suspected of causing elevated groundwater levels and basement flooding. Th
Authors
Frederick Stumm, Anthony Chu, Michael D. Como, Michael L. Noll
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Como, Michael and Revetta, Frank, 2007, Interpretation of Geophysical Data Over Panther Mountain Circular Structure, in Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 39, No. 1, p. 59

**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.

link
man in fields in chair reading data from instrument on table

Saltwater-Interface Mapping - Long Island, New York

Saltwater intrusion is the most common type of water-quality degradation in coastal-plain aquifers. In coastal areas, the hydraulic head under predevelopment (nonpumping) conditions is higher on land than in the surrounding saltwater embayments; thus, fresh groundwater flows seaward (from areas of high potential to areas of lower potential) and meets saltwater at an equilibrium point (interface)...
By
New York Water Science Center
link

Saltwater-Interface Mapping - Long Island, New York

Saltwater intrusion is the most common type of water-quality degradation in coastal-plain aquifers. In coastal areas, the hydraulic head under predevelopment (nonpumping) conditions is higher on land than in the surrounding saltwater embayments; thus, fresh groundwater flows seaward (from areas of high potential to areas of lower potential) and meets saltwater at an equilibrium point (interface)...
Learn More
link
2 men standing on drill rig

Hydrogeologic-Framework Mapping - Long Island, New York

Long Island is underlain by unconsolidated Holocene deposits, glacial deposits of Pleistocene age, and coastal-plain deposits of Late Cretaceous age. These sediments consist of gravel, sand, silt, and clay underlain by crystalline bedrock of early Paleozoic age (figure 2b). The bedrock is relatively impermeable, and forms the base of the groundwater-flow system on Long Island. The geologic and...
By
New York Water Science Center
link

Hydrogeologic-Framework Mapping - Long Island, New York

Long Island is underlain by unconsolidated Holocene deposits, glacial deposits of Pleistocene age, and coastal-plain deposits of Late Cretaceous age. These sediments consist of gravel, sand, silt, and clay underlain by crystalline bedrock of early Paleozoic age (figure 2b). The bedrock is relatively impermeable, and forms the base of the groundwater-flow system on Long Island. The geologic and...
Learn More
link
drillrig on snowy ground by houses

Documenting Hydrogeologic Information Obtained from Deep-Borehole Drilling in Suffolk County, New York

Background Borehole drilling and well-installation are costly procedures, and securing funding for new well installation for the sake of research is often difficult.The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) maintains a large network of deep wells for public supply that is constantly being upgraded as water demands increase. During the drilling process, contractors record drillers’ lo
By
New York Water Science Center
link

Documenting Hydrogeologic Information Obtained from Deep-Borehole Drilling in Suffolk County, New York

Background Borehole drilling and well-installation are costly procedures, and securing funding for new well installation for the sake of research is often difficult.The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) maintains a large network of deep wells for public supply that is constantly being upgraded as water demands increase. During the drilling process, contractors record drillers’ lo
Learn More

Geospatial Dataset of Water-Table and Potentiometric-Surface Altitudes in the Upper Glacial, Magothy, and Lloyd Aquifers of Long Island, New York, March–April 2006

This data release contains geospatial data defining estimates of the depth to water and water-table altitude in the upper glacial and Magothy Aquifers, the potentiometric surface of the confined Magothy and Jameco Aquifers, and the potentiometric surface of the Lloyd and North Shore Aquifers on Long Island, New York. Estimates are based on 502 water-level measurements made in wells across Long Isl
By
New York Water Science Center

Geospatial Dataset of Water-Table and Potentiometric-Surface Altitudes in the Upper Glacial, Magothy, and Lloyd Aquifers of Long Island, New York, April-May 2010

This data release contains geospatial data defining estimates of the depth to water and water-table altitude in the upper glacial and Magothy Aquifers, the potentiometric surface of the confined Magothy and Jameco Aquifers, and the potentiometric surface of the Lloyd and North Shore Aquifers on Long Island, New York. Estimates are based on 502 water-level measurements made in wells across Long Isl
By
New York Water Science Center

Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio Soundings and Depth-to-Bedrock Data for New York City and Long Island, NY

From March 2019 to September 2020, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York City Department of Design and Construction and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, collected horizontal-to-vertical seismic (HVSR) surveys at 140 locations in New York, Bronx, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties to estimate the thickness of unconsolidated sediments and the dept
By
New York Water Science Center

Geospatial Data for Bedrock Elevation and Overburden Thickness Maps of the Five Boroughs, New York City, New York

Using a combination of public and proprietary historical construction test borings, recent exploration drilling, USGS observation wells, outcrops, and seismic measurements, a series of geospatial overlays for bedrock elevation and overburden thickness were created for the Five Boroughs of New York City, New York. Rasters were interpolated from a point elevation data set and refined using published
By
New York Water Science Center

Time-domain Electromagnetic Soundings to Estimate the Extent of Saltwater Intrusion on Shelter Island, New York (2017-2018)

Twenty-six time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) soundings were collected on Shelter Island, New York between March of 2017 and October of 2018.  Soundings were collected using the Geonics ProTEM and ABEM WalkTEM acquisition systems. Depending on the size of the site, one of the following square-loop transmitter geometries was used: 1) 20 by 20 meter, 2) 40 by 40 meter, or 3) 100 by 100 meter. A high
By
New York Water Science Center

Time Domain Electromagnetic Surveys Collected to Estimate the Extent of Saltwater Intrusion in Nassau and Queens County, New York, October-November 2017

During October-November 2017 twelve time domain electromagnetic (TDEM) surveys were collected in Nassau and Queens County. The data were collected to estimate the extent of saltwater intrusion in support of the Long Island Groundwater Sustainability Project in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. In the TDEM method, an electrical current is run through a w
By
New York Water Science Center

Geospatial Dataset of Water-Table and Potentiometric-Surface Altitudes in the Upper Glacial, Magothy, and Lloyd Aquifers of Long Island, New York, April-May 2016

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is providing online maps of water-table and potentiometric-surface altitude in the upper glacial, Magothy, Jameco, Lloyd, and North Shore aquifers on Long Island, New York, April-May 2016. Also provided is a depth-to-water map for Long Island, New York, April-May 2016. The USGS makes these maps and geospatial data available as REST Open Map Services (as well as HT
By
New York Water Science Center

Water-table and potentiometric-surface altitudes in the upper glacial, Magothy, and Lloyd aquifers of Long Island, New York, April–May 2016

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with State and local agencies, systematically collects groundwater data at varying measurement frequencies to monitor the hydrologic conditions on Long Island, New York. Each year during April and May, the U.S. Geological Survey completes a synoptic survey of water levels to define the spatial distribution of the water table and potentiometric surfaces wi
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

Water-table and potentiometric-surface altitudes in the Upper Glacial, Magothy, and Lloyd aquifers of Long Island, New York, April-May 2013

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with State and local agencies, systematically collects groundwater data at varying measurement frequencies to monitor the hydrologic conditions on Long Island, New York. Each year during April and May, the USGS conducts a synoptic survey of water levels to define the spatial distribution of the water table and potentiometric surfaces within the thr
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

Water-table and Potentiometric-surface altitudes in the Upper Glacial, Magothy, and Lloyd aquifers beneath Long Island, New York, April-May 2010

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with State and local agencies, systematically collects groundwater data at varying measurement frequencies to monitor the hydrologic conditions on Long Island, New York. Each year during April and May, the USGS conducts a synoptic survey of water levels to define the spatial distribution of the water table and potentiometric surfaces within the thr
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed
New Wells in Long Island Sustainability Well Network

New Wells in Long Island Sustainability Well Network

Drilling Updates

Read Article

Science and Products

Delineation of the freshwater-saltwater interface on southwestern Long Island, New York, through use of surface and borehole geophysical methods

The U.S. Geological Survey used surface and borehole geophysical methods to delineate the freshwater-saltwater interface in coastal plain aquifers along the southwestern part of Long Island, New York. Over pumping of groundwater in the early 20th century combined with freshwater-saltwater interfaces at the coastline created saltwater intrusion in the upper glacial, Jameco, Magothy, and Lloyd aquif
Authors
Frederick Stumm, Michael D. Como, Marie A. Zuck
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Use of time domain electromagnetic soundings and borehole electromagnetic induction logs to delineate the freshwater/saltwater interface on southwestern Long Island, New York, 2015–17

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, used surface and borehole geophysical methods to delineate the freshwater/saltwater interface in coastal plain aquifers along the southwestern part of Long Island, New York. Over pumping of groundwater in the early 20th century combined with freshwater/saltwater interfaces at the coastline
Authors
Frederick Stumm, Michael D. Como, Marie A. Zuck
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

Delineation of salt water intrusion through use of electromagnetic-induction logging: A case study in Southern Manhattan Island, New York

Groundwater with chloride concentrations up to 15,000 mg/L has intruded the freshwater aquifer underlying southern Manhattan Island, New York. Historical (1940–1950) chloride concentration data of glacial aquifer wells in the study area indicate the presence of four wedges of saltwater intrusion that may have been caused by industrial pumpage. The limited recharge capability of the aquifer, due to
Authors
Frederick Stumm, Michael D. Como
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Delineation of fractures, foliation, and groundwater of the bedrock at a geothermal feasibility site on Roosevelt Island, New York County, New York

Advanced borehole-geophysical methods were used to investigate the hydrogeology of the crystalline bedrock in three boreholes on Roosevelt Island, New York County, New York. Cornell University was evaluating the feasibility of using geothermal energy for a future campus at the site. The borehole-logging techniques were used to delineate bedrock fractures, foliation, and groundwater-flow zones of t
Authors
Frederick Stumm, Anthony Chu, Michael D. Como, Michael L. Noll, Peter K. Joesten
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Delineation of fractures, foliation, and groundwater-flow zones of the bedrock at the Harlem River Tunnel in northern New York County, New York

Advanced borehole-geophysical methods were used to investigate the hydrogeology of the crystalline bedrock in 36 boreholes on the northernmost part of New York County, New York, for the construction of a utilities tunnel beneath the Harlem River. The borehole-logging techniques were used to delineate bedrock fractures, foliation, and groundwater-flow zones in test boreholes at the site. Fracture i
Authors
Frederick Stumm, Anthony Chu, Peter K. Joesten, Michael L. Noll, Michael D. Como
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Preliminary analysis of the hydrologic effects of temporary shutdowns of the Rondout-West Branch Water Tunnel on the groundwater-flow system in Wawarsing, New York

Flooding of streets and residential basements, and bacterial contamination of private-supply wells with Escherichia coli (E. coli) are recurring problems in the Rondout Valley near the Town of Wawarsing, Ulster County, New York. Leakage from the Rondout-West Branch (RWB) Water Tunnel and above-normal precipitation have been suspected of causing elevated groundwater levels and basement flooding. Th
Authors
Frederick Stumm, Anthony Chu, Michael D. Como, Michael L. Noll
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Como, Michael and Revetta, Frank, 2007, Interpretation of Geophysical Data Over Panther Mountain Circular Structure, in Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 39, No. 1, p. 59

**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.

link
man in fields in chair reading data from instrument on table

Saltwater-Interface Mapping - Long Island, New York

Saltwater intrusion is the most common type of water-quality degradation in coastal-plain aquifers. In coastal areas, the hydraulic head under predevelopment (nonpumping) conditions is higher on land than in the surrounding saltwater embayments; thus, fresh groundwater flows seaward (from areas of high potential to areas of lower potential) and meets saltwater at an equilibrium point (interface)...
By
New York Water Science Center
link

Saltwater-Interface Mapping - Long Island, New York

Saltwater intrusion is the most common type of water-quality degradation in coastal-plain aquifers. In coastal areas, the hydraulic head under predevelopment (nonpumping) conditions is higher on land than in the surrounding saltwater embayments; thus, fresh groundwater flows seaward (from areas of high potential to areas of lower potential) and meets saltwater at an equilibrium point (interface)...
Learn More
link
2 men standing on drill rig

Hydrogeologic-Framework Mapping - Long Island, New York

Long Island is underlain by unconsolidated Holocene deposits, glacial deposits of Pleistocene age, and coastal-plain deposits of Late Cretaceous age. These sediments consist of gravel, sand, silt, and clay underlain by crystalline bedrock of early Paleozoic age (figure 2b). The bedrock is relatively impermeable, and forms the base of the groundwater-flow system on Long Island. The geologic and...
By
New York Water Science Center
link

Hydrogeologic-Framework Mapping - Long Island, New York

Long Island is underlain by unconsolidated Holocene deposits, glacial deposits of Pleistocene age, and coastal-plain deposits of Late Cretaceous age. These sediments consist of gravel, sand, silt, and clay underlain by crystalline bedrock of early Paleozoic age (figure 2b). The bedrock is relatively impermeable, and forms the base of the groundwater-flow system on Long Island. The geologic and...
Learn More
link
drillrig on snowy ground by houses

Documenting Hydrogeologic Information Obtained from Deep-Borehole Drilling in Suffolk County, New York

Background Borehole drilling and well-installation are costly procedures, and securing funding for new well installation for the sake of research is often difficult.The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) maintains a large network of deep wells for public supply that is constantly being upgraded as water demands increase. During the drilling process, contractors record drillers’ lo
By
New York Water Science Center
link

Documenting Hydrogeologic Information Obtained from Deep-Borehole Drilling in Suffolk County, New York

Background Borehole drilling and well-installation are costly procedures, and securing funding for new well installation for the sake of research is often difficult.The Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) maintains a large network of deep wells for public supply that is constantly being upgraded as water demands increase. During the drilling process, contractors record drillers’ lo
Learn More

Geospatial Dataset of Water-Table and Potentiometric-Surface Altitudes in the Upper Glacial, Magothy, and Lloyd Aquifers of Long Island, New York, March–April 2006

This data release contains geospatial data defining estimates of the depth to water and water-table altitude in the upper glacial and Magothy Aquifers, the potentiometric surface of the confined Magothy and Jameco Aquifers, and the potentiometric surface of the Lloyd and North Shore Aquifers on Long Island, New York. Estimates are based on 502 water-level measurements made in wells across Long Isl
By
New York Water Science Center

Geospatial Dataset of Water-Table and Potentiometric-Surface Altitudes in the Upper Glacial, Magothy, and Lloyd Aquifers of Long Island, New York, April-May 2010

This data release contains geospatial data defining estimates of the depth to water and water-table altitude in the upper glacial and Magothy Aquifers, the potentiometric surface of the confined Magothy and Jameco Aquifers, and the potentiometric surface of the Lloyd and North Shore Aquifers on Long Island, New York. Estimates are based on 502 water-level measurements made in wells across Long Isl
By
New York Water Science Center

Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio Soundings and Depth-to-Bedrock Data for New York City and Long Island, NY

From March 2019 to September 2020, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the New York City Department of Design and Construction and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, collected horizontal-to-vertical seismic (HVSR) surveys at 140 locations in New York, Bronx, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk counties to estimate the thickness of unconsolidated sediments and the dept
By
New York Water Science Center

Geospatial Data for Bedrock Elevation and Overburden Thickness Maps of the Five Boroughs, New York City, New York

Using a combination of public and proprietary historical construction test borings, recent exploration drilling, USGS observation wells, outcrops, and seismic measurements, a series of geospatial overlays for bedrock elevation and overburden thickness were created for the Five Boroughs of New York City, New York. Rasters were interpolated from a point elevation data set and refined using published
By
New York Water Science Center

Time-domain Electromagnetic Soundings to Estimate the Extent of Saltwater Intrusion on Shelter Island, New York (2017-2018)

Twenty-six time-domain electromagnetic (TDEM) soundings were collected on Shelter Island, New York between March of 2017 and October of 2018.  Soundings were collected using the Geonics ProTEM and ABEM WalkTEM acquisition systems. Depending on the size of the site, one of the following square-loop transmitter geometries was used: 1) 20 by 20 meter, 2) 40 by 40 meter, or 3) 100 by 100 meter. A high
By
New York Water Science Center

Time Domain Electromagnetic Surveys Collected to Estimate the Extent of Saltwater Intrusion in Nassau and Queens County, New York, October-November 2017

During October-November 2017 twelve time domain electromagnetic (TDEM) surveys were collected in Nassau and Queens County. The data were collected to estimate the extent of saltwater intrusion in support of the Long Island Groundwater Sustainability Project in cooperation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. In the TDEM method, an electrical current is run through a w
By
New York Water Science Center

Geospatial Dataset of Water-Table and Potentiometric-Surface Altitudes in the Upper Glacial, Magothy, and Lloyd Aquifers of Long Island, New York, April-May 2016

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is providing online maps of water-table and potentiometric-surface altitude in the upper glacial, Magothy, Jameco, Lloyd, and North Shore aquifers on Long Island, New York, April-May 2016. Also provided is a depth-to-water map for Long Island, New York, April-May 2016. The USGS makes these maps and geospatial data available as REST Open Map Services (as well as HT
By
New York Water Science Center

Water-table and potentiometric-surface altitudes in the upper glacial, Magothy, and Lloyd aquifers of Long Island, New York, April–May 2016

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with State and local agencies, systematically collects groundwater data at varying measurement frequencies to monitor the hydrologic conditions on Long Island, New York. Each year during April and May, the U.S. Geological Survey completes a synoptic survey of water levels to define the spatial distribution of the water table and potentiometric surfaces wi
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

Water-table and potentiometric-surface altitudes in the Upper Glacial, Magothy, and Lloyd aquifers of Long Island, New York, April-May 2013

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with State and local agencies, systematically collects groundwater data at varying measurement frequencies to monitor the hydrologic conditions on Long Island, New York. Each year during April and May, the USGS conducts a synoptic survey of water levels to define the spatial distribution of the water table and potentiometric surfaces within the thr
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

Water-table and Potentiometric-surface altitudes in the Upper Glacial, Magothy, and Lloyd aquifers beneath Long Island, New York, April-May 2010

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with State and local agencies, systematically collects groundwater data at varying measurement frequencies to monitor the hydrologic conditions on Long Island, New York. Each year during April and May, the USGS conducts a synoptic survey of water levels to define the spatial distribution of the water table and potentiometric surfaces within the thr
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed
New Wells in Long Island Sustainability Well Network

New Wells in Long Island Sustainability Well Network

Drilling Updates

Read Article
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