Luo, J., Wu, W. -M., Carley, J., Fienen, M. N., Cheng, H., Watson, D., C. S. Criddle, C. S., Jardine, P. M., Kitanidis, P. K., 2008, Estimating first-order reaction rate coefficient for transport with nonequilibrium linear mass transfer in heterogeneous media: Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, v. 98, p. 50-60. 10. 1016/j. jconhyd. 2008. 03. 002.
Michael N Fienen
Biography
Mike Fienen is a Research Hydrologist at the USGS Wisconsin Water Science Center, an Assistant Adjunct Professor in the Department of Geoscience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a member of the PhD Advisor Committee in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Parma, Italy (DICATeA – Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, dell’Ambiente e Territorio e Architettura – Università degli Studi di Parma).
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University
M.Sc. Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydrology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University
B.A. Geology, Macalester College Spring Semester in the Rockies, National Outdoor Leadership School
RESEARCH SUMMARY
My research mission is to provide decision-making support for environmental managers that considers uncertainty in all aspects of decisions and strives to extract the most information from the data. This mission is expressed through the main research threads of model calibration and inference of environmental systems. Specific applications include groundwater quantity and quality; statistical inference and prediction of recreational water quality on beaches; mercury in water and fish; and the groundwater and habitat impacts of sea-level rise. In support of these threads, aspects of computational efficiency, statistical analysis, and data management also play important roles.
EDITORIAL
Associate Editor, Groundwater
REVIEWER
- Water Resources Research
- Groundwater
- Ground Water Monitoring & Remediation
- Journal of Hydrology
- Journal of Contaminant Hydrology
- Advances in Water Resources
- Hydrogeology Journal
- Hydrological Sciences
- Entropy
- Hydrology and Earth Systems Science Discussions
- Journal of Climatology
- Computers and Geosciences
- Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment
- Journal of Environmental Informatics
- American Geophysical Union Geophysical Monograph Series
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources—Groundwater Coordinating Council Joint Solicitation (2010, 2011, 2012)
- United States Geological Survey/National Institutes for Water Resources Competitive Grants Program Panel (2010)
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Earth Sciences (EAR) – Hydrologic Sciences
- ARISTEIA – National Council for Research and Technology of Greece
Science and Products
Date published: April 14, 2020
Status: Active Using Jupyter Notebooks to tell data stories and create reproducible workflows
Increasingly, USGS scientists seek to share and collaborate while working on data and code. Furthermore, these scientists often require advanced computing resources. Jupyter Notebooks are one such tool for creating these workflows. The files are interactive, code “notebooks” which allow users to combine code and text in one document, enabling scientists to share the stories held within their...
Attribution: Community for Data Integration (CDI)
Date published: March 29, 2019
Status: Active TC Chamberlin Modeling Center
The TC Chamberlin Modeling Center provides one-stop access to advanced computing so no project is limited by a lack of computer power. The Center can provide hardware access, assistance with migration and implementation, and training. We also develop, test, and disseminate state-of-the-art computational and analytical techniques and tools so models can be more effectively used in decision-...
Contacts: Randall J Hunt, Ph.D., Michael N Fienen
Attribution: Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Date published: May 29, 2018
Status: Active Edwards Aquifer Groundwater Model Uncertainty Analysis
USGS Texas Water Science Center (TXWSC) is undertaking a 1.5-year study to assess parameter and predictive uncertainty in the Edwards Aquifer Authority MODFLOW Model using both linear and non-linear techniques. The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) uses two models simulating the periods from 2001 to 2015 (verification model) and the drought of record of 1947-1958 (drought of record model).
Contacts: Linzy Foster, Michael N Fienen
Date published: October 1, 2017
Status: Active Flocks of a feather dock together: Using Docker and HTCondor to link high-throughput computing across the USGS
USGS scientists often face computationally intensive tasks that require high-throughput computing capabilities. Several USGS facilities use HTCondor to run their computational pools but are not necessarily connected to the larger USGS pool. This project demonstrated how to connect HTCondor pools by flocking, or coordinating, within the USGS. In addition to flocking the Upper Midwest...
Attribution: Community for Data Integration (CDI)
Date published: October 1, 2017
Status: Active Empowering decision-makers: A dynamic web interface for running Bayesian networks
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists are at the forefront of research that is critical for decision-making, particularly through the development of models (Bayesian networks, or BNs) that forecast coastal change. The utility of these tools outside the scientific community has been limited because they rely on expensive, technical software and a moderate understanding of statistical...
Attribution: Community for Data Integration (CDI)
Date published: March 3, 2016
Status: Active Hunting Invasive Species with HTCondor: High Throughput Computing for Big Data and Next Generation Sequencing
Large amounts of data are being generated that require hours, days, or even weeks to analyze using traditional computing resources. Innovative solutions must be implemented to analyze the data in a reasonable timeframe. The program HTCondor (https://research.cs.wisc.edu/htcondor/) takes advantage of the processing capacity of individual...
Attribution: Community for Data Integration (CDI)
Date published: October 1, 2012
Status: Active A digital crust to advance continental‐scale modeling of subsurface fluid flow in climate, crustal process, and Earth system models
Fluid circulation in the Earth’s crust plays an essential role in surface, near surface, and crustal dynamics. Near the surface, soil water and groundwater interact with each other and with rivers, lakes and wetlands, affecting weathering, soil formation, ecosystem evolution and biogeochemical cycles. Further down (1km), fluid flow affects diagenesis, hydrocarbon maturation and migration, ore...
Attribution: John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis
Year Published: 2021
Assessment of groundwater trends near Crex Meadows, Wisconsin
Crex Meadows Wildlife Area (Crex) is a 30,000-acre property in Burnett County, Wisconsin. Crex is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) with the goal of providing public recreation opportunities while also protecting the quality of native ecological communities and species on the property. The WDNR’s management strategy...
Haserodt, Megan J.; Fienen, Michael N.Attribution: Upper Midwest Water Science Center
View Citation
Haserodt, M.J., and Fienen, M.N., 2020, Assessment of groundwater trends near Crex Meadows, Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2020–5149, 32 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205149.
Year Published: 2021
Multi‐constrained catchment scale optimization of groundwater abstraction using linear programming
Due to increasing water demands globally, freshwater ecosystems are under constant pressure. Groundwater resources, as the main source of accessible freshwater, are crucially important for irrigation worldwide. Over‐abstraction of groundwater leads to declines in groundwater levels; consequently, the groundwater inflow to streams decreases. The...
Danapour, Mehrdis; Fienen, Michael N.; Højberg, Anker Lajer; Jensen, Karsten Høgh; Stisen, SimonAttribution: Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Year Published: 2021
Three-dimensional distribution of residence time metrics in the glaciated United States using metamodels trained on general numerical models
Residence time distribution (RTD) is a critically important characteristic of groundwater flow systems; however, it cannot be measured directly. RTD can be inferred from tracer data with analytical models (few parameters) or with numerical models (many parameters). The second approach permits more variation in system properties but is used less...
Starn, J. Jeffrey; Kauffman, Leon J.; Carlson, Carl S.; Reddy, James E.; Fienen, Michael N.Attribution: Water Resources
Year Published: 2020
Approaches to highly parameterized inversion: PEST++ Version 5, a software suite for parameter estimation, uncertainty analysis, management optimization and sensitivity analysis
PEST++ Version 5 extends and enhances the functionality of the PEST++ Version 3 software suite, providing environmental modeling practitioners access to updated Version 3 tools as well as new tools to support decision making with environmental models. Version 5 of PEST++ includes tools for global sensitivity analysis (PESTPP-SEN); least-squares...
White, Jeremy T.; Hunt, Randall J.; Fienen, Michael N.; Doherty, John E.View Citation
White, J.T., Hunt, R.J., Fienen, M.N., and Doherty, J.E., 2020, Approaches to Highly Parameterized Inversion: PEST++ Version 5, a Software Suite for Parameter Estimation, Uncertainty Analysis, Management Optimization and Sensitivity Analysis: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods 7C26, 52 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/tm7C26.
Year Published: 2020
Simulation of groundwater flow in the regional aquifer system on Long Island, New York, for pumping and recharge conditions in 2005–15
A three-dimensional groundwater-flow model was developed for the aquifer system of Long Island, New York, to evaluate (1) responses of the hydrologic system to changes in natural and anthropogenic hydraulic stresses, (2) the subsurface distribution of groundwater age, and (3) the regional-scale distribution of groundwater travel times and the...
Walter, Donald A.; Masterson, John P.; Finkelstein, Jason S.; Monti, Jr., Jack; Misut, Paul E.; Fienen, Michael N.Attribution: New England Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Water Resources, Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian, Region 4: Mississippi Basin
View Citation
Walter, D.A., Masterson, J.P., Finkelstein, J.S., Monti, J., Jr., Misut, P.E., and Fienen, M.N., 2020, Simulation of groundwater flow in the regional aquifer system on Long Island, New York, for pumping and recharge conditions in 2005–15: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2020–5091, 75 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20205091.
Year Published: 2020
Integrated hydro-terrestrial modeling: Development of a national capability
Water is one of our most important natural resources and is essential to our national economy and security. Multiple federal government agencies have mission elements that address national needs related to water. Each water-related agency champions a unique science and/or operational mission focused on advancing a portion of the nation’s ability...
Lesmes, David; Moerman, Jessica; Torgeson, Tom; Vallario, Bob; Scheibe, Timothy D.; Foufoula-Georgiou, Efi; Jenter, Harry L.; Bingner, Ronald L.; Condon, Laura; Cosgrove, Brian; Del Castillo, Carlos; Downer, Charles W; Eylander, John; Fienen, Michael N.; Frazier, Nels; Gochis, David; Goodrich, Dave; Harvey, Judson; Hughes, Joseph D.; Hyndman, David; Johnston, John M.; Melton, Forrest; Moglen, Glenn E.; Moulton, David; Lautz, Laura K.; Parmar, Rajbir; Rashleigh, Brenda; Reed, Patrick; Skalak, Katherine; Varadharajan, Charuleka; Viger, Roland J.; Voisin, Nathalie; Wahl, MarkAttribution: Water Resources
Year Published: 2020
Prioritizing river basins for intensive monitoring and assessment by the US Geological Survey
The US Geological Survey (USGS) is currently (2020) integrating its water science programs to better address the nation’s greatest water resource challenges now and into the future. This integration will rely, in part, on data from 10 or more intensively monitored river basins from across the USA. A team of USGS scientists was convened to develop...
Van Metre, Peter C.; Qi, Sharon L.; Deacon, Jeffrey R.; Dieter, Cheryl A.; Driscoll, Jessica M.; Fienen, Michael N.; Kenney, Terry A.; Lambert, Patrick M.; Lesmes, David; Mason, Christopher Allen; Mueller-Solger, Anke; Musgrove, MaryLynn; Painter, Jaime A.; Rosenberry, Donald O.; Sprague, Lori A.; Tesoriero, Anthony J.; Windham-Myers, Lisamarie; Wolock, David M.Attribution: Water Resources
Year Published: 2020
Simulation of the probabilistic plume extent for a potential replacement wastewater-infiltration lagoon, and probabilistic contributing areas for supply wells for the Town of Lac du Flambeau, Vilas County, Wisconsin
An existing two-dimensional, steady-state groundwater-flow model of the shallow groundwater-flow system of the Lac du Flambeau Reservation in Vilas County, Wisconsin, originally developed by the U.S. Geological Survey, was used to simulate the potential for wastewater from a proposed relocation of a wastewater lagoon to contaminate the Lac du...
Juckem, Paul F.; Fienen, Michael N.Attribution: Upper Midwest Water Science Center
View Citation
Juckem, P.F., and Fienen, M.N., 2020, Simulation of the probabilistic plume extent for a potential replacement wastewater-infiltration lagoon, and probabilistic contributing areas for supply wells for the Town of Lac du Flambeau, Vilas County, Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2020–1032, 10 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201032.
Year Published: 2020
A non-intrusive approach for efficient stochastic emulation and optimization of model-based nitrate-loading management decision support
Use of physically-motivated numerical models like groundwater flow-and-transport models for probabilistic impact assessments and optimization under uncertainty (OUU) typically incurs such a computational burdensome that these tools cannot be used during decision making. The computational challenges associated with these models can be addressed...
White, Jeremy T.; Knowling, Matthew; Fienen, Michael N.; Feinstein, Daniel T.; McDonald, Garry W.; Moore, Catherine R.
Year Published: 2020
A non-intrusive approach for efficient stochastic emulation and optimization of model-based nitrate-loading management decision support
Use of physically-motivated numerical models like groundwater flow-and-transport models for probabilistic impact assessments and optimization under uncertainty (OUU) typically incurs such a computational burdensome that these tools cannot be used during decision making. The computational challenges associated with these models can be addressed...
White, Jeremy T.; Knowling, Matthew J.; Fienen, Michael N.; Feinstein, Daniel T.; McDonald, Garry W.; Catherine R. MooreAttribution: Water Resources
Year Published: 2020
Groundwater model simulations of stakeholder-identified scenarios in a high-conflict irrigated area
This study investigated collaborative groundwater‐flow modeling and scenario analysis in the Little Plover River basin, Wisconsin, USA where an unconfined aquifer supplies groundwater for agricultural irrigation, industrial processing, municipal water supply, and stream baseflow. We recruited stakeholders with diverse interests to identify,...
Kniffin, Maribeth; Bradbury, Kenneth; Fienen, Michael N.; Genskow, KennethAttribution: New York Water Science Center, Water Resources
Year Published: 2020
Revisiting “An Exercise in Groundwater Model Calibration and Prediction” after 30 years: Insights and New Directions
In 1988, an important publication moved model calibration and forecasting beyond case studies and theoretical analysis. It reported on a somewhat idyllic graduate student modeling exercise where many of the system properties were known; the primary forecasts of interest were heads in pumping wells after a river was modified. The model was...
Hunt, Randall J.; Fienen, Michael N.; White, Jeremy T.Pre-USGS Publications
Date published: August 13, 2020
PEST++, a Software Suite for Parameter Estimation, Uncertainty Analysis, Management Optimization and Sensitivity Analysis
DISCLAIMER BELOW
Attribution: Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Date published: April 6, 2017
Wells Affect Water Flows in the Central Sands Region
Both irrigation wells and municipal wells affect flows in the Little Plover River near Plover, Wisconsin, stretches of which ran dry in past years, according to a new scientific report.
Date published: April 7, 2016
Little Plover groundwater study - public meeting
Mike Fienen (USGS), along with Ken Bradbury (WGHNS), presented the results of their two-year study of the Little Plover River groundwater system on April 12, 2016, from 6:00-8:00 pm, at the Noel Fine Arts Center in Stevens Point, Wis. This study used existing stream and high-capacity well data to simulate the groundwater and surface-water flow system of the Little Plover.
Attribution: Upper Midwest Water Science Center