Michelle Walvoord
Michelle Walvoord is a Research Hydrologist for the USGS Water Resources Mission Area.
Dr. Michelle A. Walvoord is a hydrogeologist whose current research focuses on understanding hydrologic response to climate variability and wildfire disturbance. With expertise in non-isothermal, multiphase subsurface flow and transport, she has led a variety of process-based vadose zone and groundwater studies in systems ranging from mid-latitude deserts to high-latitude boreal forests. Her research relies on a blend of field, statistical, and physics-based modeling approaches and typically intersects with multiple disciplines including biogeochemistry, ecology, and geophysics.
Professional Experience
Research Hydrologist, USGS Earth System Processes Division, Denver, CO (2017 – present)
Research Hydrologist, USGS National Research Program, Denver, CO (2004-2017)
National Academy of Sciences Postdoctoral Research Associate, Denver, CO (2002-2004)
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Science, New Mexico Tech
M.S. in Hydrology, New Mexico Tech
B.A. in Geology, Hamilton College
Honors and Awards
O.E. Meinzer Award, Geological Society of America, Hydrogeology Division, 2025
Woo Distinguished Lecture in Hydrology, Canadian Geophysical Union, 2022
Outstanding Woman in Science Award, Geological Society of America, 2005
Langmuir Award for Excellence in Research, New Mexico Tech, 2004
Science and Products
Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE)
Potential Impacts of Prospective Climate Change on Groundwater Recharge in the Western United States
Water Level, Temperature, and Discharge of Headwater Streams in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska, 2016 and 2017 Water Level, Temperature, and Discharge of Headwater Streams in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska, 2016 and 2017
Geophysical and related field data from the West Fork of Dall Creek, AK 2017-2019 Geophysical and related field data from the West Fork of Dall Creek, AK 2017-2019
A review and synthesis of post-wildfire shifts in hydrologic processes and streamflow generation mechanisms A review and synthesis of post-wildfire shifts in hydrologic processes and streamflow generation mechanisms
Permafrost–wildfire interactions: active layer thickness estimates for paired burned and unburned sites in northern high latitudes Permafrost–wildfire interactions: active layer thickness estimates for paired burned and unburned sites in northern high latitudes
Disparate groundwater responses to wildfire Disparate groundwater responses to wildfire
A review of post-wildfire adaptations of surface-water-quality models: Synthesis, gaps, and opportunities A review of post-wildfire adaptations of surface-water-quality models: Synthesis, gaps, and opportunities
A history of cryohydrogeology modeling and recent advancements through the integration of solute transport A history of cryohydrogeology modeling and recent advancements through the integration of solute transport
Thermo-hydrologic processes governing supra-permafrost talik dynamics in discontinuous permafrost near Umiujaq (Québec, Canada) Thermo-hydrologic processes governing supra-permafrost talik dynamics in discontinuous permafrost near Umiujaq (Québec, Canada)
Opportunities and challenges for precipitation forcing data in post-wildfire hydrologic modeling applications Opportunities and challenges for precipitation forcing data in post-wildfire hydrologic modeling applications
Wind-modulated groundwater discharge along a microtidal Arctic coastline Wind-modulated groundwater discharge along a microtidal Arctic coastline
Integrated water resources trend assessments: State of the science, challenges, and opportunities for advancement Integrated water resources trend assessments: State of the science, challenges, and opportunities for advancement
Wildfire-induced shifts in groundwater discharge to streams identified with paired air and stream water temperature analyses Wildfire-induced shifts in groundwater discharge to streams identified with paired air and stream water temperature analyses
Modeling post-wildfire hydrologic response: Review and future directions for applications of physically based distributed simulation Modeling post-wildfire hydrologic response: Review and future directions for applications of physically based distributed simulation
Long-term, high-resolution permafrost monitoring reveals coupled energy balance and hydrogeologic controls on talik dynamics near Umiujaq (Nunavik, Québec, Canada) Long-term, high-resolution permafrost monitoring reveals coupled energy balance and hydrogeologic controls on talik dynamics near Umiujaq (Nunavik, Québec, Canada)
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
Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE)
Potential Impacts of Prospective Climate Change on Groundwater Recharge in the Western United States
Water Level, Temperature, and Discharge of Headwater Streams in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska, 2016 and 2017 Water Level, Temperature, and Discharge of Headwater Streams in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska, 2016 and 2017
Geophysical and related field data from the West Fork of Dall Creek, AK 2017-2019 Geophysical and related field data from the West Fork of Dall Creek, AK 2017-2019
A review and synthesis of post-wildfire shifts in hydrologic processes and streamflow generation mechanisms A review and synthesis of post-wildfire shifts in hydrologic processes and streamflow generation mechanisms
Permafrost–wildfire interactions: active layer thickness estimates for paired burned and unburned sites in northern high latitudes Permafrost–wildfire interactions: active layer thickness estimates for paired burned and unburned sites in northern high latitudes
Disparate groundwater responses to wildfire Disparate groundwater responses to wildfire
A review of post-wildfire adaptations of surface-water-quality models: Synthesis, gaps, and opportunities A review of post-wildfire adaptations of surface-water-quality models: Synthesis, gaps, and opportunities
A history of cryohydrogeology modeling and recent advancements through the integration of solute transport A history of cryohydrogeology modeling and recent advancements through the integration of solute transport
Thermo-hydrologic processes governing supra-permafrost talik dynamics in discontinuous permafrost near Umiujaq (Québec, Canada) Thermo-hydrologic processes governing supra-permafrost talik dynamics in discontinuous permafrost near Umiujaq (Québec, Canada)
Opportunities and challenges for precipitation forcing data in post-wildfire hydrologic modeling applications Opportunities and challenges for precipitation forcing data in post-wildfire hydrologic modeling applications
Wind-modulated groundwater discharge along a microtidal Arctic coastline Wind-modulated groundwater discharge along a microtidal Arctic coastline
Integrated water resources trend assessments: State of the science, challenges, and opportunities for advancement Integrated water resources trend assessments: State of the science, challenges, and opportunities for advancement
Wildfire-induced shifts in groundwater discharge to streams identified with paired air and stream water temperature analyses Wildfire-induced shifts in groundwater discharge to streams identified with paired air and stream water temperature analyses
Modeling post-wildfire hydrologic response: Review and future directions for applications of physically based distributed simulation Modeling post-wildfire hydrologic response: Review and future directions for applications of physically based distributed simulation
Long-term, high-resolution permafrost monitoring reveals coupled energy balance and hydrogeologic controls on talik dynamics near Umiujaq (Nunavik, Québec, Canada) Long-term, high-resolution permafrost monitoring reveals coupled energy balance and hydrogeologic controls on talik dynamics near Umiujaq (Nunavik, Québec, Canada)
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.