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
Filter Total Items: 70
Integrating hydrology and biogeochemistry across frozen landscapes Integrating hydrology and biogeochemistry across frozen landscapes
Research has traditionally focused on atmospheric release of carbon from thawing permafrost, yet overlooked waterborne release pathways likely contribute significantly, especially in a warming Arctic. To address this knowledge gap and better constrain the fate of carbon in the North, we recommend inter-disciplinary efforts bridging physical, chemical and computational research.
Authors
Jorien Vonk, Suzanne Tank, Michelle Walvoord
Soil physical, hydraulic, and thermal properties in interior Alaska, USA: Implications for hydrologic response to thawing permafrost conditions Soil physical, hydraulic, and thermal properties in interior Alaska, USA: Implications for hydrologic response to thawing permafrost conditions
Boreal forest regions are a focal point for investigations of coupled water and biogeochemical fluxes in response to wildfire disturbances, climate warming, and permafrost thaw. Soil hydraulic, physical, and thermal property measurements for mineral soils in permafrost regions are limited, despite substantial influences on cryohydrogeologic model results. This work expands mineral soil...
Authors
Brian A. Ebel, Joshua Koch, Michelle Walvoord
Investigating lake-area dynamics across a permafrost-thaw spectrum using airborne electromagnetic surveys and remote sensing time-series data in Yukon Flats, Alaska Investigating lake-area dynamics across a permafrost-thaw spectrum using airborne electromagnetic surveys and remote sensing time-series data in Yukon Flats, Alaska
Lakes in boreal lowlands cycle carbon and supply an important source of freshwater for wildlife and migratory waterfowl. The abundance and distribution of these lakes are supported, in part, by permafrost distribution, which is subject to change. Relationships between permafrost thaw and lake dynamics remain poorly known in most boreal regions. Here, new airborne electromagnetic (AEM)...
Authors
David M. Rey, Michelle Ann Walvoord, Burke Minsley, Jennifer Rover, Kamini Singha
Development of perennial thaw zones in boreal hillslopes enhances potential mobilization of permafrost carbon Development of perennial thaw zones in boreal hillslopes enhances potential mobilization of permafrost carbon
Permafrost thaw alters subsurface flow in boreal regions that in turn influences the magnitude, seasonality, and chemical composition of streamflow. Prediction of these changes is challenged by incomplete knowledge of timing, flowpath depth, and amount of groundwater discharge to streams in response to thaw. One important phenomenon that may affect flow and transport through boreal...
Authors
Michelle Walvoord, Clifford I. Voss, Brian A. Ebel, Burke Minsley
Multi-scale geophysical mapping of deep permafrost change after disturbance in interior Alaska, USA Multi-scale geophysical mapping of deep permafrost change after disturbance in interior Alaska, USA
Disturbance related to fire or hydrologic processes can cause degradation of deep (greater than 1 m) permafrost. These changes in deep permafrost have the potential to impact landscapes and infrastructure, alter the routing and distribution of surface water or groundwater, and may contribute to the flux of carbon to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. However, characterization of deep...
Authors
Burke Minsley, Benjamin Bloss, Brian A. Ebel, David Rey, Michelle Walvoord, Dana R.N. Brown, Ronald Daanen, Abraham Emond, M. Andy Kass, Neal Pastick, Bruce Wylie
Unsaturated zone CO2, CH4, and δ13C-CO2 at an arid region low-level radioactive waste disposal site Unsaturated zone CO2, CH4, and δ13C-CO2 at an arid region low-level radioactive waste disposal site
Elevated tritium, radiocarbon, Hg, and volatile organic compounds associated with low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) at the USGS Amargosa Desert Research Site (ADRS) have stimulated research on factors and processes that affect contaminant gas distribution and transport. Consequently, we examined the sources, mixing, and biogeochemistry of CO2 and CH4, two additional important species in...
Authors
Christopher H. Conaway, Michelle Ann Walvoord, Randall Thomas, Christopher Green, R.J. Baker, James J. Thordsen, David Stonestrom, Brian Andraski
Surface geophysical methods for characterising frozen ground in transitional permafrost landscapes Surface geophysical methods for characterising frozen ground in transitional permafrost landscapes
The distribution of shallow frozen ground is paramount to research in cold regions, and is subject to temporal and spatial changes influenced by climate, landscape disturbance and ecosystem succession. Remote sensing from airborne and satellite platforms is increasing our understanding of landscape-scale permafrost distribution, but typically lacks the resolution to characterise finer...
Authors
Martin Briggs, Seth Campbell, Jay Nolan, Michelle Walvoord, Dimitrios Ntarlagiannis, Frederick Day-Lewis, John Lane
Hydrologic impacts of thawing permafrost—A review Hydrologic impacts of thawing permafrost—A review
Where present, permafrost exerts a primary control on water fluxes, flowpaths, and distribution. Climate warming and related drivers of soil thermal change are expected to modify the distribution of permafrost, leading to changing hydrologic conditions, including alterations in soil moisture, connectivity of inland waters, streamflow seasonality, and the partitioning of water stored...
Authors
Michelle Walvoord, Barret Kurylyk
Implications of projected climate change for groundwater recharge in the western United States Implications of projected climate change for groundwater recharge in the western United States
Existing studies on the impacts of climate change on groundwater recharge are either global or basin/location-specific. The global studies lack the specificity to inform decision making, while the local studies do little to clarify potential changes over large regions (major river basins, states, or groups of states), a scale often important in the development of water policy. An...
Authors
Thomas Meixner, Andrew Manning, David Stonestrom, Diana Allen, Hoori Ajami, Kyle Blasch, Andrea Brookfield, Christopher Castro, Jordan F. Clark, David Gochis, Alan Flint, Kirstin Neff, Rewati Niraula, Matthew Rodell, Bridget R. Scanlon, Kamini Singha, Michelle Walvoord
Effect of permafrost thaw on the dynamics of lakes recharged by ice-jam floods: case study in Yukon Flats, Alaska Effect of permafrost thaw on the dynamics of lakes recharged by ice-jam floods: case study in Yukon Flats, Alaska
Large river floods are a key water source for many lakes in fluvial periglacial settings. Where permeable sediments occur, the distribution of permafrost may play an important role in the routing of floodwaters across a floodplain. This relationship is explored for lakes in the discontinuous permafrost of Yukon Flats, interior Alaska, using an analysis that integrates satellite-derived...
Authors
Steve Jepsen, Michelle Walvoord, Clifford Voss, Jennifer Rover
Multimodel analysis of anisotropic diffusive tracer-gas transport in a deep arid unsaturated zone Multimodel analysis of anisotropic diffusive tracer-gas transport in a deep arid unsaturated zone
Gas transport in the unsaturated zone affects contaminant flux and remediation, interpretation of groundwater travel times from atmospheric tracers, and mass budgets of environmentally important gases. Although unsaturated zone transport of gases is commonly treated as dominated by diffusion, the characteristics of transport in deep layered sediments remain uncertain. In this study, we...
Authors
Christopher T. Green, Michelle Walvoord, Brian Andraski, Robert Striegl, David Stonestrom
Using dissolved organic matter age and composition to detect permafrost thaw in boreal watersheds of interior Alaska Using dissolved organic matter age and composition to detect permafrost thaw in boreal watersheds of interior Alaska
Recent warming at high latitudes has accelerated permafrost thaw, which can modify soil carbon dynamics and watershed hydrology. The flux and composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from soils to rivers are sensitive to permafrost configuration and its impact on subsurface hydrology and groundwater discharge. Here, we evaluate the utility of DOM composition and age as a tool for...
Authors
Jonathan O’Donnell, George Aiken, Michelle Walvoord, Peter Raymond, Kenna Butler, Mark Dornblaser, Katherine Heckman
Non-USGS Publications**
Walvoord, M.A., 2002, A Unifying Conceptual Model to Describe Water, Vapor, and Solute Transport in Deep Arid Vadose Zones, Ph.D. thesis, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM, 297 p.
Hartsough P.C., S.W. Tyler, J. Sterling, M.A. Walvoord, 2001, A 14.6 kyr record of nitrogen flux from desert soil profiles as inferred from vadose zone pore waters, Geophysical Research Letters, 28, 15, 2955 - 2958.
Walvoord, M., P. Pegram, F. Phillips, M. Person, T. Kieft, J. Fredrickson, J. McKinley, J. Swenson, 1999, Groundwater flow and geochemistry in the southeastern San Juan Basin: Implications for microbial transport and activity, Water Resources Research, 35, 1409 – 1425.
Walvoord, M., 1998, Characterization of Groundwater Flow in the Southeastern San Juan Basin: Implications for Microbial Origins in the Deep Subsurface Near Cerro Negro, New Mexico, MS thesis, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM, 142 p.
**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: 70
Integrating hydrology and biogeochemistry across frozen landscapes Integrating hydrology and biogeochemistry across frozen landscapes
Research has traditionally focused on atmospheric release of carbon from thawing permafrost, yet overlooked waterborne release pathways likely contribute significantly, especially in a warming Arctic. To address this knowledge gap and better constrain the fate of carbon in the North, we recommend inter-disciplinary efforts bridging physical, chemical and computational research.
Authors
Jorien Vonk, Suzanne Tank, Michelle Walvoord
Soil physical, hydraulic, and thermal properties in interior Alaska, USA: Implications for hydrologic response to thawing permafrost conditions Soil physical, hydraulic, and thermal properties in interior Alaska, USA: Implications for hydrologic response to thawing permafrost conditions
Boreal forest regions are a focal point for investigations of coupled water and biogeochemical fluxes in response to wildfire disturbances, climate warming, and permafrost thaw. Soil hydraulic, physical, and thermal property measurements for mineral soils in permafrost regions are limited, despite substantial influences on cryohydrogeologic model results. This work expands mineral soil...
Authors
Brian A. Ebel, Joshua Koch, Michelle Walvoord
Investigating lake-area dynamics across a permafrost-thaw spectrum using airborne electromagnetic surveys and remote sensing time-series data in Yukon Flats, Alaska Investigating lake-area dynamics across a permafrost-thaw spectrum using airborne electromagnetic surveys and remote sensing time-series data in Yukon Flats, Alaska
Lakes in boreal lowlands cycle carbon and supply an important source of freshwater for wildlife and migratory waterfowl. The abundance and distribution of these lakes are supported, in part, by permafrost distribution, which is subject to change. Relationships between permafrost thaw and lake dynamics remain poorly known in most boreal regions. Here, new airborne electromagnetic (AEM)...
Authors
David M. Rey, Michelle Ann Walvoord, Burke Minsley, Jennifer Rover, Kamini Singha
Development of perennial thaw zones in boreal hillslopes enhances potential mobilization of permafrost carbon Development of perennial thaw zones in boreal hillslopes enhances potential mobilization of permafrost carbon
Permafrost thaw alters subsurface flow in boreal regions that in turn influences the magnitude, seasonality, and chemical composition of streamflow. Prediction of these changes is challenged by incomplete knowledge of timing, flowpath depth, and amount of groundwater discharge to streams in response to thaw. One important phenomenon that may affect flow and transport through boreal...
Authors
Michelle Walvoord, Clifford I. Voss, Brian A. Ebel, Burke Minsley
Multi-scale geophysical mapping of deep permafrost change after disturbance in interior Alaska, USA Multi-scale geophysical mapping of deep permafrost change after disturbance in interior Alaska, USA
Disturbance related to fire or hydrologic processes can cause degradation of deep (greater than 1 m) permafrost. These changes in deep permafrost have the potential to impact landscapes and infrastructure, alter the routing and distribution of surface water or groundwater, and may contribute to the flux of carbon to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. However, characterization of deep...
Authors
Burke Minsley, Benjamin Bloss, Brian A. Ebel, David Rey, Michelle Walvoord, Dana R.N. Brown, Ronald Daanen, Abraham Emond, M. Andy Kass, Neal Pastick, Bruce Wylie
Unsaturated zone CO2, CH4, and δ13C-CO2 at an arid region low-level radioactive waste disposal site Unsaturated zone CO2, CH4, and δ13C-CO2 at an arid region low-level radioactive waste disposal site
Elevated tritium, radiocarbon, Hg, and volatile organic compounds associated with low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) at the USGS Amargosa Desert Research Site (ADRS) have stimulated research on factors and processes that affect contaminant gas distribution and transport. Consequently, we examined the sources, mixing, and biogeochemistry of CO2 and CH4, two additional important species in...
Authors
Christopher H. Conaway, Michelle Ann Walvoord, Randall Thomas, Christopher Green, R.J. Baker, James J. Thordsen, David Stonestrom, Brian Andraski
Surface geophysical methods for characterising frozen ground in transitional permafrost landscapes Surface geophysical methods for characterising frozen ground in transitional permafrost landscapes
The distribution of shallow frozen ground is paramount to research in cold regions, and is subject to temporal and spatial changes influenced by climate, landscape disturbance and ecosystem succession. Remote sensing from airborne and satellite platforms is increasing our understanding of landscape-scale permafrost distribution, but typically lacks the resolution to characterise finer...
Authors
Martin Briggs, Seth Campbell, Jay Nolan, Michelle Walvoord, Dimitrios Ntarlagiannis, Frederick Day-Lewis, John Lane
Hydrologic impacts of thawing permafrost—A review Hydrologic impacts of thawing permafrost—A review
Where present, permafrost exerts a primary control on water fluxes, flowpaths, and distribution. Climate warming and related drivers of soil thermal change are expected to modify the distribution of permafrost, leading to changing hydrologic conditions, including alterations in soil moisture, connectivity of inland waters, streamflow seasonality, and the partitioning of water stored...
Authors
Michelle Walvoord, Barret Kurylyk
Implications of projected climate change for groundwater recharge in the western United States Implications of projected climate change for groundwater recharge in the western United States
Existing studies on the impacts of climate change on groundwater recharge are either global or basin/location-specific. The global studies lack the specificity to inform decision making, while the local studies do little to clarify potential changes over large regions (major river basins, states, or groups of states), a scale often important in the development of water policy. An...
Authors
Thomas Meixner, Andrew Manning, David Stonestrom, Diana Allen, Hoori Ajami, Kyle Blasch, Andrea Brookfield, Christopher Castro, Jordan F. Clark, David Gochis, Alan Flint, Kirstin Neff, Rewati Niraula, Matthew Rodell, Bridget R. Scanlon, Kamini Singha, Michelle Walvoord
Effect of permafrost thaw on the dynamics of lakes recharged by ice-jam floods: case study in Yukon Flats, Alaska Effect of permafrost thaw on the dynamics of lakes recharged by ice-jam floods: case study in Yukon Flats, Alaska
Large river floods are a key water source for many lakes in fluvial periglacial settings. Where permeable sediments occur, the distribution of permafrost may play an important role in the routing of floodwaters across a floodplain. This relationship is explored for lakes in the discontinuous permafrost of Yukon Flats, interior Alaska, using an analysis that integrates satellite-derived...
Authors
Steve Jepsen, Michelle Walvoord, Clifford Voss, Jennifer Rover
Multimodel analysis of anisotropic diffusive tracer-gas transport in a deep arid unsaturated zone Multimodel analysis of anisotropic diffusive tracer-gas transport in a deep arid unsaturated zone
Gas transport in the unsaturated zone affects contaminant flux and remediation, interpretation of groundwater travel times from atmospheric tracers, and mass budgets of environmentally important gases. Although unsaturated zone transport of gases is commonly treated as dominated by diffusion, the characteristics of transport in deep layered sediments remain uncertain. In this study, we...
Authors
Christopher T. Green, Michelle Walvoord, Brian Andraski, Robert Striegl, David Stonestrom
Using dissolved organic matter age and composition to detect permafrost thaw in boreal watersheds of interior Alaska Using dissolved organic matter age and composition to detect permafrost thaw in boreal watersheds of interior Alaska
Recent warming at high latitudes has accelerated permafrost thaw, which can modify soil carbon dynamics and watershed hydrology. The flux and composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from soils to rivers are sensitive to permafrost configuration and its impact on subsurface hydrology and groundwater discharge. Here, we evaluate the utility of DOM composition and age as a tool for...
Authors
Jonathan O’Donnell, George Aiken, Michelle Walvoord, Peter Raymond, Kenna Butler, Mark Dornblaser, Katherine Heckman
Non-USGS Publications**
Walvoord, M.A., 2002, A Unifying Conceptual Model to Describe Water, Vapor, and Solute Transport in Deep Arid Vadose Zones, Ph.D. thesis, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM, 297 p.
Hartsough P.C., S.W. Tyler, J. Sterling, M.A. Walvoord, 2001, A 14.6 kyr record of nitrogen flux from desert soil profiles as inferred from vadose zone pore waters, Geophysical Research Letters, 28, 15, 2955 - 2958.
Walvoord, M., P. Pegram, F. Phillips, M. Person, T. Kieft, J. Fredrickson, J. McKinley, J. Swenson, 1999, Groundwater flow and geochemistry in the southeastern San Juan Basin: Implications for microbial transport and activity, Water Resources Research, 35, 1409 – 1425.
Walvoord, M., 1998, Characterization of Groundwater Flow in the Southeastern San Juan Basin: Implications for Microbial Origins in the Deep Subsurface Near Cerro Negro, New Mexico, MS thesis, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM, 142 p.
**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.