Molly S Wood
Molly Wood is the Acting Deputy Director of the Observing Systems Division and Chief of the Hydrologic Networks Branch.
Molly is a Senior Hydrologist and Branch Chief for the USGS’ Water Resources Mission Area Headquarters. She has an educational background in Civil and Environmental Engineering and has worked in both the private consulting and federal government sectors. She helps set national policies for water resources monitoring, advises on funding priorities, provides expert advice and training, and develops innovative water monitoring techniques to inform water resource management decisions. Previous USGS roles include serving as a Hydrologist for the Florida Integrated Science Center working on the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, a Hydrologist and Surface Water Specialist for the Idaho Water Science Center, the National Sediment Specialist for the Water Resources Mission Area, and the acting Chief of the USGS Office of International Programs’ Branch of International Science Collaboration. She has provided technical assistance with hydrologic data collection and research to government agencies and organizations across the world..
Professional Experience
October 2023 – present: Chief of the Hydrologic Networks Branch, USGS Water Resources Mission Area, Boise, ID
January 2023 – October 2023: Acting Chief of the International Science Collaboration Branch, USGS Office of International Programs, Boise, ID
November 2020 – January 2023: Acting Chief of the Hydrologic Networks Branch, USGS Water Resources Mission Area, Boise, ID
January 2016 – January 2023: National Sediment Specialist/Senior Scientist, USGS Water Resources Mission Area, Boise, ID
March 2007 – January 2016: Surface Water Specialist, USGS Idaho Water Science Center, Boise, ID
February 2015 – June 2015: Acting Deputy Director, USGS Idaho Water Science Center, Boise, ID
January 2006 – February 2007: Adjunct Professor, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
May 2002 – March 2007: Hydrologist, USGS Florida Integrated Science Center, Orlando, FL
August 2000 – May 2002: Water Resources Engineer, Science Applications International Corporation, Oak Ridge, TN
Education and Certifications
M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2000
B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1998
International studies, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia, 1997
International studies, National Outdoor Leadership School, Chilean Patagonia, 1996
Registered Professional Engineer, Florida
Science and Products
Surrogate analysis and index developer (SAID) tool and real-time data dissemination utilities
Evaluation of multiple-frequency, active and passive acoustics as surrogates for bedload transport
Streamflow statistics for development of water rights claims for the Jarbidge Wild and Scenic River, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, Idaho, 2013-14: a supplement to Scientific Investigations Report 2013-5212
Evaluation of seepage and discharge uncertainty in the middle Snake River, southwestern Idaho
Estimating suspended sediment in rivers using acoustic Doppler meters
Streamflow monitoring and statistics for development of water rights claims for Wild and Scenic Rivers, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, Idaho, 2012
Sediment transport in the lower Snake and Clearwater River Basins, Idaho and Washington, 2008–11
Use of surrogate technologies to estimate suspended sediment in the Clearwater River, Idaho, and Snake River, Washington, 2008-10
Water-quality conditions near the confluence of the Snake and Boise Rivers, Canyon County, Idaho
Concentrations and loads of nutrients in the tributaries of the Lake Okeechobee watershed, south-central Florida, water years 2004-2008
Estimating Locations of Perennial Streams in Idaho Using a Generalized Least-Squares Regression Model of 7-Day, 2-Year Low Flows
Coeur d'Alene Lake, Idaho: Insights gained From limnological studies of 1991-92 and 2004-06
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
Surrogate analysis and index developer (SAID) tool and real-time data dissemination utilities
Evaluation of multiple-frequency, active and passive acoustics as surrogates for bedload transport
Streamflow statistics for development of water rights claims for the Jarbidge Wild and Scenic River, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, Idaho, 2013-14: a supplement to Scientific Investigations Report 2013-5212
Evaluation of seepage and discharge uncertainty in the middle Snake River, southwestern Idaho
Estimating suspended sediment in rivers using acoustic Doppler meters
Streamflow monitoring and statistics for development of water rights claims for Wild and Scenic Rivers, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, Idaho, 2012
Sediment transport in the lower Snake and Clearwater River Basins, Idaho and Washington, 2008–11
Use of surrogate technologies to estimate suspended sediment in the Clearwater River, Idaho, and Snake River, Washington, 2008-10
Water-quality conditions near the confluence of the Snake and Boise Rivers, Canyon County, Idaho
Concentrations and loads of nutrients in the tributaries of the Lake Okeechobee watershed, south-central Florida, water years 2004-2008
Estimating Locations of Perennial Streams in Idaho Using a Generalized Least-Squares Regression Model of 7-Day, 2-Year Low Flows
Coeur d'Alene Lake, Idaho: Insights gained From limnological studies of 1991-92 and 2004-06
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.