Sutfin, N.A., Wohl, E., Fegel, T., Day, N., Lynch, L., 2021. Logjams and Channel Morphology Influence Sediment Storage, Transformation of Organic Matter, and Carbon Storage Within Mountain Stream Corridors. Water resources research. v. 57(5), https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR028046
Natalie K Day
Biography
Natalie is a cross-disciplinary biologist working on the Colorado Plateau. She seeks to provide relevant information to land managers, policy makers and the public. Some of her main research interests include assessing the effects of land disturbance in drylands on regional hydrology, understanding controls on riverine and reservoir algae blooms, and establishing effective ways to restore degraded drylands. Natalie seeks to increase the sharing of information among different fields and conduct research that is collaborative and useful.
Education
Master of Science in Biogeochemistry, the University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 2015
Focus: Nitrogen cycling in headwater streams in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Advised by Robert O. Hall, Jr.
Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR, 2008
Focus: Aquatic biogeochemistry
Professional Experience
Biologist, USGS-Colorado Water Science Center, Grand Junction, CO, Fall 2019-present
Biologist, USGS-Canyonland Research Station, Moab, UT, 2016-2019
Biological Field Technician, USGS-Canyonland Research Station, Moab, UT, 2010-2011
Research Assistant, Utah Water Research Lab, Logan, UT, 2009-2010
Research Assistant, Biogeochemistry Lab, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 2008-2009
Student Technician, National Science Foundation, Toolik Lake, AK, advised by George Kling, 2007
Student Technician, National Science Foundation, Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, advised by Gene Likens , 2007
Science and Products
Date published: May 26, 2021
Status: Completed Assessment of Mercury and Selenium Accumulation in Upper Colorado River Basin Fish
More than 50 years of existing mercury and selenium concentrations in native and nonnative fish species residing in streams within the Upper Colorado River Basin were compiled and analyzed to provide an understanding of concentrations among different species, sampling years, and locations to determine potential health risks. Concentrations of mercury and selenium were above health...
Contacts: Natalie K Day, Travis S Schmidt, Ph.D.
Date published: May 14, 2020
Status: Active Characterization of Streamflow, Suspended Sediment, and Nutrients in the Upper Yampa River Basin
The Upper Yampa River Basin (UYRB) drains approximately 1,800 square miles west of the Continental Divide in northwestern Colorado. In 2019, the USGS, in cooperation with local stakeholders in the UYRB water community, initiated a study to characterize streamflow, suspended sediment, and nutrients using historic and recently acquired water-quality data from a long-term monitoring program...
Contacts: Natalie K Day, Kenneth J Leib
Attribution: Colorado Water Science Center
Year Published: 2021
Analysis of Escherichia coli, total recoverable iron, and dissolved selenium concentrations, loading, and identifying data gaps for selected 303(d) listed streams, Grand Valley, western Colorado, 1980–2018
Tributaries to the Colorado River in the Grand Valley in western Colorado (segment COLCLC13b) have been placed on the State of Colorado 303(d) list as impaired for Escherichia coli (E. coli), total recoverable iron, and dissolved selenium. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Water Quality Control Division is required to...
Miller, Lisa D.; Gidley, Rachel G.; Day, Natalie K.; Thomas, Judith C.Attribution: Colorado Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Ecosystems, Water Resources, Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin
View Citation
Miller, L.D., Gidley, R.G., Day, N.K., and Thomas, J.C., 2021, Analysis of Escherichia coli, total recoverable iron, and dissolved selenium concentrations, loading, and identifying data gaps for selected 303(d) listed streams, Grand Valley, western Colorado, 1980–2018 (ver. 1.1, September 2021): U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2021-5053, 37 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20215053.
Year Published: 2021
Assessment of streamflow and water quality in the Upper Yampa River Basin, Colorado, 1992–2018
The Upper Yampa River Basin drains approximately 2,100 square miles west of the Continental Divide in north-western Colorado. There is a growing need to understand potential changes in the quantity and quality of water resources as the basin is undergoing increasing land and water development to support growing municipal, industrial, and...
Day, Natalie K.View Citation
Day, N.K., 2021, Assessment of streamflow and water quality in the Upper Yampa River Basin, Colorado, 1992–2018: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2021–5016, 45 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20215016.
Year Published: 2020
Mercury and selenium concentrations in fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin, southwestern United States: A retrospective assessment
Mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) are contaminants of concern for fish in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB). We explored Hg and Se in fish tissues (2,324 individuals) collected over 50 years (1962–2011) from the UCRB. Samples include native and non-native fish collected from lotic waterbodies spanning 7 major tributaries to the Colorado River....
Day, Natalie K.; Schmidt, Travis; Roberts, James J.; Osmundson, Barbara C.; Willacker, James; Eagles-Smith, Collin
Year Published: 2020
Microsite enhancements for soil stabilization and rapid biocrust colonization in degraded drylands
In dryland ecosystems, natural recovery of biological soil crusts (biocrusts) following disturbance may be slow or inhibited, necessitating active restoration practices. While biocrusts can be readily propagated under environmentally controlled conditions, rehabilitation in the field is complicated by environmental stresses which may be...
Fick, Stephen E.; Day, Natalie K.; Duniway, Michael C.; Hoy-Skubik, Sean Lawrence; Barger, Nichole N.Attribution: Southwest Biological Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2019
Amendments fail to hasten biocrust recovery or soil stability at a disturbed dryland sandy site
In most drylands, biological soil crusts (biocrusts), an assemblage of lichens, bryophytes, fungi, green algae, and cyanobacteria, are critical to healthy ecosystem function. However, they are extremely sensitive to disturbance and attempts to facilitate their recovery have had variable success. In this study, we applied soil amendments designed...
Chandler, David G.; Day, Natalie K.; Madsen, Matthew D.; Belnap, JaynePre-USGS Publications
Microsite enhancements for soil stabilization and rapid biocrust colonization in degraded drylands
Fick, S.E., Day, N., Duniway, M.C., Hoy‐Skubik, S. and Barger, N.N., 2019. Microsite enhancements for soil stabilization and rapid biocrust colonization in degraded drylands. Restoration Ecology.
Biological soil crust salvage for dryland restoration: an opportunity for natural resource restoration
Tucker, C., Antoninka, A., Day, N., Poff, B. and Reed, S., 2020. Biological soil crust salvage for dryland restoration: an opportunity for natural resource restoration. Restoration Ecology.
Chandler, D.G., Day, N., Madsen, M.D., Belap, J., 2019, Amendments fail to hasten biocrust recovery or soil stability at a disturbed dryland sandy site. Restoration Ecology,v. 27, pp. 289-297.
Amendments fail to hasten biocrust recovery or soil stability at a disturbed dryland sandy site
Ammonium uptake kinetics and nitrification in mountain streams
Day, N.K., Hall Jr, R.O. 2017. Ammonium uptake kinetics and nitrification in mountain streams. Freshwater Science v. 36.1, p. 41-54.
Nitrogen cycling in streams: A comparison of the roles of debris dams and mosses
Day, N.K., Likens, G.E., Judd, K.E., 2006. Nitrogen cycling in streams: A comparison of the roles of debris dams and mosses. Institute of Ecosystem Studies.