Peter M McCarthy
Peter McCarthy is a Hydrologist for the Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center.
Peter's aims are to better understand streamflow statistics, streamflow responses to climate change, and to improve communication of USGS science to stakeholders and the public through improved web applications, tools, and software. He is the National StreamStats coordinator and the Water Mission Area Model Support Function Manager and works with hydrologists, web developer, and geospatial experts to ensure that tools, data, software, and web applications meet the needs of the USGS, stakeholders, and public.
Professional Experience
2017 to present, National StreamStats Coordinator, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Helena, MT
2003-2017, Hydrologist, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Helena, MT
Education and Certifications
B.A. Mathematics-Carroll College
B.S. Civil Engineering-Montana State University
M.S. Civil Engineering-Colorado State University
Science and Products
Channel width measurements for selected streamgage sites in Montana
Peak-flow frequency analyses for 14 selected streamgages in the Ruby, Jefferson, and Madison River Basins, Montana, based on data through water year 2016
Estimation of Streamflow Characteristics for Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, Northeastern Montana
Travel Times, Streamflow Velocities, and Dispersion Rates in the Yellowstone River, Montana
A computer program for estimating instream travel times and concentrations of a potential contaminant in the Yellowstone River, Montana
Statistical summaries of streamflow in Montana and adjacent areas, water years 1900 through 2002
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 14
Channel width measurements for selected streamgage sites in Montana
The WY-MT WSC conducted a study to develop regression equations for estimating peak-flow frequencies in Montana, using channel-width characteristics. Channel widths were measured in the field and from aerial photographs. This data release includes three child items: a table of field measurements, a table of measurements from aerial photographs, and a summary table of the data (field measurements aPeak-flow frequency analyses for 14 selected streamgages in the Ruby, Jefferson, and Madison River Basins, Montana, based on data through water year 2016
The USGS Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center (WYMT WSC) recently completed a report (Sando and McCarthy, 2018) documenting methods for peak-flow frequency analysis following implementation of the Bulletin 17C guidelines. The methods are used to provide estimates of peak-flow quantiles for 50-, 42.9-, 20-, 10-, 4-, 2-, 1-, 0.5-, and 0.2-percent annual exceedance probabilities (AEPs) for selected s - Publications
Filter Total Items: 16
Estimation of Streamflow Characteristics for Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, Northeastern Montana
Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (CMR) encompasses about 1.1 million acres (including Fort Peck Reservoir on the Missouri River) in northeastern Montana. To ensure that sufficient streamflow remains in the tributary streams to maintain the riparian corridors, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is negotiating water-rights issues with the Reserved Water Rights Compact Commission of MontanAuthorsSteven K. Sando, Timothy J. Morgan, DeAnn M. Dutton, Peter McCarthyTravel Times, Streamflow Velocities, and Dispersion Rates in the Yellowstone River, Montana
The Yellowstone River is a vital natural resource to the residents of southeastern Montana and is a primary source of water for irrigation and recreation and the primary source of municipal water for several cities. The Yellowstone River valley is the primary east-west transportation corridor through southern Montana. This complex of infrastructure makes the Yellowstone River especially vulnerableAuthorsPeter McCarthyA computer program for estimating instream travel times and concentrations of a potential contaminant in the Yellowstone River, Montana
The Yellowstone River is very important in a variety of ways to the residents of southeastern Montana; however, it is especially vulnerable to spilled contaminants. In 2004, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Montana Department of Environmental Quality, initiated a study to develop a computer program to rapidly estimate instream travel times and concentrations of a potential contaminaAuthorsPeter McCarthyStatistical summaries of streamflow in Montana and adjacent areas, water years 1900 through 2002
In response to the need to have more current information about streamflow characteristics in Montana, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and Bureau of Land Management, conducted a study to analyze streamflow data. Updated statistical summaries of streamflow characteristics are presented for 286 sAuthorsPeter McCarthy - Software
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