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Randall Bayless

Randall is a Research Hydrologist in the RGEG program and Groundwater Specialist for the Indiana-Kentucky Water Science Center; he has worked for the science center since 1989. He also is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis. 

Projects at USGS have covered a wide range of interests including

  • karst hydrology,
  • isotope geochemistry,
  • Lake Michigan,
  • horizontal flow meter technologies,
  • pesticide and nutrient fate,
  • unsaturated zone instrumentation and transport modeling,
  • high pH (slag) and low pH (coal mine) settings,
  • surface and borehole geophysics, and
  • wetland hydrology.

Education

Attended Wabash College, Purdue University (B.S. 1983), Indiana University (M.S. 1987, Ph.D. 1994). 

Received a B.S. from Purdue University with a geology major and mathematics minor.

Received a M.S. from Indiana University with a major in hydrogeology and a minor in numerical methods. The M.S. thesis used numerical modeling to verify field evidence of ice-sheet surging during the Pleistocene epoch.

Received a Ph.D. from Indiana University with a major in hydrogeology and a minor in geochemistry. The Ph.D. dissertation used hydraulic and geochemical modeling to determine that hydrated iron-sulfate minerals were responsible for acute acid-mine drainage events.

Horizontal Borehole Flowmeters

Horizontal borehole flowmeters may provide opportunities to measure the rate and direction of groundwater flow and the advective transport of dissolved and neutrally buoyant contaminants. Optical, acoustic, thermal, and chemical technologies are being evaluated. Research is directed toward defining the limits of each technology and the environmental and hydrologic conditions that are best suited for each tool. Testing has been done in field settings and laboratory aquifer simulators.

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 39

Predevelopment water levels, groundwater recharge, and selected hydrologic properties of aquifer materials, Hinkley and Water Valleys, California

Hydrologic and geophysical data were collected to support updates to an existing groundwater-flow model of Hinkley Valley, California, in the Mojave Desert about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California. These data provide information on predevelopment (pre-1930) water levels, groundwater recharge, and selected hydrologic properties of aquifer materials.A predevelopment groundwater-level map,
Authors
Krishangi D. Groover, John A. Izbicki, Whitney A. Seymour, Anthony A. Brown, Randall E. Bayless, Carole D. Johnson, Katherine L. Pappas, Gregory A. Smith, Dennis A. Clark, Joshua Larsen, Meghan C. Dick, Lorraine E. Flint, Christina L. Stamos, John G. Warden
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Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center

Stormwater reduction and water budget for a rain garden on sandy soil, Gary, Indiana, 2016–18

Stormwater reduction measures, or green infrastructure, were implemented in the parking area at Gary City Hall, Gary, Indiana, with the intention of reducing stormwater discharge to the sewers. A study area, including a centrally located rain garden and the surrounding paved surfaces and green space, was instrumented during both a preconstruction and a postconstruction period to (1) develop water
Authors
David C. Lampe, E. Randall Bayless, Danielle D. Follette
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Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Green infrastructure in the Great Lakes—Assessment of performance, barriers, and unintended consequences

The Great Lakes Basin covers around 536,393 square kilometers, and the Great Lakes hold more than 5,400 cubic miles of water, accounting for more than 20 percent of the world’s fresh surface water supply. The Great Lakes provide a source of drinking water to tens of millions of people in Canada and the United States and support one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Increasing urbanizati
Authors
Nancy T. Baker, Daniel J. Sullivan, William R. Selbig, Ralph Haefner, David C. Lampe, E. Randall Bayless, Michael R. McHale
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Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Hydrologic and ecological investigations in the School Branch watershed, Hendricks County, Indiana—Water years 2016–2018

School Branch in Hendricks County in central Indiana, is a small stream with a variety of agricultural and suburban land uses that drains into the Eagle Creek Reservoir, a major source of drinking water for Indianapolis, Indiana. The School Branch watershed has become the focus of a collaborative partnership of Federal, State, and local agencies; a university research center; and agricultural prod
Authors
Aubrey R. Bunch, Dawn R. McCausland, E. Randall Bayless
By
Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Accuracy of flowmeters measuring horizontal flow in fractured-rock simulators

Laboratory evaluations of flowmeter response to flow in fractured-rock simulators are needed to improve understanding of data collected in field settings. The ability of flowmeters to accurately measure the velocity and direction of water flowing between parallel plates was used as a surrogate for instrument response in fractured-rock aquifers. A colloidal borescope flowmeter and a heat-pulse flow
Authors
E. Randall Bayless
By
Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Comparison of groundwater-model construction methods, representations of glacial geology, model designs, and groundwater-model flow simulations within Elkhart County, Indiana

Automated data-processing methods allow hydrologists to efficiently incorporate digital well-record datasets into the construction of hydrostratigraphic frameworks for groundwater-flow models. The method selected to construct the hydrostratigraphic framework can affect the extent of geologic heterogeneity that can be included in the model. The detail generated from a hydrostratigraphic framework c
Authors
Leslie D. Arihood, David C. Lampe, E. Randall Bayless, Steven E. Brown
By
Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Potential interaction of groundwater and surface water including autonomous underwater vehicle reconnaissance at Nolin River Lake, Kentucky, 2016

The U.S. Geological Survey collaborated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District, on a synoptic study of water quality at Nolin River Lake during August 2016. The purpose of the study was to develop a better understanding of the potential for interaction between groundwater and surface water at Nolin River Lake, Kentucky. Groundwater can have properties that are measurably differ
Authors
Angela S. Crain, Justin A. Boldt, Randall E. Bayless, Aubrey R. Bunch, Jade L. Young, Jennifer C. Thomason, Zachary L. Wolf
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Water Resources Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Geochemistry and microbiology of groundwater and solids from extraction and monitoring wells and their relation to well efficiency at a Federally operated confined disposal facility, East Chicago, Indiana

In cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, the U.S. Geological Survey investigated the processes affecting water quality, geochemistry, and microbiology in representative extraction and monitoring wells at a confined disposal facility (CDF) in East Chicago, Indiana. The CDF is a 140-acre Federally-managed facility that was the former location of an oil refinery and is
Authors
Randall E. Bayless, Travis R. Cole, David C. Lampe, Rebecca E. Travis, Marjorie S. Schulz, Paul M. Buszka
By
Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Generalized hydrogeologic framework and groundwater budget for a groundwater availability study for the glacial aquifer system of the United States

The glacial aquifer system groundwater availability study seeks to quantify (1) the status of groundwater resources in the glacial aquifer system, (2) how these resources have changed over time, and (3) likely system response to future changes in anthropogenic and environmental conditions. The glacial aquifer system extends from Maine to Alaska, although the focus of this report is the part of the
Authors
Howard W. Reeves, Randall E. Bayless, Robert W. Dudley, Daniel T. Feinstein, Michael N. Fienen, Christopher J. Hoard, Glenn A. Hodgkins, Sharon L. Qi, Jason L. Roth, Jared J. Trost
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Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center, New England Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Maps and grids of hydrogeologic information created from standardized water-well drillers’ records of the glaciated United States

As part of the National Water Availability and Use Program established by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in 2005, this study took advantage of about 14 million records from State-managed collections of water-well drillers’ records and created a database of hydrogeologic properties for the glaciated United States. The water-well drillers’ records were standardized to be relatively complete and e
Authors
E. Randall Bayless, Leslie D. Arihood, Howard W. Reeves, Benjamin J.S. Sperl, Sharon L. Qi, Valerie E. Stipe, Aubrey R. Bunch
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Surface-water and karst groundwater interactions and streamflow-response simulations of the karst-influenced upper Lost River watershed, Orange County, Indiana

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), conducted a study of the upper Lost River watershed in Orange County, Indiana, from 2012 to 2013. Streamflow and groundwater data were collected at 10 data-collection sites from at least October 2012 until April 2013, and a preliminary Water
Authors
E. Randall Bayless, Peter J. Cinotto, Randy L. Ulery, Charles J. Taylor, Gregory K. McCombs, Moon H. Kim, Hugh L. Nelson
By
Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Geophysical-log and hydraulic-test analyses of groundwater-production wells at the Hannahville Indian Community, Menominee County, Michigan

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Hannahville Indian Community, evaluated the geohydrology of the bedrock formations and hydraulic properties of groundwater-production wells at the Hannahville Indian Community in Menominee County, Michigan. Geophysical logs were collected from five wells at two sites during September 2012. The logs were analyzed to characterize the lithostratigra
Authors
E. Randall Bayless, J. Alton Anderson, David C. Lampe, John H. Williams
By
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Webb, R.M., M.E. Wieczorek, B.T. Nolan, T.C. Hancock, M.W. Sandstrom, J.E. Barbash, E.R. Bayless, R.W. Healy, and J.I. Linard, 2008, Variations in pesticide leaching related to land use and unsaturated zone: Journal of Environmental Quality, v. 37, 1145-1157.
Nolan, B.T., L.J. Puckett, L. Ma, C.T. Green, E.R. Bayless, and R.W. Malone, 2010, Predicting unsaturated zone nitrogen mass balances in agricultural settings of the United States: Journal of Environmental Quality, v. 39, 1051-1065.
Ebraheem, A.M., Hamburger, M.W., Bayless, E.R., and N.C. Krothe, 1990, A study of acid mine drainage using earth resistivity measurements. GROUNDWATER,v. 28, no. 3, p. 361-368.
Olyphant, G.A., Bayless, E.R., and D. Harper, 1992, Seasonal and weather-related controls on solute concentrations and acid drainage from coal-refuse deposit in southwestern Indiana, U.S.A.. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, v. 7, p. 219-236.
Bayless, E.R., and G.A. Olyphant, 1993, Acid-generating salts and their relationship to the chem­istry of ground water and strom runoff at an abandoned mine site in southwestern Indiana. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology,v.12, p. 313-328.

**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.

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Borehole flowmeter

Flowmeter Evaluation and Application

Borehole flowmeters with the capability to measure groundwater velocity and direction of flow are tested and applied to various hydrogeologic settings.
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Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center
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Flowmeter Evaluation and Application

Borehole flowmeters with the capability to measure groundwater velocity and direction of flow are tested and applied to various hydrogeologic settings.
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Map of the glacial aquifer locations in the United States

Glacial Aquifer System - Hydrogeologic Properties

Water-well drillers’ records are used to create maps and grids of hydrogeologic properties for the glaciated United States.
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Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center
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Glacial Aquifer System - Hydrogeologic Properties

Water-well drillers’ records are used to create maps and grids of hydrogeologic properties for the glaciated United States.
Learn More
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Drought Effects on Lake at Morse Resrvoir IN

Indiana-Kentucky Climate Response Network

Do you recall the drought of 2012? Precipitation deficits during July 2012 were widespread. Morse Reservoir was a prominent sight that was highly visible in the news. Photos showed million dollar mansions with boats stranded on the lakebed. This drought took many by surprise, however, there were hydrologic signs during 2011. Events like this (and California) have brought some welcome attention to...
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Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center
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Indiana-Kentucky Climate Response Network

Do you recall the drought of 2012? Precipitation deficits during July 2012 were widespread. Morse Reservoir was a prominent sight that was highly visible in the news. Photos showed million dollar mansions with boats stranded on the lakebed. This drought took many by surprise, however, there were hydrologic signs during 2011. Events like this (and California) have brought some welcome attention to...
Learn More
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Mega-gage at Kankakee River at Davis, IN

Kankakee River at Davis, IN Mega Gage: Monitoring Groundwater/Surface-Water Interactions

What is the groundwater contribution to nitrates in surface water? That's the question we are trying to answer by looking at surface-water and groundwater interaction and the role each play in the movement of nitrates. We have added additional monitoring equipment to the USGS super gage Kankakee River at Davis, IN, which will allow us to calculate the nitrate load in groundwater using flow...
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Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center
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Kankakee River at Davis, IN Mega Gage: Monitoring Groundwater/Surface-Water Interactions

What is the groundwater contribution to nitrates in surface water? That's the question we are trying to answer by looking at surface-water and groundwater interaction and the role each play in the movement of nitrates. We have added additional monitoring equipment to the USGS super gage Kankakee River at Davis, IN, which will allow us to calculate the nitrate load in groundwater using flow...
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Episodic Master Recession Model Output used for Recharge Estimation in a Rain Garden on Sandy Soil, Gary, Indiana, 2016-18

A rain garden and other stormwater control measures (SCM) were installed at Gary City Hall in Gary, Indiana to retain water, increase infiltration, and divert stormwater from city sewers. In order to investigate the impacts of the installed SCMs, hydrologic data were collected prior to and following the installation to estimate site water budgets (Lampe and others, 2022). The Episodic Master Reces
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Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Laboratory Assessment of Colloidal Borescope and Heat-Pulse Flowmeters in Measuring Horizontal Flow in Fractured-Rock Simulators

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), at the request of the U.S. Army Environmental Command (USAEC), evaluated the capabilities of two borehole technologies to measure horizontal groundwater velocity and direction of flow in a parallel-plate fractured-rock simulator. A colloidal borescope flowmeter (HB) and a heat-pulse flowmeter (HH) were deployed in 4-inch and 6-inch inner-diameter simulated uncase
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Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center
Three scientists in colorful rain ponchos collecting groundwater sample during rainy day
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Blue-gloved hand holding plastic bottle collecting water out of v-shaped flume
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Person in puffy coat and full balaclava crouching in front of open electrical box during winter
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Person installing precipitation gage outside city hall building
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Concrete flume at edge of parking lot emptying into rocky area in grassy rain garden
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USGS Groundwater Monitoring Well Redevelopment Using Air Lift Method

The video documents a U.S. Geological Survey technical procedure for groundwater well redevelopment using the air lift method.

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