Richard Webb

Rick Webb is a research hydrologist with the Earth System Processes Division in the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Mission Area. Rick grew up on the shores of the Atlantic and later the Great Lakes. Beaches, jellyfish, hurricanes, and alewive dieoffs all left indelible memories that helped shape Rick's career studying waters both salty and fresh. As an undergraduate physical scientist working for NOAA, Rick deployed current meters in Lake Erie. After graduating with a BS in marine geology in 1982, Rick landed on the island of Puerto Rico for a two week vacation. The two week vacation turned into an eighteen year tenure with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Geological Survey during which he studied anthropogenic impacts on coastal waters and upland watersheds. In 1999, Rick and his family moved to Denver, Colorado to better understand fundamental processes driving water and solutes through watersheds from the continental divide to tropical rain forests. Current projects include Reaction-Transport Modeling in Groundwater and Watershed Systems and the Shingobee Headwaters Aquatic Ecosystems Project (SHAEP).

Career Plans and Objectives

As a steward of the environment, I work with colleagues to understand the processes that 1) shape the surface of the earth and 2) change the composition of the water.  This information can then be used to evaluate and manage our limited resources. Most challenging is the need to compile and synthesize a wide array of data from multiple sources.  This may involve state-of-the-art signal processing or using a sextant to better locate a study site. My background and interests are centered on the premise of understanding the global picture while attempting to solve local  problems in our streams, rivers, lakes and oceans.

Work Experience

1999 – present

Research Hydrologist

U.S. Geological Survey

Denver, CO

Research Topics: Numerical simulations of natural and managed watersheds.

1990 – 1999

Hydrologist

U.S. Geological Survey

Water Science Center

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Research Topics:

Mixing models of wastewater discharge to the ocean. Uplands erosion and reservoir sedimentation. Effect of sediments and nutrients on corals. Anthropogenic impacts on estuarine water quality. Land cover mapping by remote sensing

1988 - 1990

Geologist

U.S. Geological Survey

Office of Marine Geology

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Research Topics: Sea Level Fluctuations. Marine Geology of Mayagüez, PR. Beach Erosion Sedimentation. Coauthor a book, "Living with the Puerto Rico Shoreline"

1985 - 1987

Physical Oceanographer (Graduate Student)

Dept. of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI

Advisor: Dr. G.A. Meadows

Research Topic:  Periodicities observed in sediment motion under storm waves.

1982 - 1985

Marine Geologist

Puerto Rico Department

 of Natural Resources

Marine Resource Section

Puerta de Tierra, PR

Research Topics: Define quantity and quality of submarine sand deposits. Evaluate Holocene and recent sedimentary processes on the insular shelf . Analyze erosional-accretional trends of the beaches in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Education

Master of Science in Physical Oceanography (received, May 1987)

Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies

University of Michigan.

(Regent's Fellowship awarded both years)

Bachelor of Science in Oceanography - Geological Option (received, May 1982)

Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

College of Engineering

University of Michigan

Publications

Rose, C.E., Coupe, R.H., Capel, P.D., and Webb, R.M.T, 2018, Holistic Assessment of Occurrence and Fate of Metolachlor within Environmental Compartments of Agricultural Watersheds: Science of the Total Environment, v. 612, pp. 708–719, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.154

Webb, R.M.T., and Parkhurst, D.L., 2017, Water, Energy, and Biogeochemical Model (WEBMOD), user’s manual, version 1: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 6, chap. B35, 171 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/tm6B35.

Webb, R.M.T., and Parkhurst, D.L., 2016, Blizzards to Hurricanes: Computer modeling of hydrology, weathering, and isotopic fractionation across hydroclimatic regions [abstract], [in] Stringer, Christina E.; Krauss, Ken W.; Latimer, James S., eds. Headwaters to estuaries: advances in watershed science and management—Proceedings of the Fifth Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds. March 2-5, 2015, North Charleston, South Carolina. e-Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-211. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. p, 197.

Markstrom, S.L., Regan, R.S., Hay, L.E., Viger, R.J., Webb, R.M.T., Payn, R.A., and LaFontaine, J.H., 2015, PRMS-IV, the precipitation-runoff modeling system, version 4: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, book 6, chap. B7, 158 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/tm6B7.

Webb, R.M.T., Mast, M.A., Manning, A.H., Clow, D.W., Campbell, D.H., 2011, Potential Climate Change Effects on Water Tables and Pyrite Oxidation in Headwater Catchments in Colorado, [in] Medley, C.N., Patterson, Glenn, and Parker, M.J., eds., Observing, studying, and managing for change—Proceedings of the Fourth Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2011–5169, pp. 23-33.

Webb, R.M.T., Sandstrom, M.W., Krutz, L.J., and Shaner, D.L., 2011, Simulation of branched serial first-order decay of atrazine and metabolites in adapted and nonadapted soils: Environ Toxicol Chem, v.30, no. 9, pp. 1973–1981.

Krutz, L.J., Shaner, D.L., Weaver, M.A , Webb, R.M.T., Zablotowicz, R.M., Reddy, K.N., Huang, Y., and Thomson, S.J., 2010, Agronomic and environmental implications of enhanced s-triazine degradation: Pest Management Science, v. 66, no. 5, p. 461-481.

Webb, Richard M.T., and Semmens, D.J., eds, 2009, Proceedings of the Third Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds: Planning for an Uncertain Future: Monitoring, Integration, and Adaptation: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009-5049.

Linard, J.I., Wolock, D.M., Webb, R.M.T., and Wieczorek, M.E., 2009, Identifying hydrologic processes in agricultural watersheds using precipitation-runoff models: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5126, 22 p.

Webb, R.M.T., 2009, Meeting Summary: Role of Science, Policy, and Society in Adaptive Watershed Management, Eos Transactions, American Geophysical Union, vol. 90, no. 11, p. 93.

Larsen, M.C., and Webb, R.M.T., 2009, Potential Effects of Runoff, Fluvial Sediment, and Nutrient Discharges on the Coral Reefs of Puerto Rico:Journal of Coastal Research, v.25(1), p. 189-208,  ISSN 0749-0208.

Hancock, T.C., Sandstrom, M.W., Vogel, J.R., Webb, R.M.T., Bayless, E.R., and Barbash, J.E., 2008, Pesticide Fate and Transport throughout Unsaturated Zones in Five Agricultural Settings, USA,  J Environ Qual, v 37: 1086-1100.

Bayless,, E.R., Capel, P.D., Barbash, J.E., Webb, R.M.T., Connell-Hancock, T.C., and Lampe, D.C., 2008,  Simulated Fate and Transport of Metolachlor in the Unsaturated Zone, Maryland, USA, J Environ Qual, v 37: 1064-1072.

Webb, R.M.T., Wieczorek, M.E., Nolan, B.T., Hancock, T.C., Sandstrom, M.W., Barbash, J.E., Bayless, E.R., Healy, R.W., and Linard, J.I., 2008, Variations in Pesticide Leaching Related to Land Use, Pesticide Properties, and Unsaturated Zone Thickness, J Environ Qual, v 37: 1145-1157.

Linard, J.I., Wolock, D.M., Webb, R.M.T., Wieczorek, M.E., 2006, Precipitation-runoff modeling to compare hydrologic processes governing solute transport in an agricultural watershed in Maryland. Proceedings of the 3rd Federal Interagency Hydrologic Modeling Conference, Reno,Nevada, April 2-6, 2006, ISBN 0-9779007-0-3.

Webb, R.M.T., Linard, J.I., and Wieczorek, M.E., 2006, The Water, Energy, and Biogeochemical Model (WEBMOD): A TOPMODEL Application Developed Within the Modular Modeling System, in Proceedings of the 3rd Federal Interagency Hydrologic Modeling Conference, Reno, NV, April 2-6, 2006, ISBN 0-9779007-0-3.

Gellis, A.C., Webb, R.M.T., McIntyre, S.C., Wolfe, W.J., 2006, Land-use Effects on Erosion, Sediment Yields, and reservoir Sedimentation: A Case Study in the Loago Loíza Basin, Puerto Rico: Physical Geography, v. 27(1), p. 39-69.

Peters, N.E., Shanley, J.B., Aulenbach, B.T., Webb, R.M., Campbell, D.H., Hunt, Randall, Larsen, M.C., Stallard, R.F., Troester, J.W., and Walker, J.F., 2006, Water and solute mass balance of five small, relatively undisturbed watersheds in the U.S. Science of the Total Environment, v. 358, p. 231-242.

Warne, A.G., Webb, R.M.T., and Larsen M.C., 2005, Water, Sediment, and Nutrient Discharge Characteristics of Puerto Rico Rivers and Their Potential Influence on Coral Reefs: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5206, 58p.http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2005/5206/SIR2005_5206.pdf

Peters, N.E., Shanley, J.B., Aulenbach, B.T and Webb, R.M. 2004, Processes affecting the mass balance of five small, relatively pristine watersheds in the USA. Proceedings of the Eleventh International Conference on Water Rock Interactions, Saratoga Springs, New York: 1371-1374.

Webb, R.M.T, Peters, N.J., Aulenbach, B.T., and Shanley, J.B., 2003, Relations between Hydrology and Solute Fluxes at the Five Water, Energy, and Biogeochemical Budget (WEBB) Watersheds of the United States Geological Survey:  [in] Renard, Kenneth G., McElroy, Stephen A., Gburek, William J., Canfield,H. Evan and Scott, Russell L., eds. 2003. First Interagency Conference on Research in the Watersheds, October 27-30, 2003.  U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, p.332-339. http://www.tucson.ars.ag.gov/icrw/Proceedings/Webb.pdf

Clow, D.W., Schrott, L., Webb, R.M.T., Campbell, D.H., Torizzo, A., and Dornblaser, M., 2003, Groundwater Occurrence and Contributions to Streamflow in an Alpine Catchment: Ground Water, v.41(7), p.937-950.

Liu, Fengjing, Williams, Mark, Webb, Richard, and Ackerman, Todd, 2002, Application of XTOP_PRMS Model In Green Lakes Valley, ColoradoFront Range: Runoff Simulation And Flowpath Identification, Proceedings of the 70th Western Snow Conference, Granby, CO May 20-23, 2002, pp. 58-66.

Gilbes, F., Armstrong, R.A., Webb, R.M.T., and Muller-Karger, F.E., 2001, SeaWiFS helps assess hurricane impact on phytoplankton in Caribbean Sea: Eos Transactions, American Geophysical Union, vol. 82, no. 45, p. 529 and 533.

Soler-López, Luis R., Webb, Richard M.T., and Carrasquillo-Nieves, Ramon A., 2000, Sedimentation Survey of Lago Guajataca, Puerto Rico, January 1999: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 2000‑4044, 20 p. + 1 p.

Soler-López, Luis R., Webb, Richard M.T., and Carrasquillo-Nieves, Ramon A., 2000, Sedimentation Survey of Lago La Plata, Puerto Rico, October 1998: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 2000‑4045, 23 p. + 3 p.

Webb, Richard M.T., Collar, Paul D., Schwab, William C., Goenaga, Carlos, Garcia, Jorge R., and Castro, Roberto, 2000, Assessment of the Biota, Sediments, and Water Quality, near the Discharge of Primary-Treated Effluent from the Mayagüez Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, Bahía de Añasco, Puerto Rico: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 99-4141,  196 p.ftp://brrcrftp.cr.usgs.gov/pub/mows/pubs/webb_pubs/webb_pdf/WRI_99_4141.pdf

Soler-López, Luis R., and Webb, Richard M.T., 1999, Sedimentation Survey of Lago Prieto, Puerto Rico, September 1997: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 99-4169, 11 p. + 2 plates.

Soler-López, Luis R., Webb, Richard M.T., and Pérez-Blair, Francisco, in 1999, Sedimentation Survey of Lago Patillas, Puerto Rico, April 1997: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 99-4030, 14 p + 1 plate.

Soler-López, Luis R., Webb, Richard M.T., and Pérez-Blair, Francisco, 1999, Sedimentation Survey of Lago Garzas, Puerto Rico, September 1996:U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 99-4143, 20 p. + 2 plates.

Gellis, Allen C., Webb, Richard M.T., Wolfe, William J., and McIntyre, Sherwood C.I.,  1999, Effects of Land Use on Upland Erosion, Sediment Transport, and Reservoir Sedimentation, Lago Loíza Basin, Puerto Rico: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 99-4010, 60 p. + 1 plate.

Schlee, John S., Rodríguez, Rafael W., Webb, Richard M.T., and Milton Carlo, 1999, Marine Geologic Map of the Southwestern Insular Shelf of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez to Cabo Rojo: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Map I-2615, 2 plates with text.

Soler-López, Luis R., Webb, Richard M.T., and Perez-Blair, Francisco, 1999, Sedimentation Survey of Lago Yahuecas, Puerto Rico, March 1997:U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 98-4259, 15 p. + 2 plates.

Soler-López, Luis R., and Webb, Richard M.T., 1998, Sedimentation Survey of Lago Dos Bocas, Puerto Rico, June 1997: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 98-4188, 14 p., 1 plate.

Webb, Richard M.T. and Gómez-Gómez, Fernando, 1998, Synoptic Survey of Water Quality and Bottom Sediments, San Juan Bay Estuary System, Puerto Rico, December 1994-July 1995: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 97-4144, 69 p.http://onlinepubs.er.usgs.gov/djvu/WRI/wrir_97_4144.djvu

Webb, Richard M.T., and Soler-López, Luis R., 1997, Sedimentation History of Lago Loíza,  Puerto Rico, 1953-1994: U.S. Geological Resources Water-Resources Investigations Report 97-4108, 18 p., 9 plates. http://onlinepubs.er.usgs.gov/djvu/WRI/wrir_97_4108.djvu

Webb, Richard M.T. and Soler-López, Luis, R., 1996, Sedimentation Survey of Lago Caonillas, Puerto Rico, February 1995: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 96-4153, 27 p. + 1 plate.

Webb, Richard M.T., and Fernando Gomez-Gomez, 1996, Sedimentation Survey of Dos Bocas, Puerto Rico, August 1994: U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Investigations Report 95-4214, 20 p. + 3 plates.

Bush, David M., Webb, Richard M.T., González-Liboy, José, Hyman, Lisbeth, and William J. Neal, 1995, Living with the Puerto Rico shore, Duke University Press, Durham, North Carolina, 193 pp.

Rodríguez, Rafael W., Webb, Richard M.T., and David M. Bush, 1994, Another Look at the Impact of Hurricane Hugo on Coastal resources of Puerto Rico, Journal of Coastal Research, vol.10 (2). p. 278-296.

Rodríguez, Rafael W., Webb, Richard M.T., Bush, David M., and Kathy M. Scanlon, 1992, Marine Geologic Map of the North Insular Shelf of Puerto Rico: Río Bayamón to Río Grande de Loíza: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Map I-2207.

Schwab, W.C., Webb, R.M.T., Danforth, W.W., O'Brien, T.F., and B.J. Irwin, 1991, High-Resolution Sidescan-Sonar Imagery Of The Manchas Interiores - Manchas Exteriores Coral Reef Complex, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 91-436. http://onlinepubs.er.usgs.gov/djvu/OFR/1991/ofr_91_436.djvu

Rodríguez, Rafael W., and Richard M.T. Webb, 1991, Hurricane Hugo and Puerto Rico: U.S. Geological Survey Yearbook 1990, p. 8-11.

Velazco-Domínguez, Aileen T., Webb, Richard M., and Jorge Rodríguez, 1986, Coastal Erosion and Protection Evaluation; Condado-Ocean Park to Isla Verde, Puerto Rico:  Technical Publication for the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources.

Velazco-Domínguez, Aileen T., Webb, Richard M., and Gilberto Cintrón, 1985, Sedimentation in the Insular Waters of Puerto Rico and its Effect on Coral Reef Communities:  Technical Publication for the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources.

Cintrón, Gilberto, Aileen T. Velazco-Domínguez, Richard M. Webb, and Maynard  Nichols, 1984, Technical Data Base for the Development of Public Policy Regarding the Exploitation of Submarine Sand Deposits in Puerto Rico: Technical Publication for the Puerto Rico Department of Natural  Resources.