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Robert Breault

Director, New York Water Science Center | USGS

Accomplished leader in water science, research, and operations management.

As Director of the New York Water Science Center (NYWSC), I provide strategic leadership, oversight, and operational management to advance the USGS mission in water resources. With over 32 years of experience at USGS, I have a proven track record of successfully guiding multidisciplinary teams, fostering innovation, and delivering high-quality scientific research.

Committed to advancing scientific excellence and supporting data-driven decision-making for sustainable water resource management.

Professional Experience

  • Leadership & Workforce Development – Direct, mentor, and oversee a diverse workforce of nearly 200 professionals, ensuring a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing environment.

  • Scientific Excellence – Published 30+ peer-reviewed papers, advancing knowledge in hydrology, water quality, and environmental science.

  • Strategic Planning & Program Management – Plan and execute large-scale research initiatives, oversee resource allocation, and maintain mission alignment.

  • Data Integrity & Scientific Impact – Ensure the highest standards in data collection, analysis, and publication by leading quality assurance processes.

  • Stakeholder Engagement & Program Growth – Build strategic partnerships and promote USGS programs at federal, state, and local levels to enhance research impact and funding opportunities.

Education and Certifications

  •  Master of Science (M.S.), Chemistry (Environmental Studies Option), University of Massachusetts Lowell

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 33

The Native American Research Assistantship Program—Building capacity for Indigenous water-resources monitoring

Intertribal networks for collecting and analyzing hydrologic and environmental data are growing. The U.S. Geological Survey can be a key partner with Tribal Nations in the further development of network capacity. A first step is the internship opportunity available through the partnership between the USGS and The Wildlife Society: The Native American Research Assistantship Program.
Authors
Electa Hare-Red Corn, Robert F. Breault, Jason R. Sorenson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center

Preparing for today's and tomorrow's water-resources challenges in eastern Long Island, New York

Freshwater is a vital natural resource. Although New York is a water-rich State, the wise and economical use of water resources is needed to ensure that there is enough water of adequate quality for both human and ecological needs—both for today and for tomorrow. Nowhere in New York is this more evident than in Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island, where the public water supply is...
Authors
Ronald Busciolano, John P. Masterson, Robert F. Breault
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

A century of hydrologic data collection prepares western Long Island for current and future water-resources challenges

Freshwater is a vital natural resource. New York is a water-rich State; however, even here, the economical use of water resources is needed to ensure there is enough water of adequate quality for human and ecological needs—now and into the future. Nowhere in New York is this more evident than on Long Island where public-water supply is obtained from the sole-source aquifers directly...
Authors
Robert F. Breault, John P. Masterson, Ronald Busciolano, Irene J. Fisher
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

Managing water resources on Long Island, New York, with integrated, multidisciplinary science

Nutrients, harmful algal blooms, and synthetic chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 1,4-dioxane threaten Long Island’s water resources by affecting the quality of drinking water and ecologically sensitive habitats that support the diverse wildlife throughout the island. Understanding the occurrence, fate, and transport of these potentially harmful chemicals is...
Authors
Robert F. Breault, John P. Masterson, Christopher Schubert, Liv M. Herdman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Water for Long Island: Now and for the future

Do you ever wonder where your water comes from? If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, the answer is, groundwater. Groundwater is water that started out as precipitation (rain and snow melt) and seeped into the ground. This seepage recharges the freshwater stored underground, in the spaces between the grains of sand and gravel in what are referred to as aquifers. Long Island has three...
Authors
John P. Masterson, Robert F. Breault
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

Estimated sediment thickness, quality, and toxicity to benthic organisms in selected impoundments in Massachusetts

The U.S. Geological Survey and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, Division of Ecological Restoration, collaborated to collect baseline information on the quantity and quality of sediment impounded behind selected dams in Massachusetts, including sediment thickness and the occurrence of contaminants potentially toxic to benthic organisms. The thicknesses of impounded sediments...
Authors
Robert F. Breault, Jason R. Sorenson, Peter K. Weiskel
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Hydrologic, vegetation, and soil data collected in selected wetlands of the Big River Management area, Rhode Island, from 2008 through 2010

The Rhode Island Water Resources Board planned to develop public water-supply wells in the Big River Management Area in Kent County, Rhode Island. Research in the United States and abroad indicates that groundwater withdrawal has the potential to affect wetland hydrology and related processes. In May 2008, the Rhode Island Water Resources Board, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the...
Authors
Meredith S. Borenstein, Francis C. Golet, David S. Armstrong, Robert F. Breault, Timothy D. McCobb, Peter K. Weiskel
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Time of travel and dispersion of a dye plume in the Blackstone River, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 2009

To obtain copies of this report, please contact: Director, Division of Watershed Management, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, 8 New Bond St., Worcester, MA 01608, (508) 792–7650
Authors
Gene W. Parker, Robert F. Breault, Andrew M. Waite, Elaine Hartman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Streamflow, water quality, and constituent loads and yields, Scituate Reservoir drainage area, Rhode Island, water year 2010

Streamflow and water-quality data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) or the Providence Water Supply Board (PWSB), Rhode Island's largest drinking-water supplier. Streamflow was measured or estimated by the USGS following standard methods at 23 streamgages; 14 of these stations were also equipped with instrumentation capable of continuously monitoring specific conductance...
Authors
Kirk P. Smith, Robert F. Breault
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Concentrations, loads, and sources of polychlorinated biphenyls, Neponset River and Neponset River Estuary, eastern Massachusetts

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are known to contaminate the Neponset River, which flows through parts of Boston, Massachusetts, and empties into the Neponset River Estuary, an important fish-spawning area. The river is dammed and impassable to fish. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, Division of Ecological Restoration...
Authors
Robert F. Breault
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Streamflow, water quality, and constituent loads and yields, Scituate Reservoir drainage area, Rhode Island, water year 2009

Streamflow and water-quality data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) or the Providence Water Supply Board (PWSB), Rhode Island's largest drinking-water supplier. Streamflow was measured or estimated by the USGS following standard methods at 23 streamgage stations; 13 of these stations were also equipped with instrumentation capable of continuously monitoring specific...
Authors
Robert F. Breault, Kirk P. Smith
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Streamflow, Water Quality, and Constituent Loads and Yields, Scituate Reservoir Drainage Area, Rhode Island, Water Year 2005

Streamflow and water-quality data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) or the Providence Water Supply Board, Rhode Island’s largest drinking-water supplier. Streamflow was measured or estimated by the USGS following standard methods at 23 streamgage stations; 10 of these stations were also equipped with instrumentation capable of continuously monitoring specific...
Authors
Robert F. Breault, Jean P. Campbell
By
New England Water Science Center
link
Installing storm surge sensors before Hurricane Sandy

New York Water Science Center Data Program

Objective: The USGS New York Water Science Center (NYWSC) works with other Federal agencies as well as with State, municipal, and tribal agencies to provide research and data about water-related issues. Relevance and Impact: The NYWSC leads the scientific and water-resources management communities by providing high-quality, timely, and unbiased scientific data, reports, and other...
By
New York Water Science Center
link

New York Water Science Center Data Program

Objective: The USGS New York Water Science Center (NYWSC) works with other Federal agencies as well as with State, municipal, and tribal agencies to provide research and data about water-related issues. Relevance and Impact: The NYWSC leads the scientific and water-resources management communities by providing high-quality, timely, and unbiased scientific data, reports, and other information that
Learn More
link
men in field looking at computer

World Water Monitoring Day

Adopted by Water Environment Federation (WEF) in July 2006, World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD) is an international outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world. Held annually between September 18 and October 18, the program engages communities in monitoring the condition of local rivers, streams, estuaries and other water bodies. Since...
link

World Water Monitoring Day

Adopted by Water Environment Federation (WEF) in July 2006, World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD) is an international outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world. Held annually between September 18 and October 18, the program engages communities in monitoring the condition of local rivers, streams, estuaries and other water bodies. Since...
Learn More
link
photo of groundwater model

Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad is a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state and...
link

Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad is a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state and...
Learn More

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 33

The Native American Research Assistantship Program—Building capacity for Indigenous water-resources monitoring

Intertribal networks for collecting and analyzing hydrologic and environmental data are growing. The U.S. Geological Survey can be a key partner with Tribal Nations in the further development of network capacity. A first step is the internship opportunity available through the partnership between the USGS and The Wildlife Society: The Native American Research Assistantship Program.
Authors
Electa Hare-Red Corn, Robert F. Breault, Jason R. Sorenson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center

Preparing for today's and tomorrow's water-resources challenges in eastern Long Island, New York

Freshwater is a vital natural resource. Although New York is a water-rich State, the wise and economical use of water resources is needed to ensure that there is enough water of adequate quality for both human and ecological needs—both for today and for tomorrow. Nowhere in New York is this more evident than in Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island, where the public water supply is...
Authors
Ronald Busciolano, John P. Masterson, Robert F. Breault
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

A century of hydrologic data collection prepares western Long Island for current and future water-resources challenges

Freshwater is a vital natural resource. New York is a water-rich State; however, even here, the economical use of water resources is needed to ensure there is enough water of adequate quality for human and ecological needs—now and into the future. Nowhere in New York is this more evident than on Long Island where public-water supply is obtained from the sole-source aquifers directly...
Authors
Robert F. Breault, John P. Masterson, Ronald Busciolano, Irene J. Fisher
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

Managing water resources on Long Island, New York, with integrated, multidisciplinary science

Nutrients, harmful algal blooms, and synthetic chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 1,4-dioxane threaten Long Island’s water resources by affecting the quality of drinking water and ecologically sensitive habitats that support the diverse wildlife throughout the island. Understanding the occurrence, fate, and transport of these potentially harmful chemicals is...
Authors
Robert F. Breault, John P. Masterson, Christopher Schubert, Liv M. Herdman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New York Water Science Center

Water for Long Island: Now and for the future

Do you ever wonder where your water comes from? If you live in Nassau or Suffolk County, the answer is, groundwater. Groundwater is water that started out as precipitation (rain and snow melt) and seeped into the ground. This seepage recharges the freshwater stored underground, in the spaces between the grains of sand and gravel in what are referred to as aquifers. Long Island has three...
Authors
John P. Masterson, Robert F. Breault
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

Estimated sediment thickness, quality, and toxicity to benthic organisms in selected impoundments in Massachusetts

The U.S. Geological Survey and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, Division of Ecological Restoration, collaborated to collect baseline information on the quantity and quality of sediment impounded behind selected dams in Massachusetts, including sediment thickness and the occurrence of contaminants potentially toxic to benthic organisms. The thicknesses of impounded sediments...
Authors
Robert F. Breault, Jason R. Sorenson, Peter K. Weiskel
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Hydrologic, vegetation, and soil data collected in selected wetlands of the Big River Management area, Rhode Island, from 2008 through 2010

The Rhode Island Water Resources Board planned to develop public water-supply wells in the Big River Management Area in Kent County, Rhode Island. Research in the United States and abroad indicates that groundwater withdrawal has the potential to affect wetland hydrology and related processes. In May 2008, the Rhode Island Water Resources Board, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the...
Authors
Meredith S. Borenstein, Francis C. Golet, David S. Armstrong, Robert F. Breault, Timothy D. McCobb, Peter K. Weiskel
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Time of travel and dispersion of a dye plume in the Blackstone River, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, 2009

To obtain copies of this report, please contact: Director, Division of Watershed Management, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, 8 New Bond St., Worcester, MA 01608, (508) 792–7650
Authors
Gene W. Parker, Robert F. Breault, Andrew M. Waite, Elaine Hartman
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Streamflow, water quality, and constituent loads and yields, Scituate Reservoir drainage area, Rhode Island, water year 2010

Streamflow and water-quality data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) or the Providence Water Supply Board (PWSB), Rhode Island's largest drinking-water supplier. Streamflow was measured or estimated by the USGS following standard methods at 23 streamgages; 14 of these stations were also equipped with instrumentation capable of continuously monitoring specific conductance...
Authors
Kirk P. Smith, Robert F. Breault
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Concentrations, loads, and sources of polychlorinated biphenyls, Neponset River and Neponset River Estuary, eastern Massachusetts

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are known to contaminate the Neponset River, which flows through parts of Boston, Massachusetts, and empties into the Neponset River Estuary, an important fish-spawning area. The river is dammed and impassable to fish. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, Division of Ecological Restoration...
Authors
Robert F. Breault
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Streamflow, water quality, and constituent loads and yields, Scituate Reservoir drainage area, Rhode Island, water year 2009

Streamflow and water-quality data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) or the Providence Water Supply Board (PWSB), Rhode Island's largest drinking-water supplier. Streamflow was measured or estimated by the USGS following standard methods at 23 streamgage stations; 13 of these stations were also equipped with instrumentation capable of continuously monitoring specific...
Authors
Robert F. Breault, Kirk P. Smith
By
Water Resources Mission Area, New England Water Science Center

Streamflow, Water Quality, and Constituent Loads and Yields, Scituate Reservoir Drainage Area, Rhode Island, Water Year 2005

Streamflow and water-quality data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) or the Providence Water Supply Board, Rhode Island’s largest drinking-water supplier. Streamflow was measured or estimated by the USGS following standard methods at 23 streamgage stations; 10 of these stations were also equipped with instrumentation capable of continuously monitoring specific...
Authors
Robert F. Breault, Jean P. Campbell
By
New England Water Science Center
link
Installing storm surge sensors before Hurricane Sandy

New York Water Science Center Data Program

Objective: The USGS New York Water Science Center (NYWSC) works with other Federal agencies as well as with State, municipal, and tribal agencies to provide research and data about water-related issues. Relevance and Impact: The NYWSC leads the scientific and water-resources management communities by providing high-quality, timely, and unbiased scientific data, reports, and other...
By
New York Water Science Center
link

New York Water Science Center Data Program

Objective: The USGS New York Water Science Center (NYWSC) works with other Federal agencies as well as with State, municipal, and tribal agencies to provide research and data about water-related issues. Relevance and Impact: The NYWSC leads the scientific and water-resources management communities by providing high-quality, timely, and unbiased scientific data, reports, and other information that
Learn More
link
men in field looking at computer

World Water Monitoring Day

Adopted by Water Environment Federation (WEF) in July 2006, World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD) is an international outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world. Held annually between September 18 and October 18, the program engages communities in monitoring the condition of local rivers, streams, estuaries and other water bodies. Since...
link

World Water Monitoring Day

Adopted by Water Environment Federation (WEF) in July 2006, World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD) is an international outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world. Held annually between September 18 and October 18, the program engages communities in monitoring the condition of local rivers, streams, estuaries and other water bodies. Since...
Learn More
link
photo of groundwater model

Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad is a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state and...
link

Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad is a nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, training workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state and...
Learn More
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