Sara LeAnn (Caldwell) Eldridge
I am a Microbiologist in the Studies Section.
I started with the USGS New Mexico Water Science Center in 2003 as a student studying Earth Science with an emphasis on subsurface (groundwater) microbiology. After receiving an MS in Biology in 2009, I worked as a Hydrologic Technician and later, Microbiologist, with the Oregon Water Science Center, Klamath Falls Field Station. In Oregon, I worked primarily on monitoring the frequent cyanobacteria blooms and associated toxins (“HABs”) and environmental parameters in Upper Klamath Lake. In 2018, I transferred to the Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, and I am now building a microbiology/microbial ecology program and supporting water-quality studies throughout Montana and Wyoming.
Professional Experience
Microbiologist, USGS, Dec 2013-present
Hydrologist, USGS, Jan 2010-Dec 2013
Hydrologic Technician, USGS, April 2009-Jan 2010
Graduate Research Assistant, Portland State University, Sept 2005-April 2009
Hydrologic Technician, USGS, Jan 2003-June 2005
Education and Certifications
M.S. Biology, Portland State University, 2009
B.S. Earth and Planetary Sciences (Magna Cum Laude), University of New Mexico, 2005
B.S. Zoology (Summa Cum Laude), Texas State University, 1997
Science and Products
Water-Quality and Fish Tissue Data from Boneau and Williamson Reservoirs, Chippewa Cree Tribe Rocky Boy's Reservation, Box Elder, Montana, May - September 2022
Restoration Effectiveness Monitoring in the Vermilion River
High-Resolution, Interagency Biosurveillance of Threatened Surface Waters in the United States
qPCR Results for An Assessment of Naegleria fowleri in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Using High-Throughput DNA Sequencing, Genetic Fingerprinting, and Quantitative PCR as Tools for Monitoring Bloom-Forming and Toxigenic Cyanobacteria in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2013 and 2014
Naegleria fowleri detected in Grand Teton National Park Hot Springs
Growth of coal mining operations in the Elk River Valley (Canada) linked to increasing solute transport of Se, NO3-, and SO42- into the transboundary Koocanusa Reservoir (USA-Canada)
Spatiotemporal variations in copper, arsenic, cadmium, and zinc concentrations in surface water, fine-grained bed sediment, and aquatic macroinvertebrates in the upper Clark Fork Basin, western Montana—A 20-year synthesis, 1996–2016
Community for data integration 2019 project report
Sampling and analysis plan for the Koocanusa Reservoir and upper Kootenai River, Montana, water-quality monitoring program, 2021
Integrating environmental DNA results with diverse data sets to improve biosurveillance of river health
Quantification of trace element loading in the upper Tenmile Creek drainage basin near Rimini, Montana, September 2011
Contaminant concentrations in sediments, aquatic invertebrates, and fish in proximity to rail tracks used for coal transport in the Pacific Northwest: A baseline assessment
Annual variations in microcystin occurrence in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, based on high-throughput DNA sequencing, qPCR, and environmental parameters
Nutrient loads in the Lost River and Klamath River Basins, south-central Oregon and northern California, March 2012–March 2015
Using high-throughput DNA sequencing, genetic fingerprinting, and quantitative PCR as tools for monitoring bloom-forming and toxigenic cyanobacteria in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2013 and 2014
Statistical analysis of the water-quality monitoring program, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and optimization of the program for 2013 and beyond
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.
Science and Products
Water-Quality and Fish Tissue Data from Boneau and Williamson Reservoirs, Chippewa Cree Tribe Rocky Boy's Reservation, Box Elder, Montana, May - September 2022
Restoration Effectiveness Monitoring in the Vermilion River
High-Resolution, Interagency Biosurveillance of Threatened Surface Waters in the United States
qPCR Results for An Assessment of Naegleria fowleri in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Using High-Throughput DNA Sequencing, Genetic Fingerprinting, and Quantitative PCR as Tools for Monitoring Bloom-Forming and Toxigenic Cyanobacteria in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2013 and 2014
Naegleria fowleri detected in Grand Teton National Park Hot Springs
Growth of coal mining operations in the Elk River Valley (Canada) linked to increasing solute transport of Se, NO3-, and SO42- into the transboundary Koocanusa Reservoir (USA-Canada)
Spatiotemporal variations in copper, arsenic, cadmium, and zinc concentrations in surface water, fine-grained bed sediment, and aquatic macroinvertebrates in the upper Clark Fork Basin, western Montana—A 20-year synthesis, 1996–2016
Community for data integration 2019 project report
Sampling and analysis plan for the Koocanusa Reservoir and upper Kootenai River, Montana, water-quality monitoring program, 2021
Integrating environmental DNA results with diverse data sets to improve biosurveillance of river health
Quantification of trace element loading in the upper Tenmile Creek drainage basin near Rimini, Montana, September 2011
Contaminant concentrations in sediments, aquatic invertebrates, and fish in proximity to rail tracks used for coal transport in the Pacific Northwest: A baseline assessment
Annual variations in microcystin occurrence in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, based on high-throughput DNA sequencing, qPCR, and environmental parameters
Nutrient loads in the Lost River and Klamath River Basins, south-central Oregon and northern California, March 2012–March 2015
Using high-throughput DNA sequencing, genetic fingerprinting, and quantitative PCR as tools for monitoring bloom-forming and toxigenic cyanobacteria in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, 2013 and 2014
Statistical analysis of the water-quality monitoring program, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and optimization of the program for 2013 and beyond
Non-USGS Publications**
**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.