Scott Ator is a Hydrologist at the USGS MD-DE-DC Water Science Center.
I have been a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Baltimore, Maryland since 1994, including a Research Hydrologist from 2005 through 2010. My work has focused primarily on the design, implementation, and analysis and interpretation of results of water-quality and geochemical studies (including major-ion chemistry, nutrients, and pesticides) in streams and groundwater at multiple spatial
Professional Experience
Hydrologist at USGS MD-DE-DC Water Science Center, Catonsville, MD, 1994 to present day
Research Hydrologist at USGS MD-DE-DC Water Science Center, Catonsville, MD, 2005-2010
Education and Certifications
MS, Environmental Science and Policy, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 2003
BS, Geology, summa cum laude, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 1994
Science and Products
2012 SPARROW Models for the Northeast: Total Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen, Suspended Sediment, and Streamflow
The 2012 SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) Models measure the damaging contaminants of phosphorus, nitrogen, and suspended sediment in streamflow throughout the Northeast United States. Through various types of watershed management practices, loads of nutrients and suspended sediment are significantly reduced within the stream network in impounded reaches, and...
New Synthesis Describes Current Understanding of Factors Driving Nutrient Trends in Streams of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Issue: Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus in Chesapeake Bay since the 1950s have contributed to low dissolved oxygen leading to fish kills, and poor water clarity and associated loss of submerged aquatic vegetation. The Chesapeake Bay Program partnership has been working to improve aquatic conditions in the Bay and its tidal tributaries, and streams in the watershed, by reducing inputs of nutrients...
MD-DE-DC WSC Modeling Capabilities
USGS models are widely used to predict responses of hydrologic systems to changing stresses, such as increases in precipitation or ground-water pumping rates, as well as to predict the fate and movement of solutes and contaminants in water.The USGS is at the forefront of devising new techniques and computer software to solve practical problems in the study of water resources. Predictive models are...
Improving Our Understanding and Helping with Water Quality Improvements
Understanding trends in stream chemistry is critical to watershed management and often complicated by multiple contaminant sources and landscape conditions changing over varying time scales.
Excess manure and fertilizer are worsening water-quality conditions on Eastern Shore of Chesapeake
Excess fertilizer and manure applied to the Chesapeake Bay’s Eastern Shore are causing poor water-quality in streams that flow into the Bay, according to a new publication by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Science and Products
- Publications
- Science
2012 SPARROW Models for the Northeast: Total Phosphorus, Total Nitrogen, Suspended Sediment, and Streamflow
The 2012 SPAtially Referenced Regression On Watershed attributes (SPARROW) Models measure the damaging contaminants of phosphorus, nitrogen, and suspended sediment in streamflow throughout the Northeast United States. Through various types of watershed management practices, loads of nutrients and suspended sediment are significantly reduced within the stream network in impounded reaches, and...New Synthesis Describes Current Understanding of Factors Driving Nutrient Trends in Streams of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Issue: Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus in Chesapeake Bay since the 1950s have contributed to low dissolved oxygen leading to fish kills, and poor water clarity and associated loss of submerged aquatic vegetation. The Chesapeake Bay Program partnership has been working to improve aquatic conditions in the Bay and its tidal tributaries, and streams in the watershed, by reducing inputs of nutrients...MD-DE-DC WSC Modeling Capabilities
USGS models are widely used to predict responses of hydrologic systems to changing stresses, such as increases in precipitation or ground-water pumping rates, as well as to predict the fate and movement of solutes and contaminants in water.The USGS is at the forefront of devising new techniques and computer software to solve practical problems in the study of water resources. Predictive models are...Improving Our Understanding and Helping with Water Quality Improvements
Understanding trends in stream chemistry is critical to watershed management and often complicated by multiple contaminant sources and landscape conditions changing over varying time scales.Excess manure and fertilizer are worsening water-quality conditions on Eastern Shore of Chesapeake
Excess fertilizer and manure applied to the Chesapeake Bay’s Eastern Shore are causing poor water-quality in streams that flow into the Bay, according to a new publication by the U.S. Geological Survey. - Data
- News