Scott Ducar is a hydrologist with the USGS Idaho Water Science Center in Boise, Idaho.
Scott is involved with various field-based and remote sensing studies throughout Idaho. He has experience in both groundwater and surface-water quality, and his recent work includes sediment transport modeling, remote sensing of water quality, and land-use impacts on small alluvial streams.
Professional Experience
Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Idaho Water Science Center, August 2021 – Present
Student Contractor, U.S. Geological Survey, Idaho Water Science Center, September 2020 – August 2021
Researcher, Idaho Geological Survey, May 2019 – September 2020
Staff Geologist, PNG Environmental INC., November 2015 – July 2018
Well-site Geologist, High Plains Consulting LLC, June 2014 – October 2015
Education and Certifications
Professional Geologist, PGL - 1765
M.S. Hydrological Sciences, 2020, Boise State University
B.S. Geological Sciences, Hydrogeology Option, 2014, University of Idaho
Science and Products
Estimating Spring Discharge to the Snake River, Milner Dam to King Hill, Southern Idaho
Streamflow Evaluation for Wild and Scenic Rivers, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness
Groundwater potentiometric-surface contours and well numbers used to map groundwater potentiometric-surface altitude in 2022 and groundwater-level changes between 1968, 1991, and 2022 in the alluvial aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley, south-central Ida
Streamflow regressions and annual and semimonthly exceedance probability statistics for wild and scenic rivers, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, Idaho
Streamflow regressions and daily mean streamflow estimates for Kootenai River tributaries near Bonners Ferry, Idaho (ver 2.0, January 2023)
Potentially Resolvable National Hydrography Dataset Waterbodies and Flowlines from Landsat Images in the United States (excluding Alaska)
Synthetic streamflow regressions and daily mean streamflow estimates at three sites on the Yankee Fork Salmon River near Clayton, ID, Water Years 2012-2019
Groundwater potentiometric-surface altitude in 2022 and groundwater-level changes between 1968, 1991, and 2022, in the alluvial aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley, south-central Idaho
Mapping the probability of freshwater algal blooms with various spectral indices and sources of training data
Updated annual and semimonthly streamflow statistics for Wild and Scenic Rivers, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, southwestern Idaho, 2021
Sediment transport in the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River near Stanley, Idaho, water years 2012–19
Science and Products
- Science
Estimating Spring Discharge to the Snake River, Milner Dam to King Hill, Southern Idaho
Groundwater discharges to the Snake River from numerous volcanic rock springs along the northern canyon wall between Milner Dam and King Hill. Water-resource managers need to be able to quantify the amount of this water to understand the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer's recharge, storage, and discharge. When completed, this study will provide the Idaho Department of Water Resources with an...Streamflow Evaluation for Wild and Scenic Rivers, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness
Several river segments in the Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness have been designated as “Wild and Scenic” under the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009. This designation is intended to protect the “outstanding remarkable values” (ORVs) in this area—specifically fish and wildlife habitat, scenic and geological features, and recreational opportunities. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is... - Data
Groundwater potentiometric-surface contours and well numbers used to map groundwater potentiometric-surface altitude in 2022 and groundwater-level changes between 1968, 1991, and 2022 in the alluvial aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley, south-central Ida
Groundwater potentiometric-surface contours for spring 2022 (April 4 to 8, 2022) and autumn 2022 (October 30 to November 4, 2022) were created for the alluvial aquifer in Big Lost River Valley. The well numbers and station names used to create the potentiometric-surface contours and groundwater-level change maps are provided in this data release. The location, depth to water, and potentiometric-suStreamflow regressions and annual and semimonthly exceedance probability statistics for wild and scenic rivers, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, Idaho
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, used streamflow measurements at 11 partial-record sites and related them to nearby USGS or Idaho Power Company real-time streamgages (index sites) to provide daily mean streamflow values at ungaged (partial-record) sites within the Wild and Scenic River of the Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, Idaho. Daily mean streStreamflow regressions and daily mean streamflow estimates for Kootenai River tributaries near Bonners Ferry, Idaho (ver 2.0, January 2023)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, used streamflow measurements at 14 partial-record sites and related them to nearby USGS real-time streamgages (index sites) to provide daily mean streamflow values at ungaged (partial-record) sites. Daily mean streamflow was estimated by developing a regression relationship between streamflow at each partial-recordPotentially Resolvable National Hydrography Dataset Waterbodies and Flowlines from Landsat Images in the United States (excluding Alaska)
This data release presents two datasets including waterbodies (reservoirs, lakes, ponds, wetlands, etc.) and flowlines (stream reaches) from the high-resolution National Hydrography Dataset Plus (NHDPlus HR) that are potentially observable from Landsat images for the United States (excluding Alaska). To determine where National Hydrography Dataset Plus high resolution (NHDPlus HR; USGS 2019) featuSynthetic streamflow regressions and daily mean streamflow estimates at three sites on the Yankee Fork Salmon River near Clayton, ID, Water Years 2012-2019
To provide daily mean streamflow values at ungaged (partial-record) sites within the Yankee Fork Salmon River watershed, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, used discharge measurements at three partial-record sites and related those measurements to a nearby USGS real-time streamgage (index site). Daily mean streamflow was estimated by developing a reg - Maps
Groundwater potentiometric-surface altitude in 2022 and groundwater-level changes between 1968, 1991, and 2022, in the alluvial aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley, south-central Idaho
The U.S. Geological Survey and the Idaho Department of Water Resources measured groundwater levels during spring 2022 and autumn 2022 to create detailed potentiometric-surface maps for the alluvial aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley in south-central Idaho. Wells were assigned to shallow, intermediate, and deep water-bearing units based on well depth, groundwater potentiometric-surface altitude, - Multimedia
- Publications
Mapping the probability of freshwater algal blooms with various spectral indices and sources of training data
Algal blooms are pervasive in many freshwater environments and can pose risks to the health and safety of humans and other organisms. However, monitoring and tracking of potentially harmful blooms often relies on in-person observations by the public. Remote sensing has proven useful in augmenting in situ observations of algal concentration, but many hurdles hinder efficient application by end userAuthorsTyler Victor King, Stephen Hundt, Konrad Hafen, Victoria G. Stengel, Scott D. DucarUpdated annual and semimonthly streamflow statistics for Wild and Scenic Rivers, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, southwestern Idaho, 2021
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), continued streamflow data collection in water years 2013–21 to update daily streamflow regressions and annual and semimonthly streamflow statistics initially developed in 2012 for streams designated as “wild,” “scenic,” or “recreational” under the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in the Owyhee Canyonlands WiAuthorsTaylor J. Dudunake, Scott D. DucarSediment transport in the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River near Stanley, Idaho, water years 2012–19
Placer and dredging operations in the Yankee Fork Basin, Idaho, have left more than 5 miles of the lower Yankee Fork of the Salmon River (Yankee Fork) in a highly altered fluvial condition, resulting in poor habitat quantity and quality for native fish species. Since 2011, the Bureau of Reclamation and other stakeholders have implemented a series of restoration efforts to improve the connectivityAuthorsGregory M. Clark, Scott D. Ducar