Susan Buto
3D Elevation Program Data Acquisition Lead
Biography
Susan earned degrees from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (B.S. Geological Engineering and M.S. Mineral Engineering) and an Associate's degree in Geographic Information Systems from Western Nevada College. Susan has worked for both the Nevada and Utah Water Science Centers as a GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist and served for five years in a joint capacity with the National Geospatial Program and Water Mission Areas as the Watershed Boundary Dataset Team Lead. She currently works for the National Geospatial Program as the 3D Elevation Program Data Acquisition Lead.
Science and Products
Evapotranspiration Units, Groundwater Discharge Area, and 2007-2008 Summer Mean Vegetation Index for Tule Valley and part of Sevier Valley, Utah
This USGS data release consists of three data sets used as the basis for estimates of groundwater discharge from evapotranspiration in Tule Valley and part of Sevier Valley, UT. The data sets are a mapped groundwater discharge area (GDA), a mean modified soil adjusted vegetation index (MSAVI), and evapotranspiration (ET) units derived from the MSAVI within the GDA. The GDA repre
Geospatial Data to Support Estimates of Annual Groundwater Discharge by Evapotranspiration from Areas of Spring-Fed Riparian Vegetation, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, southern Nevada
This USGS data release, supporting USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2020-5075, Estimates of Groundwater Discharge by Evapotranspiration, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, Southern Nevada, 2016–18, consists of five datasets - Normalized Difference Vegetation Indexes (NDVI) and a mapped groundwater discharge areas (GDA) for two spring areas, and a two
Supplemental Evapotranspiration Gap-filled Datasets from Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, southern Nevada, 2016-18
This USGS data release represents supplemental tabular data for an annual groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration (ET) from areas of spring-fed riparian vegetation, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, Nevada, 2016-18. The raw ET dataset contained multiple data gaps that were simulated and gap-filled with the water-level model utility in SeriesSEE, a USGS developed Micro
12-digit hydrologic unit outlet (pour) points for the NHDPlus V2.1 WBD snapshot
This USGS data release consists of three datasets representing three derived outlets or "pour points" for each 12-digit hydrologic unit (HU12) in the Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD) snapshot delivered with NHDPlus V2.1. The three related pour point locations, each delivered in a stand-alone dataset, are: "from" (fpp) and "to" (tpp) points that identify the locat
Catchment-flowline network and selected model inputs for an enhanced and updated spatially referenced statistical assessment of dissolved-solids load sources and transport in streams of the Upper Colorado River Basin
This USGS data release consists of the synthetic stream network and associated catchments used to develop spatially referenced regressions on watershed attributes (SPARROW) model of dissolved-solids sources and transport in the Upper Colorado River Basin as well as geology and selected Basin Characterization Model (BCM) data used as input to the model.
Groundwater-level and groundwater-level change contours for the Lahontan Valley shallow aquifer near Fallon, Nevada, 2012
USGS data release of two geospatial datasets from Lahontan Valley near Fallon, NV: contours representing water levels based on depth-to-groundwater measurements made at 98 wells in July 2012 and contours representing water level change in the shallow aquifer (1992-2012) based on depth-to-groundwater measurements made in 73 wells in 1992 and 2012, with limited measurements made in 2013.
Groundwater Discharge Area for the Diamond Valley Flow System, Central Nevada
These data were created as part of a hydrologic study to characterize groundwater budgets and water quality in the Diamond Valley Flow System (DVFS), central Nevada. This dataset represents the groundwater discharge area (GDA) in the DVFS.
Water Level Altitude Contours for the Diamond Valley Flow System, Central Nevada, 2012
These data were created as part of a hydrologic study to characterize groundwater budgets and water quality in the Diamond Valley Flow System (DVFS), central Nevada. This dataset represents 2012 water levels in the DVFS.
Irrigated Agricultural Lands and Other Anthropogenic Land Disturbance in the Diamond Valley Flow System, Central Nevada, 2011
These data were created as part of a hydrologic study to characterize groundwater budgets and water quality in the Diamond Valley Flow System (DVFS), central Nevada. This dataset represents 2011 irrigated agricultural lands and associated land disturbances in the DVFS.
Evapotranspiration Units for the Diamond Valley Flow System Groundwater Discharge Area, Central Nevada, 2010
These data were created as part of a hydrologic study to characterize groundwater budgets and water quality in the Diamond Valley Flow System (DVFS), central Nevada. This dataset represents evapotranspiration (ET) units derived from the mean Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) calculated from two Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper scenes from the summer of 2010.
Summer Mean Enhanced Vegetation Index for the Diamond Valley Flow System Groundwater Discharge Area, Central Nevada, 2010
These data were created as part of a hydrologic study to characterize groundwater budgets and water quality in the Diamond Valley Flow System (DVFS), central Nevada. This dataset represents the mean Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) of two Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper scenes from the summer of 2010 in the DVFS.
Groundwater discharge area for Diamond Valley, Central Nevada, 1968
This dataset represents "phreatophyte areas" mapped as part of an analysis of irrigation pumping in Diamond Valley, Nevada published in 1968. The data were digitized for comparison with mapping of groundwater discharge areas done in 2011 as part of a groundwater study in these valleys published in 2016.
Estimates of groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, Stump Spring and Hiko Springs, Clark County, southern Nevada, 2016–18
This report documents methodology and results of a study that estimated groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration (GWET) from phreatophytic vegetation in two desert riparian areas with ephemeral spring discharge in Clark County, southern Nevada. The phreatophytes consisted primarily of western honey mesquite [Prosopis glandulosa var. ...
Moreo, Michael T.; Buto, Susan G.; Smith, David W.; Nelson, Nora C.
Hydrogeologic and geochemical characterization of groundwater resources in Pine and Wah Wah Valleys, Iron, Beaver, and Millard Counties, Utah
Pine and Wah Wah Valleys are neighboring structural basins that encompass about 1,330 square miles in Beaver, Iron, and Millard Counties in Utah, approximately 50 miles northwest of Cedar City, Utah, and 50 miles southeast of Baker, Nevada. Perennial streamflow is limited and only exists in higher-altitude reaches of small mountain streams in both...
Gardner, Philip M.; Marston, Thomas M.; Buto, Susan G.; Brooks, Lynette E.
NHDPlus High Resolution (NHDPlus HR)---A hydrography framework for the Nation
Reliable and accurate high-resolution mapping of the Nation’s waters are critical inputs to models and decision support systems used to predict risk and enable response to impacts on water resources. It is necessary to know where the water is and how it relates to features beyond the stream network like forests, cities, and infrastructure. An up-...
Buto, Susan G.; Anderson, Rebecca D.
Managing salinity in Upper Colorado River Basin streams: Selecting catchments for sediment control efforts using watershed characteristics and random forests models
Elevated concentrations of dissolved-solids (salinity) including calcium, sodium, sulfate, and chloride, among others, in the Colorado River cause substantial problems for its water users. Previous efforts to reduce dissolved solids in upper Colorado River basin (UCRB) streams often focused on reducing suspended-sediment transport to streams, but...
Tillman, Fred; Anning, David W.; Heilman, Julian A.; Buto, Susan G.; Miller, Matthew P. Catchment-flowline network and selected model inputs for an enhanced and updated spatially referenced statistical assessment of dissolved-solids load sources and transport in streams of the Upper Colorado River Basin
This USGS data release consists of the synthetic stream network and associated catchments used to develop spatially referenced regressions on watershed attributes (SPARROW) model of dissolved-solids sources and transport in the Upper Colorado River Basin as well as geology and selected Basin Characterization Model (BCM) data used as input to the...
Buto, Susan G.; Spangler, Lawrence E.; Flint, Alan L.; Flint, Lorraine E.
Enhanced and updated spatially referenced statistical assessment of dissolved-solids load sources and transport in streams of the Upper Colorado River Basin
Approximately 6.4 million tons of dissolved solids are discharged from the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) to the Lower Colorado River Basin each year. This results in substantial economic damages, and tens of millions of dollars are spent annually on salinity control projects designed to reduce salinity loads in surface waters of the UCRB....
Miller, Matthew P.; Buto, Susan G.; Lambert, Patrick M.; Rumsey, Christine A.
Groundwater-level change and evaluation of simulated water levels for irrigated areas in Lahontan Valley, Churchill County, west-central Nevada, 1992 to 2012
The acquisition and transfer of water rights to wetland areas of Lahontan Valley, Nevada, has caused concern over the potential effects on shallow aquifer water levels. In 1992, water levels in Lahontan Valley were measured to construct a water-table map of the shallow aquifer prior to the effects of water-right transfers mandated by the Fallon...
Smith, David W.; Buto, Susan G.; Welborn, Toby L.
Budgets and chemical characterization of groundwater for the Diamond Valley flow system, central Nevada, 2011–12
The Diamond Valley flow system consists of six hydraulically connected hydrographic areas in central Nevada. The general down-gradient order of the areas are southern and northern Monitor Valleys, Antelope Valley, Kobeh Valley, Stevens Basin, and Diamond Valley. Groundwater flow in the Diamond Valley flow system terminates at a large playa in the...
Berger, David L.; Mayers, C. Justin; Garcia, C. Amanda; Buto, Susan G.; Huntington, Jena M. The importance of base flow in sustaining surface water flow in the Upper Colorado River Basin
The Colorado River has been identified as the most overallocated river in the world. Considering predicted future imbalances between water supply and demand and the growing recognition that base flow (a proxy for groundwater discharge to streams) is critical for sustaining flow in streams and rivers, there is a need to develop methods to better...
Miller, Matthew P.; Buto, Susan G.; Susong, David D.; Rumsey, Christine
Steady-state numerical groundwater flow model of the Great Basin carbonate and alluvial aquifer system
This report describes the construction, calibration, evaluation, and results of a steady-state numerical groundwater flow model of the Great Basin carbonate and alluvial aquifer system that was developed as part of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Census Initiative to evaluate the nation’s groundwater availability. The study area...
Brooks, Lynette E.; Masbruch, Melissa D.; Sweetkind, Donald S.; Buto, Susan G.
Groundwater discharge by evapotranspiration, Dixie Valley, west-central Nevada, March 2009-September 2011
With increasing population growth and land-use change, urban communities in the desert Southwest are progressively looking toward remote basins to supplement existing water supplies. Pending applications by Churchill County for groundwater appropriations from Dixie Valley, Nevada, a primarily undeveloped basin east of the Carson Desert, have...
Garcia, C. Amanda; Huntington, Jena M; Buto, Susan G.; Moreo, Michael T.; Smith, J. LaRue; Andraski, Brian J.
Development of a regionally consistent geospatial dataset of agricultural lands in the Upper Colorado River Basin, 2007-10
Irrigation in arid environments can alter the natural rate at which salts are dissolved and transported to streams. Irrigated agricultural lands are the major anthropogenic source of dissolved solids in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB). Understanding the location, spatial distribution, and irrigation status of agricultural lands and the...
Buto, Susan G.; Gold, Brittany L.; Jones, Kimberly A.
FY21 U.S. Geological Survey Broad Agency Announcement for 3D Elevation Program Released
https://usgs.gov/3DEP/BAAThe USGS has issued the Fiscal Year 20/21 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the 3D Elevation Program.
2020 Lidar Partnership Awards Announced
Collaboration continues to move the 3D Elevation Program forward.