Susan Buto
National Watershed Boundary Dataset Team 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. The early years of her career were spent as an Engineering Geologist in mining enterprises across the western and midwestern U.S. She found her ultimate career path in GIS and joined the USGS in 2001 after relocating to Carson City, Nevada. She has worked for both the Nevada and Utah Water Science Centers as a GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist for studies ranging from estimation of groundwater discharge from phreatophytic vegetation using remote sensing methods in the Great Basin to dissolved solids and baseflow SPARROW model support in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Susan Serves as the GIS Coorinator for the Nevada Water Science Center and works in a joint capacity with the National Geospatial Program and Water Mission Areas as the Watershed Boundary Dataset Team Lead.
Science and Products
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.
Groundwater discharge areas for Antelope, Kobeh, and Monitor Valleys, Central Nevada, 1964
This dataset represents "phreatophyte areas" mapped as part of a groundwater reconnaissance effort in four valleys in central Nevada and published in 1964. 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.
Evapotranspiration units for Dixie Valley, Churchill County, Nevada
This data set was created as part of a U.S. Geological Survey study, done in cooperation with Bureau of Reclamation. The intended uses of this data set include, but are not limited to, natural resource modeling, mapping, and visualization applications.
Temperature Normalized Enhanced Vegetation Index for Dixie Valley, Churchill County, Nevada
The Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) was calculated for 10 Landsat 5 Thematic mapper scenes and combined with brightness temperature in an effort to reduce confounding (high) EVI values resulting from forbes and cheat grass in sparsely vegetated areas, and biological soil crusts from bare soil to densely vegetated areas.
Geospatial Dataset of Agricultural Lands in the Upper Colorado River Basin, 2007 - 10
This dataset represents the extent and spatial distribution of irrigated agricultural lands in the Upper Colorado River Basin for 2007-10. The boundaries in this dataset were modified from data developed by state and local agencies in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
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.
Analysis of annual dissolved-solids loading from selected natural and irrigated catchments in the Upper Colorado River Basin, 1974-2003
Dissolved-solids loading from 17 natural catchments and 14 irrigated catchments in the Upper Colorado River Basin was examined for the period from 1974 through 2003. In general, dissolved-solids loading increased and decreased concurrently in natural and irrigated catchments but at different magnitudes. Annually, the magnitude of loading in...
Kenney, Terry A.; Gerner, Steven J.; Buto, Susan G.
Regional potentiometric-surface map of the Great Basin carbonate and alluvial aquifer system in Snake Valley and surrounding areas, Juab, Millard, and Beaver Counties, Utah, and White Pine and Lincoln Counties, Nevada
Water-level measurements from 190 wells were used to develop a potentiometric-surface map of the east-central portion of the regional Great Basin carbonate and alluvial aquifer system in and around Snake Valley, eastern Nevada and western Utah. The map area covers approximately 9,000 square miles in Juab, Millard, and Beaver Counties, Utah, and...
Gardner, Philip M.; Masbruch, Melissa D.; Plume, Russell W.; Buto, Susan G.
Analysis of watersheds monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station network in the Upper Colorado River Basin
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has operated streamflow-gaging stations in 1,053 watersheds in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) since 1894. Currently, 223 of these streamgages are active. This report presents selected watershed characteristics for 10,338 watersheds in the UCRB. These watersheds are compared to the watersheds upstream of...
Kenney, Terry A.; Buto, Susan G.; Susong, David D.