A hydrologist with the USGS New Jersey Water Science Center, with over 20 years experience working on a variety of projects in the areas of SW hydrology and hydraulics. He is the Surface-Water Specialist for the New Jersey Water Science Center and is the Project Chief for the Hurricane Sandy scientific investigation report which will analyze and document the coastal flooding impact on New Jer
Previously, Tom worked as the Assistant Chief of Hydraulic Surveillance and Investigations for the USGS NY: Troy; and Project Chief for Flood Investigations in New York.
Areas of interest:
- Surface-water hydraulics engineering and watershed modeling
- Flood frequency analysis and surface-water statistics
- Flood hydrology
- Inundation mapping
- Low-flow hydrology
- Estimating and modeling daily streamflow at ungaged sites to assist in water management and the development of streamflow standards.
Professional Experience
Working on a report to summarize the major flooding along the East Coast of the United States during 2011.
Prepared a report, in cooperation with NYS-DOT, to document the maximum known stage and discharge of streams in New York.
Derived regression equations to estimate daily streamflow at ungaged sites in New York to assist in developing standards to protect aquatic habitats and natural ecosystems.
Pilot study to update low-flow statistics for several USGS gages and investigate the current low-flow network in New York.
Managed the flood hardening of USGS gages in the Delaware River basin.
Project chief for projects in cooperation with FEMA and NYS-DOT to document floods along the Neversink River and Esopus Creek, and the Mohawk, Delaware, and Susquehanna River basins in New York.
Published reports documenting the effects of, and worked as one of the crew chiefs on, projects to document the 2004 flood in the Upper Delaware River Basin of NY, and 1999 flood in southeastern New York.
Completed flood surveys to compute peak flood discharge by indirect methods
Worked on the Hudson River Salt-Front project (to model the location of the saltwater/freshwater junction), a hydraulic model to compute flow thru several large tainter gates and over a main spillway
Pioneered acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) use in eastern New York.
Managed the installation and calibration of an acoustic doppler velocity meter on the Hudson River.
Managed the documentation of flooding from the Great Nor’easter of 1992 along the New Jersey coast and published a report summarizing the results.
Worked on a flood warning project to provide real-time rainfall and river-level data in northern New Jersey to federal, state, and local officials for forecasting and public safety.
Worked on several projects including: water quality and groundwater data collection, groundwater aquifer tests, hydraulic modeling of lake outflows through automatic gates, and collecting low-flow surface-water data.
Education and Certifications
He has a B.S. in engineering from Drexel University
Tom is a registered Professional Hydrologist (PH)
Certified Flood Plain Manager (CFM)
Affiliations and Memberships*
Active member of the Delaware River Basin Commission’s Flood Advisory Committee
Science and Products
Assessment of bridge scour countermeasures at selected bridges in the United States, 2014–18
Hydraulic and biological analysis of the passability of select fish species at the U.S. Geological Survey streamgaging weir at Blackwells Mills, New Jersey
The Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) network of the U.S. Geological Survey—Past and future implementation of storm-response monitoring, data collection, and data delivery
Documentation and hydrologic analysis of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey, October 29–30, 2012
Flooding in the Northeastern United States, 2011
Maximum known stages and discharges of New York streams and their annual exceedance probabilities through September 2011
Changes in low-flow frequency from 1976-2006 at selected streamgages in New York, excluding Long Island
Flood of June 26-29, 2006, Mohawk, Delaware, and Susquehanna River Basins, New York
Flood of April 2-3, 2005, Esopus Creek Basin, New York
Flood of April 2-3, 2005, Neversink River Basin, New York
Water Resources Data, New York, Water Year 2000; Volume 1. Eastern New York; Excluding Long Island
Water Resources Data, New York, Water Year 1999, Volume 1. Eastern New York Excluding Long Island
StreamStats in New Jersey
The New Jersey Streamgaging Network
Floods: Recurrence intervals and 100-year floods
How do we know or measure if a flood that could happen tomorrow is worse than one that happened 2, 10 or 50 years ago? If heavy rain is being forecasted does that mean that rivers are going to rise and spill over their banks and flood your neighborhood? These are some of the questions that we think about when flooding or heavy rain is forecast by public media or the National Weather Service (NWS).
Hurricanes and Storm-Tide Monitoring
Science and Products
- Publications
Assessment of bridge scour countermeasures at selected bridges in the United States, 2014–18
Erosion of the streambed, known also as scour, around pier 3 of the New York State Thruway bridge over Schoharie Creek caused the pier to fail, which ultimately resulted in bridge failure during the flooding event of April 5, 1987. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) responded to the need for better guidance on the evaluation of bridge scour and the selection and installation of scour counteAuthorsThomas P. Suro, Richard J. Huizinga, Ryan L. Fosness, Taylor DudunakeHydraulic and biological analysis of the passability of select fish species at the U.S. Geological Survey streamgaging weir at Blackwells Mills, New Jersey
Recent efforts to advance river connectivity for the Millstone River watershed in New Jersey have led to the evaluation of a low-flow gauging weir that spans the full width of the river. The methods and results of a desktop modelling exercise were used to evaluate the potential ability of three anadromous fish species (Alosa sapidissima [American shad], Alosa pseudoharengus [alewife], and Alosa aeAuthorsAlexander J. Haro, Kevin Mulligan, Thomas P. Suro, John Noreika, Amy R. McHughThe Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) network of the U.S. Geological Survey—Past and future implementation of storm-response monitoring, data collection, and data delivery
After Hurricane Sandy made landfall along the northeastern Atlantic coast of the United States on October 29, 2012, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) carried out scientific investigations to assist with protecting coastal communities and resources from future flooding. The work included development and implementation of the Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) network consisting of more thaAuthorsRichard J. Verdi, R. Russell Lotspeich, Jeanne C. Robbins, Ronald Busciolano, John R. Mullaney, Andrew J. Massey, William S. Banks, Mark A. Roland, Harry L. Jenter, Marie C. Peppler, Thomas P. Suro, Christopher E. Schubert, Mark R. NardiDocumentation and hydrologic analysis of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey, October 29–30, 2012
In 2012, a late season tropical depression developed into a tropical storm and later a hurricane. The hurricane, named “Hurricane Sandy,” gained strength to a Category 3 storm on October 25, 2012, and underwent several transitions on its approach to the mid-Atlantic region of the eastern coast of the United States. By October 28, 2012, Hurricane Sandy had strengthened into the largest hurricane evAuthorsThomas P. Suro, Anna Deetz, Paul HearnFlooding in the Northeastern United States, 2011
Flooding in the Northeastern United States during 2011 was widespread and record setting. This report summarizes peak streamflows that were recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) during separate flooding events in February, March, April, May, July, August, and September. The flooding of late April, which combined snowmelt and heavy rain and the floods associated with the tropical storms ofAuthorsThomas P. Suro, Mark A. Roland, Richard G. KiahMaximum known stages and discharges of New York streams and their annual exceedance probabilities through September 2011
Maximum known stages and discharges at 1,400 sites on 796 streams within New York are tabulated. Stage data are reported in feet. Discharges are reported as cubic feet per second and in cubic feet per second per square mile. Drainage areas range from 0.03 to 298,800 square miles; excluding the three sites with larger drainage areas on the St. Lawrence and Niagara Rivers, which drain the Great LakeAuthorsGary R. Wall, Patricia M. Murray, Richard Lumia, Thomas P. SuroChanges in low-flow frequency from 1976-2006 at selected streamgages in New York, excluding Long Island
Many Federal, State, and local agencies use low-flow data to establish water-use policy and help determine the total maximum daily loads and effluent limits of point and nonpoint sources of contamination of surface water during periods of decreased streamflow. Low-flow magnitude and frequency are used often by water-supply planners, reservoir managers, and hydroelectric facilities to manage waterAuthorsThomas P. Suro, Christopher L. GazoorianFlood of June 26-29, 2006, Mohawk, Delaware, and Susquehanna River Basins, New York
A stalled frontal system caused tropical moisture to be funneled northward into New York, causing severe flooding in the Mohawk, Delaware, and Susquehanna River basins during June 26-29, 2006. Rainfall totals for this multi-day event ranged from 2 to 3 inches to greater than 13 inches in southern New York. The storm and flooding claimed four lives in New York, destroyed or damaged thousands of homAuthorsThomas P. Suro, Gary D. Firda, Carolyn O. SzaboFlood of April 2-3, 2005, Esopus Creek Basin, New York
On April 2-3, 2005, heavy rain moved into southern New York and delivered rainfall amounts that ranged from about 2 in. to almost 6 in. within a 36-hour period. Significant flooding occurred on many small streams and tributaries in the area, and extensive flooding occurred on the Esopus and Roundout Creeks in Ulster and Greene Counties, New York. The flooding damaged many homes, caused millions ofAuthorsThomas P. Suro, Gary D. FirdaFlood of April 2-3, 2005, Neversink River Basin, New York
Heavy rain on April 2-3, 2005 produced rainfall amounts of 3 inches to almost 6 inches within a 36-hour period throughout the Delaware River basin. Major flooding occurred in the East and West Branches of the Delaware River and their tributaries, the main stem of the Delaware River and the Neversink River, a major tributary to the Delaware River. The resultant flooding damaged hundreds of homes, cAuthorsThomas P. Suro, Gary D. FirdaWater Resources Data, New York, Water Year 2000; Volume 1. Eastern New York; Excluding Long Island
Water resources data for the 2000 water year for New York consist of records of stage, discharge, and 'water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and ground-water levels. This volume contains records for water discharge at 139 gaging stations; stage only at 10 gaging stations; stage and contents at 4 gaging stations, and 18 other lakes and reservoirs; watAuthorsGerard K. Butch, Patricia M. Murray, Thomas P. Suro, Jay F. WeigelWater Resources Data, New York, Water Year 1999, Volume 1. Eastern New York Excluding Long Island
Water resources data for the 1999 water year for New York consist of records of stage, discharge, and water quality of streams; stage, contents, and water quality of lakes and reservoirs; and ground-water levels. This volume contains records for water discharge at 137 gaging stations; stage only at 11 gaging stations; stage and contents at 4 gaging stations, and 18 other lakes and reservoirs; wateAuthorsGerard K. Butch, Patricia M. Murray, Thomas P. Suro, Jay F. Weigel - Science
StreamStats in New Jersey
StreamStats is a web application (Web Tool) for water-resources planning and engineering purposes. The map-based user interface can be used to delineate drainage areas for user-selected sites on streams, generate basin characteristics and estimate flow statistics for the selected sites. Users also can select the locations of USGS data-collection stations, shown as triangles on the StreamStats map...The New Jersey Streamgaging Network
The USGS New Jersey Water Science Center streamgage program is part of the nationwide program that provides streamflow information for a variety of purposes—including the protection of life and property, infrastructure design, recreational usage, and long-term trend assessment. This information is critical to resource managers, farmers, fishermen, kayakers, land-use planners, engineers...Floods: Recurrence intervals and 100-year floods
How do we know or measure if a flood that could happen tomorrow is worse than one that happened 2, 10 or 50 years ago? If heavy rain is being forecasted does that mean that rivers are going to rise and spill over their banks and flood your neighborhood? These are some of the questions that we think about when flooding or heavy rain is forecast by public media or the National Weather Service (NWS).
Hurricanes and Storm-Tide Monitoring
The USGS works in partnership with other federal and state agencies to provide scientific data about coastal flood hazards. The New Jersey Water Science Center (NJWSC) maintains a network of continuously operating tide gages along the back bays of New Jersey which provide publicly available water-level and meteorological data to monitor coastal flood conditions. The USGS NJWSC coordinates with our... - News
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government