Victoria Glenn Christensen, PhD
Dr. Christensen is a research hydrologist who studies HABs, algal toxins, and cyanobacteria. She is a member of the Environmental Health Program's Algal Toxin Team and serves as the acting Communications Coordinator for the Water Mission Area.
Victoria Christensen studies cyanotoxins, with a focus on the neurotoxins, anatoxin-a and saxitoxin. Cyanotoxins are produced by cyanobacterial harmful alglal blooms (HABs), which are sometimes called blue-green algae. Her master’s research examined the occurrence and fate of dissolved solids, nutrients, atrazine, and bacteria in an agricultural watershed. Her dissertation research focused on cyanotoxin mixtures with an emphasis neurotoxins—looking at the environmental variables like wind and temperature that may trigger cyanobacteria to produce or release toxins. In addition to the study of harmful algae and their toxins, Victoria's interests and project work include real-time water-quality monitoring, effects of land use on water quality, the fate of nutrients in agricultural and reservoir systems. She also has an interest in writing and communicating science topics to broad audiences and is a trainer and USGS Subject Matter Expert on Scientific Project Management.
Professional Experience
Dr. Christensen has been working for the USGS for over twenty years and has experience in water quality, water-level management, and has done extensive research on cyanotoxins, harmful algal blooms, and nutrients. Prior to working for the USGS, she held positions with University of Kansas, Twin Cities Testing, and 3M Corporation.
Education and Certifications
PhD, Environmental and Conservation Science, North Dakota State University
MS, Water Resources Science, Dept. of Engineering, University of Kansas
BS, Geology, University of Kansas
BA, Management, Hamline University
Science and Products
Hydrologic conditions and lake-level fluctuations at Long Lost Lake, 1939-2004, White Earth Indian Reservation, Clearwater County, Minnesota
Hydrologic and water-quality conditions in the Kansas River, northeast Kansas, November 2001–August 2002, and simulation of ammonia assimilative capacity and bacteria transport during low flow
Effects of changes in reservoir operations on water quality and trophic state indicators in Voyageurs National Park, northern Minnesota, 2001-03
Effects of artificial recharge on water quality in the Equus Beds Aquifer, south-central Kansas, 1995-2000
Characterization of surface-water quality based on real-time monitoring and regression analysis, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, south-central Kansas, December 1998 through June 2001
Comparison of sediment deposition in reservoirs of four Kansas watersheds
Regression analysis and real-time water-quality monitoring to estimate constituent concentrations, loads, and yields in the Little Arkansas River, south-central Kansas, 1995-99
Real-time water-quality monitoring for protection of wildlife at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, South-Central Kansas
Deposition of selenium and other constituents in reservoir bottom sediment of the Solomon River Basin, north-central Kansas
Baseline water quality and preliminary effects of artificial recharge on ground water, south-central Kansas, 1995–98
Atrazine in Source Water Intended for Artificial Ground-Water Recharge, South-Central Kansas
Water-Quality Study of the Cheney Reservoir Watershed, South-Central Kansas
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Filter Total Items: 49
Hydrologic conditions and lake-level fluctuations at Long Lost Lake, 1939-2004, White Earth Indian Reservation, Clearwater County, Minnesota
Long Lost Lake, a closed-basin lake in Clearwater County, Minnesota, has had a substantial rise in lake level since 1990. The increased level and surface area of the lake has led to the inundation of nearby homes and roads. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the White Earth Band of Chippewa Indians, conducted a study to document the historical lake-level fluctuations, to investigate rAuthorsVictoria G. Christensen, Andrea L. BergmanHydrologic and water-quality conditions in the Kansas River, northeast Kansas, November 2001–August 2002, and simulation of ammonia assimilative capacity and bacteria transport during low flow
Large concentrations of ammonia and densities of bacteria have been detected in reaches of the Kansas River in northeast Kansas during low streamflow conditions, prompting the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to list these reaches as water-quality limited with respect to ammonia and fecal coliform bacteria. Sources for ammonia and bacteria in the watershed consist of wastewater-tAuthorsPatrick P. Rasmussen, Victoria G. ChristensenEffects of changes in reservoir operations on water quality and trophic state indicators in Voyageurs National Park, northern Minnesota, 2001-03
Implementation of an order by the International Joint Commission in January 2000 has changed operating procedures for dams that regulate two large reservoirs in Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. These new procedures were expected to restore a more natural water regime and affect water levels, water quality, and trophic status. Results of laboratory analyses and field measurements of cAuthorsVictoria G. Christensen, G. A. Payne, Larry W. KallemeynEffects of artificial recharge on water quality in the Equus Beds Aquifer, south-central Kansas, 1995-2000
No abstract available.AuthorsA. C. Ziegler, H.C. Ross, T. J. Trombley, V.G. ChristensenCharacterization of surface-water quality based on real-time monitoring and regression analysis, Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, south-central Kansas, December 1998 through June 2001
Because of the considerable wildlife benefits offered by the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in south-central Kansas, there is a desire to ensure suitable water quality. To assess the quality of water flowing from Rattlesnake Creek into the refuge, the U.S. Geological Survey collected periodic water samples from December 1998 through June 2001 and analyzed the samples for physical properties, disAuthorsVictoria G. ChristensenComparison of sediment deposition in reservoirs of four Kansas watersheds
No abstract available.AuthorsDavid P. Mau, Victoria G. ChristensenRegression analysis and real-time water-quality monitoring to estimate constituent concentrations, loads, and yields in the Little Arkansas River, south-central Kansas, 1995-99
Water from the Little Arkansas River is used as source water for artificial recharge to the Equus Beds aquifer, which provides water for the city of Wichita in south-central Kansas. To assess the quality of the source water, continuous in-stream water-quality monitors were installed at two U.S. Geological Survey stream-gaging stations to provide real-time measurement of specific conductance, pH, wAuthorsVictoria G. Christensen, Xiaodong Jian, Andrew C. ZieglerReal-time water-quality monitoring for protection of wildlife at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge, South-Central Kansas
Stream stage and discharge and the quality of water flowing from Rattlesnake Creek into the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in south-central Kansas are being monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service using an innovative, real-time monitoring approach. Continuously recorded data and data from periodic collection of water-quality samples are beinAuthorsVictoria G. ChristensenDeposition of selenium and other constituents in reservoir bottom sediment of the Solomon River Basin, north-central Kansas
The Solomon River drains approximately 6,840 square miles of mainly agricultural land in north-central Kansas. The Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Department of the Interior, has begun a Resource Management Assessment (RMA) of the Solomon River Basin to provide the necessary data for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance before renewal of long-term water-service contracts with irrigationAuthorsVictoria G. ChristensenBaseline water quality and preliminary effects of artificial recharge on ground water, south-central Kansas, 1995–98
To investigate the feasbility of artificial recharge as a method of meeting future water-supply needs and to protect the Equus Beds aquifer from saltwater intrusion from natural and anthropogenic sources to the west, the Equus Beds Ground-Water Recharge from Demonstration Project was begun in 1995. The project is a cooperative effort between the city of Wichita and the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S.AuthorsAndrew C. Ziegler, Victoria G. Christensen, Heather C. RossAtrazine in Source Water Intended for Artificial Ground-Water Recharge, South-Central Kansas
Atrazine, an herbicide commonly applied to row crops, is of concern because of potential effects on water quality. This fact sheet describes atrazine in water from the Little Arkansas River in south-central Kansas. The river is being evaluated as a source of artificial recharge into the Equus Beds aquifer, which provides water for the city of Wichita.AuthorsVictoria G. Christensen, Andrew C. ZieglerWater-Quality Study of the Cheney Reservoir Watershed, South-Central Kansas
No abstract available.AuthorsLarry M. Pope, Victoria G. Christensen - News