Bill Selbig is a Research Hydrologist with the Upper Midwest Water Science Center.
Mr. Selbig has 20 years of experience in measuring the quantity and quality of nonpoint source runoff in urban environments. The majority of Bill’s research is focused on characterizing the hydrologic and chemical response of stormwater to structural and non-structural practices designed to mitigate stormwater pollution. Much of his research is used to stimulate or amend stormwater policy within the state of Wisconsin. In the last 10 years his work has helped environmental managers quantify the water-quality benefits of street cleaners, establish criteria for successful use of rain gardens with varying soils and vegetative species, better understand the synergistic effect of green infrastructure compared to conventional curb-and-gutter construction techniques, and identify through source tracking potential “hot spots” of environmental toxicants in the urban environment. Bill's involvement in advancing both analytical and field methods for water quality data collection has proven beneficial to environmental managers, engineers, and academia who depend on accurate water-quality data for evaluation of proprietary devices, development of total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), permit compliance, and hydrologic modeling. Bill currently holds a patent on an innovative stormwater sampling device known as the Depth-Integrated Sampler Arm (DISA). In addition to working for the USGS, Bill currently serves on several local, state and national research groups and technical committees that focus on urban nonpoint runoff.
EDUCATION
M.S., 1998, Water Resources Management (Hydrology), University of Wisconsin – Madison
B.S., 1993, Geology, University of Wisconsin – Madison
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Bill has considerable experience monitoring and interpreting nonpoint source runoff in urban environments. He has participated in several research studies that focus on mitigating stormwater pollution through structural or non-structural practices such as street sweeping, rain gardens, and low-impact development (LID). Bill is also involved in improving the accuracy of water-quality data through development of new sample collection and processing methods.
PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS AND ACTIVITES
- American Water Resources Association
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) - Gross Solids Pollutant Protocol Committee
- Watershed Science Bulletin editorial board
- Chesapeake Bay Watershed Stormwater Advisory Panel
- Transportation Research Board of the National Academies
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Technical Standards Oversight Committee
- Great Lakes Commission on Green Infrastructure
CURRENT PROJECTS
- Characterization of Solids Concentration and Particle-Size Distribution from Urban Land Uses and Source Areas
- Improved Stormwater Sampling Techniques
- Evaluation of the Water Quality Benefits of Permeable Pavement
- Monitoring and Predicting the Impacts of Trees on Urban Stormwater Volume Reduction
- Measuring Leaf Collection Programs as a
Science and Products
Rapid Assessment of Green Infrastructure to Inform Future Implementation in the Great Lakes
MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: Green Infrastructure
Monitoring and predicting the impacts of trees on urban stormwater volume reduction
Urban Best Management Practices: Reporting Reductions of Untreated Urban Runoff as a Result of GLRI-funded Urban BMPs
Nutrient Monitoring: Monitoring and Predicting the Impacts of Trees on Urban Stormwater Reduction
GLRI Urban Stormwater Monitoring
Using leaf collection and street cleaning to reduce nutrients in urban stormwater
Particle-size distribution from urban land use and source areas
Evaluating the potential benefits of permeable pavement on the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff
Science and Products
- Science
Rapid Assessment of Green Infrastructure to Inform Future Implementation in the Great Lakes
Green infrastructure (GI) practices across the Great Lakes are being assessed to better understand how soils, vegetation, land use, maintenance practices and other design parameters influence their ability to infiltrate stormwater runoff. Statistical evaluation of aggregated site assessments will provide useful information on which factors hold high importance when designing and locating future GI...MMSD Watercourse Corridor Study: Green Infrastructure
In urban areas, the term “stormwater” refers to the precipitation (either rainfall or snowmelt) that isn’t absorbed by the ground, but rather flows off impervious surfaces such as roads, roofs, and parking lots. Stormwater flows into storm drains and is typically routed directly to streams, which often results in flooding and sometimes combined sewer overflows (CSO) as well. Stormwater can also...Monitoring and predicting the impacts of trees on urban stormwater volume reduction
Much has been learned about how effectively individual green infrastructure practices can reduce stormwater volume, however, the role of urban trees in stormwater detention is poorly understood. This study quantified the impact that trees have on stormwater runoff volume.Urban Best Management Practices: Reporting Reductions of Untreated Urban Runoff as a Result of GLRI-funded Urban BMPs
The objectives of this project are to quantify reductions in the volume of urban stormwater runoff through implementation of green infrastructure practices, model stormwater characteristics to further explore our understanding of the hydrologic functions performed by green infrastructure and assess how green infrastructure may help or hinder sequestration of chloride from application of deicing...Nutrient Monitoring: Monitoring and Predicting the Impacts of Trees on Urban Stormwater Reduction
The effects of tree removal on the urban hydrologic cycle in order to measure the impact that trees have on stormwater runoff detention volume are being studied in two medium-density residential catchments in Fond du Lac, WI. A paired catchment statistical design and analysis of high-frequency measurements of storm event hydrographs and other monitoring data are being used to quantify stormwater...GLRI Urban Stormwater Monitoring
The GLRI Urban Stormwater Monitoring effort brings together the expertise of the USGS with local and national partners to assess the ability of green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff in Great Lakes urban areas.Using leaf collection and street cleaning to reduce nutrients in urban stormwater
Decaying organic materials, like leaf litter, can release excess nutrients into local streams and lakes, causing eutrophication and algal blooms. To determine if a municipal leaf collection and street cleaning program can reduce nutrients in stormwater runoff, the USGS measured phosphorus and nitrogen in stormwater from residential areas in Madison, Wis.Particle-size distribution from urban land use and source areas
Many control options for sediments and associated contaminants in storm-water runoff from urban areas rely on settling of solids. This study characterizes particle-size distributions in urban storm-water runoff from specific source areas and land-use categories, with the hopes of assisting watershed managers and engineers design better control devices for reducing sediment in urban runoff.Evaluating the potential benefits of permeable pavement on the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff
Permeable pavement is a porous urban surface which catches precipitation and surface runoff, storing it in the reservoir while slowly allowing it to infiltrate into the soil below. This study will evaluate how well different types of permeable pavement reduces the amount of pollutants and runoff volume. - Data
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