William R Selbig
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
Filter Total Items: 43
Evaluation of stormwater treatment vault with Coanda-effect screen for removal of solids and phosphorus in urban runoff
Catch basins commonly are used by cities as part of a stormwater management plan to remove sediment and associated contaminants from stormwater, keeping them in compliance with regulations. Recently, the city of Madison, Wisconsin modified traditional catch basins by incorporating a fine-mesh (1-mm) Coanda-effect screen into the design with the goal of increasing removal of sediment and organic ma
Authors
Nicolas Buer, William R. Selbig
Stormwater-quality performance of line permeable pavement systems
Three permeable pavements were evaluated for their ability to improve the quality of stormwater runoff over a 22-month period in Madison, Wisconsin. Using a lined system with no internal water storage, permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP), pervious concrete (PC), and porous asphalt (PA) were able to significantly remove sediment and sediment-bound pollutant loads from runoff originating f
Authors
William R. Selbig, Nicolas Buer, Mari Danz
Urban stormwater: An overlooked pathway of extensive mixed contaminants to surface and groundwaters in the United States
Increasing global reliance on stormwater control measures to reduce discharge to surface water, increase groundwater recharge, and minimize contaminant delivery to receiving waterbodies necessitates improved understanding of stormwater-contaminant profiles. A multi-agency study of organic and inorganic chemicals in urban stormwater from 50 runoff events at 21 sites across the United States demonst
Authors
Jason R. Masoner, Dana W. Kolpin, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Larry B. Barber, D.S. Burden, William T. Foreman, Kenneth J. Forshay, Edward Furlong, Justin F. Groves, Michelle Hladik, Matthew E. Hopton, Jeanne B. Jaeschke, Steffanie H. Keefe, David Krabbenhoft, Richard Lowrance, Kristin Romanok, David L. Rus, William R. Selbig, Brad Williams, Paul Bradley
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program, Contaminant Biology, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater Laboratory
An integrated statistical and deterministic hydrologic model for analyzing trace organic contaminants in commercial and high-density residential stormwater runoff
Urbanization can dramatically alter stormwater, both the quantity and quality, by engendering larger peak flows and through the introduction of contaminants into runoff. The current study builds on previous research that developed relationships between a suite of nonpoint source contaminants, known as trace organic contaminants (TOrCs), and hydrologic measurements for a series of storms (one site
Authors
Jacob W Brownscombe, Colin D. Bell, Terri Hogue, Christopher P. Higgins, William R. Selbig
Hydraulic, water-quality, and temperature performance of three types of permeable pavement under high sediment loading conditions
Three permeable pavement surfaces - asphalt (PA), concrete (PC), and interlocking pavers (PIP) - were evaluated side-by-side to measure changes to the infiltrative capacity and water quality of stormwater runoff originating from a conventional asphalt parking lot in Madison, Wisconsin. During the 24-month monitoring period (2014-16), all three permeable pavements resulted in statistically signific
Authors
William R. Selbig, Nicolas Buer
Collecting a better water-quality sample: Reducing vertical stratification bias in open and closed channels
Collection of water-quality samples that accurately characterize average particle concentrations and distributions in channels can be complicated by large sources of variability. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed a fully automated Depth-Integrated Sample Arm (DISA) as a way to reduce bias and improve accuracy in water-quality concentration data. The DISA was designed to integrate with ex
Authors
William R. Selbig
Simulation of climate change effects on streamflow, groundwater, and stream temperature using GSFLOW and SNTEMP in the Black Earth Creek Watershed, Wisconsin
A groundwater/surface-water model was constructed and calibrated for the Black Earth Creek watershed in south-central Wisconsin. The model was then run to simulate scenarios representing common societal concerns in the basin, focusing on maintaining a cold-water resource in an urbanizing fringe near its upper stream reaches and minimizing downstream flooding. Although groundwater and surface water
Authors
Randall J. Hunt, Stephen M. Westenbroek, John F. Walker, William R. Selbig, R. Steven Regan, Andrew T. Leaf, David A. Saad
Evaluation of leaf removal as a means to reduce nutrient concentrations and loads in urban stormwater
While the sources of nutrients to urban stormwater are many, the primary contributor is often organic detritus, especially in areas with dense overhead tree canopy. One way to remove organic detritus before it becomes entrained in runoff is to implement a city-wide leaf collection and street cleaning program. Improving our knowledge of the potential reduction of nutrients to stormwater through re
Authors
William R. Selbig
Urban infrastructure and water management—Science capabilities of the U.S. Geological Survey
Managing the urban-water cycle has increasingly become a challenge for water-resources planners and regulators faced with the problem of providing clean drinking water to urban residents. Sanitary and combined sanitary and storm sewer networks convey wastewater to centralized treatment plants. Impervious surfaces, which include roads, parking lots, and buildings, increase stormwater runoff and the
Authors
Shawn C. Fisher, Rosemary M. Fanelli, William R. Selbig
The effect of particle size distribution on the design of urban stormwater control measures
An urban pollutant loading model was used to demonstrate how incorrect assumptions on the particle size distribution (PSD) in urban runoff can alter the design characteristics of stormwater control measures (SCMs) used to remove solids in stormwater. Field-measured PSD, although highly variable, is generally coarser than the widely-accepted PSD characterized by the Nationwide Urban Runoff Program
Authors
William R. Selbig, Michael N. Fienen, Judy A. Horwatich, Roger T. Bannerman
Simulating the effect of climate change on stream temperature in the Trout Lake Watershed, Wisconsin
The potential for increases in stream temperature across many spatial and temporal scales as a result of climate change can pose a difficult challenge for environmental managers, especially when addressing thermal requirements for sensitive aquatic species. This study evaluates simulated changes to the thermal regime of three northern Wisconsin streams in response to a projected changing climate u
Authors
William R. Selbig
From streets to streams: assessing the toxicity potential in urban sediment
No abstract available.
Authors
William R. Selbig
Science and Products
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- Publications
Filter Total Items: 43
Evaluation of stormwater treatment vault with Coanda-effect screen for removal of solids and phosphorus in urban runoff
Catch basins commonly are used by cities as part of a stormwater management plan to remove sediment and associated contaminants from stormwater, keeping them in compliance with regulations. Recently, the city of Madison, Wisconsin modified traditional catch basins by incorporating a fine-mesh (1-mm) Coanda-effect screen into the design with the goal of increasing removal of sediment and organic maAuthorsNicolas Buer, William R. SelbigStormwater-quality performance of line permeable pavement systems
Three permeable pavements were evaluated for their ability to improve the quality of stormwater runoff over a 22-month period in Madison, Wisconsin. Using a lined system with no internal water storage, permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP), pervious concrete (PC), and porous asphalt (PA) were able to significantly remove sediment and sediment-bound pollutant loads from runoff originating fAuthorsWilliam R. Selbig, Nicolas Buer, Mari DanzUrban stormwater: An overlooked pathway of extensive mixed contaminants to surface and groundwaters in the United States
Increasing global reliance on stormwater control measures to reduce discharge to surface water, increase groundwater recharge, and minimize contaminant delivery to receiving waterbodies necessitates improved understanding of stormwater-contaminant profiles. A multi-agency study of organic and inorganic chemicals in urban stormwater from 50 runoff events at 21 sites across the United States demonstAuthorsJason R. Masoner, Dana W. Kolpin, Isabelle M. Cozzarelli, Larry B. Barber, D.S. Burden, William T. Foreman, Kenneth J. Forshay, Edward Furlong, Justin F. Groves, Michelle Hladik, Matthew E. Hopton, Jeanne B. Jaeschke, Steffanie H. Keefe, David Krabbenhoft, Richard Lowrance, Kristin Romanok, David L. Rus, William R. Selbig, Brad Williams, Paul BradleyByWater Resources Mission Area, Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program, Contaminant Biology, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Reston Biogeochemical Processes in Groundwater LaboratoryAn integrated statistical and deterministic hydrologic model for analyzing trace organic contaminants in commercial and high-density residential stormwater runoff
Urbanization can dramatically alter stormwater, both the quantity and quality, by engendering larger peak flows and through the introduction of contaminants into runoff. The current study builds on previous research that developed relationships between a suite of nonpoint source contaminants, known as trace organic contaminants (TOrCs), and hydrologic measurements for a series of storms (one siteAuthorsJacob W Brownscombe, Colin D. Bell, Terri Hogue, Christopher P. Higgins, William R. SelbigHydraulic, water-quality, and temperature performance of three types of permeable pavement under high sediment loading conditions
Three permeable pavement surfaces - asphalt (PA), concrete (PC), and interlocking pavers (PIP) - were evaluated side-by-side to measure changes to the infiltrative capacity and water quality of stormwater runoff originating from a conventional asphalt parking lot in Madison, Wisconsin. During the 24-month monitoring period (2014-16), all three permeable pavements resulted in statistically significAuthorsWilliam R. Selbig, Nicolas BuerCollecting a better water-quality sample: Reducing vertical stratification bias in open and closed channels
Collection of water-quality samples that accurately characterize average particle concentrations and distributions in channels can be complicated by large sources of variability. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed a fully automated Depth-Integrated Sample Arm (DISA) as a way to reduce bias and improve accuracy in water-quality concentration data. The DISA was designed to integrate with exAuthorsWilliam R. SelbigSimulation of climate change effects on streamflow, groundwater, and stream temperature using GSFLOW and SNTEMP in the Black Earth Creek Watershed, Wisconsin
A groundwater/surface-water model was constructed and calibrated for the Black Earth Creek watershed in south-central Wisconsin. The model was then run to simulate scenarios representing common societal concerns in the basin, focusing on maintaining a cold-water resource in an urbanizing fringe near its upper stream reaches and minimizing downstream flooding. Although groundwater and surface waterAuthorsRandall J. Hunt, Stephen M. Westenbroek, John F. Walker, William R. Selbig, R. Steven Regan, Andrew T. Leaf, David A. SaadEvaluation of leaf removal as a means to reduce nutrient concentrations and loads in urban stormwater
While the sources of nutrients to urban stormwater are many, the primary contributor is often organic detritus, especially in areas with dense overhead tree canopy. One way to remove organic detritus before it becomes entrained in runoff is to implement a city-wide leaf collection and street cleaning program. Improving our knowledge of the potential reduction of nutrients to stormwater through reAuthorsWilliam R. SelbigUrban infrastructure and water management—Science capabilities of the U.S. Geological Survey
Managing the urban-water cycle has increasingly become a challenge for water-resources planners and regulators faced with the problem of providing clean drinking water to urban residents. Sanitary and combined sanitary and storm sewer networks convey wastewater to centralized treatment plants. Impervious surfaces, which include roads, parking lots, and buildings, increase stormwater runoff and theAuthorsShawn C. Fisher, Rosemary M. Fanelli, William R. SelbigThe effect of particle size distribution on the design of urban stormwater control measures
An urban pollutant loading model was used to demonstrate how incorrect assumptions on the particle size distribution (PSD) in urban runoff can alter the design characteristics of stormwater control measures (SCMs) used to remove solids in stormwater. Field-measured PSD, although highly variable, is generally coarser than the widely-accepted PSD characterized by the Nationwide Urban Runoff ProgramAuthorsWilliam R. Selbig, Michael N. Fienen, Judy A. Horwatich, Roger T. BannermanSimulating the effect of climate change on stream temperature in the Trout Lake Watershed, Wisconsin
The potential for increases in stream temperature across many spatial and temporal scales as a result of climate change can pose a difficult challenge for environmental managers, especially when addressing thermal requirements for sensitive aquatic species. This study evaluates simulated changes to the thermal regime of three northern Wisconsin streams in response to a projected changing climate uAuthorsWilliam R. SelbigFrom streets to streams: assessing the toxicity potential in urban sediment
No abstract available.AuthorsWilliam R. Selbig - News