Zach is an Hydrologist with the Colorado Water Science Center, Southeast Colorado Office, Pueblo, CO
Zach studies groundwater issues in Colorado with an emphasis in the south-central and southeastern parts of the state. Zach specializes in investigations including evaluation of groundwater/surface-water interactions, groundwater geochemistry, aquifer properties, effects of urbanization, and long-term groundwater trends.
In his non-work time, Zach coaches high school soccer, goes for walks with his dog, "relaxes" while golfing, and helps his wife with the vegetable garden.
Professional Experience
2015-2016: Water Sampling Technician, Illinois Corn Growers Association
2016 - Present: Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Education and Certifications
Master of Science, Hydrogeology, 2016. Illinois State University
Bachelor of Arts, Earth and Planetary Sciences & Geography, 2014. Northwestern University
Science and Products
Characterization of and temporal changes in groundwater quality of the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Basin, El Paso County, Colorado, 2018–20
Characterization of and relations among precipitation, streamflow, suspended-sediment, and water-quality data at the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado, water years 2016–18
Assessing specific-capacity data and short-term aquifer testing to estimate hydraulic properties in alluvial aquifers of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA
Salt flushing, salt storage, and controls on selenium: A 31-year mass-balance analysis of an irrigated, semiarid valley
Effects of John Martin Reservoir on water quality and quantity: Assessment by chemical, isotopic, and mass-balance methods
Upper Black Squirrel Creek Water Level Monitoring Network
Upper Black Squirrel Creek Long-term Groundwater Quality Study
Hydrology of and potential for groundwater storage in the alluvial aquifer in the Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado
Identifying Changes in Background Water-Quality Conditions, Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, Colorado
Water-level and well-discharge data related to aquifer testing in Fountain Creek alluvial aquifer, El Paso County, Colorado, 2019
Precipitation, suspended-sediment, and water-quality data collected at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado, during water years 2016-18
Elevation Data from Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River, Colorado, 2020
Groundwater Watch - Colorado Active Water Level Network
The Active Groundwater Level Network contains water levels and well information from wells in Colorado
Science and Products
- Publications
Characterization of and temporal changes in groundwater quality of the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Basin, El Paso County, Colorado, 2018–20
In 2018–20, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Upper Black Squirrel Creek Ground Water Management District, sampled 48 wells for Phase III of a multiphase plan investigating groundwater quality in the alluvial aquifer of the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Basin (UBSB), El Paso County, Colorado. Results for samples collected from October to December each year were used to assess spatial anAuthorsZachary D. Kisfalusi, Nancy J. Bauch, Carleton R. BernCharacterization of and relations among precipitation, streamflow, suspended-sediment, and water-quality data at the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado, water years 2016–18
Frequent and prolonged military training maneuvers are an intensive type of land use that may disturb land cover, compact soils, and have lasting effects on adjacent stream hydrology and ecosystems. To better understand the potential effect of military training on hydrologic and environmental processes, the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Army established hydrologic and water-qAuthorsWilliam A. Battaglin, Zachary D. KisfalusiAssessing specific-capacity data and short-term aquifer testing to estimate hydraulic properties in alluvial aquifers of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, USA
Study Region: Rocky Mountains, United StatesStudy Focus: Groundwater-flow modeling requires estimates of hydraulic properties, namely hydraulic conductivity. Hydraulic conductivity values commonly vary over orders of magnitudes however and estimation may require extensive field campaigns applying slug or pumping tests. As an alternative, specific-capacity tests can be used to estimate hydraulic prAuthorsConnor P. Newman, Zachary D. Kisfalusi, Michael J. HolmbergSalt flushing, salt storage, and controls on selenium: A 31-year mass-balance analysis of an irrigated, semiarid valley
Salinity, selenium, and uranium pose water‐quality challenges for the Arkansas River in southeastern Colorado and other rivers that support irrigation in semiarid regions. This study used 31 years of continuous discharge and specific conductance (SC) monitoring data to assess interannual patterns in water quality using mass balance on a 120‐km reach of river. Discrete sampling data were used to liAuthorsCarleton R. Bern, Michael J. Holmberg, Zachary D. KisfalusiEffects of John Martin Reservoir on water quality and quantity: Assessment by chemical, isotopic, and mass-balance methods
Water quality and quantity can be influenced by transit through and storage in reservoirs. Assessing such effects can be challenging, however, because of mixing and residence times, and inter-annual net storage and release from both the reservoir itself and surrounding porosity. Here, different methodologies were used to assess the effect of John Martin Reservoir (JMR), located on the Arkansas RivAuthorsCarleton R. Bern, Michael J. Holmberg, Zachary D. Kisfalusi - Science
Upper Black Squirrel Creek Water Level Monitoring Network
The Upper Black Squirrel Creek Designated Ground Water Basin in eastern El Paso County, Colorado, relies heavily on groundwater from the Denver Basin aquifer system and an alluvial aquifer completed in Quaternary-age deposits for water supply. Population growth in the basin has placed increasing demands on groundwater resources, and future groundwater withdrawals are expected to increase as the...Upper Black Squirrel Creek Long-term Groundwater Quality Study
The alluvial aquifer of the upper Black Squirrel Creek Basin, about 15 miles east of Colorado Springs, supplies most of the water for irrigation and domestic use in the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Designated Ground Water Basin (UBSCDGWB) and, since 1964, supplies water for export to the Colorado Springs area. Substantial residential growth in the UBSCDGWB, which utilizes both domestic septic...Hydrology of and potential for groundwater storage in the alluvial aquifer in the Wet Mountain Valley, Colorado
Hydrologic analysis of the alluvial aquifer in the Wet Mountain Valley has been undertaken using synoptic streamflow and groundwater-level elevation measurements, aquifer tests, water-quality sampling and data analysis, and numerical groundwater-flow modeling. These datasets together provide an encompassing view of the interconnected water resources in the area and allow for quantitative...Identifying Changes in Background Water-Quality Conditions, Arkansas River and Fountain Creek, Colorado
Demands for water are projected to increase in the Lower Arkansas River Basin as the population continues to grow. Strategies to meet those demands include continued operation of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project water, enlargement of Pueblo and Turquoise Reservoirs, and various conservation measures; the overall strategy is defined in the Preferred Storage Options Plan (PSOP: see the Southeastern... - Data
Water-level and well-discharge data related to aquifer testing in Fountain Creek alluvial aquifer, El Paso County, Colorado, 2019
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force Civil Engineering Center conducted short-term aquifer tests at 11 wells to estimate hydraulic properties in the Fountain Creek alluvial aquifer, in El Paso County, Colorado. Data were collected in July 2019 over three days. Single-hole pumping and recovery tests were completed at five wells, and multiple single-hole displacementPrecipitation, suspended-sediment, and water-quality data collected at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado, during water years 2016-18
Precipitation, suspended-sediment, and water-quality data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Army on two bases in Colorado, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, during water years 2016–18. Data were collected to assist in understanding the potential effects of military training maneuvers on water resources and water quality foElevation Data from Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River, Colorado, 2020
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities, has been collecting topographic data annually since 2012 at 10 study areas along Fountain Creek, Colorado. The 10 study areas are located along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the confluence of Fountain Creek and the Arkansas River in Pueblo. This data release presents topographic survey data, Light Detection aGroundwater Watch - Colorado Active Water Level Network
The Active Groundwater Level Network contains water levels and well information from wells in Colorado
- Multimedia
Well in Upper Black Squirrel Creek Designated Ground Water Basin Monitoring Network - Conducting GNSS SurveyWell in Upper Black Squirrel Creek Designated Ground Water Basin Monitoring Network in ColoradoWell with Electric Tape Indicator in the Upper Black Squirrel Creek Designated Ground Water Basin Monitoring Network in Colorado