Dr. Mary Skopec of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources receives John Wesley Powell Award

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Iowa Water Science Center recognizes Dr. Mary Skopec of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) for her research and development in estimating streamflow and water-quality values for any point on a stream entitled, STREAMEST. Dr. Skopec, in collaboration with USGS and other researchers, led the development of STREAMEST using a variety of research methods from statistical analysis to physical modeling that can be used to provide an estimate of flow and a water-quality value.

The program is based upon data generated from the USGS real-time streamflow network of gaging stations and Iowa’s water-quality monitoring cooperative network. STREAMEST will be able to provide near real-time estimates of flow and water-quality characteristics with known error of the estimate values for both public awareness and scientific research. The public can use the information for recreational and information purposes while the scientific value is in the new approach of hydrologic analysis. The program provides a completely new scientific approach for developing flow and water-quality statistics at stream sites that have little or no existing streamflow or water-quality data. STREAMEST can provide virtual streamflow records for ungaged sites that can then be used by USGS scientists for developing flow statistics, flood frequencies, low-flow durations, and hydraulic analysis. The program can be used to estimate flow both in the past and in the future with the option of changing climate and land surface conditions to understand the impacts on water resources. Dr. Skopec was able to transform the vision of STREAMEST into a funded program from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Dr. Skopec’s leadership and vision of developing STREAMEST has led to a revolutionary change in how the USGS can now analyze flow and water-quality characteristics of streamflow anywhere along a stream. Rather than being restricted to only selected points on streams where data was previously collected and extrapolating analysis of gaged to ungaged locations, the USGS hydrologist can now perform statistical analysis on virtual record of flow at sites without a streamgage and of water-quality information at sites that have not been monitored. The STEAMEST program developed by Dr. Mary Skopec truly adds value to USGS science by helping to manage water resources responsibly, helping to mitigate current or future hazards and has the potential to help emerging climate change issues.