Education
- Ph.D. Utah State University, Logan, Utah – October 2006: Civil and Environmental Engineering, "Dynamic Stream Temperature Modeling: Understanding the Causes and Effects of Temperature Impairments and Uncertainty in Predictions."
Professional Experience
- Current: Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah Water Research Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
- 2006 - 2007: Research Assistant Professor, Utah Water Research Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
- 2001 - 2006: Research Engineer, Utah Water Research Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
- Summer 2002: Research Scientist, Under Dr. Steven C. Chapra, Tufts University, Medford, MA.
Teaching
USU Courses
- CEE 6740 Environmental Quality Modeling/Surface Water Quality Modeling
- CEE/BE 3670 Transport Phenomena
Short Courses
- Iraqi Agriculture Extension Revitalization Workshops 2008-2009
- USEPA BASINS/HSPF Workshops (2003-2007)
- USEPA BASINS Workshops (1999-2004)
Students
Graduate Students
Noah Schmadel, Ph.D., CEE (Advisor)
Andrew Hobson, M.S., CEE (Advisor)
Camilla Lyman, M.S., CEE (Advisor)
Lisa Welsh, Ph.D., Department of Environment and Society (Committee Member)
Tracy Bowerman, Ph.D., Department of Watershed Sciences (Committee Member)
Eli Wilson, M.S., MAE (Committee Member)
Stephen Klocubar, M.S., Department of Watershed Sciences (Committee Member)
Ali Salha, Ph.D., CEE (Committee Member)
Florence Consolati, M.S., Department of Watershed Sciences (Committee Member)
Jonna van Opstal, Ph.D., CEE (Committee Member)Undergraduate Students
Hayden Campbell, B.S., Biochemistry (Advisor)
Graduated Students
Amber Spackman, M.S., CEE 2008 (Committee Member)
Molly VanAppledorn, M.S., Department of Watershed Sciences 2008 (Committee Member)
Noah Schmadel, M.S., CEE 2009 (Advisor)
Jonathan Bingham, M.S., CEE 2009 (Advisor)
Kelli Goodman, Ph.D., Biology 2010 (Committee Member)
Quin G. Bingham, M.S., CEE 2010 (Advisor)
Said Gabayen, Post-Doc, CEE 2009-2010 (Co-Advisor)
Madeline Merck, M.S., CEE, Spring 2011 (Advisor)
Andrew Hobson, B.S., CEE, Spring 2010 (Advisor)
Oscar Marquina, B.S., CEE, Spring 2011 (Advisor)
Camilla Lyman, B.S., CEE, Spring 2012 (Advisor)
Publications
Refereed Journals
- Neilson, B.T. and D.K. Stevens. (2002). "Issues Related to the Success of the TMDL Program." Water Resources Update, 122:55-61.
- Neilson, B.T. and S.C. Chapra. (2003). "Integration of Water Quality Monitoring and Modeling for TMDL Development." Water Resources Impact, 5(1), 9-11.
- Ames, D.P., B.T. Neilson, D.K. Stevens, and U.L. Lall. (2005). "Using Bayesian networks to model watershed management decisions: an East Canyon Creek case study." Hydroinformatics, 7(4):267-282.
- Neilson, B.T., D.K. Stevens, S.C. Chapra, and C. Bandaragoda. (2009). "Data Collection Methodology for Dynamic Temperature Model Testing and Corroboration." Hydrological Processes, 23:2902-2914.
- Neilson, B.T., C.E. Hatch, H. Ban, and S.W. Tyler. (2010). "Solar radiative heating of fiber-optic cables used to monitor temperatures in water." Water Resources Research, 46, W08540, doi:10.1029/2009WR008354.
- Neilson, B.T., S.C. Chapra, D.K. Stevens, and C. Bandaragoda. (2010). "Two-zone Transient Storage Zone Modeling Using Temperature and Solute Data with Multi-Objective Calibration: Part 1 –Temperature." Water Resources Research, 46, W12520. doi:10.1029/2009WR008756.
- Neilson, B.T., D. K. Stevens, S.C. Chapra, and C. Bandaragoda. (2010). "Two-zone Transient Storage Zone Modeling Using Temperature and Solute Data with Multi-Objective Calibration: Part 2 – Temperature and Solute." Water Resources Research, 46, W12521, doi:10.1029/2009WR008759.
- Schmadel*, N.M., B.T. Neilson, and D.K. Stevens. (2010). "Approaches to estimate uncertainty in longitudinal channel water balances." Journal of Hydrology, 394:357-369. doi: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2010.09.011.
- Bandaragoda, C. and B.T. Neilson. (2011)."Increasing Parameter Certainty and Data Utility Through Multi-Objective Calibration of a Spatially Distributed Temperature and Solute Model." Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 15:1547-1561, doi:10.5194/hess-15-1547-2011.
- Epstein*, D., B.T. Neilson, K. Goodman, D.K. Stevens, and W. Wurtsbaugh. (2012). "A modeling approach to assessing the effect of multiple lakes in sequence on nutrient transport." Aquatic Sciences. doi:10.1007/s00027-012-0267-2.
- Alminagorta*, O., B. Tesfatsion*, D. Rosenberg, B.T. Neilson (2012). "Simple Optimization Method to Determine Best Management Practices to Reduce Phosphorus Loading in Echo Reservoir, Utah." Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, doi:10.1061/(ASCE)WR.1943-5452.0000224.
- Heavilin, J. and B.T. Neilson (2012). "An Analytical Solution to Main Channel Heat Transport with Surface Heat Flux." Advances in Water Resources, 47, 67-75, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2012.06.006.
- Bingham*, Q.G., B.T. Neilson, C.M.U. Neale, M.B. Cardenas (2012). "Application of high-resolution, remotely sensed data for transient storage modeling parameter estimation." Water Resources Research, 48, 8, doi:10.1029/2011WR011594.
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Heavilin, J. and B.T. Neilson (2012). "Approximation of inverse Laplace transform solution to heat transport in a stream system." Water Resources Research,48, 9, W09603, doi:10.1029/2012WR012329.
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von Stackelberg, N.O. and B.T. Neilson (In review). "A Collaborative Approach to Calibration of a Riverine Water Quality Model." Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management.
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Wörman, A., J. Riml*, N. Schmadel*, B. Neilson, A. Bottacin-Busolin, and J. Heavilin (In review). "Spectral Scaling of Heat Fluxes in Streambed Sediments." Geophysical Research Letters.
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Schmadel*, N. M., B.T. Neilson, T. Kasahara (In review). "Deducing the spatial variability of exchange within a longitudinal channel water balance." Hydrological Processes.
Book Chapters/Sections:
- Neilson, B.T. and R. Kinerson. 2003. "The Role of Models" and portion of " Tools for Developing and Implementing Watershed Plans and TMDLs." Jarrell, W.M. Water Quality Monitoring for Watershed Planning and TMDLs. YSI Incorporated.
- Neilson, B.T., D.K. Stevens, J.S. Horsburgh. 2005. "TMDL Development Approaches,"
Total Maximum Daily Load: Approaches and Challenges. PennWell. Tulsa.
Conference Papers
- Bingham*, J.D. and B.T. Neilson (2009). "Data Collection and Modeling for Determining Stream Bed Conduction Parameters." Lessons from Continuity and Change in the Fourth International Polar Year Symposium. Synopsis Paper. Fairbanks, AK, March.
- Bingham*, Q.G. and B.T. Neilson. "Incorporation of Thermal Imagery in Parameter Estimation and Model Calibration" March 2009. Lessons from Continuity and Change in the Fourth International Polar Year Symposium. Synopsis Paper. Fairbanks, AK.
- Schmadel*, N. M. and B. T. Neilson (2009). "Estimating Uncertainty in Approaches Used to Quantify Surface Water -Ground Water Exchange." Lessons from Continuity and Change in the Fourth International Polar Year Symposium. Synopsis Paper. Fairbanks, AK, March.
- Caplan, A. J., B. T. Neilson, M. E. Baker (2009). " Water Quality Trading in an Integrated Hydrologic Modeling Framework." AWRA 2009 Summer Specialty Conference. Snowbird, UT, June.
- Neilson, B.T., C. Bandaragoda, M.E. Baker, J.S. Horsburgh, D.K. Stevens (2009). "Watershed Modeling for Water Quality Trading." AWRA 2009 Summer Specialty Conference. Snowbird, UT, June.
- von Stackelberg, N.O., B.T. Neilson, H.N. Arens (2010). "Collaborative Calibration of a Water Quality Model of an Urbanized River." ASABE TMDL 2010: Watershed Management to Improve Water Quality Conference. Baltimore, MD, November.
- Jensen, A. B.T. Neilson, M. McKee, Y. Chen (2012). "Thermal remote sensing with an autonomous unmanned aerial remote sensing platform for surface stream temperatures." 2012 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium. Munich, Germany.
Professional Presentations (since 2008)
- Kasahara, T. and B.T. Neilson. (2008). "Spring Inundation and Summer Water Temperature in a Restored Reach of the Provo River in Northern Utah." May 2008. NABS 56th Annual Meeting. Salt Lake City, UT.
- Neilson, B.T. and M. McKee. (2008). "Water Resources Training Needs in Iraq: Experiences of Some American Water Engineers." July 2008. UCOWR/NIWR Annual Conference. Durham, N.C.
- Bingham*, Q.G., B.T. Neilson, C.M.U. Neale, and B. Cardenas. (2008). "Data Collection for Two-Zone Temperature and Solute Model Testing." March 2008. Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2008. Logan, UT.
- Schmadel*, N. M., J.D. Bingham*, B.T. Neilson, and A.J. Hobson*. (2008). "Methods for Quantifying Groundwater and Surface Water Interactions in Curtis Creek." March 2008. Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2008. Logan, UT.
- Schmadel*, N. M., B.T. Neilson, and T. Kasahara. (2008). "Comparison of Approaches used to Characterize Stream Water-Groundwater Exchange." Eos Trans. AGU 89(53) Fall Meet. Suppl. Abstract H33F-1083.
- Neilson, B.T., C. Hatch, Q. Bingham*, and S. Tyler. (2008). "Effect of Solar Radiation on Fiber Optic Cables Used in Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) Applications." Eos Trans. AGU 89(53) Fall Meet. Suppl. Abstract H51H-0970.
- Bingham*, J.D. and B.T. Neilson. (2009). "Data Collection and Modeling for Determining Stream Bed Conduction Parameters." March 2009. Lessons from Continuity and Change in the Fourth International Polar Year Symposium. Fairbanks, AK.
- Bingham*, Q.G. and B.T. Neilson. (2009). "Incorporation of Thermal Imagery in Parameter Estimation and Model Calibration" March 2009. Lessons from Continuity and Change in the Fourth International Polar Year Symposium. Fairbanks, AK.
- Schmadel*, N.M. and B.T. Neilson. (2009). "Estimating Uncertainty in Approaches Used to Quantify Surface Water--Ground Water Exchange." March 2009. Lessons from Continuity and Change in the Fourth International Polar Year Symposium. Fairbanks, AK.
- Neilson, B.T. (2009). "Incorporation of Surface and Subsurface Storage in Stream Temperature Predictions." March 2009. Lessons from Continuity and Change in the Fourth International Polar Year Symposium. Fairbanks, AK.
- Schmadel*, N.M. and B.T. Neilson. (2009). "Reliability of Approaches Used to Characterize Surface Water-Groundwater Exchange." April 2009. Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2009. Logan, UT. (Awarded 1st place in student oral presentation competition.)
- Bingham*, J.D. and B.T. Neilson. (2009). "Data Collection and Modeling for Determining Stream Bed Conduction Parameters." April 2009. Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2009. Logan, UT. (Awarded 2nd place in student poster competition.)
- Bingham*, Q.G. and B.T. Neilson. (2009). "Incorporation of Thermal Imagery in Parameter Estimation and Model Calibration." April 2009. Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2009. Logan, UT.
- Neilson, B.T., C. Bandaragoda, M.E. Baker, J.S. Horsburgh, and D.K. Stevens. (2009). "Watershed Modeling for Water Quality Trading." June, 2009. AWRA 2009 Summer Specialty Conference. Snowbird, UT.
- Caplan, A.J., B.T. Neilson, and M.E. Baker. (2009). "Water Quality Trading in an Integrated Hydrologic Modeling Framework." June, 2009. AWRA 2009 Summer Specialty Conference. Snowbird, UT.
- Ghabayen, S., N.M. Schmadel*, and B.T. Neilson. (2009). "Characterization of Groundwater-Surface water Interactions using GMS and differential gauging approaches." September 2009. AWRA Fall 2009 Annual Conference. Seattle, WA.
- Schmadel*, N.M., B.T. Neilson, D.K. Stevens. (2009). "Reliability of Approaches Used to Quantify Surface Water-Groundwater Interactions." Eos Trans. AGU 92(52) Fall Meet. Suppl. Abstract H51I-0902. 2009.
- Lyman*, C., B.T. Neilson, and N.M. Schmadel*. (2010). "Effects of Beaver Dams on Curtis Creek Temperature and Flow." April 2010. Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2010. Logan, UT.
- Merck*, M.F. and B.T. Neilson. (2010). "Quantifying Instream Temperature Variability in Beaded Arctic Streams." April 2010. Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2010. Logan, UT.
- Hobson*, A.J. and B.T. Neilson. (2010). "Effects of Turbidity on Shortwave Radiation and Instream Temperatures." March 2010. Utah State University Undergraduate Student Showcase 2010. Logan, UT. (Awarded 1st Place Poster for the College of Engineering).
- Wilson*, E., B.T. Neilson, and H. Ban. (2010). "Development of Technology for Streambed Thermal Property Instrument (SPI)." Utah State University Graduate Student Symposium 2010. Logan, UT.
- Hobson*, A.J. and B.T. Neilson. (2010). "Effects of Turbidity on Shortwave Radiation and Instream Temperatures." April 2010. Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2010. Logan, UT.
- von Stackelberg, N.O., B.T. Neilson, and H.N. Arens. (2010). "Collaborative Calibration of a Water Quality Model of an Urbanized River." November, 2010. ASABE TMDL 2010: Watershed Management to Improve Water Quality Conference. Baltimore, MD.
- Bingham*, Q.G., B.T. Neilson, C.M.U. Neale, and M.B. Cardenas. (2010). "Delineation of dead zones in rivers using remotely-sensed data and their utility in improving two-zone temperature and solute transport model performance." 2010 ASLO/NABS Joint Meeting. June 2010. Santa Fe, NM.
- Merck*, M.F. and B.T. Neilson. (2010). "Types and Variability of Instream and Bank Storage in Beaded Arctic Streams." Eos Trans. AGU Fall Meet. Suppl. Abstract H21B-1042.
- Merck*, M.F. and B.T. Neilson. (2011). "Modeling Instream Temperature Dynamics in Beaded Arctic Streams." March 2011. Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2011. Logan, UT.
- Schmadel*, N.M., J. Heavilin, B.T. Neilson, and A. Wörman. (2011). "Incorporating Channel Spatial Variability into Two-Zone Transient Storage Modeling." March 2011. Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2011. Logan, UT.
- Hobson*, A.J. and B.T. Neilson. (2011). "Investigating the effects of data resolution on QUAL2K predictions." March 2011. Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2011. Logan, UT.
- Marquina*, O.A., B.T. Neilson, and N.M. Schmadel*. (2011). "Seasonal Fluctuations of Stream Water-Groundwater Interactions." March 2011. Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2011. Logan, UT.
- Heavilin, J., B.T. Neilson, N.M. Schmadel*, and A. Wörman. (2011). "Advancing Solutions of the Two-Zone Temperature and Solute Transport Model by Solving A Simplified Temperature Transport Component." EGU2011-3914. European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 20. Vienna, Austria. April 3-8.
- Schmadel*, N.M., J. Heavilin, B.T. Neilson, and A. Wörman. (2011). "Investigating the Effects of Channel Spatial Variability on Two-Zone Transient Storage Modeling." EGU2011-3749. European Geosciences Union, General Assembly 20. Vienna, Austria. April 3-8, 2011.
- Alminagorta*, O., B. Tesfatsion*, D. Rosenberg, and B.T. Neilson. (2011). "Simple Optimization Method to Determine Best Management Practices to Reduce Phosphorus Loading in Echo Reservoir, Utah." UCOWR/NIWR Conference Planning for Tomorrow’s Water: Snowpack, Aquifers, and Reservoirs. Boulder, Colorado. July 11-14.
- Bowerman*, T., P. Budy, and B.T. Neilson (2011). "Exploring Interactions Between Substrate Size, Hyporheic Flow, and Spawning Site Selection: Implications for Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) Egg and Alevin Survival." September 4-8, 2011. 141st National meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Seattle, WA.
- Neilson, B.T., Bandaragoda, C., Chapra, S.C., Stevens, D.K., Schmadel, N.M., Bingham, Q.G., Neale, C.M.U., and Cardenas, M.B. (2011). "Use of Instream Heat Budgets and Supporting Data for Predicting Surface and Subsurface Transient Storage Influences." 2011 Geological Society of America Annual Meeting. October, 2011. Minneapolis, MN. (Invited).
- Neilson, B.T., M.F. Merck*, R.M. Cory, G.W. Kling (2011). "Combining Various Natural Tracers to Identify Flow Paths in Arctic Beaded Streams." Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, CA. December 5-9. Abstract H51M-07.
- Riml*, J., A.Wörman, N.M. Schmadel*, B.T. Neilson (2011). "Temperature; a natural tracer to define residence time distributions in transient storage zones." 2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, CA. December 5-9. Abstract H33I-01.
- Bandaragoda, C. and B.T. Neilson (2011). "A systematic approach for increasing parameter certainty in a spatially distributed temperature and solute model using multi-objective evolutionary optimization." 2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, CA. December 5-9. Abstract H34A-08.
- Schmadel*, N.M., B.T. Neilson, T. Kasahara (2012). "Combining conventional data collection techniques to identify surface-subsurface exchange components." Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2012. Logan, UT, March.
- Hobson*, A.J., B.T. Neilson, N. von Stackelberg (2012). "Can consistent data collection and modeling strategies provide the information necessary to address instream water quality impairments?" Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2012. Logan, UT, March.
- Snow*, C. and B.T. Neilson (2012). "Effects of dissolved organic carbon on sediment temperatures in beaver ponds." Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2012. Logan, UT, March.
- Consolati*, F., J. Wheaton, M. Pollock, N. Bouwes, and B. Neilson (2012). "The role of beaver in shaping steelhead trout habitat complexity and thermal refugia in a central Oregon stream." Utah State University Spring Runoff Conference 2012. Logan, UT, March.
- Alminagorta*, O., B. Tesfatsion*, D. Rosenberg, B. Neilson (2012). "Simple Optimization Method to Determine Best Management Practices to Reduce Phosphorus Loading in Echo Reservoir, Utah." Water Environment Association of Utah Annual Conference 2012. St. George, UT, April.
- Wörman, A., J. Riml*, N. Schmadel*, B. Neilson, A. Bottacin-Busolin, and J. Heavilin (2012). "Evaluating thermal diffusivity in stream-beds from temperature spectra." 2012 EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria April 22-27, 2012. Vol. 14, EGU2012-6318-4.
- Riml*, J., A. Wörman, N. Schmadel*, and B. Neilson (2012), "Estimating residence time distributions in the hyporheic zone using heat." 2012 EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria April 22-27, 2012. Vol. 14, EGU2012-7283, 2012.
- Jensen, A. B.T. Neilson, M. McKee, Y. Chen (2012). "Thermal remote sensing with an autonomous unmanned aerial remote sensing platform for surface stream temperatures." 2012 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Munich, Germany.
* Indicates student
Research Interests
Instream Data Collection and Modeling
- Developing data collection strategies for quantifying solute and heat transport in streams and rivers.
- Developing, testing, and calibrating instream models based on detailed process data.
- Determining the role of groundwater/surface water interactions in mass and heat transport in mountain streams.
- Investigating data analysis and surface water quality modeling approaches for TMDL development.
- Researching the use of optimization procedures for parameter estimation and uncertainty analysis for instream water quality models.
- Developing new and implementing available surface water quality models to understand the fate and transport of point and nonpoint source pollutants.
- Testing and developing new monitoring technologies.
Watershed Modeling and Training
- Developing general water quality training materials to assist in improving watershed management strategies in developing countries.
- Implementing available watershed models (e.g., HSPF).
- Developing and conducting training on the use of EPA endorsed watershed management tools (e.g., BASINS, HSPF, QUAL2E).
Integrated Watershed Management
- Researching the integration of policy and science in TMDL decision-making and quantification of the uncertainty associated with watershed management decisions through the use of Bayesian Decision Networks.
- Researching the utility of watershed modeling tools to assist in meeting requirements of the Clean Water Act through water quality trading.
Awards/Honors
- Recipient of "2007 UCOWR Ph.D. Dissertation Award in Natural Sciences andEngineering."
- Outstanding Student Paper - AGU Fall Conference 2005.
- Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Fellowship 2003-2006.
Other Activities
- 1998 – 2008 – Co-Director Environmental Research Management Group, Utah Water Research Laboratory, Utah State University.
- 2007 – current – American Geophysical Union Water Quality Technical Committee.
- 2007 – 2010 - USU Water Initiative Advisory Committee.
- 2008 – current – Universities Council on Water Resources (UCOWR) Delegate.
- 2009 – 2012 – Jordan River Technical Advisor Committee.
- 2009 – 2010 – Salt Lake County Watershed Modeling Advisory Committee.
Professional Societies
- American Geophysical Union – 2006 – current.
- American Water Resources Association – 2006 – current.
- American Society for Engineering Education - 2009 – current.
- American Society of Limnology and Oceanography - 2010 - current.
- Geological Society of America – 2011 – current.
- American Society of Civil Engineers – 2012 – current.
Current/Recent Research Projects
- Collaborative Research: Quantification of Dominant Heat Fluxes In Streams and Rivers in the Arctic (NSF - 1204220).
- iUTAH - Urban Transitions and Aridregion Hydro-sustainability (NSF-1208732).
- TZTS Model Adaptation and Application to Quantify the Influences of Pah Tempe Hot Springs Removal (Washington County Water Conservancy District).
- Arctic Long Term Ecological Research (LTER): Climate Change and Changing Disturbance Regimes in Arctic Landscapes (NSF-1026843).
- Hydrologic and Ecological Impacts of Changes in Human Water Resource Management (NSF-1038973).
- Temperature Modeling and Analysis within the Jordan River in Salt Lake County, UT (Utah DEQ).
- Modeling the Impacts of WWTP Effluents on Receiving Waters in Utah Using QUAL2K (Utah DEQ).
- EPA Targeted Watersheds Grant and Extension (US EPA)
- Understanding Native Fishes Behavior Patterns During Periods of High Turbidity in the Virgin River (Washington County Water Conservancy District, Utah)
- Iraqi Agricultural Extension Revitalization Program (USDA)
- Incorporation of Thermal Imaging into the Data Collection Methodology for Two-Zone Temperature and Solute Modeling (Washington County Water Conservancy District, Utah)
- Virgin River real-time monitoring and temperature modeling project (Washington County Water Conservancy District, Utah)
Updated: January 18, 2013