ISCO pump samplers at a sediment gaging site, Fence Fault beach, looking downstream at the Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Joseph E Thomas
Joseph Thomas is a Physical Scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Joe's work at SBSC's Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) involves spearheading research and development efforts for cutting-edge telemetry and technological tools that enable the transfer of environmental data from challenging and remote locations to cloud-hosted environments. Joe supports studies of sediment concentration and water quality in the Colorado River, tracking of endangered fish populations in the Little Colorado River, and monitoring soil moisture and temperature in forests at the base of the San Francisco Peaks outside of Flagstaff, Arizona. Recently, Joe has focused on implementing low earth orbit satellite technology for both broadband and short burst data telemetry in Grand Canyon where traditional telemetry methods are non-existent or inadequate.
Professional Experience
Physical Scientist (GS-1301-11), USGS-Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, 2023-present
Physical Scientist (GS-1301-09), USGS-Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, 2021-2023
Physical Science Technician (GS-1311-07), USGS-Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, 2021
Research Assistant, School of Earth & Sustainability, Northern Arizona University, 2019-2020
Research Assistant, Department of Geoscience, Idaho State University, 2017-2019
Education and Certifications
B.S. Geology, Western Colorado University, Gunnison, CO, 2015-2017
M.S. Geology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, 2017-2019
Thesis: "Holocene paleoclimatic reconstructions of the northern Rocky Mountains as determined from stable isotope analysis of carbonate minerals and organic matter in sediments from Morrison Lake, MT"
Honors and Awards
Star Award, 2023
Science and Products
U.S. Geological Survey Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center: Proceedings of the fiscal year 2023 annual reporting meeting to the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program
Modernizing sensor data workflows to leverage Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud-based technologies
ISCO pump samplers at a sediment gaging site, Fence Fault beach, looking downstream at the Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Low Earth Orbit satellite receiver next to Geostationary satellite receiver at 61-mile gaging station, Grand Canyon National Park
linkTesting of a Low Earth Orbit satellite receiver next to Geostationary satellite receiver at 61-mile gaging station, located just upstream of the confluence with the Little Colorado River at River Mile 61 on the Colorado River, Grand Canyon.
Low Earth Orbit satellite receiver next to Geostationary satellite receiver at 61-mile gaging station, Grand Canyon National Park
linkTesting of a Low Earth Orbit satellite receiver next to Geostationary satellite receiver at 61-mile gaging station, located just upstream of the confluence with the Little Colorado River at River Mile 61 on the Colorado River, Grand Canyon.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite receiver in Grand Canyon at historic Grand Canyon gage house overlooking the Colorado River, Grand Canyon
linkA Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite receiver is connected to a suspended sediment concentration sensor at the historic Grand Canyon gaging station. In the background is the South Kaibab Trail bridge and Boat Beach located at Phantom Ranch. Photo by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite receiver in Grand Canyon at historic Grand Canyon gage house overlooking the Colorado River, Grand Canyon
linkA Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite receiver is connected to a suspended sediment concentration sensor at the historic Grand Canyon gaging station. In the background is the South Kaibab Trail bridge and Boat Beach located at Phantom Ranch. Photo by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
A wide angle view of the historic Grand Canyon gage house, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
A wide angle view of the historic Grand Canyon gage house, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon
linkThe historic Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon
linkThe historic Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon
linkThe historic Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon
linkThe historic Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
The historic Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river below, Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
The historic Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river below, Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Science and Products
U.S. Geological Survey Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center: Proceedings of the fiscal year 2023 annual reporting meeting to the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program
Modernizing sensor data workflows to leverage Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud-based technologies
ISCO pump samplers at a sediment gaging site, Fence Fault beach, looking downstream at the Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
ISCO pump samplers at a sediment gaging site, Fence Fault beach, looking downstream at the Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Low Earth Orbit satellite receiver next to Geostationary satellite receiver at 61-mile gaging station, Grand Canyon National Park
linkTesting of a Low Earth Orbit satellite receiver next to Geostationary satellite receiver at 61-mile gaging station, located just upstream of the confluence with the Little Colorado River at River Mile 61 on the Colorado River, Grand Canyon.
Low Earth Orbit satellite receiver next to Geostationary satellite receiver at 61-mile gaging station, Grand Canyon National Park
linkTesting of a Low Earth Orbit satellite receiver next to Geostationary satellite receiver at 61-mile gaging station, located just upstream of the confluence with the Little Colorado River at River Mile 61 on the Colorado River, Grand Canyon.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite receiver in Grand Canyon at historic Grand Canyon gage house overlooking the Colorado River, Grand Canyon
linkA Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite receiver is connected to a suspended sediment concentration sensor at the historic Grand Canyon gaging station. In the background is the South Kaibab Trail bridge and Boat Beach located at Phantom Ranch. Photo by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite receiver in Grand Canyon at historic Grand Canyon gage house overlooking the Colorado River, Grand Canyon
linkA Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite receiver is connected to a suspended sediment concentration sensor at the historic Grand Canyon gaging station. In the background is the South Kaibab Trail bridge and Boat Beach located at Phantom Ranch. Photo by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
A wide angle view of the historic Grand Canyon gage house, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
A wide angle view of the historic Grand Canyon gage house, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, Arizona. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon
linkThe historic Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon
linkThe historic Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon
linkThe historic Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon
linkThe historic Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river immediately below it, Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
The historic Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river below, Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
The historic Grand Canyon gage house as viewed from the river below, Colorado River, Grand Canyon. Photo taken February 2023 by Joe Thomas, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.