Paul was the chief of the Hydrologic Interpretive Branch of the Center since 2020, managing a team of hydrologists who use innovative modeling and statistical and geospatial techniques to analyze water resource issues. Prior to that, he worked as Chief of the Earth Systems Modeling Branch of the USGS Water Mission Area and as a hydrologist for the USGS Office of Groundwater. In Paul’s early USGS career, he worked as a hydrologist in the Arizona, California, and New England Water Science Centers. His interests in geology and hydrology grew out of family camping trips to National Parks and State Forests and working with the Student Conservation Association at Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks during two summers in high school.

Paul’s research focused on the connection between groundwater and surface water. He modeled connected groundwater and surface water flow systems to inform water resource management. Paul also developed simulation-optimization modeling approaches to design groundwater-pumping schedules that minimize the effects of withdrawals on hydrologic systems and aquatic habitats. 

In 2014, he and the late Stan Leake each received the John Hem Award for Excellence in Science and Engineering from the National Groundwater Association. The Awards were given primarily in recognition of a USGS publication they co-wrote on streamflow depletion caused by groundwater pumping. 

In addition to this work, Paul said he is proudest of the many collaborations and friendships he developed with USGS colleagues, participating in several training classes on groundwater/surface-water interactions, and writing an article on saltwater intrusion in coastal regions of North America with Eric Reichard.

The New England Water Science Center held a retirement party for Barlow, sending him off with well wishes for the future. Paul is looking forward to spending more time with his family and enjoying outdoor recreational activities in Rhode Island and across New England. 

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USGS Hydrologist Paul Barlow, who served as the Chief of the Hydrologic Interpretive Branch of the New England Water Science Center, retired at the end of May 2024. Director John Bumgarner presented Paul with a plaque at his retirement gathering at the center.

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Denis Leblanc (left) presented Paul Barlow (right) with an engraved stone that was cut from a boulder Denis collected from the Cape Cod aquifer at the retirement party in May 2024.