USGS staff documenting a high-water mark in Montpelier, Vermont, after significant flooding.
Gardner Bent
Gardner Bent is a Hydrologist in the new England Water Science Center.
Gardner is currently the Surface-Water Specialist for the New England Water Science Center and has been in this position since 2015. Prior to this he served as the Massachusetts-Rhode Island Data Chief, overseeing surface-water, groundwater, and water-quality data collection, from 2006-2011. During 2012-14 and prior to 2006 he served as a project hydrologist on a number of mainly surface-water related studies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The studies have involved state-wide equations for estimating streamflow statistics and bankfull channel geometry, sediment transport assessments, flood-related studies, and watershed assessments. He has been at the USGS since 1989.
Science and Products
A Statewide Hydraulic Modeling Tool for Stream Crossing Projects in Massachusetts
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass Amherst), in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), began a series of studies in 2019 to develop a GIS-based hydraulic modeling tool and to provide preliminary culvert designs for stream-crossing replacement projects in Massachusetts on USGS StreamStats.
Regional Regression Equations for Estimating Selected Low-flow Statistics at Ungaged Stream Sites in Massachusetts
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Recreation and Conservation, Office of Water Resources, began a study in 2019 to update the regional regression equations for estimating selected low-flow statistics at ungaged sites in Massachusetts.
New England Flood Information
The USGS delivers continuous streamflow, stage (water-level), and tide data to help emergency managers and other decision makers protect life and property caused by floods and other water-related hazards.
New England Drought, 2020
Below average and infrequent rainfall from May through September 2020 led to an extreme hydrologic drought across much of New England, with some areas experiencing a flash (quick-onset) drought.
New England Drought Information
Droughts are one of the most expensive and damaging hydrologic hazards in the United States. They are generally slow in developing, frequently occur over a long period of time, and can affect large areas and populations.
Hydrologic Technician Documenting a High-Water Mark in Montpelier
USGS staff documenting a high-water mark in Montpelier, Vermont, after significant flooding.
Flood Damage of Cobble Ridge Road Bridge over West River in Londonderry, Vermont
A USGS hydrologist stands in front of debris and damage of Cobble Ridge Road Bridge over the West River in Londonderry, Vermont. This destruction occurred from flood waters that rose from a heavy-rainfall event in July 2023.
A USGS hydrologist stands in front of debris and damage of Cobble Ridge Road Bridge over the West River in Londonderry, Vermont. This destruction occurred from flood waters that rose from a heavy-rainfall event in July 2023.
Debris Caught on a Railroad Bridge Above the Winooski River
After a heavy-rain event in July 2023, the Winooski River in Montpelier, Vermont, flooded. Debris from the flood waters was carried up onto the railroad bridge and trapped after the flooding receded.
After a heavy-rain event in July 2023, the Winooski River in Montpelier, Vermont, flooded. Debris from the flood waters was carried up onto the railroad bridge and trapped after the flooding receded.
Culvert Pipe Damaged with Flood Debris
A culvert pipe on a tributary of the Winooski River became filled with sediment and debris after a heavy-rainfall event in Vermont caused significant flooding in July 2023.
A culvert pipe on a tributary of the Winooski River became filled with sediment and debris after a heavy-rainfall event in Vermont caused significant flooding in July 2023.
USGS streamgage during 2022 drought
U.S. Geological Survey Segreganset River streamgage (01109070) near North Dighton, MA shows zero streamflow on August 21, 2022. This image is looking downstream from the streamgage. The drainage area is 10.6 square miles.
U.S. Geological Survey Segreganset River streamgage (01109070) near North Dighton, MA shows zero streamflow on August 21, 2022. This image is looking downstream from the streamgage. The drainage area is 10.6 square miles.
Measuring a high-water mark during blizzard of January 2018 in New England
Scientist measuring high-water mark at the Yacht Club in Hull, MA. Blizzard of January 2018 in New England.
Scientist measuring high-water mark at the Yacht Club in Hull, MA. Blizzard of January 2018 in New England.
Covered bridge damaged by tropical storm Irene
Flood damage to Eunice Williams Road in Greenfield, MA on the Green River from tropical storm Irene on August, 28, 2011.
Flood damage to Eunice Williams Road in Greenfield, MA on the Green River from tropical storm Irene on August, 28, 2011.
Replacement culvert for a stream crossing project on Bronson Brook in Worthington, Massachusetts
linkA replacement culvert for a stream crossing project on Bronson Brook at Dingle Road in Worthington, Massachusetts.
Replacement culvert for a stream crossing project on Bronson Brook in Worthington, Massachusetts
linkA replacement culvert for a stream crossing project on Bronson Brook at Dingle Road in Worthington, Massachusetts.
Science and Products
A Statewide Hydraulic Modeling Tool for Stream Crossing Projects in Massachusetts
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass Amherst), in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), began a series of studies in 2019 to develop a GIS-based hydraulic modeling tool and to provide preliminary culvert designs for stream-crossing replacement projects in Massachusetts on USGS StreamStats.
Regional Regression Equations for Estimating Selected Low-flow Statistics at Ungaged Stream Sites in Massachusetts
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Recreation and Conservation, Office of Water Resources, began a study in 2019 to update the regional regression equations for estimating selected low-flow statistics at ungaged sites in Massachusetts.
New England Flood Information
The USGS delivers continuous streamflow, stage (water-level), and tide data to help emergency managers and other decision makers protect life and property caused by floods and other water-related hazards.
New England Drought, 2020
Below average and infrequent rainfall from May through September 2020 led to an extreme hydrologic drought across much of New England, with some areas experiencing a flash (quick-onset) drought.
New England Drought Information
Droughts are one of the most expensive and damaging hydrologic hazards in the United States. They are generally slow in developing, frequently occur over a long period of time, and can affect large areas and populations.
Hydrologic Technician Documenting a High-Water Mark in Montpelier
USGS staff documenting a high-water mark in Montpelier, Vermont, after significant flooding.
USGS staff documenting a high-water mark in Montpelier, Vermont, after significant flooding.
Flood Damage of Cobble Ridge Road Bridge over West River in Londonderry, Vermont
A USGS hydrologist stands in front of debris and damage of Cobble Ridge Road Bridge over the West River in Londonderry, Vermont. This destruction occurred from flood waters that rose from a heavy-rainfall event in July 2023.
A USGS hydrologist stands in front of debris and damage of Cobble Ridge Road Bridge over the West River in Londonderry, Vermont. This destruction occurred from flood waters that rose from a heavy-rainfall event in July 2023.
Debris Caught on a Railroad Bridge Above the Winooski River
After a heavy-rain event in July 2023, the Winooski River in Montpelier, Vermont, flooded. Debris from the flood waters was carried up onto the railroad bridge and trapped after the flooding receded.
After a heavy-rain event in July 2023, the Winooski River in Montpelier, Vermont, flooded. Debris from the flood waters was carried up onto the railroad bridge and trapped after the flooding receded.
Culvert Pipe Damaged with Flood Debris
A culvert pipe on a tributary of the Winooski River became filled with sediment and debris after a heavy-rainfall event in Vermont caused significant flooding in July 2023.
A culvert pipe on a tributary of the Winooski River became filled with sediment and debris after a heavy-rainfall event in Vermont caused significant flooding in July 2023.
USGS streamgage during 2022 drought
U.S. Geological Survey Segreganset River streamgage (01109070) near North Dighton, MA shows zero streamflow on August 21, 2022. This image is looking downstream from the streamgage. The drainage area is 10.6 square miles.
U.S. Geological Survey Segreganset River streamgage (01109070) near North Dighton, MA shows zero streamflow on August 21, 2022. This image is looking downstream from the streamgage. The drainage area is 10.6 square miles.
Measuring a high-water mark during blizzard of January 2018 in New England
Scientist measuring high-water mark at the Yacht Club in Hull, MA. Blizzard of January 2018 in New England.
Scientist measuring high-water mark at the Yacht Club in Hull, MA. Blizzard of January 2018 in New England.
Covered bridge damaged by tropical storm Irene
Flood damage to Eunice Williams Road in Greenfield, MA on the Green River from tropical storm Irene on August, 28, 2011.
Flood damage to Eunice Williams Road in Greenfield, MA on the Green River from tropical storm Irene on August, 28, 2011.
Replacement culvert for a stream crossing project on Bronson Brook in Worthington, Massachusetts
linkA replacement culvert for a stream crossing project on Bronson Brook at Dingle Road in Worthington, Massachusetts.
Replacement culvert for a stream crossing project on Bronson Brook in Worthington, Massachusetts
linkA replacement culvert for a stream crossing project on Bronson Brook at Dingle Road in Worthington, Massachusetts.