Katie Walton-Day
Katie is a Research Hydrologist with the USGS Colorado Water Science Center.
Katie is a research hydrologist and has worked at the U.S. Geological Survey located in Denver, Colorado for over 35 years. During this time her research has primarily focused on understanding the sources and mobility of trace metals associated with hard rock and uranium mineral deposits primarily in the western United States. A primary goal of her research is to provide science-based information to facilitate decisions about remediation in areas contaminated by historic mining practices. Recently she has begun developing communication products to broaden the audience for USGS scientific studies related to the environmental effects of uranium mining in the Grand Canyon region. Finally, her research has expanded into understanding the effects of harmful algal blooms in Colorado Reservoirs.
Professional Experience
1981-1983 – Exploration Geochemist, Anaconda Minerals Company
1983-1991 – Physical Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey
1991-1996 – Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey
1996-Present – Research Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Education and Certifications
PhD. Geology Colorado School of Mines, 1991
MS Geology Colorado School of Mines, 1985
BA Geology Smith College, 1981
Science and Products
Improved enrichment factor calculations through principal component analysis: Examples from soils near breccia pipe uranium mines, Arizona, USA
Cinnamon gulch revisited: Another look at separating natural and mining-impacted contributions to instream metal load
Synoptic sampling and principal components analysis to identify sources of water and metals to an acid mine drainage stream
Geochemistry and hydrology of perched groundwater springs: assessing elevated uranium concentrations at Pigeon Spring relative to nearby Pigeon Mine, Arizona (USA)
The precipitation of indium at elevated pH in a stream influenced by acid mine drainage
Establishing a pre-mining geochemical baseline at a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park, USA
Effects of flow regime on metal concentrations and the attainment of water quality standards in a remediated stream reach, Butte, Montana
Hydrogeochemical effects of a bulkhead in the Dinero mine tunnel, Sugar Loaf mining district, near Leadville, Colorado
Geologic sources and concentrations of selenium in the West-Central Denver Basin, including the Toll Gate Creek watershed, Aurora, Colorado, 2003-2007
Streamflow and water-quality conditions including geologic sources and processes affecting selenium loading in the Toll Gate Creek watershed, Aurora, Arapahoe County, Colorado, 2007
Automated quantitative micro-mineralogical characterization for environmental applications
Estimating instream constituent loads using replicate synoptic sampling, Peru Creek, Colorado
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Improved enrichment factor calculations through principal component analysis: Examples from soils near breccia pipe uranium mines, Arizona, USA
Cinnamon gulch revisited: Another look at separating natural and mining-impacted contributions to instream metal load
Synoptic sampling and principal components analysis to identify sources of water and metals to an acid mine drainage stream
Geochemistry and hydrology of perched groundwater springs: assessing elevated uranium concentrations at Pigeon Spring relative to nearby Pigeon Mine, Arizona (USA)
The precipitation of indium at elevated pH in a stream influenced by acid mine drainage
Establishing a pre-mining geochemical baseline at a uranium mine near Grand Canyon National Park, USA
Effects of flow regime on metal concentrations and the attainment of water quality standards in a remediated stream reach, Butte, Montana
Hydrogeochemical effects of a bulkhead in the Dinero mine tunnel, Sugar Loaf mining district, near Leadville, Colorado
Geologic sources and concentrations of selenium in the West-Central Denver Basin, including the Toll Gate Creek watershed, Aurora, Colorado, 2003-2007
Streamflow and water-quality conditions including geologic sources and processes affecting selenium loading in the Toll Gate Creek watershed, Aurora, Arapahoe County, Colorado, 2007
Automated quantitative micro-mineralogical characterization for environmental applications
Estimating instream constituent loads using replicate synoptic sampling, Peru Creek, Colorado
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.