The USGS Southwest Gravity Program carries out gravity projects for aquifer-storage monitoring and geologic modeling in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. This map shows the location of 24 projects carried out since 2010.
Jeff Kennedy, PhD
Jeff Kennedy is a Research Hydrologist in the Arizona Water Science Center, Flagstaff Office.
My research focuses on measuring and interpreting small changes in gravity as they relate to the hydrology of alluvial basins in the southwestern U.S. Current projects focus on basin-scale monitoring of aquifer-storage change in response to pumping and artificial recharge in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, and Albuquerque, New Mexico.
As the geophysics specialist at the Arizona Water Science Center, I oversee the Southwest Gravity Program, a joint effort of the New Mexico, Arizona, and California Water Science Centers to collect high-quality repeat microgravity data for hydrology studies throughout the western U.S.
Professional Experience
2018-present: Research Hydrologist, Arizona Water Science Center
2018-present: Adjunct Faculty, Northern Arizona University, School of Earth and Sustainability
2008-2018: Hydrologist, Arizona Water Science Center
2006-2008: Student Hydrologist, Arizona Water Science Center
2001-2003: Hydrologic Technician, USDA-ARS Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed
Education and Certifications
2016: PhD in Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson
2008: M.S. in Hydrology and Water Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson
2000: B.S. in Geology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Geophysical Union
Arizona Hydrological Society
National Groundwater Association
Abstracts and Presentations
Kennedy, J., 2022, Hydrologic model calibration with repeat microgravity (Invited): AGU Frontiers in Hydrology Meeting, June 20-24, San Juan, PR
Kennedy, J., and Wildermuth, L., 2020, Monitoring the movement of artificial-recharge water with repeat microgravity surveys: 17th Biannual Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge, Oct. 7-9, virtual.
Bell, M., Kahler, L., Kennedy, J., Robertson, A., 2019, A Microgravity Pilot Study: Insights into Storage Change, Specific Yield, and Groundwater/Surface Water Interaction in the Mesilla Groundwater Basin, New Mexico. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Dec. 9-13, San Francisco, CA
Kennedy, J., Van Westrum, D. 2019, Comparing approaches to network design and drift correction for relative-gravity surveys, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Dec. 9-13, San Francisco, CA
Kennedy, J., 2019, Using cosmic-ray soil neutron sensing to separate changes in soil moisture from aquifer-storage change in gravity data, International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics General Assembly, July 8-18, Montreal, Canada.
Kennedy, J., 2018, Hydro-gravity signals, from large to small, First workshop on the international geodynamics and Earth tide service, June 18-20, Potsdam, Germany.
Kennedy, J., Macy, J., 2017, Non-invasive water-table imaging with joint DC-resistivity/microgravity/hydrologic model inversion, AGU Fall Meeting, Dec. 11-15, New Orleans, LA, Abstract NS11A-01
Kennedy, J., Bell, M., Norton, S., 2017, Using time-lapse gravity to monitor storage-change during a groundwater injection test in Albuquerque, NM, Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Engineering and Environmental Problems (SAGEEP 2017), Denver, CO, Mar. 20-22.
Pool, D.R., J. Kennedy, P. MacQueen, and T.M. Neibauer, 2016, Hydrologic Interpretations of Long-Term Gravity Records at Tucson, Arizona, AGU Fall Meeting, Dec. 12-16, San Francisco, CA. Abstract H42D-06.
Kennedy, J., Ramirez-Hernandez, J., and E. Rodriguez Burgueño, 2015, Experimental Floods in a Time of Drought: The 2014 Pulse Flow in the Lower Colorado River, Arizona, USA, and Mexico, AGU Fall Meeting, Abstract H21B-1356.
Kennedy, J., and Ferré, T., 2014, Too Fast to Measure: Network Adjustment of Rapidly Changing Gravity Fields: AGU Fall Meeting, Dec. 15-19, San Francisco, CA. Abstract 43C-02
Kennedy, J., Ferré, T.P., Abe, M., and Güntner, A., 2013, Increased accuracy through variable-baseline gradient measurements with multiple superconducting gravimeters: AGU Fall Meeting, Dec. 9–13, San Francisco, CA. Abstract G11A-0906
Kennedy, J., Ferré, T., Creutzfeldt, B., Güntner, A., Neumeyer, J., Brinton, E., and Warburton, R., 2013, Smaller is better: first experiences using the iGrav superconducting gravimeter in a field enclosure. 17th International Symposium on Earth Tides, Apr. 15–19, Warsaw, Poland.
Creutzfeldt, B., J. Kennedy, and P. A. Ferré., 2012, Water-storage change measured with high-precision gravimetry at a groundwater recharge facility in Tucson, USA (Invited): AGU Fall Meeting, Dec. 3–7, San Francisco, CA. Abstract NS44A-02
Kennedy, J., B. Creutzfeldt, and P.A. Ferré., 2012, Monitoring vadose zone infiltration with time-lapse gravity data at a municipal recharge and withdrawal facility (Invited): Geological Society of America annual meeting, Nov. 4–7, Charlotte, NC.
Kennedy, J., Creutzfeldt, B., Ferré, P.A., and Güntner, A., 2012. Gravity-measured water storage change and subsurface hydraulic properties at a managed recharge facility in Tucson, AZ (Invited): EAGE Near Surface Meeting, Sep. 3–5, Paris, France.
Kennedy, J., Murdoch, L., Long, A., and Koth, K., 2011, Measuring groundwater flow at the Sanford Laboratory with coupled surface/subsurface time-lapse gravity measurements (Invited): American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Dec. 5–9, San Francisco, CA. Abstract NH54A-01
Kennedy, J., Pool, D., Ferré, P.A., and Wilson, C., 2011, Using high-resolution gravity and pumping data to infer aquifer parameters: American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Dec. 5–9, San Francisco, CA. Abstract H43E-1273
Kennedy, J., 2009, Expanding the Usefulness of Existing Data-Collection Infrastructure with Wireless Sensor Networks: American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Dec. 14–18, San Francisco, CA. Abstract IN23C-1073
Science and Products
Southwest Gravity Program
Forecasting Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations of Groundwater from the Lower Colorado Water Supply Project
Aquifer storage-change monitoring in Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico
Aquifer storage-change monitoring in the Big Chino Subbasin, Yavapai County, Arizona
North Phoenix aquifer monitoring with repeat microgravity
AzWSC Capabilities: Hydrologic Gravity Monitoring
Gravity data along the Little Colorado River near Leupp, Arizona, 2020-2021
MODFLOW-NWT groundwater model demonstrating groundwater model calibration with repeat microgravity measurements
Repeat microgravity data from the Hualapai Valley, Mohave County, Arizona, 2008-2019
Repeat microgravity data from Mesilla Valley, New Mexico, 2016-2018
Repeat microgravity data from Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, New Mexico, 2016-2021 (ver. 3.0, March 2023)
Gravity data from the Truxton area, northwestern Arizona
Repeat microgravity data from the Big Chino Subbasin, 2001-2017, Yavapai County, Arizona
Geophysical Data Collected during the 2014 Minute 319 Pulse Flow
Gravity Change from 2014 to 2015, Sierra Vista Subwatershed, Upper San Pedro Basin, Arizona
The USGS Southwest Gravity Program carries out gravity projects for aquifer-storage monitoring and geologic modeling in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. This map shows the location of 24 projects carried out since 2010.
As generalized in this image, a gravity measurement is sensitive to a cone-shaped region of the subsurface—as depth increases, the sensitivity to individual water molecules decreases, but the region of sensitivity expands.
As generalized in this image, a gravity measurement is sensitive to a cone-shaped region of the subsurface—as depth increases, the sensitivity to individual water molecules decreases, but the region of sensitivity expands.
Did you know that changes in the amount of water in aquifers cause small changes in Earth’s gravitational field? When the amount of groundwater in an aquifer changes, either by recharge or by discharge to surface water or wells, the gravitational acceleration at the land surface also changes.
Did you know that changes in the amount of water in aquifers cause small changes in Earth’s gravitational field? When the amount of groundwater in an aquifer changes, either by recharge or by discharge to surface water or wells, the gravitational acceleration at the land surface also changes.
Hydrologic framework and characterization of the Little Colorado River alluvial aquifer near Leupp, Arizona
Heavy: Software for forward-modeling gravity change from MODFLOW output
Measuring basin-scale aquifer storage change and mapping specific yield in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, with repeat microgravity data
Aquifer storage change, 2018–2021, in the Big Chino Subbasin, Yavapai County, Arizona
Determining seasonal recharge, storage changes, and specific yield using repeat microgravity and water-level measurements in the Mesilla Basin alluvial aquifer, New Mexico, 2016–2018
Improving groundwater model calibration with repeat microgravity measurements
Assessing potential groundwater-level declines from future withdrawals in the Hualapai Valley, northwestern Arizona
Procedures for field data collection, processing, quality assurance and quality control, and archiving of relative- and absolute-gravity surveys
Groundwater availability in the Truxton basin, northwestern Arizona
Gravity surveys and depth to bedrock in the Truxton basin, northwestern Arizona
Aquifer storage change and storage properties, 2010–2017, in the Big Chino Subbasin, Yavapai County, Arizona
Changes in Earth’s gravity reveal changes in groundwater storage
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.
Heavy
GSadjust
GSadjust: a graphical user interface for processing combined relative- and absolute-gravity surveys
GSadjust is a graphical user interface for processing relative-gravity surveys. It provides an interface for data selection, drift evaluation and correction, network adjustment, for data from modern relative (Scintrex, ZLS) and absolute (Micro-g LaCoste) gravity meters.
Science and Products
Southwest Gravity Program
Forecasting Total Dissolved Solids Concentrations of Groundwater from the Lower Colorado Water Supply Project
Aquifer storage-change monitoring in Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico
Aquifer storage-change monitoring in the Big Chino Subbasin, Yavapai County, Arizona
North Phoenix aquifer monitoring with repeat microgravity
AzWSC Capabilities: Hydrologic Gravity Monitoring
Gravity data along the Little Colorado River near Leupp, Arizona, 2020-2021
MODFLOW-NWT groundwater model demonstrating groundwater model calibration with repeat microgravity measurements
Repeat microgravity data from the Hualapai Valley, Mohave County, Arizona, 2008-2019
Repeat microgravity data from Mesilla Valley, New Mexico, 2016-2018
Repeat microgravity data from Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, New Mexico, 2016-2021 (ver. 3.0, March 2023)
Gravity data from the Truxton area, northwestern Arizona
Repeat microgravity data from the Big Chino Subbasin, 2001-2017, Yavapai County, Arizona
Geophysical Data Collected during the 2014 Minute 319 Pulse Flow
Gravity Change from 2014 to 2015, Sierra Vista Subwatershed, Upper San Pedro Basin, Arizona
The USGS Southwest Gravity Program carries out gravity projects for aquifer-storage monitoring and geologic modeling in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. This map shows the location of 24 projects carried out since 2010.
The USGS Southwest Gravity Program carries out gravity projects for aquifer-storage monitoring and geologic modeling in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. This map shows the location of 24 projects carried out since 2010.
As generalized in this image, a gravity measurement is sensitive to a cone-shaped region of the subsurface—as depth increases, the sensitivity to individual water molecules decreases, but the region of sensitivity expands.
As generalized in this image, a gravity measurement is sensitive to a cone-shaped region of the subsurface—as depth increases, the sensitivity to individual water molecules decreases, but the region of sensitivity expands.
Did you know that changes in the amount of water in aquifers cause small changes in Earth’s gravitational field? When the amount of groundwater in an aquifer changes, either by recharge or by discharge to surface water or wells, the gravitational acceleration at the land surface also changes.
Did you know that changes in the amount of water in aquifers cause small changes in Earth’s gravitational field? When the amount of groundwater in an aquifer changes, either by recharge or by discharge to surface water or wells, the gravitational acceleration at the land surface also changes.
Hydrologic framework and characterization of the Little Colorado River alluvial aquifer near Leupp, Arizona
Heavy: Software for forward-modeling gravity change from MODFLOW output
Measuring basin-scale aquifer storage change and mapping specific yield in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, with repeat microgravity data
Aquifer storage change, 2018–2021, in the Big Chino Subbasin, Yavapai County, Arizona
Determining seasonal recharge, storage changes, and specific yield using repeat microgravity and water-level measurements in the Mesilla Basin alluvial aquifer, New Mexico, 2016–2018
Improving groundwater model calibration with repeat microgravity measurements
Assessing potential groundwater-level declines from future withdrawals in the Hualapai Valley, northwestern Arizona
Procedures for field data collection, processing, quality assurance and quality control, and archiving of relative- and absolute-gravity surveys
Groundwater availability in the Truxton basin, northwestern Arizona
Gravity surveys and depth to bedrock in the Truxton basin, northwestern Arizona
Aquifer storage change and storage properties, 2010–2017, in the Big Chino Subbasin, Yavapai County, Arizona
Changes in Earth’s gravity reveal changes in groundwater storage
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.
Heavy
GSadjust
GSadjust: a graphical user interface for processing combined relative- and absolute-gravity surveys
GSadjust is a graphical user interface for processing relative-gravity surveys. It provides an interface for data selection, drift evaluation and correction, network adjustment, for data from modern relative (Scintrex, ZLS) and absolute (Micro-g LaCoste) gravity meters.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government