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
Principal locations of major-ion, trace-element, nitrate, and Escherichia coli loading to Emigration Creek, Salt Lake County, Utah, October 2005
Selenium and other elements in water and adjacent rock and sediment of Toll Gate Creek, Aurora, Arapahoe County, Colorado, December 2003 through March 2004
A simulation-based approach for estimating premining water quality: Red Mountain Creek, Colorado
Quantification of changes in metal loading from storm runoff, Merse River (Tuscany, Italy)
Integrated investigations of environmental effects of historical mining in the Animas River Watershed, San Juan County, Colorado
Principal locations of metal loading from flood-plain tailings, Lower Silver Creek, Utah, April 2004
Quantification of mass loading to Strawberry Creek near the Gilt Edge mine, Lawrence County, South Dakota, June 2003
Mass loading of selected major and trace elements in Lake Fork Creek near Leadville, Colorado, September-October 2001
Geochemistry of Red Mountain Creek, Colorado, under low-flow conditions, August 2002
Evaluation of metal loading to streams near Creede, Colorado, August and September 2000
Use of an intact core and stable-metal isotopes to examine leaching characteristics of a fluvial tailings deposit
Use of field-scale experiments and reactive transport modeling to evaluate remediation alternatives in streams affected by acid mine drainage
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
Principal locations of major-ion, trace-element, nitrate, and Escherichia coli loading to Emigration Creek, Salt Lake County, Utah, October 2005
Selenium and other elements in water and adjacent rock and sediment of Toll Gate Creek, Aurora, Arapahoe County, Colorado, December 2003 through March 2004
A simulation-based approach for estimating premining water quality: Red Mountain Creek, Colorado
Quantification of changes in metal loading from storm runoff, Merse River (Tuscany, Italy)
Integrated investigations of environmental effects of historical mining in the Animas River Watershed, San Juan County, Colorado
Principal locations of metal loading from flood-plain tailings, Lower Silver Creek, Utah, April 2004
Quantification of mass loading to Strawberry Creek near the Gilt Edge mine, Lawrence County, South Dakota, June 2003
Mass loading of selected major and trace elements in Lake Fork Creek near Leadville, Colorado, September-October 2001
Geochemistry of Red Mountain Creek, Colorado, under low-flow conditions, August 2002
Evaluation of metal loading to streams near Creede, Colorado, August and September 2000
Use of an intact core and stable-metal isotopes to examine leaching characteristics of a fluvial tailings deposit
Use of field-scale experiments and reactive transport modeling to evaluate remediation alternatives in streams affected by acid mine drainage
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.