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Michael Colombo

Michael Colombo is a Hydrologist in the New England Water Science Center with collateral duties as the Applied Hydrology and Interpretive Programs Local Data Manager and center Records Manager. 

Michael began his career as a student-trainee hydrologist in 1995 while finishing his M.S. from the University of Connecticut in Natural Resources Management and Engineering. He has worked on several water-quality projects in cooperation with local, State, and Federal partners. Topics include: statistical analysis of trends in surface-water quality in Connecticut streams, continuous water-quality monitoring and use of surrogates as predictors, assessment of nutrient loads and yields, and algal processes in freshwater systems. Additional responsibilities include: support functions for both the Applied Hydrology and Interpretive Programs managing the hydrologic data collection, storage, and dissemination as a Local Data Manager (LDM), serving as the New England WSC Records Manager, and providing field support as a boat operator.

Professional Experience

  • Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, New England Water Science Center, 1995 to Present

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. Natural Resources Management and Engineering, University of Connecticut, 1995

Science and Products

Nutrient Loading and Algal Response in West Thompson Lake, Thompson, Connecticut, 2003-2005

Water quality and nutrient loads were characterized for parts of the Quinebaug River and West Thompson Lake in northeastern Connecticut during 2003 to 2005. The West Thompson Lake watershed is a mainly forested watershed that receives treated municipal wastewater from several point sources in Massachusetts. The lake is a flood-control reservoir formed in 1966 by impoundment of the Quinebaug River.
Authors
Jonathan Morrison, Michael J. Colombo
By
New England Water Science Center

Surface-Water Quality and Nutrient Loads in the Nepaug Reservoir Watershed, Northwestern Connecticut, 1999-2001

Water quality was characterized at three tributary watersheds to the Nepaug Reservoir-Nepaug River, Phelps Brook, and Clear Brook-from October 1998 through September 2001 to document existing water-quality conditions and evaluate potential future effects of the removal of sand and gravel from areas of the watershed. Some removal operations may include removal of vegetation and top soil and steepen
Authors
Jonathan Morrison, Michael J. Colombo
By
New England Water Science Center

Nutrient enrichment, phytoplankton algal growth, and estimated rates of instream metabolic processes in the Quinebaug River Basin, Connecticut, 2000-2001

A consistent and pervasive pattern of nutrient enrichment was substantiated by water-quality sampling in the Quinebaug River and its tributaries in eastern Connecticut during water years 2000 and 2001. Median total nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?s recently recommended regional ambient water-qual-ity criteria for streams (0.71 and 0.0
Authors
Michael J. Colombo, Stephen J. Grady, Elaine C. Todd Trench
By
USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

Trends in surface-water quality in Connecticut, 1989-98

No abstract available.
Authors
M.J. Colombo, E. C. Trench
By
New England Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed
link
Connecticut River in Northfield MA outreach event

Nutrient Loads from the Upper Connecticut River Watershed

River-borne nutrients, especially nitrogen, contribute to water-quality degradation in Long Island Sound. The Connecticut River is the largest tributary to the Sound, and quantification of nutrient loads from the three upper States in the watershed, as well as the State of Connecticut, is essential for prioritizing efforts to improve the Sound’s water quality.
By
New England Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed
link

Nutrient Loads from the Upper Connecticut River Watershed

River-borne nutrients, especially nitrogen, contribute to water-quality degradation in Long Island Sound. The Connecticut River is the largest tributary to the Sound, and quantification of nutrient loads from the three upper States in the watershed, as well as the State of Connecticut, is essential for prioritizing efforts to improve the Sound’s water quality.
Learn More

Science and Products

Nutrient Loading and Algal Response in West Thompson Lake, Thompson, Connecticut, 2003-2005

Water quality and nutrient loads were characterized for parts of the Quinebaug River and West Thompson Lake in northeastern Connecticut during 2003 to 2005. The West Thompson Lake watershed is a mainly forested watershed that receives treated municipal wastewater from several point sources in Massachusetts. The lake is a flood-control reservoir formed in 1966 by impoundment of the Quinebaug River.
Authors
Jonathan Morrison, Michael J. Colombo
By
New England Water Science Center

Surface-Water Quality and Nutrient Loads in the Nepaug Reservoir Watershed, Northwestern Connecticut, 1999-2001

Water quality was characterized at three tributary watersheds to the Nepaug Reservoir-Nepaug River, Phelps Brook, and Clear Brook-from October 1998 through September 2001 to document existing water-quality conditions and evaluate potential future effects of the removal of sand and gravel from areas of the watershed. Some removal operations may include removal of vegetation and top soil and steepen
Authors
Jonathan Morrison, Michael J. Colombo
By
New England Water Science Center

Nutrient enrichment, phytoplankton algal growth, and estimated rates of instream metabolic processes in the Quinebaug River Basin, Connecticut, 2000-2001

A consistent and pervasive pattern of nutrient enrichment was substantiated by water-quality sampling in the Quinebaug River and its tributaries in eastern Connecticut during water years 2000 and 2001. Median total nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?s recently recommended regional ambient water-qual-ity criteria for streams (0.71 and 0.0
Authors
Michael J. Colombo, Stephen J. Grady, Elaine C. Todd Trench
By
USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed

Trends in surface-water quality in Connecticut, 1989-98

No abstract available.
Authors
M.J. Colombo, E. C. Trench
By
New England Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed
link
Connecticut River in Northfield MA outreach event

Nutrient Loads from the Upper Connecticut River Watershed

River-borne nutrients, especially nitrogen, contribute to water-quality degradation in Long Island Sound. The Connecticut River is the largest tributary to the Sound, and quantification of nutrient loads from the three upper States in the watershed, as well as the State of Connecticut, is essential for prioritizing efforts to improve the Sound’s water quality.
By
New England Water Science Center, USGS Science in Long Island Sound and its Watershed
link

Nutrient Loads from the Upper Connecticut River Watershed

River-borne nutrients, especially nitrogen, contribute to water-quality degradation in Long Island Sound. The Connecticut River is the largest tributary to the Sound, and quantification of nutrient loads from the three upper States in the watershed, as well as the State of Connecticut, is essential for prioritizing efforts to improve the Sound’s water quality.
Learn More
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