Randall J Hunt, Ph.D.
Randall Hunt is a Chief Science Officer with the Upper Midwest Water Science Center.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
My work focuses on water flow, and its effect on natural systems. This research uses a variety of approaches such as numerical modeling, ion and isotope chemistry, tracers, parameter estimation, and stochastic methods. It emphasizes a range of groundwater – surface water systems including wetland, stream, and lake interactions. More recently this work has been extended to research investigating ecohydrology of aquatic systems, effects of climate and landuse drivers, and source and transport of enteric viruses to drinking water wells and temperature through watersheds. Much of my work has focused on improving model forecasts and uncertainty estimates for decision making.
Professional Experience
2018 to 2021 - Chief Science Officer, US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
2015 to 2018 - Associate Director of Science, US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
1996 to present - Research Hydrologist, US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
2003 to present - Adjunct Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Geoscience
2000 to 2003 - Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Geoscience
1990 to 1996 - Hydrologist, US Geological Survey, Wisconsin District
1991 to 1993 - Research Fellow, US DOE, Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Program
1988 to 1990 - Hydrogeologist/Project Manager, Barr Engineering Company, Minneapolis, MN
1986 to 1987 - Leopold Research Fellow, Leopold Memorial Reserve, Baraboo, WI
Education and Certifications
Ph.D in Hydrogeology (major) and Wetland Sciences (minor) - University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1993
M.S. in Hydrogeology - University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1987
B.A. in Geology (major) and Business (major) - Gustavus Adolphus College, 1985
Affiliations and Memberships*
Professional Societies
Professional Hydrologist #60-111, State of Wisconsin
Geological Society of America
American Water Resources Association, Wisconsin Section
Society of Wetland Scientists
American Geophysical Union
National Groundwater Association
Academic and Professional Service
2014 to 2019 - Advisor to the Editor-In-Chief for the journal Groundwater
2009 to 2013 - Associate Editor for Hydrogeology Journal
2008 to 2009 - Guest Editor for "Hydrogeoecology and Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems" theme issue of Hydrogeology Journal
2005 to present - Appointed by Governor to the State of Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing Geology, Hydrology, Soil Science Joint Board (Chair 2008 - 2014)
2005 to 2006 - Guest Editor for "Analytic Element Modeling" special issue of the journal Groundwater
2002 to 2004 - Associate Editor for the journal Wetlands
1998 to 2010 - Member, University of Wisconsin System Groundwater Research Advisory Council (Chair 2003-2010)
1995 to present - Member, State of Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinating Council Research Subcommittee
1997 to present - Associate Editor for the journal Groundwater
Editorial Boards
Groundwater
Environmental Modelling & Software
Honors and Awards
2013 – Distinguished Service Award, Wisconsin Section-AWRA
2012 – Superior Service Award, US Department of the Interior
Science and Products
Selected achievements, science directions, and new opportunities for the WEBB small watershed research program
Using a coupled groundwater/surfacewater model to predict climate-change impacts to lakes in the Trout Lake watershed, Northern Wisconsin
Two statistics for evaluating parameter identifiability and error reduction
Simulation of contributing areas and surface-water leakage to potential replacement wells near the community of New Post, Sawyer County, Wisconsin, by means of a two-dimensional ground-water flow model
Importance of unsaturated zone flow for simulating recharge in a humid climate
Effects of climate and land management change on streamflow in the driftless area of Wisconsin
Comparison of total mercury and methylmercury cycling at five sites using the small watershed approach
Simulation of the shallow ground-water-flow system near Grindstone Creek and the community of New Post, Sawyer County, Wisconsin
Dynamics of CFCs in northern temperate lakes and adjacent groundwater
Identifying spatial variability of groundwater discharge in a wetland stream using a distributed temperature sensor
The importance of subsurface geology for water source and vegetation communities in Cherokee Marsh, Wisconsin
Evaluating the effects of nearshore development on Wisconsin Lakes
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
Selected achievements, science directions, and new opportunities for the WEBB small watershed research program
Using a coupled groundwater/surfacewater model to predict climate-change impacts to lakes in the Trout Lake watershed, Northern Wisconsin
Two statistics for evaluating parameter identifiability and error reduction
Simulation of contributing areas and surface-water leakage to potential replacement wells near the community of New Post, Sawyer County, Wisconsin, by means of a two-dimensional ground-water flow model
Importance of unsaturated zone flow for simulating recharge in a humid climate
Effects of climate and land management change on streamflow in the driftless area of Wisconsin
Comparison of total mercury and methylmercury cycling at five sites using the small watershed approach
Simulation of the shallow ground-water-flow system near Grindstone Creek and the community of New Post, Sawyer County, Wisconsin
Dynamics of CFCs in northern temperate lakes and adjacent groundwater
Identifying spatial variability of groundwater discharge in a wetland stream using a distributed temperature sensor
The importance of subsurface geology for water source and vegetation communities in Cherokee Marsh, Wisconsin
Evaluating the effects of nearshore development on Wisconsin Lakes
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.
*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