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
Development and application of a screening model for simulating regional ground-water flow in the St. Croix River basin, Minnesota and Wisconsin
Measuring groundwater-surface water interaction and its effect on wetland stream benthic productivity, Trout Lake watershed, northern Wisconsin, USA
Scale effects of hydrostratigraphy and recharge zonation on base flow
The importance of diverse data types to calibrate a watershed model of the Trout Lake Basin, Northern Wisconsin, USA
Estimating recharge rates with analytic element models and parameter estimation
Speciation and transport of newly deposited mercury in a boreal forest wetland: A stable mercury isotope approach
Investigating surface water-well interaction using stable isotope ratios of water
Simulation of ground-water flow, surface-water flow, and a deep sewer tunnel system in the Menomonee Valley, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Improving wetland simulations by including heat transport in groundwater flow modeling
Vulnerability of drinking-water wells in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to enteric-virus contamination from surface water contributions
Numerical simulation of ground-water flow in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, and into nearby pools of the Mississippi River
Hydrology, nutrient concentrations, and nutrient yields in nearshore areas of four lakes in northern Wisconsin, 1999-2001
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
Development and application of a screening model for simulating regional ground-water flow in the St. Croix River basin, Minnesota and Wisconsin
Measuring groundwater-surface water interaction and its effect on wetland stream benthic productivity, Trout Lake watershed, northern Wisconsin, USA
Scale effects of hydrostratigraphy and recharge zonation on base flow
The importance of diverse data types to calibrate a watershed model of the Trout Lake Basin, Northern Wisconsin, USA
Estimating recharge rates with analytic element models and parameter estimation
Speciation and transport of newly deposited mercury in a boreal forest wetland: A stable mercury isotope approach
Investigating surface water-well interaction using stable isotope ratios of water
Simulation of ground-water flow, surface-water flow, and a deep sewer tunnel system in the Menomonee Valley, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Improving wetland simulations by including heat transport in groundwater flow modeling
Vulnerability of drinking-water wells in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to enteric-virus contamination from surface water contributions
Numerical simulation of ground-water flow in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, and into nearby pools of the Mississippi River
Hydrology, nutrient concentrations, and nutrient yields in nearshore areas of four lakes in northern Wisconsin, 1999-2001
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