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
Flowpath delineation and ground water age, Allequash Basin, Wisconsin
Variability of isotope and major ion chemistry in the Allequash Basin, Wisconsin
Stepwise use of GFLOW and MODFLOW to determine relative importance of shallow and deep receptors
Simulating ground water-lake interactions: Approaches and insights
Simulation of Fish, Mud, and Crystal Lakes and the shallow ground-water system, Dane County, Wisconsin
Hydrologic investigation of Powell Marsh and its relation to Dead Pike Lake, Vilas County, Wisconsin
Using groundwater temperature data to constrain parameter estimation in a groundwater flow model of a wetland system
Using high hydraulic conductivity nodes to simulate seepage lakes
Improving a regional model using reduced complexity and parameter estimation
Use of a watershed-modeling approach to assess hydrologic effects of urbanization, North Fork Pheasant Branch basin near Middleton, Wisconsin
Delineating a recharge area for a spring using numerical modeling, Monte Carlo techniques, and geochemical investigation
Evaluating the effects of urbanization and land-use planning using ground-water and surface-water models
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
Flowpath delineation and ground water age, Allequash Basin, Wisconsin
Variability of isotope and major ion chemistry in the Allequash Basin, Wisconsin
Stepwise use of GFLOW and MODFLOW to determine relative importance of shallow and deep receptors
Simulating ground water-lake interactions: Approaches and insights
Simulation of Fish, Mud, and Crystal Lakes and the shallow ground-water system, Dane County, Wisconsin
Hydrologic investigation of Powell Marsh and its relation to Dead Pike Lake, Vilas County, Wisconsin
Using groundwater temperature data to constrain parameter estimation in a groundwater flow model of a wetland system
Using high hydraulic conductivity nodes to simulate seepage lakes
Improving a regional model using reduced complexity and parameter estimation
Use of a watershed-modeling approach to assess hydrologic effects of urbanization, North Fork Pheasant Branch basin near Middleton, Wisconsin
Delineating a recharge area for a spring using numerical modeling, Monte Carlo techniques, and geochemical investigation
Evaluating the effects of urbanization and land-use planning using ground-water and surface-water models
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