Scott J. Ikard Ph.D., P.E.

(512) 927-3513 (work) (720) 648-3077 (cell) sikard@usgs.gov

Education

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 3.44 GPA 12/2013

Doctor of Philosophy, Engineering Geophysics. Hydrogeophysics emphasis.

Science, Technology and Engineering Policy Minor

Thesis: Geo-electric monitoring of seepage in porous media with engineering applications to earthen dams

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 3.48 GPA 12/2007

Master of Engineering, Geological Engineering. Hydrology emphasis

Thesis: Thermal characterization of permafrost active layer across a soil moisture gradient

James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 2.91 GPA 08/2005

Bachelor of Science, Geology. Geotechnical Engineering emphasis.

Mathematics Minor

Thesis: 3D mapping of grain size distribution to analyze landscape alterations at Montpelier mansion, VA.

Employment and Research Experience

United States Geological Survey. GS1315-09 Hydrologist/Geophysicist. Austin, Texas 06/2014 – Present

Collected, processed, and interpreted surface and borehole frequency and time-domain geophysical data

to delineate and correlate aquifer systems and describe hydraulic characteristics in confined and

unconfined aquifers and the vadose zone.

Collected water quality samples from wells and performed field measurement of water levels in

municipal and private wells using depth sounders and graduated steel tapes.

Developed algorithms for automated hydro-stratigraphic interpretation and correlations from

geophysical well logs and drillers logs, and for 2D and 3D forward inverse modeling of self-potential

and DC resistivity data using finite elements and finite differences.

Calibrated surface and borehole geophysical and hydrologic instruments, and performed troubleshooting

of logging instruments and data acquisition systems in the field.

Performed field acquisition, pre-processing, inversion, and post-processing of vertical electrical

soundings and transient electromagnetic soundings, as well as surface self-potential grids, to map

alluvial and deep confined aquifers and produce conceptual hydro-stratigraphic models for groundwater

flow modeling.

Acquired self-potential and frequency-domain electromagnetic data for a hydrogeophysical investigation

of a large earthen dam, and performed data processing and 2D forward modeling of ground water flow

and electro-kinetic coupling. Interpreted field data to discover new seepage zones, and published

findings in peer-reviewed journals and USGS reports.

Scott J. Ikard Ph.D., P.E.

(512) 927-3513 (work) (720) 648-3077 (cell) sikard@usgs.gov

2

National Science Foundation. Research Fellow. Golden, Colorado 05/2009 - 08/2013

Performed time-lapse geophysical monitoring during laboratory experiments and field research projects

at three earthen dams, using time-lapse self-potential, time-lapse electrical resistivity tomography, time-

lapse temperature, and seismic refraction tomography surveys.

Developed a novel monitoring methodology to detect the initiation of anomalous seepage in earthen

dams, and to hydraulically characterize preferential ground water flow in real-time using tracers.

Performed signal processing and 2D and 3D forward and inverse numerical modeling of saturated and

unsaturated ground water flow, and geophysical data from field and laboratory experiments, using

MODFLOW, UCODE, COMSOL, MATLAB and related GUI's.

Performed tracer injections in piezometers and observation wells using conservative and non-

conservative tracers, and subsequent downstream surface and borehole monitoring surveys, to quantify

unconfined aquifer hydraulics and determine preferential flow paths through an earthen dam.

Performed slug tests in piezometers and observation wells to quantify aquifer hydraulic characteristics in

the vicinity of the well-casing.

Developed research proposals, project time-lines and budgets, and presented to prospective technical

and financial collaborators.

Colorado School of Mines. Teaching/Research Assistant. Golden, Colorado 01/2011 - 12/2011

Assisted in teaching a junior level physics course in the Department of Geophysics, titled Static Fields.

Provided regular planned lectures, and guest lectures, and developed and graded homework

assignments, laboratory exercises, and exams.

Assisted students with assignments during regular office hours, and planned and lead field

demonstrations of geophysical methods.

Received a positive assessment from students during course evaluations.

Golder Associates Inc. Staff Engineer. Lakewood, Colorado 02/2008-11/2011

Developed water usage strategies and abstraction plans for Copper and Molybdenum mining operations.

Presented project results to secure $500,000 in new contractual work agreements.

Designed and implemented a hydrologic monitoring and telemetry network to measure hydrologic

variables in real-time, parameterize and improve water balances, and analyze surface evaporation

dynamics from tailings dams, tailings ponds, and free surfaces of water storage reservoirs.

Scott J. Ikard Ph.D., P.E.

(512) 927-3513 (work) (720) 648-3077 (cell) sikard@usgs.gov

3

Developed a 2D finite-difference ground water model for a large unconfined alluvial aquifer to evaluate

long-term well field sustainability given episodic monsoonal flooding events and subsequent aquifer

recharge.

Modeled fissure erosion in earthen dams, and head-cutting and abrasion-erosion in concrete spillways

and hydraulic jump stilling basins to assess failure potential and develop remedial strategies for clients.

Developed GIS databases to plan and support field studies, enhance data processing methods, and

improve the geospatial accuracy and certainty of analytical and numerical ground water models.

TZA Water Engineers, Inc. Intern. Lakewood, Colorado 05/2006 - 02/2008

Performed constant-rate and variable-rate pump tests at municipal and domestic wells, and processed

distance and time draw-down and recovery data to characterize aquifer hydraulic properties.

Developed GIS databases and interpreted Colorado aerial photography to analyze stream depletions due

to well pumping; map conveyance infrastructure and ditch irrigation systems; and to research historical

diversion, irrigation, and agricultural land use practices in Colorado.

Assisted senior engineers in developing water court applications and related documents for water rights

exchanges, consumptive use analyses, augmentation plans, substitute water supply plans, and injury

calls placed on Colorado's water resources.

Technical Software Experience* * Level of proficiency indicated. 1 – fair, 2 - moderate, 3 – extensive

Matlab3

COMSOL3 ArcGIS

2-3 Surfer

2-3

Fortran901-2

MODFLOW2 Groundwater Vistas

2-3 MathCAD

1-2

Oasis Montaj3

WellCAD2 Terrain Navigator Pro

3 RES2D/3DInv

3

IX1D3 Python

2

Licenses and Honors

Professional Engineer Licensure. Water Resources discipline. 04/2014

State of Colorado. PE.0048852

Best in Geophysics Presentation award. Conference on Earth, Energy and Environment. 04/2011

Colorado School of Mines, Graduate Student Association

Dr. William Frangos Award for Excellence in Quantitative Geosciences. 04/2005

James Madison University, Department of Geology

Selected Technical Publications

Ikard, S., A. Revil, J. Rittgers, and K. Schaeffer. 2015c. Self-potential monitoring of seepage through a

heterogeneous earthen dam via saline tracer injection. Groundwater. In preparation for submission.

Scott J. Ikard Ph.D., P.E.

(512) 927-3513 (work) (720) 648-3077 (cell) sikard@usgs.gov

4

Ikard, S. 2015b. On the computation of sensitivity matrices for inversion of 2D and 3D electro-kinetic models:

A COMSOL tutorial. In preparation for submission to COMSOL 2015 Conference on Multiphysics Modeling.

Ikard, S.J., J. Rittgers, A. Revil, and M. Mooney. 2015a. Geophysical investigation of seepage beneath an

earthen dam. Groundwater 53 no. 2: 238-250. doi: 10.1111/gwat.12185.

Ikard, S., A. Revil, M. Schmutz, A. Jardani, M. Karaoulis, and M. Mooney. 2014b. Characterization of focused

seepage through an earthfill dam using geoelectrical methods. Groundwater 52, no. 6: 952-964. doi:

10.1111/gwat.12151.

Ikard, S., and A. Revil. 2014a. Self-potential monitoring of a thermal pulse advecting through a preferential

flow path. Journal of Hydrology 519(2014): 34-49. doi: 10.1016/j.hydrol.2014.07.001

Rittgers, J., B. Hoenes, K Stone, and S. Ikard. Self-potential data acquisition using wireless sensor networks.

Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Environmental and Engineering Problems, 2012, Denver,

Colorado.

Ikard, S., A. Revil, A. Jardani, W. Woodruff, M. Parekh, and M. Mooney. 2012b. A saline pulse test

monitored by the self-potential method to non-intrusively determine the velocity of the pore water in leaking

areas of earth dams and embankments. Water Resources Research 48: 1-17.

Ikard, S., J. Delborne and K. Brunsdale. 2012a. Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't: Tensions between

ensuring dam safety and maximizing Colorado's water supply. Association of State Dam Safety Officials' 2012

Conference on Dam Safety, Denver, CO, September 2012.

Minsley, B.J., B.L. Burton, S. Ikard, and M.H. Powers. 2011. Hydrogeophysical investigations at Hidden Dam,

Raymond, California, Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics 16, no. 4: 145 -164.

Ikard, S., M. Gooseff, J. Barrett, and C. Takacs-Vesbach. 2009. Thermal characterization of active layer across

a soil moisture gradient in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes 20, no.

1: 27-39.

Gooseff, M. N., J.E. Barrett, S. Ikard, M.L. Northcott, C. Vesbach, and L. Zeglin., 2008. Thermal Dynamics of

Active Layer along a Hydrologic Gradient Bordering Lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Eds.

D.L. Kane and K.M. Hinkel, Ninth International Conference on Permafrost, Institute of Northern

Engineering,pp. 529-534.