Andrew Robertson, Supervisory Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey

By Jeanette Torres, NM WRRI Program Specialist

Andrew Robertson is a Supervisory Hydrologist for the Hydrologic Assessment and Modeling Unit for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) New Mexico Water Science Center (NM WSC) in Albuquerque. As Unit Chief, he is responsible for supervising the professional development of graduate students and senior scientists and assisting them in their respective research focus areas. Robertson notes that the NM WSC is fortunate to have several graduate and undergraduate students working on various projects within the Center. These opportunities greatly benefit the students by providing them with experience in studying many scientific aspects of our state’s water resources.

The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute (NM WRRI) and the NM WSC have collaborated on numerous occasions throughout the years. “Personally, I have worked with staff and professors through NM WRRI on transboundary aquifer research, NM WRRI students on the Mesilla Basin water resources monitoring program, and the development of a dissolved gas sampling device,” Robertson mentions. He looks forward to continuing his connections with NM WRRI and the possibility of collaborating on managed aquifer recharge in the near future.

Robertson’s research incorporates various projects benefiting the assessment and characterization of water resources in New Mexico. Generally, his research focuses on groundwater geochemistry and aqueous isotopic compositions, and through recent advancements from his USGS colleagues, Robertson’s research has become even more beneficial. “We have used aqueous chemical and isotopic data to determine the source and fate of constituents of concern, used repeat microgravity measurements to determine changes in groundwater storage, modeled spatial changes in snow distribution from a wildfire, and are using unmanned aircraft systems to build digital elevation models and document channel geomorphic changes,” Robertson explains. Within his field of research, Robertson states that to combat the impacts of climate variability, scientists must anticipate unexpected conditions and even model scenarios they have never observed to plan for a non-stationary future. As a strong supporter of “Aqua es Vida,” Robertson believes that by taking this forward-thinking approach, it will give resource managers and stakeholders the chance to better prepare and assess the possibility of various water futures.

Robertson earned his BS in Chemistry from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and his MS in Water Resources from The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Robertson attributes his career in water research to serendipity and finds fulfillment in conducting studies to address challenging water availability questions. Being able to help students reach their full potential through research and support is also an aspect he appreciates. Regarding future research, Robertson would like to expand upon studies looking into how the distribution of precipitation in forested areas is affected by natural disturbances such as wildfires and beetle infestations.