Sherry Wilhelm Email and Phone Number

I focus on groundwater-surface water interactions and cycling of water through watersheds in Washington State. My major projects include:◉ Investigations of Low and Absent Streamflow in Muck Creek (South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group and Nisqually River Foundation, 2019-2024). Multi-component project including:● Hydrogeologic influences on streamflow:▸ Synthesized existing data into improved understanding of basin hydrogeology and hydrology.▸ Compiled basin… Show more I focus on groundwater-surface water interactions and cycling of water through watersheds in Washington State. My major projects include:◉ Investigations of Low and Absent Streamflow in Muck Creek (South Puget Sound Salmon Enhancement Group and Nisqually River Foundation, 2019-2024). Multi-component project including:● Hydrogeologic influences on streamflow:▸ Synthesized existing data into improved understanding of basin hydrogeology and hydrology.▸ Compiled basin timeline, annotated bibliography, and geospatial data catalog.● Field observations of groundwater and streamflow:▸Installed time-lapse cameras at key locations to capture streamflow patterns over 12+ months.▸ Combined data from cameras and streamflow gages to identify losing and gaining stream reaches and their hydrogeologic origins.● Estimation of water balance components:▸ Characterized present day and historic land cover.▸ Combined evapotranspiration (ET) rates with land cover data to estimate ET flux.▸ Compiled water balance components for basin and subbasins.◉ Seasonal Groundwater Dynamics and Impacts on Streamflow in Skookum Creek (Squaxin Island Tribe, in prep)▸ Analyzed nine-month record of transducer data from twelve monitoring wells. ▸ Estimated horizontal and vertical fluxes of groundwater.▸ Examined impact of pumping on salmon-bearing streams.◉ Water Rights Assessment for Skookum Basin (Squaxin Island Tribe, 2023)▸ Evaluated status and tentative validity of largest water rights in basin.▸ Identified reduced acreage under irrigation for largest active water right in basin.◉ Potential for Surface Aquifer Recharge into Rattlesnake Ridge, Yakima R. Basin (Groundwater Storage Subcommittee of YBIP, in prep)▸ Compiled well logs and existing data to assess thickness of uppermost geologic layers and favorability of hydrogeologic setting. Show less

• Edited and reviewed research papers and grant proposals.• Documented sampling protocols and designed sample tracking system.• Managed publications database.• Assisted with preparations for international, multi-scientist sampling trips. See “Education/University of Washington” for research conducted concurrently with this work.

• Evaluated possible presence of dense, organic groundwater contaminants at severely contaminated industrial sites. • Examined historical site records for overlooked signs of contamination.• Based in U.S. EPA offices in Boston.

• Investigated industrial sites for contamination by hazardous chemicals.• Designed and implemented sampling plans.• Prepared site assessments for submission to regulators.