Sue Swanson

As Director and State Geologist, I lead the talented staff at the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey and connect with communities and stakeholders across the state to advance the understanding and use of geological information. Prior to becoming State Geologist, my research as a hydrogeologist included studying how groundwater moves through fractures in sedimentary bedrock aquifers, interactions between groundwater and surface water, and the hydrogeology of springs.

More about my work

• Mapping the Springs of Wisconsin

Professional affiliations

• American Water Resources Association, Wisconsin Section, member
• Association for Women Geoscientists, member
• International Association of Hydrogeologists, member
• Geological Society of America, fellow

Publications

Papers in refereed journals

• Swanson, S., 2023, Book review: Threats to Springs in a Changing World: Science and Policies for Protection, Groundwater, 2p., https://doi.org/10.1111/gwat.13334.
• Stevens, L.E., Aly, A.A., Arpin, S.M, Apostolova, I., Ashley, G.M., Quadri Barba, P., Barquín, J., Bauman, D., Beauger, A., Benaabidate, L., Ullah Bhat, S., Bouchaou, L., Cantonati, M., Carroll, T.M., Death, R., Dwire, K.A., Felippe, M.F., Fensham, R.J., Fryar, A.E., Pascual i Garsaball, R., Gjoni, V., Glanville, K., Glazier, D.S., Goldscheider, N., Gurrieri, J.T., Guðmundsdóttir, R., Rodriguez Guzman, A., Hájek, M., Hassel, K., Heartsill-Scalley, T., Solé i Herce, J., Hinterlang, D., Holway, J.H., Ilmonen, J., Jenness, J., Kapfer, J., Karaouzas, I., Knight, R.L., Kreiling, A., Herrera Lameli, C., Ledbetter, J.D., Levine, N., Lyons, M.D., Mace, R.E., Marshall, J., Mentzafou, A., Marle, P., Naito, R. S., Negus, P., Moosdorf, N., Norton, M.K., Pentecost, A., García Pérez, G., Perla, B., Ronan, M., Saber, A.A., Sada, D., Sakai, M., Segadelli, S., Skaalsveen, K., Springer, A.E., Swanson, S.K., Schwartz, B.F., Sprouse, P., Tekere, M., Tobin, B.W., Tshibalo, E.A., Voldoire, O., 2023, Springs of the World: Distribution, Ecology, and Conservation Status, Springs Stewardship Institute Monograph 1, 199 pp.
• Swanson, S.K., Graham, G., 2022, Spring flux as an indicator of source geomorphology, substrata, and temperature conditions in springs, Hydrogeology Journal 30(1), 221-229, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-021-02412-1.
• Stevens, L.E., Aly, A.A., Arpin, S.M, Apostolova, I., Ashley, G.M., Quadri Barba, P., Barquín, J., Beauger, A., Benaabidate, L., Ullah Bhat, S., Bouchaou, L., Cantonati, M., Carroll, T.M., Death, R., Dwire, K.A., Felippe, M.F., Fensham, R.J., Fryar, A.E., Pascual i Garsaball, R., Gjoni, V., Glazier, D.S., Goldscheider, N., Gurrieri, J.T., Guðmundsdóttir, R., Rodriguez Guzman, A., Hájek, M., Hassel, K., Heartsill-Scalley, T., Solé i Herce, J., Hinterlang, D., Holway, J.H., Ilmonen, J., Jenness, J., Kapfer, J., Karaouzas, I., Knight, R.L., Kreiling, A., Herrera Lameli, C., Ledbetter, J.D., Levine, N., Lyons, M.D., Mace, R.E., Mentzafou, A., Marle, P., Moosdorf, N., Norton, M.K., Pentecost, A., García Pérez, G., Perla, B., Saber, A.A., Sada, D., Segadelli, S., Skaalsveen, K., Springer, A.E., Swanson, S.K., Schwartz, B.F., Sprouse, P., Tekere, M., Tobin, B.W., Tshibalo, E.A., Voldoire, O., 2021, The ecological integrity of spring ecosystems: a global review, Elsevier Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, 16p., https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821139-7.00111-2.
• Swanson, S.K., Graham, G., Hart, D., 2020, Using reference springs to describe expected flow, temperature, and chemistry conditions for geologically related groups of springs, Environmental & Engineering Geoscience XXVI (3), 331-344, https://doi.org/10.2113/EEG-2312R.
• Jayne, R.S., Pollyea, R.M., Dodd, J.P., Olson, E.J., Swanson, S.K., 2016, Spatial and temporal constraints on regional-scale groundwater flow in the Pampa del Tamarugal Basin, Atacama Desert, Chile: Hydrogeology Journal 24(8), 1921-1937, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-016-1454-3.
• Swanson, S.K., Muldoon, M.A., Polyak, V., Asmerom, Y., 2014, Evaluating shallow flow system response to climate change through analysis of spring deposits, southwestern Wisconsin, USA: Hydrogeology Journal 22(4), 851-863, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-014-1115-3.
• Swanson, S.K., 2013, Wisconsin’s spring resources: an overview: Geoscience Wisconsin 21 (1), 1-13.
• Swanson, S.K., Bradbury, K.R., and Hart, D.J., 2009, Assessing the vulnerability of spring systems to groundwater withdrawals in southern Wisconsin: Geoscience Wisconsin 20 (1), 1- 13.
• Swanson, S.K., 2007, Lithostratigraphic controls on bedding plane fractures and the potential for discrete groundwater flow through a siliciclastic sandstone aquifer, southern Wisconsin: Sedimentary Geology 197, 65-78, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2006.09.002.
• Swanson, S.K., Bahr, J.M., and Wilcox, J.D., 2006, A solid waste landfill siting exercise for an introductory environmental geology course: Journal of Geoscience Education 54 (4), 458-463, https://doi.org/10.5408/1089-9995-54.4.458.
• Swanson, S.K., Bahr, J.M., Bradbury, K.R., and Anderson, K.M., 2006, Evidence for preferential flow through sandstone aquifers in southern Wisconsin: Sedimentary Geology 184, 331-342, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.11.008.
• Swanson, S.K., and Bahr, J.M., 2004, Analytical and numerical models to explain steady rates of spring flow: Ground Water 42(5), 747-759, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2004.tb02728.x.
• Swanson, S.K., Bahr, J.M., Schwar, M.T., and Potter, K.W., 2001, Two-way cluster analysis of geochemical data to constrain spring source waters: Chemical Geology 179(1-4), 73-91, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2541(01)00316-3.

WGNHS publications

WGNHS Publications Catalog

• Fehling, A.C., Rawling, J.E., Graham, G.E., Chase, P.M., Swanson, S.K., 2022, Hydrogeology of the sandy uplands of the Bayfield Peninsula, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Open File Report 2022-04, 23p. plus supplemental materials.
• Swanson, S.K., Graham, G., Hart, D., 2019, An inventory of springs in Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Bulletin 113, 24p.
• Graham, G., Swanson, S.K., Hart, D., 2019, Methods and best practices for surveying springs in Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Open File Report 2019-03, 11p. plus appendices.
• Swanson, S.K., 2010, Springs of Iowa County; Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Educational Series 50-4, 2p.
• Swanson, S.K., Bradbury, K.R., and Hart, D.J., 2008, Assessing the ecological status and vulnerability of springs in Wisconsin; Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Open File Report 2007-04, 15p. plus appendices.
• Swanson, S.K., Bahr, J.M., and Potter, K.W., 2006, A local meteoric water line for Madison, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Open File Report 2006-01, 4p.
• Bradbury, K.R., Swanson, S.K., Krohelski, J.T., and Fritz, A.K., 1999, Hydrogeology of Dane County: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Open File Report 1999-04, 66 p. + 2 color plates.
• Krohelski, J.T., Bradbury, K.R., Hunt, R.J., and Swanson, S.K., 2000, Numerical Simulation of Groundwater Flow in Dane County, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Bulletin 98, 31p.