Dr. Joe Wheaton

Watershed Sciences

Professor


Joseph Michael Wheaton

Contact Information

Office Hours: By Appointment
Office Location: NR 360
Phone: (435) 554-1247
Email: joe.wheaton@usu.edu
Additional Information:

Educational Background

PhD, Geography, University of Southhampton, 2008
Uncertainty in Morphological Sediment Budgeting of Rivers
MS, Hydrologic Sciences, University of California at Davis, 2003
Rehabilitation of Spawning Habitat
BS, Hydrology, University of California at Davis, 2002

Research Interests

My main interests are in fluvial geomorphology and ecohydraulics with a particular focus on linking the two (ecogeomorphology). I also have strong applied interests in the interface between environmental policy and science, and how uncertainties arising from each combine to influence the outcome of activities like river restoration. Most of my research falls under the following themes: Linking geomorphic dynamics and ecohydraulics, Monitoring and Adapting to Change, Scenario Model Development

Awards

Overseas Research Studentship, 2003

Academic Universities U.K.

CItation In Recognition of Outstanding Undergraduate Accomplishments in Hydrology, 2002

University of California at Davis Hydrology Department

LAWR Opportunity Fund, 2002

University of California at Davis Department of Land, Air and Water Resources

CGA Scholarship Awards, 2001

California Groundwater Association

CGA Scholarship Awards, 2000

California Groundwater Association

ECA Scholarship, 2000

Engineering Contractors Association


    Publications | Book Chapters

  • Wheaton, J.M, Darby, S.E, Sear, D.A, (2008). The Scope of Uncertainties in River Restoration: River Restoration: Managing the Uncertainty in Restoring Physical Habitat. John Wiley & Sons
  • Sear, D.A, Wheaton, J.M, Darby, S.E, (2008). Uncertain restoration of gravel-bed rivers and the role of geomorphology: Gravel-Bed Rivers VI: From Process Understanding to River Restoration. Elseiver

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Journal Articles

Academic Journal

  • Passalacqua, P., Belmont, P., Staley, D.M, Simley, J.D, Arrowsmith, J.R, Bode, C.A, Crosby, C., DeLong, S.B, Glenn, N.F, S.A, Lague, D., Sangireddy, H., Schaffrath, K., Tarboton, D.G, Wasklewicz, T., Wheaton, J.M, (2015). Analyzing high resolution topography for advancing the understanding of mass and energy transfer through landscapes: A review. Earth-Science Reviews, 148, doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2015.05.012
  • Majerova, M., Neilson, B.T, Schmadel, N.M, Snow, C.J, Wheaton, J.M, (2015). Impacts of beaver dams on hydrologic and temperature regimes in a mountain stream. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences19, 1-16. doi: doi:10.5194/hess-19-1-2015
  • Manners, R., Schmidt, J.C, Wheaton, J.M, (2013). Multi-scalar model for the determination of spatially explicit riparian vegetation roughness. Journal of Geophyscial Research - Earth Surface, 118:1, 65-83. doi: doi.org/10.1029/2011JF002188
  • Susannah, E., Schmidt, J.C, Wheaton, J.M, (2012). Closing a sediment budget for a reconfigured reach of the Provo River, Utah, United States. Water Resources Research, 48, WR10512. doi: 10.1029/2011WR011035
  • Erwin, S.O, Schmidt, J.C, Wheaton, J.M, Wilcock, P., (2012). Closing a sediment budget for a reconfigured reach of the Provo River, Utah, United States. Water Resources Research, 48:10, doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2011WR011035
  • Tang, C., Crosby, B.T, Wheaton, J.M, Piechota, T.C, (2012). Assessing streamflow sensitivity to climate changes in the Salmon River Basin, Idaho. Global and Planetary Change, 88-89, 32-44. doi: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2012.03.002
  • Wheaton, J.M, Garrard, C.G, Whitehead, K., Volk, C., (2012). A Simple, Interactive GIS Tool for Transforming Assumed Total Station Surveys to Real World Coordinates - The CHaMP Transformation Tool. Computers in Geosciences, 42, 28-36. doi: 10.1016/j.cageo.2012.02.003
  • Wheaton, J.M, Gibbins, C., Wainwright, J., McElroy, B., Larsen, L., (2011). Preface: Multiscale Feedbacks in Ecogeomorphology. Geomorphology, 126:3-4, 265-268.
  • Wheaton, J.M, Brasington, J., Darby, S.E, Sear, D., (2010). Accounting for Uncertainty in DEMs from Repeat Topographic Surveys: Improved Sediment Budgets. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 35:2, 135-156. doi: 10.1002/esp.1886.2009
  • Wheaton, J.M, Brasington, J., Darby, S.E, Merz, J.E, Pasternack, G.B, Sear, D.A, Vericat, D., (2010). Linking Geomorphic Changes to Salmonid Habitat at a Scale Relevant to Fish. River Research and Applications, 25, 469-486. doi: 10.1002/rra.1305
  • Vericat, D., Brasington, J., Wheaton, J.M, Cowie, M., (2008). Accuracy Assessment of Aerial Photographs Acquired using Lighter-Than-Air Blimps: Low-Cost Tools for Monitoring Fluvial Systems. River Research and Applications, doi: 10.1002/rra.1198
  • Wheaton, J.M, Darby, S.E, Sear, D.A, Milne, J.A, (2006). Does scientific conjecture accurately describe restoration practice? Insight from an International River Restoration Survey. Area, 38:2, 128-142. doi: 10.1111.j.1475-4762.2006.00685.x.
  • Pasternack, G.B, Gilbert, A.T, Wheaton, J.M, Buckland, E.M, (2006). Error Propagation for Velocity and Shear Stress Prediction: Using 2D Models For Environmental Management. Journal of Hydrology, 328:1-2, 227-241. doi: 10.1016/j.hydrol.2005.12.003
  • MacWilliams, M.L, Wheaton, J.M, Pasternack, G.B, Street, R.L, Kitanidis, P.K, (2006). Flow convergence and routing hypthesis for pool-riffle maintenance in alluvial rivers. Water Resources Research, 42, doi: 10.1029/2005WR004391
  • Merz, J.E, Pasternack, G.B, Wheaton, J.M, (2006). Sediment budget for salmonid spawning habitat rehabilitation in regulated river. Geomorphology, 76:1-2, 207-228. doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2005.11.004
  • Merz, J.E, Setka, J.D, Pasternack, G.B, Wheaton, J.M, (2004). Predicting benefits of spawning-habitat rehabilitation to salmonid (Oncorhynchus spp.) fry production in a regulated California river. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 61:8, 1433-1446. doi: 10.1139/f04-077
  • Wheaton, J.M, Pasternack, G.B, Merz, J.E, (2004). Spawning Habitat Rehabilitation - I. Conceptual Approach and Methods. International Journal of River Basin Management, 2:1, 3-20.
  • Wheaton, J.M, Pasternack, G.B, Merz, J.E, (2004). Spawning Habitat Rehabilitation - II. Using Hypothesis Testing and Development in Design, Mokelume River California, U.S.A.. International Journal of River Basin Management, 2:1, 21-37.

Professional Journal

  • O'Brien, G.R, Wheaton, J.M, Kirstie et al, F., (2019). Mapping Valley Bottom Confinement at the Network Scale. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, doi: 10.1002/esp.4615.
  • O'Brien, G., Wheaton, J.M, Fryirs et al, K., (2017). A geomorphic assessment to inform strategic stream restoration planning in the Middle Fork John Day Watershed, Oregon, USA.. Journal of Maps

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | MultiMedia

Software

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Technical Reports

Research Reports

Other Reports

  • Gee, J.H, Keirle, I., Wheaton, J.M, Wootton, R.J, (2007). A Monitoring Strategy for the Afon Teifi Restoration Project. CCW Contract Science Report No: 773 *
  • Wheaton, J.M, (2003). A Review of Averaging and Upscaling in Hydrology. Davis Department of Land, Air and Water Resources *

An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

Publications | Other

Newsletter

  • Wheaton, J.M, (2005). Salmon! In Sulphur Creek?. Acorn Soupe Scoop Newletter *

Other

    An asterisk (*) at the end of a publication indicates that it has not been peer-reviewed.

    Teaching

    CEWA, WATS 6627, 6627 - Advanced Project Design of Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes, Fall 2025
    CEWA, WATS 6626, 6626 - Advanced Project Planning of Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes, Fall 2025
    CEWA, WATS 6628, 6628 - Intro to Action-Effectiveness Monitoring of Riverscape Restoration Projects, Fall 2025
    CEWA, WATS 6629, 6629 - Screening & Prioritization of Riverscape Restoration, Fall 2025
    WATS 6350 - Capstone Mentoring, Spring 2024
    CEWA, WATS 5623 - Designing Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes, Spring 2024
    CEWA, WATS 6840 - Ecohydraulics, Spring 2024
    CEWA, GEO, WATS 5150, 6150 - Fluvial Geomorphology, Spring 2024
    CEWA, WATS 5620 - Intro to Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes, Spring 2024
    WATS 5350 - Management and Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems Capstone II, Spring 2024
    CEWA, WATS 5622 - Planning Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes, Spring 2024
    WATS 5150, 6150 - Fluvial Geomorphology, Spring 2022
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics, Spring 2022
    CEWA, WATS 5620 - Intro to Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration of Riverscapes, Spring 2022
    , Spring 2021
    CEWA, WATS 5700, 6900 - Continuing Education Unit: Special Topics in Watershed Sciences, Spring 2021
    CEWA, WATS 5700, 6900 - Continuing Education Unit: Special Topics in Watershed Sciences, Spring 2021
    CEWA, WATS 5700, 6900 - Continuing Education Unit: Special Topics in Watershed Sciences, Spring 2021
    CEWA, WATS 5700, 6900 - Continuing Education Unit: Special Topics in Watershed Sciences, Spring 2021
    GEO, WATS 5150, 6150 - Fluvial Geomorphology, Spring 2021
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics, Spring 2021
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics, Spring 2020
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics, Fall 2019
    WATS 5340 - Management and Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems Capstone I, Fall 2019
    WATS 5150, 6150 - Fluvial Geomorphology, Spring 2019
    WATS 6850 - Geomorphic Change Detection: Restoration Monitoring, Spring 2019
    WATS 5350 - Management and Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems Capstone II, Spring 2019
    WATS 6860 - Partnering with Beaver in Restoration Design, Spring 2019
    WATS 5340 - Management and Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems Capstone I, Fall 2018
    WATS 5350 - Management and Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems Capstone II, Spring 2018
    WATS 6860 - Partnering with Beaver in Restoration Design, Spring 2018
    WATS 4950, 6900 - Special Topics, Spring 2018
    WATS 5340 - Management and Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems Capstone I, Fall 2017
    WATS 4930, 6920 - Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis, Spring 2017
    WATS 6850 - Geomorphic Change Detection: Restoration Monitoring, Spring 2017
    WATS 6915 - GIS Fundamentals, Spring 2017
    WATS 4931, 6921 - GIS Research Projects, Spring 2017
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics, Spring 2017
    WATS 6860 - Partnering with Beaver in Restoration Design, Spring 2017
    WATS 6860 - Partnering with Beaver in Restoration Design, Spring 2017
    WATS 6260 - Watershed Sciences Graduate Student Induction Course, Fall 2015
    WATS 6860 - Partnering with Beaver in Restoration Design, Summer 2015
    WATS 4930,6920 - Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis, Spring 2015
    WATS 6850 - Geomorphic Change Detection: Restoration Monitoring, Spring 2015
    WATS 6915 - GIS Fundamentals, Spring 2015
    WATS 4931,6921 - GIS Research Projects, Spring 2015
    WATS 4930,6920 - Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis, Spring 2014
    WATS 6840 - Fluvial Hydraulics and Ecohydraulics, Spring 2014
    WATS 6850 - Geomorphic Change Detection: Restoration Monitoring, Spring 2014
    WATS 6915 - GIS Fundamentals, Spring 2014
    WATS 4931,6921 - GIS Research Projects, Spring 2014
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics, Spring 2014
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics, Spring 2014
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics, Fall 2013
    WATS 4930,6920 - Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis, Spring 2013
    WATS 6915 - GIS Fundamentals, Spring 2013
    WATS 4931,6921 - GIS Research Projects, Spring 2013
    WATS 4950 - Special Topics, Spring 2013
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics, Fall 2012
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics, Fall 2012
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics, Summer 2012
    WATS 4930,6920 - Advanced GIS and Spatial Analysis, Spring 2012
    WATS 6915 - GIS Fundamentals, Spring 2012
    WATS 6915 - GIS Fundamentals, Spring 2012
    WATS 4931,6921 - GIS Research Projects, Spring 2012
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics, Spring 2012
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics - Induction Field Course, Fall 2011
    WATS 6900 - ST:Partnering with Beaver in Restoration Design, Fall 2011
    WATS 6900 - Graduate Special Topics - Geomorphic Change Detection, Summer 2011
    WATS 4930 - GIS, Spring 2011
    WATS 6920 - GIS, Spring 2011
    WATS 4930 - GIS LAB, Spring 2011
    WATS 4930 - GIS LAB, Spring 2011
    WATS 4930 - GIS LAB, Spring 2011
    WATS 6920 - GIS LAB, Spring 2011
    WATS 6920 - GIS LAB, Spring 2011
    WATS 6920 - GIS LAB, Spring 2011
    WATS 6900 - ST: FLUVIAL HYDRAULICS, Spring 2011

    Graduate Students Mentored

    Alan Kasprak, Watershed Sciences, August 2010
    Ryan Lokteff, Watershed Sciences, August 2010
    Sara Bangen, Watershed Sciences, August 2010
    Sonya Welsh, Watershed Sciences, August 2009

    Current Graduate Students

    List of Current Students

    Courses taught

    WATS 4930/6920 - Advanced GIS & Spatial Analyses
    WATS 4631/6921 - GIS Research Projects
    WATS 6915 - GIS Fundamentals
    WATS 6215 - Graduate Student Induction Course
    WATS 6900 - Fluvial Hydraulics and Ecohydraulics
    WATS 6900 - Sediment Transport in Stream Assessment and Design
    WATS 6900 - Geomorphic Change Detection
    WATS 6900 - Partnering with Beaver in Restoration Design Workshop
    Further description of courses Joe teaches

    Prospective Graduate Students

    View Current Opportunities

    Research Links

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    Selected Publications
    Google Scholar Citations