DRI / DIRECTORY / STEVE MIZELL
Steve Mizell Profile Photo
Dr. Steve Mizell
Associate Research Professor Emeritus
Phone 
702-862-5482
E-Mail 
Steve.Mizell@dri.edu
Campus 
Las Vegas Campus
Division 
Hydrologic Sciences

Professional Interests

Estimation of recharge to regional aquifer systems, delineation and interactions of groundwater flow systems; stream-aquifer interaction in semi-arid environments; contaminant transport through the subsurface under saturated and partially saturated conditions; spatial and temporal variations in groundwater quality and chemistry. Current research includes hydrogeology and hydrogeochemisty of regional groundwater flow systems and their interaction; infiltration of ephemeral stream flows; application of chloride mass balance to estimation of ground water recharge in arid environments.

Research Areas

  • Hydrology of the Unsaturated Zone
  • Hydrogeological Controls on Availability and Quality of Ground Water
  • Global Environmental Hydrology
  • Integrated Watershed System

Education

Degree Institution Area
Ph.D. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro Geoscience-Hydrology
M.S. University of Nevada, Reno Hydrogeology-Hyrology
B.S. Baylor University Geology

Academic Affiliations

Keywords

hydrogeology, groundwater, hydrogeology, hydrology, recharge, regional groundwater flow

 

Publications
2021
Mizell, S. A., Nikolich, G., Goreham, J., McCurdy, G. D., & Miller, J. J. (2021). Project 57 Air Monitoring Report: January 1 through December 31, 2019, paginated by section, DRI 45297; DOE/NV/0003590-64

Mizell, S. A., Nikolich, G., Goreham, J., McCurdy, G. D., Chapman, A., & Miller, J. J. (2021). Project 57 Air Monitoring Report: January 1 through September 30, 2020, with a Review of the Period of Record Radionuclide Analyses, Paginated by section, DRI Report #45298; DOE/NV/0003590-70

2020
Mizell, S. A., Nikolich, G., Healey, J. M., Shadel, C. A., Goreham, J., McCurdy, G. D., & Miller, J. J. (2020). Project 57 Air Monitoring Report: January 1 through December 31, 2018, DOE/NV/0003590-49; DRI 45291

Heintz, K. M., McCurdy, G. D., Mizell, S. A., Chapman, A., & Miller, J. J. (2020). Monitoring Potential Transport of Radioactive Contaminants in Shallow Ephemeral Channels: FY2019, DRI 45292; DOE 00003590-50

Nikolich, G., Heintz, K. M., Mizell, S. A., McCurdy, G. D., Chapman, A., Miller, J. J., & Stillman, S. (2020). NNSS Soils Monitoring: Plutonium Valley (CAU 366) FY2019, paginated by section, DRI 45293; DOE/NV/0003590-52

2019
Mizell, S. A., McCurdy, G. D., Heintz, K. M., & Miller, J. J. (2019). Monitoring Potential Transport of Radioactive Contaminants in Shallow Ephemeral Channels: FY2018, DRI 45287;DOE/NV/0003590-32

Nikolich, G., Mizell, S. A., McCurdy, G. D., Campbell, S. A., & Miller, J. J. (2019). NNSS Soils Monitoring: Plutonium Valley (CAU 366) FY2018, DOE/NV/0003590-37; DRI 45288

2018
Mizell, S. A., Campbell, S. A., McCurdy, G. D., & Miller, J. J. (2018). Monitoring Potential Transport of Radioactive Contaminants in Shallow Ephemeral Channels: FY2018, DOE/NV/0003590-10; DRI 45281

Nikolich, G., Mizell, S. A., McCurdy, G. D., Campbell, S. A., & Miller, J. J. (2018). NNSS Soils Monitoring: Plutonium Valley (CAU 366) FY2017, DOE/NV/0003590-16; 45283

Chapman, J. B., Nikolich, G., Shadel, C. A., McCurdy, G. D., Etyemezian, V. R., Miller, J. J., & Mizell, S. A. (2018). Tonopah Test Range Air Monitoring CY2017 Meteorological, Radiological, and Wind Transported Particulate Observations, DOE/NV/0003590-25; DRI 45284

Mizell, S. A., Nikolich, G., Healey, J. M., Shadel, C. A., McCurdy, G. D., & Miller, J. J. (2018). Project 57 Air Monitoring Report: January 1 through December 31, 2017, DOE 0003590-29; DRI 45286

2017
Mizell, S. A., Miller, J. J., McCurdy, G. D., & Campbell, S. A. (2017). Monitoring Potential Transport of Radioactive Contaminants in Shallow Ephemeral Channels: FY2013 and FY2014 (revised), DRI 45276; DOE 0000939-42

Chapman, J. B., Nikolich, G., Shadel, C. A., McCurdy, G. D., Etyemezian, V. R., Miller, J. J., & Mizell, S. A. (2017). Tonopah Test Range Air Monitoring: CY2016 Meteorological, Radiological, and Wind Transported Particulate Observations, DRI 45279; DOE DOE/NV/0003590-05

Mizell, S. A., Nikolich, G., Shadel, C. A., McCurdy, G. D., & Miller, J. J. (2017). Project 57 Air Monitoring Report: January 1 through December 31, 2015, DRI 45272; DOE/NV/0000939-38

Mizell, S. A., Nikolich, G., Shadel, C. A., McCurdy, G. D., & Miller, J. J. (2017). Project 57 Air Monitoring Report: January 1 through December 31, 2016, 109 pp.. Desert Research Institute: Las Vegas, NV, DRI Publication No. 45280; DOE/NV/0003590-06

Mizell, S. A., Miller, J. J., McCurdy, G. D., & Campbell, S. A. (2017). Monitoring Potential Transport of Radioactive Contaminants in Shallow Ephemeral Channels: FY2015 and FY2016, DRI 45277; DOE/NV/0003590-02

Nikolich, G., Mizell, S. A., McCurdy, G. D., Campbell, S. A., & Miller, J. J. (2017). NNSS Soils Monitoring: Plutonium Valley (CAU 366) FY2015, DRI 45273; DOE/NV/0000939-39

Nikolich, G., Mizell, S. A., McCurdy, G. D., Campbell, S. A., & Miller, J. J. (2017). NNSS Soils Monitoring: Plutonium Valley (CAU 366) FY2016, DRI 45278; DOE/NV/0003590-03

2016
Mizell, S. A., Nikolich, G., McCurdy, G. D., Shadel, C. A., & Miller, J. J. (2016). Project 57 Air Monitoring Report: October 1, 2013, through December 31, 2014. DRI, DRI Report 45264; DOE 000939-27

Mizell, S. A. & Shadel, C. A. (2016). Radiological results for samples collected on paired glass- and cellulose-fiber filters at the Sandia complex, Tonopah Test Range. DRI, DRI 45265; DOE/NV/0000939-29

Miller, J. J., Nikolich, G., Mizell, S. A., McCurdy, G. D., & Campbell, S. A. (2016). NNSS Soils Monitoring: Plutonium Valley (CAU 366) FY2013 and FY2014, DOE/NV/0000939-36; DRI 45270

Cablk, M. E., Miller, J. J., & Mizell, S. A. (2016). Comparing Playa Inundation Estimates from Landsat and LiDAR Data to a Doppler Radar-Based Hydrologic Model McDonald, E. V., Bullard, T. F. (Eds.) Chapter : . In McDonald, E. V., Bullard, T. F. (Eds.), Military Geosciences and Desert Warfare: Past Lessons and Modern Challenges, Advances in Military Geosciences, 153-167. Springer: New York

Nikolich, G., Shadel, C. A., Chapman, J. B., McCurdy, G. D., Etyemezian, V. R., Miller, J. J., & Mizell, S. A. (2016). Tonopah Test Range Air Monitoring: CY2015 Meteorological, Radiological, and Airborne Particulate Observations, DOE/NV/0000939-37; DRI 45271

Mizell, S. A., Nikolich, G., Shadel, C. A., McCurdy, G. D., & Miller, J. J. (2016). Project 57 Air Monitoring Report: January 1 through December 31, 2015. DRI, DRI 45272; DOE/NV/0000939-38

2015
Nikolich, G., Shadel, C. A., Chapman, J. B., Mizell, S. A., McCurdy, G. D., Etyemezian, V. R., & Miller, J. J. (2015). Tonopah Test Range Air Monitoring: CY2014 Meteorological, Radiological, and Airborne Particulate Observations, DOE/NV/0000939-26, DRI 45263
DRI Publication 45263; DOE/NV/0000939-26

2014
Mizell, S. A., Etyemezian, V. R., McCurdy, G. D., Nikolich, G., Shadel, C. A., & Miller, J. J. (2014). Radiological and Environmental Monitoring at the Clean Slates I and III Sites, Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, with Emphasis on the Implications for Off-site Transport, 45257

Mizell, S. A., Nikolich, G., Shadel, C. A., McCurdy, G. D., Etyemezian, V. R., & Miller, J. J. (2014). Tonopah Test Range Air Monitoring : CY2013 Meteorological, Radiological, and Airborne Particulate Observations, 45258

Miller, J. J., Mizell, S. A., & McCurdy, G. D. (2014). Project 57 Air Monitoring Annual Report – Fiscal Year 2013 (October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013), 45256

2013
Miller, J. J., Mizell, S. A., Nikolich, G., McCurdy, G. D., & Campbell, S. A. (2013). NNSS soils monitoring: Plutonium Valley (CAU 366) FY2012

Miller, J. J., Mizell, S. A., McCurdy, G. D., & Campbell, S. A. (2013). Monitoring Potential Transport of Radioactive Contaminants in Shallow Ephemeral Channels: FY2012

Miller, J. J., Nikolich, G., Mizell, S. A., McCurdy, G. D., & Shadel, C. A. (2013). Tonopah Test Range Air Monitoring: CY2012 Meteorological, Radiological, and Airborne Particulate Observations

Miller, J. J., Mizell, S. A., & McCurdy, G. D. (2013). Project 57 Air Monitoring

2010
Hershey, R. L., Mizell, S. A., & Earman, S. B. (2010). Chemical and physical characteristics of springs discharging from reigonal flow systems of the carbonate-rock province of the Great Basin, western United States. Hydrogeology Journal, 18, 1007-1026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-009-0571-7

Miller, J. J., Forsee, W. J., Shafer, D. S., Jenkins, S., Mizell, S. A., & Chief, K. (2010). Potential surface water transport of radionuclide-contaminated soils in Plutonium Valley on the Nevada National Security Site

2009
Russell, C. E., Mizell, S. A., & Minor, T. B. (2009). The Case for an Integrated Chloride Mass-Balance Approach for Estimating Recharge. Journal of Hydrology

2008
Mizell, S. A., Mihevc, T. M., & Hershey, R. L. (2008). Field Reconnaissance and Chemistry Data for Selected Water Sources on the Nevada Test and Training Range, Desert Research Institute Publication No. 41247

2007
Minor, T. B., Russell, C. E., & Mizell, S. A. (2007). Development of a GIS-based model for extrapolating mesoscale groundwater recharge estimates using integrated geospatial data sets. Hydrogeology Journal

Mizell, S. A., Russell, C. E., & Kluesner, T. L. (2007). Estimation of groundwater recharge to selected hydrographic basins of eastern Nevada and western Utah using the chloride mass-balance method

Russell, C. E., Mizell, S. A., & Minor, T. B. (2007). Estimation of groundwater recharge in Steptoe Valley, Nevada, by the elevation-dependent chloride mass-balance approach

2005
Young, M. H., Adams, K. D., Mizell, S. A., Chen, L., Bullard, T. F., & Grant, S. (2005). Technical Report: Assessment and Improvement of Hydraulic Characterization of Alluvial Fans to Support Estimates of Recharge and Initial Abstraction, DRI Report No. 41218

1997
Lloyd, A., Egami, R. T., Mizell, S. A., Marcus, B., & Robinson, N. F. (1997). Mohave power plant economic study, draft final report. Desert Research Institute: Reno, NV

1996
Mizell, S. A., McArthur, R., Pohlmann, K. F., Hess, J. W., & Urzendowski, L. (1996). Temporal Variability of Major Ion and Volatile Organic Compound Concentration in Arid Region Wells, 63 p.. U.S. EPA: Washington, D.C., DRI Publication No. 41143

1995
Hershey, R. L. & Mizell, S. A. (1995). Water Chemistry of Spring Discharge from the Carbonate-Rock Province of Nevada, and Death Valley, California. Project Report to the Las Vegas Valley Water District, 45, DRI Report No. 41140

French, R. H. & Mizell, S. A. (1995). Resource Potential of Dry Weather Flow in the Las Vegas Valley, DRI Report No. 41149

1994
Bashor, A. & Mizell, S. A. (1994). Selenium, Nitrate, Coliform Bacteria, and Volatile Organic Compounds in the Shallow Aquifer Zone, Las Vegas, Nevada, 46 p.. Desert Research Institute: Las Vegas, NV, DRI Publication No. 41142. Project Report for the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

1991
H.S. Wild, J., Mizell, S. A., & Brothers, K. (1991). Reconnaissance Investigation of the Hydrogeology and Hydrogeochemistry of the Shallow Alluvial Aquifer Zone, Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, 87, DRI Report No. 41132

1990
Mizell, S. A., Ingraham, N., & Nicholson, R. A. (1990). Hydraulic and Stable Isotopic Study of Stream/Aquifer Interaction Along Bishop Creek, California, 83, DRI Report No. 41124

Conference Proceedings
2015
Miller, J. J., Mizell, S. A., McCurdy, G. D., Nikolich, G., Etyemezian, V. R., & Chapman, J. B. (2015). Fate and Transport of Contaminants at Soils Sites – 15512. Waste Management ’15: Phoenix, AZ, March 15, 2015

2013
Etyemezian, V. R., Shillito, R. M., Miller, J. J., Shafer, D. S., Cablk, M. E., Campbell, S. A., Chief, K., Fenstermaker, L.F., Forsee, W. J., Meyer, W. J., Mizell, S. A., & Nikolich, G. (2013). Post-fire erosion at a Pinyon-Juniper and a Blackbrush Community: 3+ Years of Data. Great Basin consortium 2nd Annual Conference January 14-16, 2013: Boise, Idaho

2011
Miller, J. J., French, R. H., Mizell, S. A., Cablk, M. E., & Kratt, C. (2011). Using Doppler radar precipitation measurments to enhance estimates of playa inundation. Environmental and Water Resources Institute, World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2011: Palm Springs, CA

2007
Miller, J. J., French, R. H., Mizell, S. A., Meadows, D. G., & Young, M. H. (2007). Results of channel transmission loss studies during ephemeral flow events: Tampa, FL

2005
Mizell, S. A., Miller, J. J., & French, R. H. (2005). Effect of Soil Condition on Channel Transmission Loss During Ephemeral Flow Events: Anchorage, Alaska

2003
Miller, J. J., French, R. H., Young, M. H., & Mizell, S. A. (2003). Effect of soil condition on channel transmission loss during ephemeral flow events: Philadelphia, PA