Personal profile
Research Interests
Hydrogeology, Isotope Hydrology, Noble Gas Geochemistry, Groundwater-Stream water interactions, Groundwater in geological processes, Regional groundwater, Nuclear waste disposal
I am interested in hydrologic systems from the local to regional scale, and their role in geologic processes. My area of expertise is isotope hydrology and environmental tracers. I use heat, groundwater age tracers (e.g. CFC's, 3H, 3He, 4He, SF6, 14C), stable and radio-isotopes and noble gas geochemistry combined with numerical modeling and inversion to understand hydrogeologic system dynamics.
Teaching Experience
I have dedicated my life to studying, working with and enjoying the earth and the hydrological cycle. I believe in constant learning through exploration and experience in the field, the lab and the classroom. I'm eager to share what I've learned so far, and work with students who are as passionate about learning and the world around them as I am.
GEO 103 - Introduction to Environmental Geology
GEO 320 - Surface Processes
GEO 420 - Hydrogeology
GEO 572 - Advanced Hydrogeology
Education/Academic qualification
Bachelor, Geology, University of Montana
Doctorate, Geophysics, University of Utah
Master, Geophysics, University of Utah
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 15 Life on Land
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Extreme Winter Precipitation Drives Recharge of Mountain Groundwater in the Sierra Nevada and Cascades of the Western United States
Swarr, M. J., Argus, D. F., Martens, H., Hoylman, Z. H., Young, Z. M., Borsa, A. A., Lau, N. & Gardner, W., Feb 2026, In: Water Resources Research. 62, 2, e2025WR040910.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Factors influencing water quality in surface water and alluvial groundwaters downgradient of a reclaimed surface coal mine in the Powder River Basin of southeastern Montana, USA
Keeshin, S. I., Ewing, S. A., Meredith, E. B., Payn, R. A., Gardner, W. P. & Hunt, A., May 2025, In: Hydrogeology Journal. 33, 3, p. 715-737 23 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Scopus citations -
Matrix Diffusion Controls Mountain Hillslope Groundwater Ages and Inferred Storage Dynamics
Thiros, N. E., Woodburn, E. R., Gardner, W. P., Dennedy-Frank, J. P. & Williams, K. H., May 2025, In: Groundwater. 63, 3, p. 306-318 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Scopus citations -
On the emergent scale of bedrock groundwater contribution to headwater mountain streams
von Trapp, I., Jencso, K. G., Hoylman, Z. H., Livesay, R. & Gardner, W. P., Jul 15 2025, In: Frontiers in Water. 7, 1539177.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Using Radiogenic Noble Gas Nuclides to Identify and Characterize Rock Fracturing
Gardner, W. P., Bauer, S. J., Kibikas, W. M., Siluk, B., Broome, S., Strickland, C., Johnson, C. & Vermeul, V., Jan 2025, In: Earth and Space Science. 12, 1, e2024EA003838.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access2 Scopus citations
Datasets
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Dataset for the article: Helium in stream water as a volcanic monitoring tool
Gardner, P. (Creator) & Susong, D. D. (Creator), University of Montana, 2019
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/geosci_data/3/
Dataset