Dr. Patrick Belmont

Patrick received his Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. Prior to coming to USU in 2009, he was a Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Minnesota working with the National Center for Earth Surface Dynamics.   His research combines hydrology and geomorphology with general interests in sediment dynamics and feedbacks between geomorphic and ecological systems.

Specific research topics include:
-sediment transport processes and geochemical fingerprinting,
-links between fluvial and hillslope geomorphology,
-application of terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides to study Earth surface processes and long-term landscape change,
-quantitative basin morphometric analysis
-water quality metrics related to sediment and light penetration in streams (TSS, SSC, turbidity, spectral light attenuation)

His Ph.D. research focused on landscape evolution and aquatic ecology, studying the long-term sediment dynamics and landscape influences in stream ecosystems.  During his postdoctoral research, he led a large collaborative project developing a sediment budget and morphodynamic sediment routing model for the Le Sueur River, southern Minnesota.  At Utah State he continues to develop his research program in watershed hydrology and sediment dynamics and teach courses in small watershed hydrology, environmental geochemistry, and geomorphology. 

Current Graduate Students:

Elijah Portugal - MS - Watershed Sciences
Michael Souffront - MS - Watershed Sciences
Justin Stout - MS - Watershed Sciences

Courses taught:

WATS 4490/5490 Small Watershed Hydrology - every Spring