Madeline E. Gorchels

Madeline E. Gorchels

Master of Environmental Science & Management

About

As a data analyst, I focus on improving resilience in water management. Through my experience working on water loss control, aquatic ecosystems, and green stormwater management, I’ve seen how water uniquely connects people to the environment. As climate change affects this resource reliability, focusing on water equity work will be crucial for bringing environmental investment to places most in need of resilience.

Some fun facts: I’ve hiked the mountain on the Toblerone bar; my cat, Comet, is helping me write this; I have the perfect to lemon almond cake recipe for tea with friends.

Interests

  • Water Management
  • Green Infrastructure
  • Environmental Equity
  • Data Science

Education

  • MESM in Water Resource Management & Environmental Data Science, 2020

    Bren School of Environmental Science & Management

  • BA in Biological Sciences & Geosciences, 2016

    Wellesley College

Skills

Water Management

Technical & Policy Analysis

Data Science

R, Beginning Python, SQL, Access, Excel

Communication

Published, Technical, & Public Facing

Experience

 
 
 
 
 

Analyst

E Source (formerly Water Systems Optimization)

Apr 2021 – Present Cambridge, Massachusetts

As an Analyst at E Source, I analyze and manage water loss projects in collaboration with water utilities & agencies. My main duties include:

  • Analyze customer water use data for 10+ water utilities to inform water loss management
  • Develop custom scripted analyses for unique water loss investigations
  • Present findings at national & regional water use efficiency conferences
  • Compile & validate AWWA water loss audits for water utilities
 
 
 
 
 

Stormwater Outreach Coordinator

Town of Braintree

Sep 2020 – Apr 2021 Braintree, Massachusetts

As the Stormwater Outreach Coordinator for the Town of Braintree, I managed public engagement with Braintree’s critical water quality issues.

  • Awarded a $12,500 grant to conduct outreach to environmental justice communities
  • Preformed spatial analysis in AutoCAD Map 3D and ArcGIS to identify key stakeholders and design maps for grant applications and outreach materials
  • Managed the implementation of state and federal grants.
  • Identified language gap in outreach materials and added Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese resources
  • Launched Clean Water Braintree Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts
 
 
 
 
 

Environmental Planning Intern

Charles River Watershed Association

Aug 2020 – Apr 2021 Weston, Massachusetts
  • Authored Green Streets Guidance Document for the Town of Natick on how to implement green stormwater infrastructure in public roadways
  • Organized, analyzed, and presented data in GIS and other mapping software
  • Created ArcMap model demonstrating areas within potential new wetland buffer zone were in need of protection
 
 
 
 
 

Environmental Resource Management Intern

Santa Barbara County Water Agency

Jan 2020 – Jun 2020 Santa Barbara, California
  • Designed and executed outreach to residential horse owners communicating technical information on reducing pollution loading to local creeks to protect water quality and comply with the County’s TMDL
  • Overhauled 200-page manual on water conscious landscaping to include modern formatting and water polices
  • Coordinated with 19 water agencies to execute water efficiency programs and provide technical assistance to those agencies by collecting, visualizing, and analyzing water data in Microsoft Excel and Access
  • Established new spatial data analysis system to determine budget requirements of recent trash capturing legislation
  • Collected and managed legally required water data to build documents demonstrating the county’s compliance to water quantity and water quality regulations
 
 
 
 
 

Multi-Benefit Intern

Pacific Institute

Jun 2019 – Jan 2020 Oakland, California
  • Analyzed 50+ publications on water management, environmental equity, and nature based solutions to be included in an outward-facing resource library for use by water managers in project benefit evaluations

  • Co-authored 30-page report on operationalizing multiple benefit analysis in water projects to guide the inclusion of equity and urban heat island in future framework applicationse to those agencies by collecting, visualizing, and analyzing water data in Microsoft Excel and Access

  • Calculated energy offsets from a rain capture program for the City of Austin, TX using an Excel model to show the additional benefits from adopting green infrastructure for stormwater management

 
 
 
 
 

Earth & Environmental Science Teaching Assistant

University of California, Santa Barbara

Sep 2018 – Apr 2020 Santa Barbara, California
  • Instructed and managed 60-80 students in classroom and laboratory settings

  • Developed 1-2.5 hour lessons including lectures, interactive activities, and labs

  • Exceeded department excellence rating by 5%-20%

  • Held extra volunteer office hours to help students understand scientific writing and analysis

 
 
 
 
 

Aquatic Research/Teaching Assistant

Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratories

Aug 2016 – Jan 2017 Woods Hole, Massachusetts
  • Organized 20 environmental management independent student research projects with a team of 3 TAs to provide opportunities for undergraduates to address pressing water environmental challenges to Cape Cod, MA
  • Conducted and trained students to conduct nutrient analysis, wastewater analysis and treatment, plankton identification, reagent preparation and data compilation from analytical instruments

Projects

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Finding Optimal Areas for Wind Developement

Wind power is an essential tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, installing wind projects poses challenges from permitting to NIMBY-ism. As part of a spatial analysis and environmental management course, I developed an ArcMap tool that takes information on roads, cities, airports, potential for fires, and land use to generate optimal sites for wind development.

Eleven Questions to Consider When Beginning a Water Management Project

Developing Equitable Stakeholder Engagement Developing and engaging with an inclusive stakeholder group increases project benefits, supports long term implementation, and improves equity in water management. However, effectively engaging with stakeholders requires thoughtful commitment.

Watershed Management Plan for the Santa Ynez Watershed

With a team of three people, I created a management plan for the Santa Ynez Watershed based on the local water quality challenges, best management practices, and species conservation.

Urban Heat Island, Tree Cover, and Communities

Air temperatures in cities are substantially higher than in adjacent rural areas. In the United States, the average difference can be as much as 16°F for severely affected cities (Imoff et al.

Publications

Presentations

Contact