Bea Van Dam

Bea is a 2023 PhD graduate from the School of Earth and Climate Sciences.  She is supervised by Sean Smith.

Office Hours

Students with questions relating to hydrology, GIS, Python coding, or spatial data can contact me via email to set up an in-person or virtual appointment.

Research

I work primarily in upland hydrology, exploring the journey surface water runoff takes across the landscape before it reaches channel networks, and I approach research questions from a background in geographic information systems (GIS) and cartography, favoring analysis of the intersections of large spatial datasets.  My research interests focus on the use of high-resolution elevation data to examine detailed spatial patterns in runoff after precipitation events and assess how the flow paths of the water – and any constituents it may carry with it – may affect local hydrology and water quality.

My dissertation research, “Land-sea connections driving coastal pollution vulnerability,” was a vulnerability analysis of estuaries and embayments along the length of Maine’s tidal coastline to bacteria pollution events associated with precipitation runoff from the surrounding landscapes.  The embayment delineation and classification ArcGIS tool developed during this project will help Maine Department of Marine Resources shellfishery managers make data-driven decisions about the closure and reopening of mud flats following large rain events.  For an in-depth look at this project, please visit our Coastal Pollution Vulnerability page.

Another current line of research is into the use of digital elevation models derived from LiDAR to estimate potential surface water detention storage during precipitation events provided by microtopography – small-scale variations in the surface of the landscape such as pits and mounds associated with tree throw.  To read more, please visit our Headwater Processes and Practices page.

Science Communication

Interviews / Spotlights

UMaine Ph.D. candidate’s new tool helps predict pollution vulnerability in coastal waters statewide, UMaine News (April 24, 2023)

Tree Throws, Puddles, and Ponded Water, Sen. George J. Mitchell Center News (May 9, 2018)

Recent Presentations

  • Dissertation proposal defense – video
  • Smith, S.M.C., S.G. Roy, B.E. Van Dam, J.L. Ross, S. Alahmed, and B. McGreavy. 2019. Connecting and Projecting the Dynamics of Coastal Bacteria Pollution Problems. Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union. San Francisco, CA.     This talk was presented by second author Samuel G. Roy.
  • Van Dam, B. 2018. Upland Microtopography and Implications to Surface Water Detention in Maine. Sustainability Lightning Talks, Sen. George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions. Orono, ME.

Recent Posters

  • Van Dam, B. and S. Smith. 2021. Pouring Spatial Data Into Shellfishery Management Decision-Making. Maine Sustainability & Water Conference. Virtual event.     This poster was awarded first place in the juried poster competition, graduate category. 
  • Van Dam, B., S. Smith, and K. Beard. 2019. Thinking at the Margin: Examining the role of estuary margin watersheds in coastal bacteria pollution vulnerability. Maine Sustainability & Water Conference. Augusta, ME.
  • Van Dam, B.E., S.M.C. Smith, K. Beard, and S.G. Roy. 2018. Upland Microtopography and Implications to Surface Water Detention in Maine. Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union. Washington, D.C.
  • Van Dam, B., S. Smith, and K. Beard. 2018. Upland Microtopography and Implications to Surface Water Detention in Maine.  Maine Sustainability & Water Conference.  Augusta, ME.     This poster was awarded first place in the juried poster competition, graduate category. 
  • Roy, S.G., S.M.C. Smith, B. McGreavy, B. Gerard, B.E. Van Dam, and J.L. Ross. 2018. Resilient coastal communities: using interdisciplinary research and stakeholder engagement to face coastal pollution challenges in northern New England. Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union. Washington, D.C.