STEPHEN ACHEAMPONG
Las Vegas,NV
Summary
Water resources professional with 30+ years of expertise in hydrology, hydrogeology, aqueous geochemistry, and water rights administration across federal, state, tribal, and municipal programs. Expert hydrologist recognized for technical rigor, regulatory review, expert testimony, and public-sector water management. Integrates aqueous geochemistry, isotope hydrology, and water quality data to evaluate resource impacts and support expert findings. Prepares reports and testimony that translate complex technical evidence for legal and regulatory audiences.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Water Resources Professional IV, Hydrology Bureau
New Mexico Office of the State Engineer
2017.10 - 2025.08
- Produced 2 technical memoranda quarterly and shared water resource data with agencies and stakeholders.
- Prepared 2 hydrologic analysis monthly to support water rights administration, compact compliance, subdivision review and basin planning.
- Led technical support for the Zuni water rights settlement, coordinating hydrology work across state, tribal, and federal parties.
- Prepared written and oral testimony, scopes of work, and procedures for the NGL Energy and Agua Pura Water Rights Administrative Hearings.
- Reviewed 2 mining and exploration permit materials a year, applied regulatory review, and evaluated water resources impacts for New Mexico operations.
Basin Manager, Tucumcari Basin
State of New Mexico Office of the State Engineer
Cimarron, NM
2015.03 - 2017.10
- Conducted 2 well inspections monthly, reviewing drilling activity and submitted reports for compliance and technical accuracy.
- Reviewed 5+ water rights declarations filings weekly, drastically reducing the backlog of declaration applications.
- Managed water resources projects across the Tucumcari and Canadian River basins, supporting statutes, policy review, and basin administration.
- Evaluated over 50 applications for new appropriations, transfers of water rights, replacement wells, and streamflow depletion effects for permitting decisions.
- Collaborated with the Environment Department on corrective action for the Cimarron River spill, providing hydrologic and water quality expertise.
Hydrologist II
Southern Nevada Water Authority
Las Vegas, NV
2001.04 - 2014.06
- Planned and managed the study of arsenic and bromide loading into Lake Mead in 2002, informing program responses ahead of the EPA’s 2003 drinking-water standard change.
- Managed hydrologic and water quality program development for the Virgin River, including data collection requirements from 2001 to 2006.
- Developed field sampling protocols and procedures, coordinated with contracted laboratories, and built the water quality database for the Resources Department.
- SNWA’s technical representative on the Coyote Spring Valley Technical Review Panel, negotiated and selected water quality parameters for monitoring.
- Directed sampling and analysis of 18 large diameter wells on SNWA ranches, aligning water quality results with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
- Prepared expert reports for Nevada State Engineer and three federal agencies for groundwater-rights hearings in 2001, 2006, and 2010.
- Assisted with aquifer tests on 18 deep monitoring and production wells, prepared drilling reports.
- Evaluated recharge feasibility and trihalomethane transport in groundwater systems in Searchlight and Las Vegas, NV.
Adjunct Faculty
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Water Resources Management Program, Department of Geoscience
Las Vegas, NV
2006.09 - 2012.08
- Served on thesis committees annually, reviewing hydrology and water resources work.
- Supervised 2 graduate research projects focused on water supply challenges in rural communities.
- Guided graduate students on research directions that supported practical water supply solutions in Ghana and Nevada.
- Advised thesis candidates on methodology, analysis, and presentation of technical findings.
- Evaluated graduate research for academic rigor, technical accuracy, and relevance to water resource management.
Staff Hydrogeologist
Broadbent & Associates, Inc.
Henderson, NV
2000.05 - 2001.04
- Oversaw 15 monitoring wells weekly for soil and groundwater sampling across environmental investigations.
- Evaluated 2 water resource requests monthly for domestic and industrial use.
- Performed environmental, hydrological, and geological investigations supporting leaking underground storage tank remediation at multiple sites.
- Sited and supervised drilling activities for monitoring wells used in soil and groundwater sampling programs.
- Supported operation and maintenance of soil and groundwater remediation systems throughout the Greater Las Vegas Area.
Consulting Hydrogeologist
Summit Envirosolutions, Inc.
Sparks, NV
1997.01 - 1999.12
- Supported 3-5 environmental investigations monthly for groundwater remediation and water supply planning.
- Reviewed 1 project proposal monthly to assess feasibility, scope, and environmental considerations.
- Evaluated project reports and technical submissions for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with water resources objectives.
- Worked with planning engineers at Truckee Meadows Water Authority on facility requirements for new developments and subdivisions using GIS techniques.
- Conducted baseline surveys to document groundwater conditions and support arsenic-contaminated site remediation.
Consulting Faculty
Keck Geology Consortium Project
Lancaster, PA
1999.06 - 1999.07
- Trained 4-12 students monthly on augur drilling, well installation, and water-quality measurement techniques.
- Guided 4-12 students weekly through hydrologic field methods, data collection, and site-based research activities.
- Taught students to install data loggers for rain gauges, pressure transducers, weirs, and staff gauges on stream systems.
- Supported analysis of hydrologic and nutrient budgets for research sites in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
- Collected soil, surface water, and groundwater samples, then coached students in laboratory analysis of trace elements and major ions.
- Mentored students research on land-use impacts to water quality in the Mill River watershed and the Baker Environmental Site in Lancaster.
Associate Faculty
Feather River College
Quincy, CA
1997.01 - 1997.05
- Managed 1 water resources records weekly, reinforcing accurate water quality data handling and course documentation.
- Taught 1 water quality lab sessions weekly, guiding second-year students through course concepts and applied methods.
- Taught Water Quality Monitoring to second-year students at Feather River College.
- Covered water resources and water quality data management through lectures, discussions, and applied coursework.
- Led groundwater and surface water sampling and analysis exercises to connect field methods with classroom learning.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Desert Research Institute
Reno, NV
1996.08 - 1997.01
- Reviewed 50-100 isotope and geochemistry samples monthly to strengthen paleohydrologic interpretation and velocity estimates.
- Analyzed 10 groundwater model runs weekly to study subsurface flow patterns at the southern Nevada National Security Site.
- Interpreted groundwater velocities using groundwater modeling, geochemical modeling, and environmental isotopes.
- Evaluated paleohydrology to characterize historical recharge conditions and subsurface water movement.
- Documented findings from geochemical and isotope techniques for technical review and research communication.
Graduate Research Associate
Desert Research Institute
Reno, NV
1992.08 - 1996.08
- Coordinated 2 project check-ins monthly with colleagues and partners in the U.S. and Ghana.
- Co-led a $1.4M groundwater resources development initiative for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation in Ghana.
- Collaborated with colleagues and partners in the U.S. and Ghana to support sustainable groundwater development for rural water supply.
- Applied GIS and remote sensing to identify suitable groundwater sites for rural water supply development.
- Investigated groundwater geochemistry and trace element patterns in a siliciclastic sedimentary basin using aqueous geochemistry and isotopic techniques.
Graduate Research Assistant
Desert Research Institute
1990.01 - 1992.08
- Analyzed 40 stable isotope measurements monthly on mass spectrometers to document sample composition.
- Prepared 10 water, soil, and wood shaving samples weekly on vacuum extraction lines for isotopic analysis.
- Investigated relationships among water bodies in Great Basin National Park using chemical and isotopic techniques.
- Provided leadership on water resources and environmental assignments across Nevada, adapting methods to varied field conditions.
- Supported research teams with consistent lab and field work, contributing to ongoing water science projects.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Hydrology/Hydrogeology
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno8 1996
Master of Science - Geoscience (Hydrogeology)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Las Vegas8 1992
Bachelor of Science - Geological Engineering
Kwame Nkrumah Univ. of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Kumasi, Ghana6 1984
Skills
Water rights administration, public and tribal water rights settlement support, basin management, and compact-informed policy analysis
Compact compliance
Water rights hearing support
Regulatory review
Statutory analysis
Expert reports, testimony, technical memoranda, regulatory review, and public-facing technical communication
Groundwater modeling, hydrogeologic assessment, well drilling, aqueous geochemistry, isotope hydrology, and water quality program leadership
Aquifer testing
Technical memoranda preparation
GIS
Contractor oversight
Scope of work development
Agency coordination
Water rights litigation support
Administrative hearing preparation
Environmental permitting review
Public comment response
Hydrologic modeling software
Groundwater management planning
Surface water allocation analysis
Interagency memorandum development
Program budget management
Stakeholder facilitation
ADDITIONAL TRAINING
- Isotopic & Hydrogeological Characterization of fractured Rock settings: Current and Novel Approaches, National Groundwater Association, Baltimore, Maryland 2005
- Short course in Principles and Applications of Modeling Chemical Reactions in Groundwater, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado, Golden, USA 1993
GRADUATE COMMITTEE SERVICE
- Melanie Lynn Krautstrunk, M. S. Geoscience 2012
- Thesis title: An estimate of groundwater recharge in the Nabogo River Basin, Ghana, using water table fluctuation method and chloride mass balance
- Jeffrie L. Pompeo, M.S. Water Resources Management 2008
- Thesis title: Surface water interaction with the flood plain in the lower Virgin River, Clark County, Nevada
Timeline
Water Resources Professional IV, Hydrology Bureau
New Mexico Office of the State Engineer
2017.10 - 2025.08
Basin Manager, Tucumcari Basin
State of New Mexico Office of the State Engineer
2015.03 - 2017.10
Adjunct Faculty
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Water Resources Management Program, Department of Geoscience
2006.09 - 2012.08
Hydrologist II
Southern Nevada Water Authority
2001.04 - 2014.06
Staff Hydrogeologist
Broadbent & Associates, Inc.
2000.05 - 2001.04
Consulting Faculty
Keck Geology Consortium Project
1999.06 - 1999.07
Consulting Hydrogeologist
Summit Envirosolutions, Inc.
1997.01 - 1999.12
Associate Faculty
Feather River College
1997.01 - 1997.05
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Desert Research Institute
1996.08 - 1997.01
Graduate Research Associate
Desert Research Institute
1992.08 - 1996.08
Graduate Research Assistant
Desert Research Institute
1990.01 - 1992.08
Bachelor of Science - Geological Engineering
Kwame Nkrumah Univ. of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Master of Science - Geoscience (Hydrogeology)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Doctor of Philosophy - Hydrology/Hydrogeology
University of Nevada, Reno