Colby Steelman

Colby Steelman is an assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Waterloo, whose research focuses on methods to better understand shallow groundwater flow systems through the detection and characterization of process dynamics.

Steelman has made significant advancements in geophysical imaging techniques using ground-penetrating radar, electrical resistivity, electromagnetic induction and seismic imaging, in combination with direct hydrogeologic observations to better understand the parameters and processes that define complex groundwater flow systems. Through the integration of time lapse surface and downhole geophysical measurements, together with high resolution geologic and hydrogeologic information, his field of research enables detection and monitoring of water resources across a range of spatial scales, aiding in the development of groundwater monitoring techniques. He is especially interested in combining multiple lines of geophysical evidence and investigating how these styles of data can be integrated into high‑resolution temporal monitoring networks. His research utilizes a combination of field-based geophysical, hydrogeological and geological information in the context of local to regional-scale groundwater flow systems to better understand the complex relationship between anthropogenic and natural groundwater processes.

By studying groundwater contaminants and how climate, environmental change, and human activities influence groundwater distribution and condition, Steelman’s research helps make visible a critical resource beneath the ground that cannot otherwise be seen. Using non‑invasive geophysical tools to track, detect, and quantify groundwater in soil and rock, this work helps communities understand where their water is, how much is available, and whether it is being affected by contamination or extraction, supporting informed decisions to protect drinking water, ecosystems, and a vital human resource.

• Environmental geophysics, hydrogeophysics, applied geophysics

• Multi-scale geophysical characterization of groundwater flow systems

• Geophysical imaging of hydrodynamics, landform architecture, geologic structures, and permafrost

• Source water protection and management

• Water resource assessment and monitoring

• 2012, Ph.D. Earth Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada

• 2007, B.Sc. Earth Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada

• 2020, Outstanding Performance Award, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo

• 2014 – 2016, Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship (NSERC), University of Guelph.

• 2012 – 2014, NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Guelph.

• 2012, W.B. Pearson Medal in Science, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo.

• 2025 – Present, Science Graduate Scholarship Committee, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo

• 2025 – Present, Science Faculty Council, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo

• 2025 – Present, Faculty Committee on Student Appeals, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo

• 2025 – Present, Graduate Scholarship Committee, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo

• 2025 – 2027, Associate Editor (Near-Surface and Urban Geophysics Section), GEOPHYSICS, Society of Exploration Geophysicists

• 2024 – 2025, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Racism (EDI-R) Committee, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Waterloo

• 2023 – Present, Health and Safety Committee, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Waterloo

• 2023 – Present, MSc Defense Chair, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Waterloo

• 2023 – 2025, Associate Editor (Near-Surface and Urban Geophysics Section), GEOPHYSICS, Society of Exploration Geophysicists

• 2022 – 2023, Fall Open House Volunteer, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Waterloo

• 2020 – 2023, Associate Editor (Ground-Penetrating Radar Section), GEOPHYSICS, Society of Exploration Geophysicists

• 2019 – 2021, Seminar Coordinator, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Waterloo

• 2018 – 2021, Undergraduate Committee Member, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Waterloo

• Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO)

• American Geophysical Union (AGU)

• Canadian Geophysical Union (CGU)

• Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG)

• European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers

• International Association of Hydrogeologists

• Principal Investigator, G360 Institute for Groundwater Research, University of Guelph

• Adjunct Professor, School of Engineering, University of Guelph

• Member (Water Institute)

• EARTH 260 - Introductory Applied Geophysics
  • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• EARTH 458L - Field Methods in Hydrogeology
  • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
• EARTH 461 - Near-Surface Geophysics
  • Taught in 2023, 2024, 2025
• EARTH 668 - Advanced Applied Geophysics
  • Taught in 2023, 2024, 2025
• EARTH 671 - Field Methods in Hydrogeology
  • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• SCI 250 - Environmental Geology
  • Taught in 2021

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

• For the full list of Colby Steelman's publications, please see Google Scholar.

• Steelman, C.M., C.S. Kennedy*, D. Capes*, and B.L. Parker (2017), Electrical resistivity dynamics beneath a fractured sedimentary bedrock riverbed in response to temperature and groundwater/surface water exchange. Hydrology & Earth System Science, 21, 3105 – 3123, http://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-3105-2017

• Steelman, C.M., D.R. Klazinga*, A.G. Cahill, A.L. Endres, and B.L. Parker (2017), Monitoring the evolution and migration of a methane gas plume in an unconfined sandy aquifer using time-lapse GPR and ERT. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 205, 12 – 24, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2017.08.011

• Gorrie, C.*, C.M. Steelman, O. Conway-White, A. Smiarowski, E. Arnaud, B.L. Parker, (2025), Generating a statistically constrained Quaternary model of a buried bedrock valley using FDEM. Groundwater 63(3), 351 – 370, https://doi:10.1111/gwat.13478

• Wang, C.*, C.M. Steelman, W. Illman. (2025) Characterizing spatial heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity using borehole NMR in a complex groundwater flow system. Water Resources Research, 61, e2024WR039717, https://doi.org/10.1029/2024WR039717.

• Conway-White*, O.*, C.M. Steelman, A. Smiarowski, H. Ugalde, A.L. Endres, E. Arnaud, B.L. Parker. (2022) Improving spatial characterization of buried bedrock valleys through airborne frequency-domain electromagnetic, residual magnetics and surface resistivity measurements. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 199, 104584 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2022.104584

• Note: "*" denotes students.