Team Member Candid Photo

Ben Trustman specializes in mountain and watershed hydrology. Always referring to himself as a field scientist, Ben enjoys living in the mountains and is happy to have a profession that allows him to spend plenty of time outdoors. He collects and analyzes streamflow and hydrologic data, including water quality and suspended sediment samples. He is experienced in remote sensor application and data logger programming, as well as analysis of hydrologic systems using both field monitoring and numeric modeling approaches. Ben has conducted a variety of field investigations related to storm water quality and assists in planning and monitoring the success of ecological restoration projects. When he is not in the office Ben enjoys spending time with his three children as well as play in the mountains-hiking, biking, skiing and walking his dogs.

  • California QSD/QSP 27783
  • Certified Professional in Stormwater Quality 00001236
  • M.S. Hydrology, University of Nevada, 2015
  • B.S. Ecohydrology, University of Nevada, 2013

Field Work, Monitoring, Programming, Snow Hydrology, Stormwater, Streamflow

Key Projects

  • Perazzo Meadows Restoration Hydrologic Monitoring, Truckee River Watershed Council, Sierra County, California
  • Truckee Meadows Regional Storm Water Quality Monitoring Program, City of Reno, Washoe County, Nevada
  • Van Norden Dam Hydrologic and Hydraulic Evaluation, Truckee Donner Land Trust, Nevada County, California

  • "Characterizing spatial and temporal variability of snow water equivalent using pressure sensors." Masters Thesis

I like working at Balance because I get to have a nice “balance” of field and office work. Working in the Truckee office I often visit some of the most beautiful watersheds for field work. I also appreciate the focus at Balance on using and practicing good science on each and every project.

If I could do field work anywhere? This is a tough question because “the world is your oyster”, but to be honest I did my graduate work in the high mountain ranges of the Great Basin and I would love to be back in that environment—the high desert, basin and range is some of the most beautiful soul fulfilling landscape in the world.

My favorite watershed to work in is the Little Truckee River watershed in Perazzo Meadows—a beautiful place to spend the day.

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