James Stafford

James Stafford

Jim Stafford has been working at the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS) since 2005, primarily as a resource analyst. He began managing the Geologic Hazards and Groundwater Division in spring 2024. His focus is data analysis/modeling, hydrologic/geologic resource analysis, geospatial science, and cartography. At the WSGS, Jim has worked across the gamut of geologic topics, and acts as a generalist in hydrogeology, hydrocarbon resources, stratigraphy, mineral resources, and bedrock mapping.

A native of Chugwater, Wyoming, Jim has a bachelor’s degree in hydrology from the University of Colorado Boulder and a dual master’s degree in geospatial science and water resources from the University of Wyoming. He spends his time outside work with his family, and doing a variety of outdoor sports and recreation.


Selected Publications

Stafford, J.E., Kehoe, K.S., Doorn, C.J., Schwaderer, C.W., Lynds, R.M., and Webber, P.M., 2023, Mineral resources of Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey.

Taboga, K.G., Stafford, J.E., and Rodgers, J.R., 2022, Groundwater level recovery in the sandstones of the lower Tertiary aquifer system of the Powder River Basin, Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey Report of Investigations 78, 53 p.

Taboga, K.G., Stafford, J.E., Rodgers, J.R., and Wittke, S.J., 2022, Groundwater salinity in the Wind River and Bighorn basins, Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey Open File Report 2022-2, 52 p.

Stafford, J.E., and Taboga, K.G., 2022, Wyoming geothermal map: Wyoming State Geological Survey.

Stafford, J.E., Hoffman, C.F., Wittke, S.J., Webber, P.M., and Frost, B.R., 2021, Preliminary geologic map of the Rock River 30' x 60' quadrangle, Albany, Laramie, and Platte counties, Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey Open File Report 2021-5, scale 1:100,000.

Stafford, J.E., and Loveland, A.M., 2020, Preliminary geologic map of the Chugwater 30’ x 60’ quadrangle, Goshen, Platte, and Laramie counties, Wyoming, and Scotts Bluff and Banner counties, Nebraska: Wyoming State Geological Survey Open File Report 20-1, scale 1:100,000.

Taboga, K.G., and Stafford, J.E., 2020, Groundwater salinity in Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey Open File Report 2020-6, 29p.

Taboga, K.G., Stafford, J.E., Rodgers, J.R., Wittke, S.J. and Samra, C.P., 2020, Groundwater salinity in the Greater Green River Basin, Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey Open File Report 2020-10, 31 p.

Mauch, J.P., Stafford, J.E., and Wittke, S.J., 2020, Geology of Yellowstone Map: Wyoming State Geological Survey.

Carroll, C.J., Stafford, J.E., Kehoe, K.S., Loveland, A.M., Taboga, K.G., Cola, E.C., Ratigan, D.R., and Spaeth, L.J., 2019, Coal availability of the Fort Union Formation in the Great Divide and Washakie basins, south-central Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey Report of Investigations 76, 35 p.

Toner, R.N., Lynds, R.M., and Stafford, J.E., 2019, Oil and gas map of Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey Map Series 104, scale 1:500,000.

Wittke, S.J., and Stafford, J.E., 2019, Susceptibility to deep-seated landslides in Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey Open File Report 2019-7, scale 1:850,000.

Taboga, K.G., Bartos, T.T., Hallberg, L.L., Clark, M.L., Stafford, J.E., and Loveland, A.M., 2019, Powder/Tongue/Northeast river basins water plan update, groundwater study, level I (2002–2016)— Available groundwater determination: Wyoming State Geological Survey Technical Memorandum 8, 479 p., 3 pls.

Taboga, K.G., Stafford, J.E., and Rodgers, J.R., 2018, Groundwater salinity in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey Open File Report 2018-5, 23 p.

Sutherland, W.M., Stafford, J.E., Carroll, C.J., Gregory, R.W., and Kehoe, K.S., 2018, Mines and Minerals Map of Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey.

Wittke, S.J., and Stafford, J.E., 2018, Wyoming geologic hazards map: Wyoming State Geological Survey.

Taboga, K.G., Stafford, J.E., and Rodgers, J.R., 2017, Groundwater response in the sandstones of the Wasatch and Fort Union Formations, Powder River Basin, Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey Report of Investigations 74, 48 p.

Stafford, J., Toner, R., Lynds, R., 2017, Automating Oil and Gas Field Mapping in Wyoming: ArcNews -- Esri v. 39, No. 1, p. 22.

Stafford, J.E., Taboga, K.G., and Toner, R.T., 2017, Groundwater atlas of Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey.

Taboga, K.G., Stafford, J.E., 2016, Wyoming State Geological Survey statewide groundwater baseflow study: Wyoming State Geological Survey Open File Report 2016-8, 16 p.

Taboga, K.G., Wittke, S.J., Stafford, J.E., and Rodgers, J.R., 2016, Groundwater Salinity in the Denver-Julesburg Basin, Wyoming, Open File Report 2016-2, Wyoming State Geological Survey, Laramie, Wyoming, 22 p.

Toner, R.N., Lynds, R.M., and Stafford, J.E., 2016, Oil and Gas Map of Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey Map Series 103, 1 sheet, scale 1:500,000.

Toner, R.N., Lynds, R.M., Stafford, J.E., and Lichtner, D.T., 2016, Interactive Oil and Gas Map of Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey.

Taboga, K.G., Stafford, J.E., Rodgers, J.R., and Carroll, C.C., 2015, Groundwater Response in the Upper Wyodak Coal Zone, Powder River Basin, Wyoming, Report of Investigations No. 66, Wyoming State Geological Survey, Laramie, Wyoming, 60 p.

Taboga, K.G., Sutherland, W.M., Gregory, R.W., Stafford, J.E., and Rodgers, J.R., 2015, Lithium Resources in Wyoming, Report of Investigations No. 69, Wyoming State Geological Survey, Laramie, Wyoming, 25 p.

Taboga, K.G., and Stafford, J.E., 2014, 2013 Coalbed Natural Gas Regional Groundwater Monitoring Update: Powder River Basin, Wyoming, Wyoming State Geological Survey Open File Report 2014-01, 353 p.

Taboga, K.G., Bartos, T.T., Taucher, P., Hallberg, L.L., Clark, M.L., Stafford, J., Gracias, T., and Whittke, S.J., 2014, Available Groundwater Determination Technical Memorandum, WWDC Bear River Basin Water Plan Update, Level I (2010-2013), Wyoming State Geological Survey, Laramie, Wyoming, 268p.

Taboga, K.G., Bartos, T.T., Taucher, P., Hallberg, L.L., Clark, M.L., Stafford, J., Larsen, M.C., and Gracias, T., 2014, Available Groundwater Determination Technical Memorandum, WWDC Snake/Salt River Basin Water Plan Update, Level I (2010-2013), Wyoming State Geological Survey, Laramie, Wyoming, 270p.

Stafford, J.E., and Wittke, S.J., 2013, 2012 Coalbed Natural Gas Regional Groundwater Monitoring Update: Powder River Basin, Wyoming, Wyoming State Geological Survey Open File Report 2013-01, 347 p.

Taucher, P., Bartos, T.T., Taboga, K.G., Hallberg, L.L., Clark, M.L., Stafford, J., Gracias, T., Hinckley, B., Worman, B., Clarey, K., Lindemann, L., Quillinan, S.A., Copeland, D., Hays, R., and Thompson, M., 2013, Available Groundwater Determination Technical Memorandum, WWDC Platte River Basin Water Plan Update, Level I (2009-2013), Wyoming State Geological Survey, Laramie, Wyoming, 481p.

Stafford, J.E., 2013, Relationships between Snowpack and Peak Streamflows in Wyoming Headwaters, Master’s Thesis, University of Wyoming, 113 p.

Stafford, J.E., 2012, Wyoming’s electrical generation resources (revised): Wyoming State Geological Survey Summary Report, 4 p.

McLaughlin, J.F., Stafford, J.E., and Harris, R.E., 2011, Geologic map of the Lusk 30’ x 60’ quadrangle, Niobrara, Goshen, Converse, and Platte counties, Wyoming, and Sioux County, Nebraska: Wyoming State Geological Survey Map Series 82, scale 1:100,000.

Stafford, J.E., and Gracias, Tomas, 2011, Select geology, oil, gas, and water wells of southeastern Wyoming: Wyoming State Geological Survey Open File Report 11-1, 1 sheet, scale 1:200,000.

Stafford, J.E., and Gracias T., 2009, Surface Water Resource Map of Wyoming: Streamflows and Storage, Wyoming State Geological Survey Map Series 91, scale 1:500,000, 1 sheet.

McLaughlin, J.F., Stafford, J.E., and Harris, R.E., 2008, Preliminary geologic map of the Lusk 30' x 60' quadrangle, Niobrara, Goshen, Converse, and Platte Counties, Wyoming, and western Nebraska: Wyoming State Geological Survey Open File Report 08-5, 1 sheet, scale 1:100,000.

Surdam, R.C., Jiao, Z., Clarey, K., De Bruin, R.H., Bentley, R., Stafford, J., Deiss, A., and Ewald, M., 2007, An evaluation of coalbed methane production trends in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin—A tool for resource management: Wyoming State Geological Survey Challenges in Geologic Resource Development 3, 43 p.

Surdam, R.C., Clarey, K.E., Bentley, R.D., Stafford, J.E., Jiao, Zunsheng, 2006, Powder River Basin desalination project feasibility: Wyoming State Geological Survey Challenges in Geologic Resource Development 1, 20 p., 1 pl.