Chad Ostheimer
Project chief with the USGS Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center in Columbus Ohio.
Professional Experience
Project chief of numerous hydrologic and hydraulic studies including flood-insurance studies, flood-inundation mapping, river mixing, dam breach analysis, climate change, invasive carp spawning simulation, and a watershed inventory.
Lead and contributed to the collection of critical flood documentation data in Ohio and have been on temporary duty assignments in 18 other states and areas.
Developed and taught courses for GPS surveying, hydraulic modeling, indirect estimation of discharge, and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with hydraulic modeling in Ohio and 8 other states and areas.
Education and Certifications
B.S. from Ohio State University in Civil Engineering.
Affiliations and Memberships*
Professional Engineer (Ohio)
Water Management Association of Ohio
Ohio Floodplain Managers Association
Science and Products
Geospatial datasets and hydraulic model for flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River in and near the City of Independence, Ohio Geospatial datasets and hydraulic model for flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River in and near the City of Independence, Ohio
Digital flood-inundation maps for a 9.9-mile reach of the Cuyahoga River near Independence, Ohio, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Board of Trustees. Flood profiles were computed for the stream reach by means of a one-dimensional step-backwater model. The model was calibrated to the current (rating number 42)...
Geospatial data sets and hydraulic models for the Cuyahoga River near Jaite, Ohio Geospatial data sets and hydraulic models for the Cuyahoga River near Jaite, Ohio
Digital flood-inundation maps for a nearly 6-mile reach of the Cuyahoga River at Jaite, Ohio, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Board of Commissioners. The flood-inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Program website at https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water...
Water velocity profile measurements in River Raisin near Monroe, Michigan, August 17-September 13, 2023 Water velocity profile measurements in River Raisin near Monroe, Michigan, August 17-September 13, 2023
These data were collected by a SonTek Argonaut-XR 3000-MHz 3D acoustic Doppler current meter (ADCM) that was mounted on an approximately 75-pound mounting plate. The ADCM was deployed on the bottom of River Raisin at approximately 41.899978°N, -83.353548°E and took measurements from August 17-September 13, 2023. These data were collected in cooperation with U.S. Environmental Protection...
Geospatial data sets and hydraulic models for selected streams near Rittman in Wayne and Medina Counties, Ohio. Geospatial data sets and hydraulic models for selected streams near Rittman in Wayne and Medina Counties, Ohio.
Digital flood-inundation maps were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District and the City of Rittman as part of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Study (FIS). The flood-inundation maps show estimates of the areal extent corresponding to the 1% and 0.2% annual-exceedance probability floods...
Geospatial data and models for the Simulation of Hypothetical Bighead Carp Egg and Larvae Development and Transport in the Ohio River between Markland Locks and Dam and McAlpine Locks and Dam, Kentucky and Indiana, by use of the Fluvial Egg Drift Simulato Geospatial data and models for the Simulation of Hypothetical Bighead Carp Egg and Larvae Development and Transport in the Ohio River between Markland Locks and Dam and McAlpine Locks and Dam, Kentucky and Indiana, by use of the Fluvial Egg Drift Simulato
Data collection, along with hydraulic and fluvial egg transport modeling, were completed along a 70.9-mile reach of the Ohio River between Markland Locks and Dam and McAlpine Locks and Dam. Data were collected during two surveys: October 27?November 4, 2016, and June 26?29, 2017. Water-quality data collected in this reach included surface measurements and vertical profiles of water...
Geospatial datasets and hydraulic models for the Grand River, Red Cedar River and Sycamore Creek near Lansing, Michigan (ver. 1.1, February 2023) Geospatial datasets and hydraulic models for the Grand River, Red Cedar River and Sycamore Creek near Lansing, Michigan (ver. 1.1, February 2023)
Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses were done for selected reaches of the Grand River, Red Cedar River and Sycamore Creek near Lansing, Michigan. To update and expand a portion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency detailed Flood Insurance Study, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the City of Lansing initiated a cooperative study. The study comprised a 3.2-mile reach of the Grand...
Filter Total Items: 21
Flood- inundation maps for Río Grande De Loíza in and near Caguas, Puerto Rico, 2026 Flood- inundation maps for Río Grande De Loíza in and near Caguas, Puerto Rico, 2026
Digital flood- inundation maps for a 2.7- mile reach of Río Grande De Loíza in Caguas, Puerto Rico, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey. Water- surface profiles were computed for the stream reach by using a one- dimensional, steady- state, step- backwater model. The model was calibrated to the current (2025) stage- streamflow relation (rating curve) for the U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Chad J. Ostheimer, Legna M. Torres-Garcia, Julieta M. Gomez-Fragoso
Flood-inundation maps for Río de la Plata in and near Comerío, Puerto Rico, 2025 Flood-inundation maps for Río de la Plata in and near Comerío, Puerto Rico, 2025
Digital flood-inundation maps for a 3.1-mile reach of Río de la Plata in and near Comerío, Puerto Rico, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Water-surface profiles were computed for the stream reach by using a one-dimensional steady-state step-backwater model. The model was calibrated to the current (2025) stage-streamflow relation (rating curve 11.0) for the USGS...
Authors
Chad J. Ostheimer, Legna M. Torres-Garcia
Flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River in and near Independence, Ohio, 2024 Flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River in and near Independence, Ohio, 2024
Digital flood-inundation maps for a 9.9-mile reach of the Cuyahoga River in and near Independence, Ohio, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Board of Trustees. Water-surface profiles were computed for the stream reach by using a one-dimensional steady-state step-backwater model. The model was calibrated to the...
Authors
Chad J. Ostheimer, Matthew T. Whitehead
Flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River at Jaite, Ohio, 2024 Flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River at Jaite, Ohio, 2024
Digital flood-inundation maps for a nearly 6-mile reach of the Cuyahoga River at Jaite, Ohio, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Board of Trustees. The maps depict estimates of the extent and depth of flooding corresponding to selected water levels (stages) at USGS streamgage 04206425 on the Cuyahoga River at...
Authors
Matthew T. Whitehead, Chad J. Ostheimer
Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses of selected streams near the city of Rittman in Wayne and Medina Counties, Ohio Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses of selected streams near the city of Rittman in Wayne and Medina Counties, Ohio
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District and the city of Rittman, Ohio, did a study to provide data to update and expand parts of two Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Studies. The study consisted of hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for selected reaches of four streams (Chippewa Creek, Little Chippewa Creek, Styx...
Authors
Chad J. Ostheimer
Supporting data and simulation of hypothetical bighead carp egg and larvae development and transport in the Ohio River between Markland Locks and Dam and McAlpine Locks and Dam, Kentucky and Indiana, by use of the Fluvial Egg Drift Simulator Supporting data and simulation of hypothetical bighead carp egg and larvae development and transport in the Ohio River between Markland Locks and Dam and McAlpine Locks and Dam, Kentucky and Indiana, by use of the Fluvial Egg Drift Simulator
Data collection, along with hydraulic and fluvial egg transport modeling, was completed along a 70.9-mile reach of the Ohio River between Markland Locks and Dam and McAlpine Locks and Dam in Kentucky and Indiana. Water-quality data collected in this reach included surface measurements and vertical profiles of water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity...
Authors
Chad J. Ostheimer, Justin A. Boldt, Paul M. Buszka
Science and Products
Geospatial datasets and hydraulic model for flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River in and near the City of Independence, Ohio Geospatial datasets and hydraulic model for flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River in and near the City of Independence, Ohio
Digital flood-inundation maps for a 9.9-mile reach of the Cuyahoga River near Independence, Ohio, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Board of Trustees. Flood profiles were computed for the stream reach by means of a one-dimensional step-backwater model. The model was calibrated to the current (rating number 42)...
Geospatial data sets and hydraulic models for the Cuyahoga River near Jaite, Ohio Geospatial data sets and hydraulic models for the Cuyahoga River near Jaite, Ohio
Digital flood-inundation maps for a nearly 6-mile reach of the Cuyahoga River at Jaite, Ohio, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Board of Commissioners. The flood-inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Program website at https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water...
Water velocity profile measurements in River Raisin near Monroe, Michigan, August 17-September 13, 2023 Water velocity profile measurements in River Raisin near Monroe, Michigan, August 17-September 13, 2023
These data were collected by a SonTek Argonaut-XR 3000-MHz 3D acoustic Doppler current meter (ADCM) that was mounted on an approximately 75-pound mounting plate. The ADCM was deployed on the bottom of River Raisin at approximately 41.899978°N, -83.353548°E and took measurements from August 17-September 13, 2023. These data were collected in cooperation with U.S. Environmental Protection...
Geospatial data sets and hydraulic models for selected streams near Rittman in Wayne and Medina Counties, Ohio. Geospatial data sets and hydraulic models for selected streams near Rittman in Wayne and Medina Counties, Ohio.
Digital flood-inundation maps were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District and the City of Rittman as part of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Study (FIS). The flood-inundation maps show estimates of the areal extent corresponding to the 1% and 0.2% annual-exceedance probability floods...
Geospatial data and models for the Simulation of Hypothetical Bighead Carp Egg and Larvae Development and Transport in the Ohio River between Markland Locks and Dam and McAlpine Locks and Dam, Kentucky and Indiana, by use of the Fluvial Egg Drift Simulato Geospatial data and models for the Simulation of Hypothetical Bighead Carp Egg and Larvae Development and Transport in the Ohio River between Markland Locks and Dam and McAlpine Locks and Dam, Kentucky and Indiana, by use of the Fluvial Egg Drift Simulato
Data collection, along with hydraulic and fluvial egg transport modeling, were completed along a 70.9-mile reach of the Ohio River between Markland Locks and Dam and McAlpine Locks and Dam. Data were collected during two surveys: October 27?November 4, 2016, and June 26?29, 2017. Water-quality data collected in this reach included surface measurements and vertical profiles of water...
Geospatial datasets and hydraulic models for the Grand River, Red Cedar River and Sycamore Creek near Lansing, Michigan (ver. 1.1, February 2023) Geospatial datasets and hydraulic models for the Grand River, Red Cedar River and Sycamore Creek near Lansing, Michigan (ver. 1.1, February 2023)
Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses were done for selected reaches of the Grand River, Red Cedar River and Sycamore Creek near Lansing, Michigan. To update and expand a portion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency detailed Flood Insurance Study, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the City of Lansing initiated a cooperative study. The study comprised a 3.2-mile reach of the Grand...
Filter Total Items: 21
Flood- inundation maps for Río Grande De Loíza in and near Caguas, Puerto Rico, 2026 Flood- inundation maps for Río Grande De Loíza in and near Caguas, Puerto Rico, 2026
Digital flood- inundation maps for a 2.7- mile reach of Río Grande De Loíza in Caguas, Puerto Rico, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey. Water- surface profiles were computed for the stream reach by using a one- dimensional, steady- state, step- backwater model. The model was calibrated to the current (2025) stage- streamflow relation (rating curve) for the U.S. Geological Survey...
Authors
Chad J. Ostheimer, Legna M. Torres-Garcia, Julieta M. Gomez-Fragoso
Flood-inundation maps for Río de la Plata in and near Comerío, Puerto Rico, 2025 Flood-inundation maps for Río de la Plata in and near Comerío, Puerto Rico, 2025
Digital flood-inundation maps for a 3.1-mile reach of Río de la Plata in and near Comerío, Puerto Rico, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Water-surface profiles were computed for the stream reach by using a one-dimensional steady-state step-backwater model. The model was calibrated to the current (2025) stage-streamflow relation (rating curve 11.0) for the USGS...
Authors
Chad J. Ostheimer, Legna M. Torres-Garcia
Flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River in and near Independence, Ohio, 2024 Flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River in and near Independence, Ohio, 2024
Digital flood-inundation maps for a 9.9-mile reach of the Cuyahoga River in and near Independence, Ohio, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Board of Trustees. Water-surface profiles were computed for the stream reach by using a one-dimensional steady-state step-backwater model. The model was calibrated to the...
Authors
Chad J. Ostheimer, Matthew T. Whitehead
Flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River at Jaite, Ohio, 2024 Flood-inundation maps for the Cuyahoga River at Jaite, Ohio, 2024
Digital flood-inundation maps for a nearly 6-mile reach of the Cuyahoga River at Jaite, Ohio, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Board of Trustees. The maps depict estimates of the extent and depth of flooding corresponding to selected water levels (stages) at USGS streamgage 04206425 on the Cuyahoga River at...
Authors
Matthew T. Whitehead, Chad J. Ostheimer
Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses of selected streams near the city of Rittman in Wayne and Medina Counties, Ohio Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses of selected streams near the city of Rittman in Wayne and Medina Counties, Ohio
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District and the city of Rittman, Ohio, did a study to provide data to update and expand parts of two Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Studies. The study consisted of hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for selected reaches of four streams (Chippewa Creek, Little Chippewa Creek, Styx...
Authors
Chad J. Ostheimer
Supporting data and simulation of hypothetical bighead carp egg and larvae development and transport in the Ohio River between Markland Locks and Dam and McAlpine Locks and Dam, Kentucky and Indiana, by use of the Fluvial Egg Drift Simulator Supporting data and simulation of hypothetical bighead carp egg and larvae development and transport in the Ohio River between Markland Locks and Dam and McAlpine Locks and Dam, Kentucky and Indiana, by use of the Fluvial Egg Drift Simulator
Data collection, along with hydraulic and fluvial egg transport modeling, was completed along a 70.9-mile reach of the Ohio River between Markland Locks and Dam and McAlpine Locks and Dam in Kentucky and Indiana. Water-quality data collected in this reach included surface measurements and vertical profiles of water temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity...
Authors
Chad J. Ostheimer, Justin A. Boldt, Paul M. Buszka
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government