Christopher Hobza
Chris Hobza is a lead hydrologist from the U.S. Geological Survey Nebraska Water Science Center.
Chris has worked for the USGS since 2001, first as a student in Nebraska and then in Fayetteville, Arkansas where he received his Masters in Geology in 2006. Since returning to Nebraska Chris has worked on a variety of projects dealing with groundwater/surface-water interaction, groundwater recharge, and geologic framework studies.
Education
2003, B.S. Water Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2006, M.S. Geology, University of Arkansas
Science and Products
Assessing drought resilience of the South Loup River using age tracer, streamflow, and continuous water-quality data
Streams in the Loup River basin have a close hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. Groundwater springs are important hydrologic features that sustain the flow of the South Loup River. This study assesses the ability of these springs to maintain consistent flow of the South Loup River over periods of prolonged drought.
Groundwater Quality and Age of Secondary Bedrock Aquifers, Eastern Nebraska
The Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA) project was initiated in 2006 to assist water managers by developing a hydrogeologic framework and water budget for the glaciated portion of eastern Nebraska. Within the ENWRA area, the primary groundwater sources for municipal, domestic, and irrigation water needs are provided by withdrawals from alluvial, buried paleovalley, and the High...
Interpretation of hydrogeological data in Bazile Groundwater Management Area: A case demonstration of the Nebraska Geocloud
Nitrate, age tracer, and continuous groundwater-level data within the BGMA were interpreted in conjunction with AEM data as a case demonstration of the Nebraska Geocloud. The Nebraska Geocloud was initiated to protect taxpayer investments in AEM data collection and realize maximum benefit of these data by creating a publicly available, online digital database for long-term data storage. The Lower...
Groundwater/surface-water interaction near the confluence of the Elkhorn and Lower Platte Rivers
Recent droughts in Nebraska (2000–06; 2012–13) have amplified concerns about the long-term sustainability of groundwater and surface-water resources as well as concerns about the effect of groundwater irrigation on streamflow and water supplies needed to meet wildlife, recreational, and municipal needs. The Lower Platte River Basin-wide Management Plan is currently being developed jointly by the...
Groundwater/Surface-Water Interactions in the Loup River Basin
Streams in the Loup River basin are sensitive to groundwater withdrawals because of the close hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. Pumping from aquifers that are hydrologically connected to surface-water bodies can have a significant effect on the streams by reducing the groundwater discharge to surface water. An evaluation of any groundwater management strategy needs to...
Water Movement Through the Unsaturated Zone of the High Plains Aquifer in the Central Platte Natural Resources District, Nebraska
Eight unsaturated-zone research sites were installed in the Central Platte Natural Resources District as part of the High Plains Unsaturated-Zone Research Network. These 8 sites were installed to determine recharge and chemical transport rates in the unsaturated zone beneath important land-use settings and climate gradients across the Central Platte Natural Resources District.
Science and Products
Assessing drought resilience of the South Loup River using age tracer, streamflow, and continuous water-quality data
Streams in the Loup River basin have a close hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. Groundwater springs are important hydrologic features that sustain the flow of the South Loup River. This study assesses the ability of these springs to maintain consistent flow of the South Loup River over periods of prolonged drought.
Groundwater Quality and Age of Secondary Bedrock Aquifers, Eastern Nebraska
The Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA) project was initiated in 2006 to assist water managers by developing a hydrogeologic framework and water budget for the glaciated portion of eastern Nebraska. Within the ENWRA area, the primary groundwater sources for municipal, domestic, and irrigation water needs are provided by withdrawals from alluvial, buried paleovalley, and the High...
Interpretation of hydrogeological data in Bazile Groundwater Management Area: A case demonstration of the Nebraska Geocloud
Nitrate, age tracer, and continuous groundwater-level data within the BGMA were interpreted in conjunction with AEM data as a case demonstration of the Nebraska Geocloud. The Nebraska Geocloud was initiated to protect taxpayer investments in AEM data collection and realize maximum benefit of these data by creating a publicly available, online digital database for long-term data storage. The Lower...
Groundwater/surface-water interaction near the confluence of the Elkhorn and Lower Platte Rivers
Recent droughts in Nebraska (2000–06; 2012–13) have amplified concerns about the long-term sustainability of groundwater and surface-water resources as well as concerns about the effect of groundwater irrigation on streamflow and water supplies needed to meet wildlife, recreational, and municipal needs. The Lower Platte River Basin-wide Management Plan is currently being developed jointly by the...
Groundwater/Surface-Water Interactions in the Loup River Basin
Streams in the Loup River basin are sensitive to groundwater withdrawals because of the close hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. Pumping from aquifers that are hydrologically connected to surface-water bodies can have a significant effect on the streams by reducing the groundwater discharge to surface water. An evaluation of any groundwater management strategy needs to...
Water Movement Through the Unsaturated Zone of the High Plains Aquifer in the Central Platte Natural Resources District, Nebraska
Eight unsaturated-zone research sites were installed in the Central Platte Natural Resources District as part of the High Plains Unsaturated-Zone Research Network. These 8 sites were installed to determine recharge and chemical transport rates in the unsaturated zone beneath important land-use settings and climate gradients across the Central Platte Natural Resources District.