Elizabeth is a member of the USGS Hydoacoustic Work Group and the Surface Water Users Group and has been the local ADCP and hydroacoustic technology resource. She is continuing to develop her expertise in index-velocity technology by assisting other water science centers in their work.
Elizabeth Hittle started her USGS career in Miami, Florida as a Hydrologic Technician working for the hydrologic surveillance data program collecting and computing basic streamflow data. As hydroacoustic technology became available, Miami was in the forefront of computing streamflow data using acoustic Doppler velocity meters (ADVMs) and Elizabeth helped to develop a number of the index-velocity ratings that were used. In 2002, Elizabeth was converted to a Hydrologist and assisted in a number of projects including a turbidity/sediment study. In 2006, Elizabeth transferred to the Pennsylvania Water Science Center, Pittsburgh Office.
Education and Certifications
B.S. Marine Science and Geology, University of Miami (FL), 1996
Science and Products
Estimation of base flow on ungaged, periodically measured streams in small watersheds in western Pennsylvania
A 2.5-year data collection program was undertaken by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), to quantify and estimate base flow in small watersheds in western Pennsylvania where only periodic streamflow measurements had been obtained. Twelve streamgages with watershed areas of less than 10 square miles were established in wes
Authors
Elizabeth Hittle, Dennis W. Risser
Computing under-ice discharge: A proof-of-concept using hydroacoustics and the Probability Concept
Under-ice discharge is estimated using open-water reference hydrographs; however, the ratings for ice-affected sites are generally qualified as poor. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, conducted a proof-of-concept to develop an alternative method for computing under-ice discharge using hydroacoustics and the Probability Concept.The study
Authors
John W. Fulton, Mark F. Henneberg, Taylor J. Mills, Michael S. Kohn, Brian Epstein, Elizabeth Hittle, William C. Damschen, Christopher D. Laveau, Jason M. Lambrecht, William H. Farmer
Longshore water-current velocity and the potential for transport of contaminants—A pilot study in Lake Erie from Walnut Creek to Presque Isle State Park beaches, Erie, Pennsylvania, June and August 2015
Bacteria-driven restrictions and (or) advisories on swimming at beaches in Presque Isle State Park (PISP), Erie, Pennsylvania, can occur during the summer months. One of the suspected sources of bacteria is sediment. A terrestrial sediment source to the west of PISP is Walnut Creek, which discharges to Lake Erie about 8.5 kilometers southwest of PISP Beach 1. On June 24, June 25, August 18, and Au
Authors
Elizabeth Hittle
Effects of high salinity wastewater discharges on unionid mussels in the Allegheny River, Pennsylvania
We examined the effect of high salinity wastewater (brine) from oil and natural gas drilling on freshwater mussels in the Allegheny River, Pennsylvania, during 2012. Mussel cages (N = 5 per site) were deployed at two sites upstream and four sites downstream of a brine treatment facility on the Allegheny River. Each cage contained 20 juvenile northern riffleshell mussels Epioblasma torulosa rangian
Authors
Kathleen A. Patnode, Elizabeth Hittle, Robert Anderson, Lora Zimmerman, John W. Fulton
Simulations of flow and prediction of sediment movement in Wymans Run, Cochranton Borough, Crawford County, Pennsylvania
In small watersheds, runoff entering local waterways from large storms can cause rapid and profound changes in the streambed that can contribute to flooding. Wymans Run, a small stream in Cochranton Borough, Crawford County, experienced a large rain event in June 2008 that caused sediment to be deposited at a bridge. A hydrodynamic model, Flow and Sediment Transport and Morphological Evolution of
Authors
Elizabeth Hittle
Water Velocity Magnitude and Direction Collected on May 8-9, 2019 at Select Breakwaters in Lake Erie at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, PA
Background: Presque Isle State Park (PISP), located in northwestern Pennsylvania, is located on a 3,127 acre peninsula that extends into Lake Erie. Approximately 7 miles long, PISP is a recurving sand spit where the width of the neck is less than 1,000 feet and the center, eastern end exceeds 1 mile. The park boundary extends 500 feet offshore around the perimeter of the peninsula. The spit forms
Index-gage Data and Regressions in Support of Estimation of Base Flow on Ungaged, Periodically Measured Streams in Small Watersheds in Western Pennsylvania
Streamflow was collected at various streamgages in western Pennsylvania in support of the scientific investigations report "Estimation of Base Flow on Ungaged, Periodically Measured Streams in Small Watersheds in Western Pennsylvania". Data observed at the streamgages for the period of August 1, 2014 through March 31, 2017 are considered. This dataset includes 1) observed streamflow and qualifier
Science and Products
- Publications
Estimation of base flow on ungaged, periodically measured streams in small watersheds in western Pennsylvania
A 2.5-year data collection program was undertaken by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), to quantify and estimate base flow in small watersheds in western Pennsylvania where only periodic streamflow measurements had been obtained. Twelve streamgages with watershed areas of less than 10 square miles were established in wesAuthorsElizabeth Hittle, Dennis W. RisserComputing under-ice discharge: A proof-of-concept using hydroacoustics and the Probability Concept
Under-ice discharge is estimated using open-water reference hydrographs; however, the ratings for ice-affected sites are generally qualified as poor. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, conducted a proof-of-concept to develop an alternative method for computing under-ice discharge using hydroacoustics and the Probability Concept.The studyAuthorsJohn W. Fulton, Mark F. Henneberg, Taylor J. Mills, Michael S. Kohn, Brian Epstein, Elizabeth Hittle, William C. Damschen, Christopher D. Laveau, Jason M. Lambrecht, William H. FarmerLongshore water-current velocity and the potential for transport of contaminants—A pilot study in Lake Erie from Walnut Creek to Presque Isle State Park beaches, Erie, Pennsylvania, June and August 2015
Bacteria-driven restrictions and (or) advisories on swimming at beaches in Presque Isle State Park (PISP), Erie, Pennsylvania, can occur during the summer months. One of the suspected sources of bacteria is sediment. A terrestrial sediment source to the west of PISP is Walnut Creek, which discharges to Lake Erie about 8.5 kilometers southwest of PISP Beach 1. On June 24, June 25, August 18, and AuAuthorsElizabeth HittleEffects of high salinity wastewater discharges on unionid mussels in the Allegheny River, Pennsylvania
We examined the effect of high salinity wastewater (brine) from oil and natural gas drilling on freshwater mussels in the Allegheny River, Pennsylvania, during 2012. Mussel cages (N = 5 per site) were deployed at two sites upstream and four sites downstream of a brine treatment facility on the Allegheny River. Each cage contained 20 juvenile northern riffleshell mussels Epioblasma torulosa rangianAuthorsKathleen A. Patnode, Elizabeth Hittle, Robert Anderson, Lora Zimmerman, John W. FultonSimulations of flow and prediction of sediment movement in Wymans Run, Cochranton Borough, Crawford County, Pennsylvania
In small watersheds, runoff entering local waterways from large storms can cause rapid and profound changes in the streambed that can contribute to flooding. Wymans Run, a small stream in Cochranton Borough, Crawford County, experienced a large rain event in June 2008 that caused sediment to be deposited at a bridge. A hydrodynamic model, Flow and Sediment Transport and Morphological Evolution ofAuthorsElizabeth Hittle - Data
Water Velocity Magnitude and Direction Collected on May 8-9, 2019 at Select Breakwaters in Lake Erie at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, PA
Background: Presque Isle State Park (PISP), located in northwestern Pennsylvania, is located on a 3,127 acre peninsula that extends into Lake Erie. Approximately 7 miles long, PISP is a recurving sand spit where the width of the neck is less than 1,000 feet and the center, eastern end exceeds 1 mile. The park boundary extends 500 feet offshore around the perimeter of the peninsula. The spit formsIndex-gage Data and Regressions in Support of Estimation of Base Flow on Ungaged, Periodically Measured Streams in Small Watersheds in Western Pennsylvania
Streamflow was collected at various streamgages in western Pennsylvania in support of the scientific investigations report "Estimation of Base Flow on Ungaged, Periodically Measured Streams in Small Watersheds in Western Pennsylvania". Data observed at the streamgages for the period of August 1, 2014 through March 31, 2017 are considered. This dataset includes 1) observed streamflow and qualifier