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Gary P Johnson

Gary Johnson is the Associate Director for Networks for the Central Midwest Water Science Center in Urbana, Illinois. 

Professional Experience

  • Associate Director for Networks from 2024-present. Oversight and leadership of entire CMWSC Networks Section which operates nearly 1,000 hydrologic data collection stations in IA, IL, and MO.

  • Operations Coordinator for CMWSC from 2018-2024

  • Chief of the Hydrologic Data Section in Illinois 2004-2018, supervising over 25 employees, and managing an annual budget of over $3 million.

  • Project Chief of Illinois Sediment Project 1993-2004, monitoring sediment loads through several selected Illinois streams. Continued involvement with National Training Center 'Sediment Data Collection Techniques' course as Course Co-Coordinator

  • Experienced in surface-water-quantity, sediment, and water-quality data collection techniques

  • Completed numerous water resources research projects-emphases on sediment, pesticide, and nutrient transport in waterways and lakes

  • Completed extensive research of water-mixing patterns and water quality effects of aeration and mixing of lakes

  • Performed many bathymetric surveys 

Education and Certifications

  • M. Public Administration, University of Illinois

  • B.S. General Engineering, University of Illinois

Abstracts and Presentations

  • 2008, More than Topographic Maps, OutdoorIllinois, IL Department of Natural Resources, August 2008. pp. 6-17.

  • 2005, The Future of Streamgaging in Illinois, in November 2005 issue of the USGS Illinois Water Science Center Newsletter, 8p.

  • 2005, Measured and simulated mixing characteristics and patterns associated with bubble-plume aeration, Internet publication in the web page for the USGS surface-water quality and flow modeling interest group.

  • 2005, Record Flooding in Illinois During January 2005, in May 2005 issue of the USGS Illinois Water Science Center Newsletter, 8p.2005, Record Flooding in Illinois During January 2005, in May 2005 issue of the USGS Illinois Water Science Center Newsletter, 8p.

  • 2005, Introduction to the Proceedings of the Federal Interagency Sediment Monitoring Instrument and Analysis Workshop, in Proceedings of the Federal Interagency Sediment Monitoring Instrument and Analysis Workshop, USGS Circular 1276, 76 p.

  • 2004, Brewster Creek, Illinois Dam Removal and Restoration, in Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers Conference, Self-Sustaining Solutions for Streams, Wetlands, and Watersheds, St. Paul, MN, Sept. 12-15, 2004.

  • 2001, Suspended-sediment budget and yields for the LaGrange Pool of the Illinois River, October 1994- September 1997, in Proceedings of the 7th Federal Interagency Sedimentation Conference, Reno, NV, March 25-29, 2001.

  • 1999, Application of an acoustic point velocity meter to measure water velocity profiles induced by air diffusers and mixers, in Proceedings of the ASCE 1999 International Water Resource Engineering Conference Program, Seattle, Washington, August 8-12, 1999.

  • 1998, Chemical and physical data of sediments deposited in the Mississippi and Missouri River flood plains during the July through August 1993 flood, U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1120-L, 62 p.

  • 1998, The U.S. Geological Survey in Illinois, in Proceedings of Illinois Water '98 Conference, Urbana, Illinois, November 16-17, 1998.

  • 1997, Field-scale tests for determining mixing patterns associated with coarse-bubble air diffuser configurations, Egan Quarry, Illinois, in Wang, S.S.Y, ed., Proceedings of the 27th I.A.H.R. Congress, San Francisco, California, August 10-15, 1997.

  • 1996, Velocity and scour measurements in and near the Miller City Levee Break, in Proceedings of the Sixth Federal Interagency Sedimentation Conference, Las Vegas, NV, March 10-14, 1996, pages P.75-P.78.

  • 1996, Transport and concentrations of selected herbicides and nitrate in the Sangamon River, Illinois, April 1991 - March 1992, in Morganwalp, D.W., and Aronson, D.A., eds., U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program--Proceedings of the Technical Meeting, Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 20-24,1993: U.S. Geological Survey, WRIR 94-4015, volumes 1 and 2.

  • 1991, Triazine herbicides in selected streams in Illinois during storm events, spring 1990, in Mallard, G.E., and Aronson, D.A., eds., U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program- Proceedings of the technical meeting, Monterey Calif., March 11-15, 1991: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 91-4034.

  • 1991, Triazine herbicides in selected streams in Illinois during storm events, Spring 1990, in Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Illinois Section of the American Water Resources Association, Peoria, Illinois, October 21, 1991.

Science and Products

Real-time continuous nitrate monitoring in Illinois in 2013

Many sources contribute to the nitrogen found in surface water in Illinois. Illinois is located in the most productive agricultural area in the country, and nitrogen fertilizer is commonly used to maximize corn production in this area. Additionally, septic/wastewater systems, industrial emissions, and lawn fertilizer are common sources of nitrogen in urban areas of Illinois. In agricultural areas,
Authors
Kelly L. Warner, Paul J. Terrio, Timothy D. Straub, Donald Roseboom, Gary P. Johnson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Control-Structure Ratings on the Fox River at McHenry and Algonquin, Illinois

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources-Office of Water Resources operates control structures on a reach of the Fox River in northeastern Illinois between McHenry and Algonquin. The structures maintain water levels in the river for flood-control and recreational purposes. This report documents flow ratings for hinged-crest gates, a broad-crested weir, sluice gates, and an ogee spillway on the
Authors
Timothy D. Straub, Gary P. Johnson, Jon Hortness, Joseph R. Parker
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Suspended-sediment yields and stream-channel processes on Judy's Branch watershed in the St. Louis Metro East region in Illinois

Judy's Branch watershed, a small basin (8.64 square miles) in the St. Louis Metro East region in Illinois, was selected as a pilot site to determine suspended-sediment yields and stream-channel processes in the bluffs and American Bottoms (expansive low-lying valley floor in the region). Suspended-sediment and stream-chan-nel data collected and analyzed for Judy's Branch watershed are presented in
Authors
Timothy D. Straub, Gary P. Johnson, Donald P. Roseboom, Carlos R. Sierra
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

The Great Flood of 1993 on the Upper Mississippi River—10 years later

Ten years ago, the upper Mississippi River Basin in the Midwestern United States experienced the costliest flood in the history of the United States. The flood came to be known as “ The Great Flood of 1993.”
Authors
Gary P. Johnson, Robert R. Holmes, Loyd A. Waite
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Monitoring and analysis of combined sewer overflows, Riverside and Evanston, Illinois, 1997-99

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, collected and analyzed flow data in combined sewer systems in Riverside and Evanston, northeastern Illinois, from March 1997 to December 1999. Continuous 2- and 5-minute stage and velocity data were collected during surcharged and nonsurcharged conditions at 12 locations. Mass balances were calculated to determine th
Authors
Andrew M. Waite, Nancy J. Hornewer, Gary P. Johnson

Hydrology, water quality, and nutrient loads to Lake Catherine and Channel Lake, near Antioch, Lake County, Illinois

From April 21, 1998, through April 30, 1999, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Fox Waterway Agency, conducted an investigation designed to characterize the hydrology, water quality, hydrologic budget, sediment budget, and nutrient budget of Lake Catherine and Channel Lake, Lake County, Illinois. These lakes are the northernmost lakes of the Fox Chain of Lakes. Lake Catherine and
Authors
Robert T. Kay, Gary P. Johnson, David L. Schrader

Methodology, data collection, and data analysis for determination of water-mixing patterns induced by aerators and mixers

The U.S. Geological Survey collected and analyzed data to describe mixing patterns induced by aerators and mixers to aid in the calibration and verification of a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model. During September 1995, three-dimensional water-velocity profiles were collected during the operation of fine-bubble and coarse-bubble aerators in a test tank at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterw
Authors
Gary P. Johnson, Nancy J. Hornewer, Dale M. Robertson, Darren T. Olson, Josh Gioja

Water sediment, and nutrient budgets, and bathymetric survey of Old and New Gillespie Lakes, Macoupin County, Illinois, May 1996-April 1997; with a discussion of lake-management practices

The Gillespie Lakes system serves as a drinking water source for the town of Gillespie, Illinois, and is a major recreational focus for the area. As part of an investigation of a concern that the lakes are being adversely affected by excessive sediment and nutrient in flows, this report presents hydrologic, sediment, and nutrient budgets for Old Gillespie Lake and New Gillespie Lake, calculated by
Authors
Gary P. Johnson

Physical and chemical data on sediments deposited in the Missouri and the Mississippi River flood plains during the July through August 1993 flood

Because sediments deposited by the 1993 floods on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers were thought to contain elevated concentrations of nutrients and trace elements, sediment deposits were sampled at 25 floodplain locations. The samples were analyzed for particle size, water content, volatile solids, nutrients, carbon, selected trace elements, pesticides, and semivolatile organic compounds. Prefl
Authors
Gregg K. Schalk, Robert R. Holmes, Gary P. Johnson
By
Kansas Water Science Center, Mississippi River

Instruction manual for U.S. Geological Survey sediment observers

This instruction manual is intended for use by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Sediment Observers. An overview of the USGS Sediment Program is presented, and basic theory on sediment transport is explained. Step-by-step instructions on when and how to sample for sediment also are presented. USGS Sediment Observer safety issues are discussed and corrective actions are presented. An empty pouch is inc
Authors
Gary P. Johnson

Application and limitations of dendrogeomorphic method to estimate sedimentation rate in the Kankakee River flood plain in Illinois

No abstract available. 
Authors
Gary P. Johnson

Dendrogeomorphic estimate of changes in sedimentation rate along the Kankakee River near Momence, Illinois

Changes in sedimentation rates wee estimated using root-burial depth and tree-age data at six selected data-collection sites along the Kankakee River near Momence in Kankakee County, Illinois. Five sites were in backwater areas away from the river channel, and one site was on a natural levee near the channel. A summary of the dendrogeomorphic data at the six sites indicates that sedimentation rate
Authors
R.L. Phipps, G.P. Johnson, P. J. Terrio

Science and Products