Jon is the Great Lakes Science Coordinator for the USGS Midcontinent Region. In that role, he also serves as the USGS Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Program Coordinator.
Education:
B.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota, 1995
M.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota, 1997
Jon currently manages and coordinates all USGS activities funded under the GLRI. In that role, he also serves as the USGS Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Program Coordinator. Jon currently manages and coordinates all USGS activities funded under the GLRI. Jon works closely with USGS Science Center and Mission Area staff and other Federal Agencies to plan and implement GLRI projects and to identify areas where USGS can support restoration activities by providing relevant scientific information. He also helps to coordinate other USGS efforts in the Great Lakes basin with regional and national USGS programs, State Agencies, and Tribes. In addition, Jon represents USGS on several committees, workgroups, and teams that support the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) with Canada.
Jon began his career with the USGS, as a student in what is now the Dakota Water Science Center in Rapid City, SD. He worked for 8 years as a Hydraulic Engineer in the Idaho Water Science Center in Boise, ID. After a brief stint in private consulting, he rejoined the USGS as the Chief of the Northern Illinois Field Office of the Illinois Water Science Center in 2007. Since 2014, Jon has supported the Midcontinent Region with Great Lakes and GLRI efforts and he has been the Great Lakes Science Coordinator since 2017.
Science and Products
Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework – Active Adaptive Management
Invasive Phragmites Science: Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative and the Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework
Invasive Phragmites Science: Management Tools for the Control of Invasive Phragmites to Foster the Restoration of the Great Lakes
Invasive Phragmites Science: Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative
Indiana Harbor Canal at East Chicago, IN
Foundations for Future Restoration Actions: Supporting Lake Partnerships
Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI)
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
Nutrient Monitoring Activities
Agriculture Best Management Practices
Urban Best Management Practices
Invasive Carp Early Detection
U.S. Geological Survey invasive carp strategic framework, 2023–27
U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Forum—Summary of remaining data and science needs and next steps
Control-structure ratings on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lockport, Illinois
Independent technical review and analysis of hydraulic modeling and hydrology under low-flow conditions of the Des Plaines River near Riverside, Illinois
Fecal-indicator bacteria concentrations in the Illinois River between Hennepin and Peoria, Illinois: 2007-08
Estimating Locations of Perennial Streams in Idaho Using a Generalized Least-Squares Regression Model of 7-Day, 2-Year Low Flows
Control-Structure Ratings on the Fox River at McHenry and Algonquin, Illinois
Instream flow characterization of Upper Salmon River basin streams, central Idaho, 2005
Estimating low-flow frequency statistics for unregulated streams in Idaho
Instream flow characterization of upper Salmon River basin streams, central Idaho, 2004
Streamflow trends in the Spokane River and tributaries, Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie, Idaho and Washington
Surface-water/ground-water interaction along reaches of the Snake River and Henrys Fork, Idaho
Science and Products
- Science
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Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework – Active Adaptive Management
Non-native Phragmites australis (Common Reed) has become established across the Great Lakes basin, outcompeting native plants and degrading natural habitats. Phragmites is managed using a variety of resource-intensive techniques, yet effectiveness of treatment may vary due to infestation level, application methods, environmental conditions, or other factors. With the goal to reduce uncertainty in...Invasive Phragmites Science: Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative and the Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework
Broad coordination is required to overcome large-scale regional challenges such as controlling a persistent invasive plant like Phragmites. Individual management actions may have local impact, but their implementation can be inefficient and landscape-scale impacts are limited. The highly successful Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative builds collaboration and facilitates communication on a...Invasive Phragmites Science: Management Tools for the Control of Invasive Phragmites to Foster the Restoration of the Great Lakes
The USGS is developing innovative Phragmites control measures to keep this rapidly spreading invasive plant from further expanding its range into new wetland habitats and to aid in the development of successful restoration strategies. Scientists are conducting studies and field tests to determine (1) if microbes (i.e., fungi and bacteria) that live within and around Phragmites are enabling the...Invasive Phragmites Science: Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative
Addressing a large-scale regional issue such as controlling a persistent invasive plant like Phragmites requires broad cross-sector coordination. Little progress is made and cost efficiencies are reduced when each entity works independently. The highly successful Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative builds collaboration and facilitates communication on a regional level with a common agenda and...Indiana Harbor Canal at East Chicago, IN
Water-quality “super” gages (also known as “sentry” gages) provide real-time, continuous measurements of the physical and chemical characteristics of stream water at or near selected U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. A super gage includes streamflow and water-quality instrumentation and representative stream sample collection for laboratory analysis. USGS...Foundations for Future Restoration Actions: Supporting Lake Partnerships
USGS supports Federal, State, and local and Tribal partner agencies with implementing aspects of Great Lakes Lakewide Action and Management Plan (LAMP) goals involving restoration and protection of the Great Lakes. This support includes coordination with Tribal natural-resources departments, USEPA, and other Federal, State, and local agencies. USGS scientists and managers participate in various...Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI)
Since 2002, environmental organizations from the United States and Canada have teamed up each year to assess conditions in one of the five Great Lakes. This program is called the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI). Each year, the survey focuses on a series of research areas, such as phosphorus and nitrogen input and movement through the food web, phytoplankton and zooplankton...Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
The USGS collaborates with local, state, federal, tribal, university, and industry partners to conduct the science necessary to understand the causes and effects of toxic HABs and inform water management and public health decisions. USGS is characterizing the life cycle of HABs, their asociated toxins, and the genes responsible for cyanotoxin production. This work is enhancing the ability of Great...Nutrient Monitoring Activities
Nutrient pollution is one of America's most widespread, costly and challenging environmental problems. Reduction in nutrient inputs to the Great Lakes is a priority under both the Great lakes Restoration Initiative and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. To support these efforts, USGS scientists across the Great Lakes region are monitoring the transport of nutrients at key locations.Agriculture Best Management Practices
One major objective of the GLRI is to reduce nutrient loads from agricultural watersheds by implementing conservation or other nutrient-reduction practices. These efforts focus on reducing phosphorus runoff from fields. USGS scientists are supporting these efforts by providing data and other information to help managers understand the impacts of practices on nutrient runoff.Urban Best Management Practices
Many cities and towns in the Great lakes basin are utilizing urban stormwater best-management practices (BMPs) to reduce the stormwater runoff to local combined sewer systems and ultimately, the Great Lakes. Urban stormwater BMPs can include permeable pavement, bioswales, infiltration basins, and planters. USGS scientists are supporting these efforts by providing data and other information to help...Invasive Carp Early Detection
Increased threat of Invasive carp entering the Great Lakes and spreading to other basins such as the Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River basins, has led to increased prevention and control efforts since 2010. In collaboration with partners, USGS scientists are testing early detection methods and technologies to enhance the ability of agencies to manage Invasive carp to minimize their influence... - Publications
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U.S. Geological Survey invasive carp strategic framework, 2023–27
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) research has supported management of Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (bighead carp), Mylopharyngodon piceus (black carp), Ctenopharyngodon idella (grass carp), and H. molitrix (silver carp), hereafter referred to collectively as invasive carps, for over a decade. This strategic framework identifies thematic research areas to guide funding decisions for USGS invasive carp rAuthorsDuane Chapman, Jon Amberg, Robin Calfee, Enrika Hlavacek, Jon Hortness, P. Ryan Jackson, David C. Kazyak, Brent Knights, James RobertsU.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Forum—Summary of remaining data and science needs and next steps
A U.S. Geological Survey-led assessment of data gaps and science needs across the Great Lakes ecosystem indicated the following:• Expanded data collection or monitoring would provide basic ecosystem, social, and public health data to manage the Great Lakes system and to develop and test models and decision support tools.• New science and advanced technologies (for example, sensors and high-performAuthorsLeon M. Carl, Jon Hortness, Russell M. StrachControl-structure ratings on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lockport, Illinois
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago regulate flows through control structures along the Lake Michigan lakefront and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) for Lake Michigan diversion accounting, flood control, sanitary, and navigation purposes. This report documents the measurement and computation of flow through the Lockport ContAuthorsTimothy D. Straub, Kevin K. Johnson, Jon Hortness, James J. DunckerIndependent technical review and analysis of hydraulic modeling and hydrology under low-flow conditions of the Des Plaines River near Riverside, Illinois
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has operated a streamgage and published daily flows for the Des Plaines River at Riverside since Oct. 1, 1943. A HEC-RAS model has been developed to estimate the effect of the removal of Hofmann Dam near the gage on low-flow elevations in the reach approximately 3 miles upstream from the dam. The Village of Riverside, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources-OAuthorsThomas M. Over, Timothy D. Straub, Jon Hortness, Elizabeth A. MurphyFecal-indicator bacteria concentrations in the Illinois River between Hennepin and Peoria, Illinois: 2007-08
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has designated portions of the Illinois River in Peoria, Woodford, and Tazewell Counties, Illinois, as impaired owing to the presence of fecal coliform bacteria. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, examined the water quality in the Illinois River and major tributaries within a 47-mile reach betweeAuthorsDavid H. Dupre, Jon Hortness, Paul J. Terrio, Jennifer B. SharpeEstimating Locations of Perennial Streams in Idaho Using a Generalized Least-Squares Regression Model of 7-Day, 2-Year Low Flows
Many State and Federal agencies use information regarding the locations of streams having intermittent or perennial flow when making management and regulatory decisions. For example, the application of some Idaho water quality standards depends on whether streams are intermittent. Idaho Administrative Code defines an intermittent stream as one having a 7-day, 2-year low flow (7Q2) less than 0.1 ftAuthorsMolly S. Wood, Alan Rea, Kenneth D. Skinner, Jon HortnessControl-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 theAuthorsTimothy D. Straub, Gary P. Johnson, Jon Hortness, Joseph R. ParkerInstream flow characterization of Upper Salmon River basin streams, central Idaho, 2005
Anadromous fish populations in the Columbia River Basin have plummeted in the last 100 years. This severe decline led to Federal listing of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) stocks as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 1990s. Historically, the upper Salmon River Basin (upstream of the confluence with the PahsimerAuthorsTerry R. Maret, Jon Hortness, Douglas S. OttEstimating low-flow frequency statistics for unregulated streams in Idaho
No abstract available.AuthorsJon HortnessInstream flow characterization of upper Salmon River basin streams, central Idaho, 2004
Anadromous fish populations in the Columbia River Basin have plummeted in the last 100 years. This severe decline led to Federal listing of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) stocks as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 1990s. Historically, the upper Salmon River Basin (upstream of the confluence with the PahsimerAuthorsTerry R. Maret, Jon Hortness, Douglas S. OttStreamflow trends in the Spokane River and tributaries, Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie, Idaho and Washington
A clear understanding of the aquifer and river dynamics within the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie is essential in making proper management decisions concerning ground-water and surface-water appropriations. Management of the Spokane Valley/Rathdrum Prairie aquifer is complicated because of interstate, multi-jurisdictional responsibilities, and by the interaction between ground water and surface wAuthorsJon Hortness, John J. CovertSurface-water/ground-water interaction along reaches of the Snake River and Henrys Fork, Idaho
Declining water levels in the eastern Snake River Plain aquifer and decreases in spring discharges from the aquifer to the Snake River have spurred studies to improve understanding of the surface-water/ground-water interaction on the plain. This study was done to estimate streamflow gains and losses along specific reaches of the Snake River and Henrys Fork and to compare changes in gain and loss eAuthorsJon Hortness, Peter Vidmar