Chase, K.J., and Liou, John, 2007, Two-Dimensional Flow Modeling for a Flood Insurance Study in Montana, in 2007 Charting the Course, New Perspectives in Floodplain Management, Norfolk, Virginia, 2007, Proceedings: Madison, Wisconsin, American Society of Flood Plain Managers, http://www.floods.org/index.asp?menuid=%20675
Katherine J Chase
Katherine Chase has 30 years of experience in water resources, including hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, floodplain delineation, statistical analyses, and hydraulic structure design and evaluation. Her research has included precipitation-runoff modeling and surface-water hydraulics. She is the WY-MT WSC Surface-Water Specialist. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in Montana and Colorado.
Biography
Katherine Chase, USGS Hydrologist, has more than 30 years of experience in water resources, including hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, floodplain delineation, statistical analyses, and hydraulic structure design and evaluation. Her research with the USGS has included precipitation-runoff modeling, 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional surface-water hydraulics, streamflow statistics, floodplain delineation, channel morphology, and bridge scour. As a consultant she worked on multi-disciplinary teams as a hydrologist/civil engineer, performing wetlands and floodplain delineation, flood mitigation, bridge scour evaluation, and hydraulic structure design. As a graduate research assistant for the National Park Service, she worked on hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and surveying in support of water rights negotiations. Her Peace Corps work in Nepal included surveying, design and construction of irrigation systems, drinking water supply systems, and flood mitigation. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in Montana and Colorado.
Education
B.S. Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University
M.S. Civil Engineering, Colorado State University
Science and Products
Date published: September 5, 2019
Status: Active Peak-Flow Frequency Analysis for Selected Montana Streamgages
The Montana Department of Resources and Conservation requires peak-flow information for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain mapping for various locations across Montana. Accordingly, the USGS WY-MT Water Science Center has updated peak-flow frequencies for selected streamgages in the Beaverhead River, Clark Fork, Ruby, Jefferson and Madison River Basins, and for selected...
Date published: April 3, 2019
Status: Active Regional Regression Equations Based on Channel-Width Characteristics to Estimate Peak-Flow Frequencies at Ungaged Sites in Montana Using Data through Water Year 2011
The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) uses peak-flow frequency data (i.e. 100-year flood) to design highway infrastructure, secure floodplain permits, and perform stream restoration activities. The USGS, in cooperation with MDT, proposes to develop regression equations which use channel-width as a predictor to provide peak-flow frequency estimates to MDT.
Contacts: Katherine J Chase
Attribution: Region 5: Missouri Basin, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
Date published: April 2, 2019
Status: Active Ice Jam Hazard
Ice jams along rivers cause flooding, scouring, injuries and loss of life, and structural and environmental damage; they are a major hazard across the northern United States. Communities need data about ice jam locations and frequencies, as well as information about developing ice jams that might threaten lives and property.
Contacts: Katherine J Chase
Attribution: Region 5: Missouri Basin, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
Date published: April 2, 2019
Status: Active Augusta 2018 Flood Measurements and Flood Frequency Updates along the Rocky Mountain Front
The USGS WY-MT Water Science Center provided discharge measurements and high water mark (HWM) flagging for the June 2018 flooding along Elk Creek in Augusta, Montana.
Contacts: Katherine J Chase
Attribution: Region 5: Missouri Basin, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
Date published: September 26, 2018
Status: Active EcoFlows: Understanding Streamflow Dynamics in Small Mountain Streams
The WY-MT WSC is collaborating with the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center to understand the dynamics of streamflows in small, mountain streams during the course of the year, and to describe the amount of variability associated with those measurments. These findings will assist fisheries biologists who are researching...
Date published: September 6, 2018
Status: Active ICE! Ice Jam Hazard Mobile-Friendly Website
Ice jams are a major hazard. The project team worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers, National Weather Service, Silver Jackets, and USGS stakeholders to develop a mobile-friendly prototype of an Ice Jam Hazard website and reporting system. The prototype shows how ice jam conditions can be recorded nationwide. The public can view and download ice jam information. Historic ice jam locations...
Contacts: Katherine J Chase , Hans W Vraga
Attribution: Community for Data Integration (CDI)
Date published: May 15, 2018
Status: Active StreamStats in Montana and Wyoming
StreamStats is a Web-based geographic information system application that provides users with access to basin and streamflow characteristics for gaged and ungaged streams.
Contacts: Peter M McCarthy , Katherine J Chase
Date published: April 28, 2018
Status: Active Living on the Edge: Predicting Effects of Climate Change on Native Fishes in Northern Great Plains Streams
Organisms that live in the semi-arid prairies in the Northern Great Plains are able to live through conditions of extreme heat, cold, floods, and drought. The fish that inhabit the warm, turbid waters of northern Great Plains streams are indicators of change in these delicate ecosystems, where water quantity and water quality are often precariously close to ecological tolerance limits. In fact...
Contacts: Katherine J Chase
Attribution: Region 5: Missouri Basin, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
Date published: March 3, 2016
Status: Active Development of Recommended Practices and Workflow for Publishing Digital Data through ScienceBase for Dynamic Visualization
The purpose of this project was to document processes for USGS scientists to organize and share data using ScienceBase, and to provide an example interactive mapping application to display those data. Data and maps from Chase and others (2016a, b) were used for the example interactive maps. Accomplishments The accomplishments for this project are described below. The project team developed an...
Contacts: Katherine J Chase , Roy Sando
Attribution: Community for Data Integration (CDI)
Year Published: 2020
Community for data integration 2018 funded project report
The U.S. Geological Survey Community for Data Integration annually funds small projects focusing on data integration for interdisciplinary research, innovative data management, and demonstration of new technologies. This report provides a summary of the 10 projects funded in fiscal year 2018, outlining their goals, activities, and accomplishments.
Hsu, Leslie; Andrews, Caitlin M.; Bradford, John B.; Buscombe, Daniel D.; Chase, Katherine J.; Daniel, Wesley M.; Jones, Jeanne M.; Fuller, Pam; Mirus, Benjamin B.; Neilson, Matthew E.; Vraga, Hans W.; Walker, Jessica J.; Walworth, Dennis H.; Warrick, Jonathan; Weltzin, Jake F.; Wieferich, Daniel J.; Wood, Nathan J.View Citation
Hsu, L., Andrews, C.M., Bradford, J.B., Buscombe, D.D., Chase, K.J., Daniel, W.M., Jones, J.M., Fuller, P., Mirus, B.B., Neilson, M.E., Vraga, H.W., Walker, J.J., Walworth, D.H., Warrick, J., Weltzin, J., Wieferich, D.J., and Wood, N.J., 2020, Community for Data Integration 2018 funded project report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 1062, 9 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201062.
Year Published: 2020
Increased drought severity tracks warming in the United States’ largest river basin
Across the Upper Missouri River Basin, the recent drought of 2000 to 2010, known as the “turn-of-the-century drought,” was likely more severe than any in the instrumental record including the Dust Bowl drought. However, until now, adequate proxy records needed to better understand this event with regard to long-term variability have been lacking....
Martin, Justin; Pederson, Gregory T.; Woodhouse, Connie A.; Cook, Edward R.; McCabe, Gregory J.; Anchukaitis, Kevin J.; Wise, Erika K.; Erger, Patrick; Dolan, Larry S.; McGuire, Marketa; Gangopadhyay, Subhrendu; Chase, Katherine J.; Littell, Jeremy S.; Gray, Stephen; St. George, Scott; Friedman, Jonathan M.; Sauchyn, David J.; St. Jacques, Jeannine-Marie; King, John C.
Year Published: 2019
1200 years of Upper Missouri River streamflow reconstructed from tree rings
Paleohydrologic records can provide unique, long-term perspectives on streamflow variability and hydroclimate for use in water resource planning. Such long-term records can also play a key role in placing both present day events and projected future conditions into a broader context than that offered by instrumental observations. However,...
Martin, Justin; Pederson, Gregory T.; Woodhouse, Connie A.; Cook, Edward R; McCabe, Gregory J.; Wise, Erika K.; Erger, Patrick; Dolan, Larry; McGuire, Marketa; Gangopadhyay, Subhrendu; Chase, Katherine J.; Littell, Jeremy S.; Gray, Stephen; St. George, Scott; Friedman, Jonathan M.; Sauchyn, David J.; St. Jacques, Jannine; King, John W.Attribution: Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Ecosystems, Land Resources, Climate Research and Development Program, Land Change Science Program, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Region 11: Alaska
Year Published: 2017
Community for Data Integration 2016 annual report
The Community for Data Integration (CDI) represents a dynamic community of practice focused on advancing science data and information management and integration capabilities across the U.S. Geological Survey and the CDI community. This annual report describes the various presentations, activities, and outcomes of the CDI monthly forums, working...
Langseth, Madison L.; Hsu, Leslie; Amberg, Jon J.; Bliss, Norman; Bock, Andrew R.; Bolus, Rachel T.; Bristol, R. Sky; Chase, Katherine J.; Crimmins, Theresa M.; Earle, Paul S.; Erickson, Richard; Everette, A. Lance; Falgout, Jeff T.; Faundeen, John; Fienen, Michael N.; Griffin, Rusty; Guy, Michelle R.; Henry, Kevin D.; Hoebelheinrich, Nancy J.; Hunt, Randall J.; Hutchison, Vivian B.; Ignizio, Drew A.; Infante, Dana M.; Jarnevich, Catherine; Jones, Jeanne M.; Kern, Tim; Leibowitz, Scott; Lightsom, Francis L.; Marsh, R. Lee; McCalla, S. Grace; McNiff, Marcia; Morisette, Jeffrey T.; Nelson, John C.; Norkin, Tamar; Preston, Todd M.; Rosemartin, Alyssa; Sando, Roy; Sherba, Jason T.; Signell, Richard P.; Sleeter, Benjamin M.; Sundquist, Eric T.; Talbert, Colin B.; Viger, Roland J.; Weltzin, Jake F.; Waltman, Sharon; Weber, Marc; Wieferich, Daniel J.; Williams, Brad; Windham-Myers, LisamarieView Citation
Langseth, M.L., Hsu, Leslie, Amberg, Jon, Bliss, Norman, Bock, A.R., Bolus, R.T., Bristol, R.S., Chase, K.J., Crimmins, T.M., Earle, P.S., Erickson, Richard, Everette, A.L., Falgout, Jeff, Faundeen, J.L., Fienen, Michael, Griffin, Rusty, Guy, M.R., Henry, K.D., Hoebelheinrich, N.J., Hunt, Randall, Hutchison, V.B., Ignizio, D.A., Infante, D.M., Jarnevich, Catherine, Jones, J.M., Kern, Tim, Leibowitz, Scott, Lightsom, F.L., Marsh, R.L., McCalla, S.G., McNiff, Marcia, Morisette, J.T., Nelson, J.C., Norkin, Tamar, Preston, T.M., Rosemartin, Alyssa, Sando, Roy, Sherba, J.T., Signell, R.P., Sleeter, B.M., Sundquist, E.T., Talbert, C.B., Viger, R.J., Weltzin, J.F., Waltman, Sharon, Weber, Marc, Wieferich, D.J., Williams, Brad, Windham-Myers, Lisamarie, 2017, Community for Data Integration 2016 annual report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2017–1053, 40 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20171053.
Year Published: 2017
Estimating current and future streamflow characteristics at ungaged sites, central and eastern Montana, with application to evaluating effects of climate change on fish populations
A common statistical procedure for estimating streamflow statistics at ungaged locations is to develop a relational model between streamflow and drainage basin characteristics at gaged locations using least squares regression analysis; however, least squares regression methods are parametric and make constraining assumptions about the data...
Sando, Roy; Chase, Katherine J.Attribution: Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
Sando, Roy, and Chase, K.J., 2017, Estimating current and future streamflow characteristics at ungaged sites, central and eastern Montana, with application to evaluating effects of climate change on fish populations: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5002, 23 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175002.
Year Published: 2016
Sharing our data—An overview of current (2016) USGS policies and practices for publishing data on ScienceBase and an example interactive mapping application
This report provides an overview of current (2016) U.S. Geological Survey policies and practices related to publishing data on ScienceBase, and an example interactive mapping application to display those data. ScienceBase is an integrated data sharing platform managed by the U.S. Geological Survey. This report describes resources that U.S....
Chase, Katherine J.; Bock, Andrew R.; Sando, RoyAttribution: Community for Data Integration (CDI), Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
Chase, K.J., Bock, A.R., and Sando, Roy, 2017, Sharing our data—An overview of current (2016) USGS policies and practices for publishing data on ScienceBase and an example interactive mapping application: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016–1202, 10 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161202.
Year Published: 2016
Potential effects of climate change on streamflow in eastern and central Montana (2013-2014 analyses) - PRMS model input and output
Fish in Northern Great Plains streams evolved to survive heat, cold, floods and drought; however changes in streamflow associated with long-term climate change may render some prairie streams uninhabitable for current fish species. To better understand future hydrology of these prairie streams, the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) model...
Chase, Katherine J.; Haj, Adel E.; Regan, R. Steve; Viger, RolandAttribution: Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
View Citation
Chase, K.J. Haj, A.E. Regan, R.S., and Viger, R.J., 2016, Potential Effects of Climate Change on Streamflow in Eastern and Central Montana (2013-2014 Analyses) - PRMS Input and Output Data: U.S. Geological Survey data release, http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.5066/F7P26W5S.
Year Published: 2016
Potential effects of climate change on streamflow for seven watersheds in eastern and central Montana
Study regionEastern and central Montana.Study focusFish in Northern Great Plains streams tolerate extreme conditions including heat, cold, floods, and drought; however changes in streamflow associated with long-term climate change may render some prairie streams uninhabitable for current fish species. To better understand future hydrology of these...
Chase, Katherine J.; Haj, Adel E.; Regan, R. Steven; Viger, Roland J.Attribution: Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
Chase, K.J., Haj, A.E., Regan, R.S., and Viger, R.J., 2016, Potential effects of climate change on streamflow for seven watersheds in eastern and central Montana: Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, Volume 7, Pages 69-81, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2016.06.001
Year Published: 2015
Effects of water-resource development on Yellowstone River streamflow, 1928-2002
Major floods in 1996 and 1997 intensified public concern about the effects of human activities on the Yellowstone River in Montana. In 1999, the Yellowstone River Conservation District Council, whose members are primarily representatives from the conservation districts bordering the main stem of the Yellowstone River, was formed to promote wise...
Eddy-Miller, Cheryl A.; Chase, Katherine J.Attribution: Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Water Resources
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Eddy-Miller, C.A., and Chase, K.J., 2015, Effects of water-resource development on Yellowstone River streamflow, 1928–2002, 6 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/fs20153004
Year Published: 2014
A precipitation-runoff model for simulating natural streamflow conditions in the Smith River watershed, Montana, water years 1996-2008
This report documents the construction of a precipitation-runoff model for simulating natural streamflow in the Smith River watershed, Montana. This Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System model, constructed in cooperation with the Meagher County Conservation District, can be used to examine the general hydrologic framework of the Smith River...
Chase, Katherine J.; Caldwell, Rodney R.; Stanley, Andrea K.Attribution: Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
A precipitation-runoff model for simulating natural streamflow conditions in the Smith River watershed, Montana, water years 1996-2008; 2014; SIR; 2014-5125; Chase, Katherine J.; Caldwell, Rodney R.; Stanley, Andrea K.
Year Published: 2014
Streamflow statistics for unregulated and regulated conditions for selected locations on the Upper Yellowstone and Bighorn Rivers, Montana and Wyoming, 1928-2002
Major floods in 1996 and 1997 intensified public debate about the effects of human activities on the Yellowstone River. In 1999, the Yellowstone River Conservation District Council was formed to address conservation issues on the river. The Yellowstone River Conservation District Council partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out...
Chase, Katherine J.Attribution: Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
Streamflow statistics for unregulated and regulated conditions for selected locations on the Upper Yellowstone and Bighorn Rivers, Montana and Wyoming, 1928-2002; 2014; SIR; 2014-5115; Chase, Katherine J.
Year Published: 2013
Streamflow statistics for unregulated and regulated conditions for selected locations on the Yellowstone, Tongue, and Powder Rivers, Montana, 1928-2002
Major floods in 1996 and 1997 on the Yellowstone River in Montana intensified public debate over the effects of human activities on the Yellowstone River. In 1999, the Yellowstone River Conservation District Council was formed to address conservation issues on the river. The Yellowstone River Conservation District Council partnered with the U.S....
Chase, Katherine J.Attribution: Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center, Water Resources
View Citation
Streamflow statistics for unregulated and regulated conditions for selected locations on the Yellowstone, Tongue, and Powder Rivers, Montana, 1928-2002; 2013; SIR; 2013-5173; Chase, Katherine J.
Pre-USGS Publications
Mastin, M.C., Chase, K.C., and Dudley, R.W., 2011, Changes in Spring Snowpack for Selected Basins in the United States for Different Climate-Change Scenarios, in Earth Interactions, vol. 15, p. 1-18, also available at http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/2010EI368.1
NOROCK factsheet: Living on the Edge: Predicting Effects of Climate Change on Native Fishes in Northern Great Plains Streams, https://wy-mt.water.usgs.gov/projects/MT_fisheries/pubs/PP_FisheriesInfo_12V3.pdf