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Kellan R. Strauch

Kellan Strauch is a Hydrologist for the U.S. Geological Survey Nebraska Water Science Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Kellan began working with the USGS Nebraska Water Science Center as student in December of 2002, he became a full-time employee after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in December of 2006 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Kellan has worked on several projects during his career with the USGS including hydrologic, hydraulic, and sediment transport analysis and modeling, flood inundation mapping, flood-frequency and streamflow trends analysis, bathymetric and topographic surveys, indirect measurement of streamflow discharge, post-flood high water mark documentation, potentiometric-surface aquifer mapping, and green infrastructure water balance monitoring.

Education and Certifications

  • 2006, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  • State of Nebraska Licensed Professional Engineer

Science and Products

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Photo of agricultural tile drain in eastern Nebraska.

Delineation of Areas Potentially Drained by Tile Drains and Updating of Streamflow-Trend Statistics from the Elkhorn River Basin in Eastern Nebraska

Water resource sustainability in the Elkhorn River Basin, Nebraska is a critical issue. Understanding streamflow trends is important to the determination of sustainable surface water and groundwater in the basin. The Lower Elkhorn and Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources Districts and the USGS cooperatively studied trends in streamflow characteristics of sites in the Elkhorn River, Salt Creek, and...
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Nebraska Water Science Center
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Delineation of Areas Potentially Drained by Tile Drains and Updating of Streamflow-Trend Statistics from the Elkhorn River Basin in Eastern Nebraska

Water resource sustainability in the Elkhorn River Basin, Nebraska is a critical issue. Understanding streamflow trends is important to the determination of sustainable surface water and groundwater in the basin. The Lower Elkhorn and Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources Districts and the USGS cooperatively studied trends in streamflow characteristics of sites in the Elkhorn River, Salt Creek, and...
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Bioretention cell at the Douglas County Health Center, Nebraska

Bioretention Cell Monitoring, Douglas County, Nebraska

USGS Nebraska Water Science Center hydrologists, in cooperation with Douglas County, Nebraska, are monitoring the performance of stormwater bioretention cells that use “green” infrastructure techniques in Omaha, Nebraska. Bioretention cells are used to reduce the quantity of stormwater that flows into a combined sewer overflow (CSO) system which reduces discharge of raw sewage into local streams...
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Nebraska Water Science Center
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Bioretention Cell Monitoring, Douglas County, Nebraska

USGS Nebraska Water Science Center hydrologists, in cooperation with Douglas County, Nebraska, are monitoring the performance of stormwater bioretention cells that use “green” infrastructure techniques in Omaha, Nebraska. Bioretention cells are used to reduce the quantity of stormwater that flows into a combined sewer overflow (CSO) system which reduces discharge of raw sewage into local streams...
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Screenshot of flood-inundation map in Nebraska

Flood Inundation Mapping

Flood inundation maps are a sequence of maps which show where flooding may occur at different stream levels. These maps can help communities prepare for, understand, and mitigate flood risks in their area.
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Nebraska Water Science Center
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Flood Inundation Mapping

Flood inundation maps are a sequence of maps which show where flooding may occur at different stream levels. These maps can help communities prepare for, understand, and mitigate flood risks in their area.
Learn More
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Bioretention cell during rainstorm at Omaha Sewer Maintenance Facility

Bioretention Cell Monitoring, Omaha Sewer Maintenance Facility

Stormwater management methodologies are shifting from the traditional storm sewer to a more green-infrastructure approach that stresses the importance of capturing, retaining and treating stormwater. The implementation of green infrastructure uses various Best Management Practices (BMPs) to mitigate the effects of stormwater on flooding and water quality. A bioretention cell is a BMP that captures...
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Nebraska Water Science Center
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Bioretention Cell Monitoring, Omaha Sewer Maintenance Facility

Stormwater management methodologies are shifting from the traditional storm sewer to a more green-infrastructure approach that stresses the importance of capturing, retaining and treating stormwater. The implementation of green infrastructure uses various Best Management Practices (BMPs) to mitigate the effects of stormwater on flooding and water quality. A bioretention cell is a BMP that captures...
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Flood-Inundation Maps of the Meramec River from Eureka to Arnold, Missouri, 2018

Digital flood-inundation maps for a 37.2-mile reach of the Meramec River from Eureka to Arnold, Missouri, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri American Water, Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 7, and the cities of Pacific, Eureka, Wildwo
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Nebraska Water Science Center

Spatial data set of mapped water-level changes in the High Plains aquifer, predevelopment (about 1950) to 2017 and 2015 to 2017

The High Plains aquifer underlies 111.8 million acres (about 175,000 square miles) in parts of eight States—Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. Water-level declines began in parts of the High Plains aquifer soon after the beginning of substantial irrigation with groundwater in the aquifer area (about 1950). This data release contains the data used t
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Nebraska Water Science Center

Datasets used to map the potentiometric surface, Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer, spring 2020

A potentiometric-surface map for spring 2020 was created for the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer (MRVA), which was referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88), using most of the available groundwater-altitude data from wells and surface-water-altitude data from streamgages. The location and water-level altitude in feet for these wells and streamgages in spring 2020
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Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

Datasets used to map the potentiometric surface, Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer, spring 2018

A potentiometric-surface map for spring 2018 was created for the Mississippi River Valley alluvial (MRVA) aquifer, which was referenced to the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88), using most of the available groundwater-altitude data from wells and surface-water-altitude data from streamgages. Most of the wells were measured annually or one time, after installation, but some wells were
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Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

Water Balance Monitoring Data for Two Biorentention Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska 2011-17

This data release includes stormwater inflow, outflow, and subsurface storage data for two bioretention gardens located in Omaha, Nebraska. Additionally, two additional datasets are included which contain meteorology and evapotranspiration data for each site. These sites were located at the Douglas County Health Center (DCHC), and the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging (ENOA).
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Nebraska Water Science Center

Flood-inundation geospatial datasets for the North Platte River at Scottsbluff and Gering, Nebraska

Digital flood-inundation maps for an 8.8-mile reach of the North Platte River, from 1.5 miles upstream of the Highway 92 bridge to 3 miles downstream of the Highway 71 bridge, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Cities of Scottsbluff and Gering. The flood-inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science website at http:/
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Nebraska Water Science Center

Water-level and aerial thermal infrared imagery data collected along the lower Platte and Elkhorn Rivers, Nebraska, 2016-2017

This dataset includes measured water-levels, water-level contours, aerial thermal infrared (TIR) imagery, and a stream centerline that were used to describe groundwater movement and interaction with surface water between the lower Platte and lower Elkhorn Rivers upstream of their confluence. The study design described herein focused on understanding seasonal characteristics of groundwater movemen
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Nebraska Water Science Center

Flood-inundation geospatial datasets for the Salamonie River at Portland, Indiana

Digital flood-inundation maps for a 6.5-mile reach of the Salamonie River at Portland, Indiana, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Transportation. The flood-inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science website at https://water.usgs.gov/osw/flood_inundation/, depict estimates of the areal extent
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Nebraska Water Science Center

Altitude of the potentiometric surface in the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer, spring 2020

The purpose of this report is to present a potentiometric-surface map for the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer (MRVA). The source data for the map were groundwater-altitude data from wells measured manually or continuously generally in spring 2020 and from the altitude of the top of the water surface measured generally on April 9, 2020, in rivers in the area.
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center

Altitude of the potentiometric surface in the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer, spring 2018

A potentiometric-surface map for spring 2018 was created for the Mississippi River Valley alluvial (MRVA) aquifer using available groundwater-altitude data from 1,126 wells completed in the MRVA aquifer and from the altitude of the top of the water surface in area rivers from 66 streamgages. Personnel from Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Geological Su
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center

Potentiometric surface of the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer, spring 2016

A potentiometric surface map for spring 2016 was created for the Mississippi River Valley alluvial (MRVA) aquifer using selected available groundwater-altitude data from wells and surface-water-altitude data from streamgages. Most of the wells were measured annually or one time after installation, but some wells were measured more than one time or continually; streamgages are typically operated co
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center

Flood-inundation maps for the Elkhart River at Goshen, Indiana

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, created digital flood-inundation maps for an 8.3-mile reach of the Elkhart River at Goshen, Indiana, extending from downstream of the Goshen Dam to downstream from County Road 17. The inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science Web site at http://wa
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Water Resources Mission Area, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center
Agricultural tile drain emptying into waterway.
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Instrumented tile drain at edge of field.
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Filter Total Items: 18

Flood-inundation maps for an 8-mile reach of Papillion Creek near Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, 2022

Digital flood-inundation maps for an 8-mile reach of Papillion Creek near Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force, Offutt Air Force Base. The flood-inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Program website at https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/flood-inund
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Kellan R. Strauch, Christopher M. Hobza
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center

Water-level and recoverable water in storage changes, High Plains aquifer, predevelopment to 2017 and 2015–17

The High Plains aquifer underlies 111.8 million acres (about 175,000 square miles) in parts of eight States—Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. Water-level declines began in parts of the High Plains aquifer soon after the beginning of substantial groundwater irrigation (about 1950). This report presents water-level changes and change in recoverable w
Authors
Virginia L. McGuire, Kellan R. Strauch
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center, Oklahoma-Texas Water Science Center

Main-stem seepage and base-flow recession time constants in the Niobrara National Scenic River Basin, Nebraska, 2016–18

The Niobrara River of northern Nebraska is a valuable water resource that sustains irrigated agriculture and recreation, as well as a diverse ecosystem. Large-quantity withdrawals from the source aquifer system have the potential to reduce the flow into the river and to adversely affect the free-flowing condition of the Niobrara National Scenic River (NSR). Therefore, to understand the magnitude a
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Kellan R. Strauch, Philip J. Soenksen
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center

Trends in streamflow and precipitation for selected sites in the Elkhorn River Basin and in streamflow in the Salt Creek and Platte River Basins, Nebraska, 1961–2011

To better understand the streamflow trends at the streamgages in the Elkhorn River Basin in Nebraska, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District further investigated streamflow trends at the eight streamgages on the Elkhorn River, Salt Creek, and the Lower Platte River that indicated a positive trend in streamflow characteristics and analyzed
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Benjamin J. Dietsch, Kellan R. Strauch
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center

Flood-inundation maps for the North Platte River at Scottsbluff and Gering, Nebraska, 2018

Digital flood-inundation maps for an 8.8-mile reach of the North Platte River, from 1.5 miles upstream from the Highway 92 bridge to 3 miles downstream from the Highway 71 bridge in Scottsbluff County, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Cities of Scottsbluff and Gering, Nebraska. The flood-inundation maps, which can be accessed through the Flood Inundation Ma
Authors
Kellan R. Strauch
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center

Groundwater movement and interaction with surface water near the confluence of the Platte and Elkhorn rivers, Nebraska, 2016–18

The State of Nebraska requires a sustainable balance between long-term water supplies and uses of groundwater and surface water and requires Natural Resources Districts to include the effect of groundwater use on surface-water systems as part of their respective integrated management plans. Recent droughts in Nebraska (2000–6; 2012–13) have amplified concerns about the long-term sustainability of
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Christopher M. Hobza, Mason J. Johnson, Paul W. Woodward, Kellan R. Strauch, Aaron R. Schepers
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center

Flood-inundation maps of the Meramec River from Eureka to Arnold, Missouri, 2018

Libraries of digital flood-inundation maps that spanned a combined 37.2-mile reach of the Meramec River that extended upstream from Eureka, Missouri, to downstream near the confluence of the Meramec and Mississippi Rivers were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, Missouri Department of Transportati
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Benjamin J. Dietsch, Kellan R. Strauch
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center, Central Midwest Water Science Center

Flood-inundation maps for the Salamonie River at Portland, Indiana

Digital flood-inundation maps for a 6.5-mile reach of the Salamonie River at Portland, Indiana, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Transportation. The flood-inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science website at https://water.usgs.gov/osw/flood_inundation/, depict estimates of the areal extent
Authors
Kellan R. Strauch
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Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Flood-inundation maps for a 12.5-mile reach of Big Papillion Creek at Omaha, Nebraska

Digital flood-inundation maps for a 12.5-mile reach of the Big Papillion Creek from 0.6 mile upstream from the State Street Bridge to the 72nd Street Bridge in Omaha, Nebraska, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District. The flood-inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science W
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Kellan R. Strauch, Benjamin J. Dietsch, Kayla J. Anderson
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center

Water balance monitoring for two bioretention gardens in Omaha, Nebraska, 2011–14

Bioretention gardens are used to help mitigate stormwater runoff in urban settings in an attempt to restore the hydrologic response of the developed land to a natural predevelopment response in which more water is infiltrated rather than routed directly to urban drainage networks. To better understand the performance of bioretention gardens in facilitating infiltration of stormwater in eastern Neb
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Kellan R. Strauch, David L. Rus, Kent E. Holm
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center

Flood-inundation maps for the St. Marys River at Decatur, Indiana

Digital flood-inundation maps for an 8.9-mile reach of the St. Marys River at Decatur, Indiana, were developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. The inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science Web site (http://water.usgs.gov/osw/flood_inundation/), depict estimates of the areal e
Authors
Kellan R. Strauch
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center

Repeated multibeam echosounder hydrographic surveys of 15 selected bridge crossings along the Missouri River from Niobrara to Rulo, Nebraska, during the flood of 2011

In 2011, unprecedented flooding in the Missouri River prompted transportation agencies to increase the frequency of monitoring riverbed elevations near bridges that cross the Missouri River. Hydrographic surveys were completed in cooperation with the Nebraska Department of Roads, using a multibeam echosounder at 15 highway bridges spanning the Missouri River from Niobrara to Rulo, Nebraska during
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Benjamin J. Dietsch, Brenda K. Densmore, Kellan R. Strauch
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Water Resources Mission Area, Nebraska Water Science Center

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