Lance R Gruhn
Lance Gruhn is a Hydrologist stationed in Iowa City, Iowa and is the groundwater technical and field support lead for the Hydrologic Networks Branch of the USGS Water Resources Mission Area.
Lance began his career as a student Hydrologic Technician and converted to a Hydrologist after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Iowa in 2011. Lance has supported several data networks and many investigations projects through the collection, analysis, and reporting of numerous types of hydrologic, water quality, and geophysical data. Lance is currently the project chief of a multi-disciplinary groundwater and surface water interaction project that is part of the NGWOS program in the Illinois River Basin. This project consists of multiple research sites spanning two water science centers and many innovative and specialized approaches to data collection including long-term measurements of groundwater flow and direction. Research interests include spatially and temporally dense water quality assessments, fate and transport of nitrate in groundwater, floodplain processes, and aquifer characterization.
Professional Experience
April 2023 - Present, Hydrologist and the Groundwater Technical and Field Support Lead, U.S. Geological Survey, Hydrologic Networks Branch
January 2011 - April 2023, Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Central Midwest Water Science Center, Iowa City, IA
Education and Certifications
B.S., Environmental Science, Minor Geosciences, University of Iowa, 2011
Associate of Science, Kirkwood Community College, 2011
Associate of Arts, Kirkwood Community College, 2006
Science and Products
One Ranney well can make a difference: The impacts of a radial collector well on groundwater level and quality in the Cedar River alluvial aquifer
The City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, depends on groundwater from the Cedar River alluvial aquifer for residential and industrial use. In 2020, the city completed an additional radial collector well, or Ranney well, and was concerned that pumping from the well at high rates may lower water level elevations in the aquifer, reduce yields from nearby production wells, and change the quality of produced wat
Authors
Adel E. Haj, Lance R. Gruhn, Stephen J. Kalkhoff
Application of geophysical methods to enhance aquifer characterization and groundwater-flow model development, Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, Des Moines, Iowa, 2022
Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) is one of the largest water providers in Iowa and as population growth continues, demand for drinking water is increasing. DMWW uses groundwater and surface water as raw water sources to supply the City of Des Moines and surrounding communities. In response to current and future demands, DMWW is in need of a thorough understanding of local groundwater resources, speci
Authors
Judith C. Thomas, Morgan A. Spring, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow
Water quality of sand and gravel aquifers in McHenry County, Illinois, 2020 and comparisons to conditions in 2010
McHenry County, Illinois, obtains most of its drinking water from shallow sand and gravel aquifers (groundwater). To evaluate this groundwater resource, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with McHenry County, Illinois, collected water-quality samples from 41 of 42 monitoring wells in the McHenry County Groundwater Monitoring Network and 4 monitoring wells from the U.S. Geological Survey Na
Authors
Amy M. Gahala, Lance R. Gruhn, Jennifer C. Murphy, Lisa A. Matson
Sediment and nutrient retention on a reconnected floodplain of an Upper Mississippi River tributary, 2013–2018
The connection of rivers with their floodplains has been greatly reduced in agricultural drainage basins, especially in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The restriction of the Mississippi River from its floodplain has reduced the sediment trapping and nutrient deposition capabilities of the floodplain, exacerbating water quality problems in the river and in downstream waterbodies. A small part o
Authors
Lynn A. Bartsch, Rebecca M. Kreiling, Lance R. Gruhn, Jessica D. Garrett, William B. Richardson, Greg M. Nalley
A steady-state groundwater flow model for the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer near Prospect Park, Des Moines, Iowa
The Des Moines River alluvial aquifer is an important source of water for Des Moines Water Works, the municipal water utility that provides residential and commercial water resources to the residents of Des Moines, Iowa, and surrounding municipalities. As an initial step in developing a better understanding of the groundwater resources of the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, the U.S. Geological
Authors
Kendall M. FitzGerald, Wonsook S. Ha, Adel E. Haj, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow, Jared R. Weber
Conceptual and numerical groundwater flow model of the Cedar River alluvial aquifer system with simulation of drought stress on groundwater availability near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 2011 through 2013
Between July 2011 and February 2013, the City of Cedar Rapids observed water level declines in their horizontal collector wells approaching 11 meters. As a result, pumping from these production wells had to be halted, and questions were raised about the reliability of the alluvial aquifer under future drought conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Cedar Rapids, com
Authors
Adel E. Haj, Wonsook S. Ha, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow, Amy M. Gahala, Joshua F. Valder, Carole D. Johnson, Eric A. White, Shelby P. Sterner
Effect of groundwater withdrawals, river stage, and precipitation on water-table elevations in the Iowa River alluvial aquifer near Tama, Iowa, 2017–20
The Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa is the only federally recognized Tribe in the State of Iowa and is commonly known as the Meskwaki Nation. The Tribe owns more than 8,100 acres, referred to as the “Meskwaki Settlement.” The Meskwaki Settlement uses a well field that withdraws water from the Iowa River alluvial aquifer (IRAA) to supply drinking water to members of the Tribe. Increase
Authors
Lance R. Gruhn, Adel E. Haj
Use of real-time sensors to temporally characterize water quality in groundwater and surface water in Mason County, Illinois, 2017–19
The persistence of high nitrate concentrations in shallow groundwater has been well documented in the shallow glacial aquifer of Mason County, Illinois. Nitrates in groundwater can be a concern when concentrations exceed 10 milligrams per liter in drinking water. Additionally, nitrate in groundwater can contribute to surface water nitrogen loads that can cause increased algal growth. Algal growth
Authors
Lance R. Gruhn, William S. Morrow
Continuous nitrate monitoring in groundwater and potential contribution to surface-water nitrogen loads in Mason County, Illinois
Illinois has some of the most productive farmland in the country. The use of fertilizers to improve crop production has increased, which has resulted in an increase in the concentration of nitrogen in many streams and aquifers. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, is continuously monitoring (one reading every 15 minutes) the concentration of
Authors
Lance R. Gruhn, Greg M. Nalley
Quality-Assurance and Quality-Control Data for Discrete Water-Quality Samples Collected in McHenry County, Illinois, 2020
In June and July of 2020, 45 groundwater wells in McHenry County, Illinois, were sampled for water quality (field properties, major ions, nutrients, and trace metals) and 12 wells were sampled for contaminants of emerging concern (pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and wastewater indicator compounds). Quality-assurance and quality-control samples were collected during the June and July 2020 sampling tha
Geophysical Data Collected in the Des Moines River, Beaver Creek, and the Des Moines River Floodplain, Des Moines, Iowa, 2018
A suite of geophysical methods was used along the Des Moines River, Beaver Creek, and in the Des Moines River floodplain in Des Moines, Iowa to support the hydrogeologic characterization of the alluvial aquifer associated with the river. The aquifer consists of sands and gravels underlain by weathered shale bedrock. Groundwater from the aquifer along with surface water sources are used for municip
Water-quality data at two unnamed lakes at the National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, Minnesota, 2019
The National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site is located near where about 1.7 million liters of crude oil spilled in 1979. Much of the oil spill leached into groundwater which flows towards an unnamed lake at the site. The U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Hydrogeophysics has been working to map the plume's extent on land and into the lake using a variety of geophysical
Geophysical Data Collected in the Cedar River Floodplain, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2015-2017
A suite of geophysical methods was used along the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to support the hydrogeologic characterization of the alluvial aquifer associated with the river and to assess the area for suitability for larger-scale airborne geophysics. The aquifer is comprised of sand and gravel, interbedded with finer sediments, and underlain by carbonate-dominated bedrock. The aquifer is the
Science and Products
- Publications
One Ranney well can make a difference: The impacts of a radial collector well on groundwater level and quality in the Cedar River alluvial aquifer
The City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, depends on groundwater from the Cedar River alluvial aquifer for residential and industrial use. In 2020, the city completed an additional radial collector well, or Ranney well, and was concerned that pumping from the well at high rates may lower water level elevations in the aquifer, reduce yields from nearby production wells, and change the quality of produced watAuthorsAdel E. Haj, Lance R. Gruhn, Stephen J. KalkhoffApplication of geophysical methods to enhance aquifer characterization and groundwater-flow model development, Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, Des Moines, Iowa, 2022
Des Moines Water Works (DMWW) is one of the largest water providers in Iowa and as population growth continues, demand for drinking water is increasing. DMWW uses groundwater and surface water as raw water sources to supply the City of Des Moines and surrounding communities. In response to current and future demands, DMWW is in need of a thorough understanding of local groundwater resources, speciAuthorsJudith C. Thomas, Morgan A. Spring, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. BristowWater quality of sand and gravel aquifers in McHenry County, Illinois, 2020 and comparisons to conditions in 2010
McHenry County, Illinois, obtains most of its drinking water from shallow sand and gravel aquifers (groundwater). To evaluate this groundwater resource, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with McHenry County, Illinois, collected water-quality samples from 41 of 42 monitoring wells in the McHenry County Groundwater Monitoring Network and 4 monitoring wells from the U.S. Geological Survey NaAuthorsAmy M. Gahala, Lance R. Gruhn, Jennifer C. Murphy, Lisa A. MatsonSediment and nutrient retention on a reconnected floodplain of an Upper Mississippi River tributary, 2013–2018
The connection of rivers with their floodplains has been greatly reduced in agricultural drainage basins, especially in the Upper Mississippi River Basin. The restriction of the Mississippi River from its floodplain has reduced the sediment trapping and nutrient deposition capabilities of the floodplain, exacerbating water quality problems in the river and in downstream waterbodies. A small part oAuthorsLynn A. Bartsch, Rebecca M. Kreiling, Lance R. Gruhn, Jessica D. Garrett, William B. Richardson, Greg M. NalleyA steady-state groundwater flow model for the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer near Prospect Park, Des Moines, Iowa
The Des Moines River alluvial aquifer is an important source of water for Des Moines Water Works, the municipal water utility that provides residential and commercial water resources to the residents of Des Moines, Iowa, and surrounding municipalities. As an initial step in developing a better understanding of the groundwater resources of the Des Moines River alluvial aquifer, the U.S. GeologicalAuthorsKendall M. FitzGerald, Wonsook S. Ha, Adel E. Haj, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow, Jared R. WeberConceptual and numerical groundwater flow model of the Cedar River alluvial aquifer system with simulation of drought stress on groundwater availability near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 2011 through 2013
Between July 2011 and February 2013, the City of Cedar Rapids observed water level declines in their horizontal collector wells approaching 11 meters. As a result, pumping from these production wells had to be halted, and questions were raised about the reliability of the alluvial aquifer under future drought conditions. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the City of Cedar Rapids, comAuthorsAdel E. Haj, Wonsook S. Ha, Lance R. Gruhn, Emilia L. Bristow, Amy M. Gahala, Joshua F. Valder, Carole D. Johnson, Eric A. White, Shelby P. SternerEffect of groundwater withdrawals, river stage, and precipitation on water-table elevations in the Iowa River alluvial aquifer near Tama, Iowa, 2017–20
The Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa is the only federally recognized Tribe in the State of Iowa and is commonly known as the Meskwaki Nation. The Tribe owns more than 8,100 acres, referred to as the “Meskwaki Settlement.” The Meskwaki Settlement uses a well field that withdraws water from the Iowa River alluvial aquifer (IRAA) to supply drinking water to members of the Tribe. IncreaseAuthorsLance R. Gruhn, Adel E. HajUse of real-time sensors to temporally characterize water quality in groundwater and surface water in Mason County, Illinois, 2017–19
The persistence of high nitrate concentrations in shallow groundwater has been well documented in the shallow glacial aquifer of Mason County, Illinois. Nitrates in groundwater can be a concern when concentrations exceed 10 milligrams per liter in drinking water. Additionally, nitrate in groundwater can contribute to surface water nitrogen loads that can cause increased algal growth. Algal growthAuthorsLance R. Gruhn, William S. MorrowContinuous nitrate monitoring in groundwater and potential contribution to surface-water nitrogen loads in Mason County, Illinois
Illinois has some of the most productive farmland in the country. The use of fertilizers to improve crop production has increased, which has resulted in an increase in the concentration of nitrogen in many streams and aquifers. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, is continuously monitoring (one reading every 15 minutes) the concentration ofAuthorsLance R. Gruhn, Greg M. Nalley - Data
Quality-Assurance and Quality-Control Data for Discrete Water-Quality Samples Collected in McHenry County, Illinois, 2020
In June and July of 2020, 45 groundwater wells in McHenry County, Illinois, were sampled for water quality (field properties, major ions, nutrients, and trace metals) and 12 wells were sampled for contaminants of emerging concern (pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and wastewater indicator compounds). Quality-assurance and quality-control samples were collected during the June and July 2020 sampling thaGeophysical Data Collected in the Des Moines River, Beaver Creek, and the Des Moines River Floodplain, Des Moines, Iowa, 2018
A suite of geophysical methods was used along the Des Moines River, Beaver Creek, and in the Des Moines River floodplain in Des Moines, Iowa to support the hydrogeologic characterization of the alluvial aquifer associated with the river. The aquifer consists of sands and gravels underlain by weathered shale bedrock. Groundwater from the aquifer along with surface water sources are used for municipWater-quality data at two unnamed lakes at the National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site near Bemidji, Minnesota, 2019
The National Crude Oil Spill Fate and Natural Attenuation Research Site is located near where about 1.7 million liters of crude oil spilled in 1979. Much of the oil spill leached into groundwater which flows towards an unnamed lake at the site. The U.S. Geological Survey Branch of Hydrogeophysics has been working to map the plume's extent on land and into the lake using a variety of geophysicalGeophysical Data Collected in the Cedar River Floodplain, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 2015-2017
A suite of geophysical methods was used along the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to support the hydrogeologic characterization of the alluvial aquifer associated with the river and to assess the area for suitability for larger-scale airborne geophysics. The aquifer is comprised of sand and gravel, interbedded with finer sediments, and underlain by carbonate-dominated bedrock. The aquifer is the