Laura is a Staff Scientist with the Office of Science Quality and Integrity (OSQI) where she supports and coordinates working groups for the Lab Advisory Board (LAB).
Laura is a Staff Scientist with the Office of Science Quality and Integrity (OSQI), where she provides support and coordination for Laboratory Advisory Board (LAB) working groups. LAB working groups are responsible for developing recommendations and guidance on lab-specific issues to ensure that laboratory science is effectively planned, supported, and utilized across the Bureau.
Previously, Laura was a Hydrologist and Project Chief with the Colorado Water Science Center (2018-2022). As a Hydrologist, her research interests included geomorphic change detection, post-wildfire hydrology, developing novel technologies for measuring streamflow and earth-surface processes (including the use of small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems [sUAS]), and developing more efficient, automated workflows.
Education and Certifications
PhD in Geology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 2018
BA in Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 2012
Science and Products
A call for strategic water-quality monitoring to advance assessment and prediction of wildfire impacts on water supplies
The applicability of time-integrated unit stream power for estimating bridge pier scour using noncontact methods in a gravel-bed river
Spatially integrating microbiology and geochemistry to reveal complex environmental health issues: Anthrax in the contiguous United States
Incipient bed-movement and flood-frequency analysis using hydrophones to estimate flushing flows on the upper Colorado River, Colorado, 2019
Predicting the floods that follow the flames
Incipient Bed-Movement and Flood-Frequency Analysis Using Hydrophones to Estimate Flushing Flows on the Upper Colorado River, Colorado, 2019
Bathymetry of Deadmans Lake, Golf Course Reservoir 9, Ice Lake, Kettle Lakes 1–3, and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1–4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, 2019
Topographic Survey Data of Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River
Elevation Data from Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River, Colorado, 2022
Gage Height data from February through September for years 2016-19 at Gunnison River near Grand Junction, Colorado
Elevation Data from Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River, Colorado, 2021
Elevation Data from Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River, Colorado, 2020
Acoustic, Spatial, and Sediment Size Data Collected on the Upper Colorado River to Estimate the Flushing Flows, Colorado, 2019
Survey and Bathymetric Data of Deadmans Lake; Golf Course Reservoir 9; Ice Lake; Kettle Lakes 1-3; and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1-4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, 2019 (ver. 1.1, June 2020)
Topographic and Sediment Size Data from Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence with the Arkansas River, Colorado, 2019
Elevation and elevation-change maps of Fountain Creek, southeastern Colorado, 2015-20
Bathymetry of Deadmans Lake, Golf Course Reservoir 9, Ice Lake, Kettle Lakes 1–3, and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1–4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, 2019
Elevation and elevation-change maps of Fountain Creek, southeastern Colorado, 2015–19
Science and Products
- Publications
A call for strategic water-quality monitoring to advance assessment and prediction of wildfire impacts on water supplies
Wildfires pose a risk to water supplies in the western U.S. and many other parts of the world, due to the potential for degradation of water quality. However, a lack of adequate data hinders prediction and assessment of post-wildfire impacts and recovery. The dearth of such data is related to lack of funding for monitoring extreme events and the challenge of measuring the outsized hydrologic and eAuthorsSheila F. Murphy, Charles N. Alpers, Chauncey W. Anderson, John R. Banta, Johanna Blake, Kurt D. Carpenter, Gregory D. Clark, David W. Clow, Laura A. Hempel, Deborah A. Martin, Michael Meador, Gregory Mendez, Anke Mueller-Solger, Marc A. Stewart, Sean E. Payne, Cara L. Peterman-Phipps, Brian A. EbelThe applicability of time-integrated unit stream power for estimating bridge pier scour using noncontact methods in a gravel-bed river
In near-field remote sensing, noncontact methods (radars) that measure stage and surface water velocity have the potential to supplement traditional bridge scour monitoring tools because they are safer to access and are less likely to be damaged compared with in-stream sensors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of radars for monitoring the hydraulic conditions that contribute toAuthorsLaura A. Hempel, Helen F. Malenda, John Fulton, Mark F. Henneberg, Jay Cederberg, Tommaso MoramarcoSpatially integrating microbiology and geochemistry to reveal complex environmental health issues: Anthrax in the contiguous United States
Maxent models were run using the B. anthracis presence data and/or the animal outbreak presence data. Models run using the animal outbreak data alone utilized two scales: the Outbreak State scale which included only states reporting animal anthrax outbreaks from 2001 to 2013 and the National scale which included all states in the contiguous United States. Three iterations of the environmental dataAuthorsErin Silvestri, Stephen Douglas, Vicky Luna, C.A.O. Jean-Babtiste, D. Harbin, Laura Hempel, Timothy Boe, Tonya Nichols, Dale W. GriffinIncipient bed-movement and flood-frequency analysis using hydrophones to estimate flushing flows on the upper Colorado River, Colorado, 2019
In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Upper Colorado River Wild and Scenic Stakeholder Group, studied the magnitude and recurrence interval of streamflow (discharge) needed to initiate bed movement of gravel-sized and finer sediment in a segment of the Colorado River in Colorado to better understand sediment movement and its relation to flow regimes of the river. The study aAuthorsMichael S. Kohn, Mathieu D. Marineau, Laura A. Hempel, Richard R. McDonaldPredicting the floods that follow the flames
No abstract available.AuthorsJonathan J Gourley, Humberto Vergara, Ami Arthur, Robert A III Clark, Dennis M. Staley, John Fulton, Laura A. Hempel, David C. Goodrich, Katherine Rowden, Peter R. Robichaud - Science
Incipient Bed-Movement and Flood-Frequency Analysis Using Hydrophones to Estimate Flushing Flows on the Upper Colorado River, Colorado, 2019
In an effort to better understand sediment movement and its relation to flow regimes of the Upper Colorado River in Colorado, in 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Upper Colorado River Wild and Scenic Stakeholder Group, studied the magnitude and recurrence interval of streamflow (discharge) needed to initiate bed movement of gravel-sized and finer sediment in a segment of...Bathymetry of Deadmans Lake, Golf Course Reservoir 9, Ice Lake, Kettle Lakes 1–3, and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1–4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, 2019
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), carried out bathymetric and topographic surveys to characterize the volume of Deadmans Lake, Golf Course Reservoir 9, Ice Lake, Kettle Lakes 1–3, and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1–4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. The study is meant to improve reservoir regulation and operation during periods of drought or high...Topographic Survey Data of Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities selected 10 reaches or study areas along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River for annual bed and bank characterization and topographic surveys. - Data
Elevation Data from Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River, Colorado, 2022
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities, has been collecting topographic data annually since 2012 at 10 study areas along Fountain Creek, Colorado. The 10 study areas are located along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the confluence of Fountain Creek and the Arkansas River in Pueblo. This data release presents topographic survey data, Light Detection aGage Height data from February through September for years 2016-19 at Gunnison River near Grand Junction, Colorado
Gage height values from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow-gaging station 09152500 for the specified period are presented in comma separated value (CSV) format. Values encompass the monthly date range from February 1st to September 30th for each year, 2016 through 2019.Elevation Data from Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River, Colorado, 2021
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities, has been collecting topographic data annually since 2012 at 10 study areas along Fountain Creek, Colorado. The 10 study areas are located along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the confluence of Fountain Creek and the Arkansas River in Pueblo. This data release presents topographic survey data, Light Detection aElevation Data from Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River, Colorado, 2020
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities, has been collecting topographic data annually since 2012 at 10 study areas along Fountain Creek, Colorado. The 10 study areas are located along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the confluence of Fountain Creek and the Arkansas River in Pueblo. This data release presents topographic survey data, Light Detection aAcoustic, Spatial, and Sediment Size Data Collected on the Upper Colorado River to Estimate the Flushing Flows, Colorado, 2019
In 2019, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Upper Colorado River Wild and Scenic Stakeholder Group, studied the magnitude and frequency of streamflow needed to initiate bedload transport of gravel-sized and finer sediment on the Colorado River to maintain spawning habitat for fish and maintain substrate and interstitial spaces for benthic macroinvertebrates. Bedload transport occuSurvey and Bathymetric Data of Deadmans Lake; Golf Course Reservoir 9; Ice Lake; Kettle Lakes 1-3; and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1-4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, 2019 (ver. 1.1, June 2020)
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force Academy, carried out bathymetry surveys to characterize the water-supply capacity of Deadmans Lake; Golf Course Reservoir 9; Ice Lake; Kettle Lakes 1, 2, and 3; and Non-Potable reservoirs 1, 2, 3, and 4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado in 2019. This data release includes: the elevation and volumes at specified elevatiTopographic and Sediment Size Data from Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs and the Confluence with the Arkansas River, Colorado, 2019
In 2012, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities selected 10 study areas along Fountain Creek between Colorado Springs, Colorado and the confluence of Fountain Creek with the Arkansas River for annual geomorphic monitoring. The purpose of this data release is to present topographic survey data, rasters , and sediment size data collected in 2019 as part of t - Maps
Elevation and elevation-change maps of Fountain Creek, southeastern Colorado, 2015-20
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities, has collected topographic data annually since 2012 at 10 study areas along Fountain Creek, southeastern Colorado. The 10 study areas were located between Colorado Springs and the terminus of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River in Pueblo. The purpose of this report is to present elevation maps based on topographic surveysBathymetry of Deadmans Lake, Golf Course Reservoir 9, Ice Lake, Kettle Lakes 1–3, and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1–4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, 2019
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), carried out bathymetric and topographic surveys to characterize the volume of Deadmans Lake, Golf Course Reservoir 9, Ice Lake, Kettle Lakes 1–3, and Non-Potable Reservoirs 1–4 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. Bathymetric maps of each lake and reservoir are presented with figures of the elevation-volume curElevation and elevation-change maps of Fountain Creek, southeastern Colorado, 2015–19
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with Colorado Springs Utilities, has been collecting topographic data at 10 study areas along Fountain Creek, Colorado, annually since 2012. The 10 study areas are located between Colorado Springs and the terminus of Fountain Creek at the Arkansas River in Pueblo. The purpose of this report is to present elevation maps based on topographic surveys collect - Multimedia