Panoramic image of the Mountain Home Plateau, southern Idaho. Hydrologists from the USGS Idaho Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, assessed the water resources of the plateau to help improve resource management.
Lauren M Zinsser
Lauren Zinsser is a supervisory hydrologist and water-quality specialist with the USGS Idaho Water Science Center in Boise, Idaho.
Lauren’s research involves field-based studies of surface-water and groundwater resources. Her work includes projects on long-term surface-water quality monitoring and trend analysis, characterization of groundwater resources, and biological uptake of contaminants. The common theme in her research is answering cooperator-driven questions that have direct relevancy to water resource management in Idaho.
Science and Products
Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed
The Kootenai River (Kootenay in Canada) rises from the Canadian Rockies and flows south in an arc through Montana and Idaho before swinging back into British Columbia and the Columbia River. The uplifted sedimentary rocks forming the southern Canadian Rockies have rich coal deposits that have been mined for many decades. The coal beds and associated rock layers are enriched with other minerals as...
From Water to Wildlife: Linking Water Timing and Availability to Meadows and Wildlife in a Changing Climate
Mountain meadows in the western United States provide key habitats for many plant and wildlife species, many of which rely exclusively on these areas. Mountain meadows are also treasured by the public and provide beautiful areas to view wildflowers and wildlife on public lands such as national parks. However, mountain ecosystems are expected to be disproportionately affected by climate change. The
Characterizing the Water Resources of the Big Lost River Valley
In cooperation with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, we are working to improve the scientific understanding of the Big Lost River basin's water resources. This improved understanding will support effective resource management.
Selenium in the Blackfoot River Watershed
The upper Blackfoot River receives runoff from 12 large phosphate mines. Shale waste rock that is a byproduct of mining is highly enriched in naturally occurring selenium. At optimal concentrations, selenium can be a positive nutrient and antioxidant in mammals and fish. At elevated concentrations, however, it can damage fish and animal immune systems. As early as 1996, livestock deaths attributed...
Coeur d'Alene Basin Water-Quality Monitoring
We partner with the EPA to conduct long-term water-quality and streamflow monitoring in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin, which has been widely impacted by historic mining activities.
Coeur d'Alene Lake Water Quality
The mining district in the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River valley was among the Nation’s largest producers of silver, lead, zinc, and other metals from the 1880s to the 1980s. These activities have produced large quantities of waste material that contain environmentally hazardous contaminants such as cadmium, lead, and zinc. Much of this material has been discharged directly to or washed into the...
Mountain Home Plateau, Southern Idaho
Panoramic image of the Mountain Home Plateau, southern Idaho. Hydrologists from the USGS Idaho Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, assessed the water resources of the plateau to help improve resource management.
Science and Products
Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed
The Kootenai River (Kootenay in Canada) rises from the Canadian Rockies and flows south in an arc through Montana and Idaho before swinging back into British Columbia and the Columbia River. The uplifted sedimentary rocks forming the southern Canadian Rockies have rich coal deposits that have been mined for many decades. The coal beds and associated rock layers are enriched with other minerals as...
From Water to Wildlife: Linking Water Timing and Availability to Meadows and Wildlife in a Changing Climate
Mountain meadows in the western United States provide key habitats for many plant and wildlife species, many of which rely exclusively on these areas. Mountain meadows are also treasured by the public and provide beautiful areas to view wildflowers and wildlife on public lands such as national parks. However, mountain ecosystems are expected to be disproportionately affected by climate change. The
Characterizing the Water Resources of the Big Lost River Valley
In cooperation with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, we are working to improve the scientific understanding of the Big Lost River basin's water resources. This improved understanding will support effective resource management.
Selenium in the Blackfoot River Watershed
The upper Blackfoot River receives runoff from 12 large phosphate mines. Shale waste rock that is a byproduct of mining is highly enriched in naturally occurring selenium. At optimal concentrations, selenium can be a positive nutrient and antioxidant in mammals and fish. At elevated concentrations, however, it can damage fish and animal immune systems. As early as 1996, livestock deaths attributed...
Coeur d'Alene Basin Water-Quality Monitoring
We partner with the EPA to conduct long-term water-quality and streamflow monitoring in the Coeur d’Alene River Basin, which has been widely impacted by historic mining activities.
Coeur d'Alene Lake Water Quality
The mining district in the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River valley was among the Nation’s largest producers of silver, lead, zinc, and other metals from the 1880s to the 1980s. These activities have produced large quantities of waste material that contain environmentally hazardous contaminants such as cadmium, lead, and zinc. Much of this material has been discharged directly to or washed into the...
Mountain Home Plateau, Southern Idaho
Panoramic image of the Mountain Home Plateau, southern Idaho. Hydrologists from the USGS Idaho Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, assessed the water resources of the plateau to help improve resource management.
Panoramic image of the Mountain Home Plateau, southern Idaho. Hydrologists from the USGS Idaho Water Science Center, in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, assessed the water resources of the plateau to help improve resource management.