Richard J Huizinga, P.E.
Richard (Rick) Huizinga is interested in applying concepts of hydrodynamics and geomorphology to help solve real-world problems such as erosion hazards (scour) near bridges and erosion and deposition in rivers and lakes.
Rick is a project hydrologist at the Central Midwest Water Science Center in Rolla, Missouri. Rick received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in civil engineering (focused on Hydrology and Hydraulics) from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (M S&T, formerly UMR). Since joining the USGS in 1991, Rick has devoted his career to studying surface water hydraulics and specializes in bridge scour and applications of multibeam echosounders and motion-compensated and tripod-based lidar technology for geomorphic assessment and change detection. He has participated in applied research focusing on predicting and measuring scour at bridge piers using hydraulic models and field methods. Rick is a recognized expert in the use of multibeam echosounder technology for assessment of bridge scour during floods as well as bathymetric surveying of inland alluvial rivers and streams and lakes.
Professional Experience
1991-present, Hydrologist for U.S. Geological Survey
Education and Certifications
Registered Professional Engineer in Missouri and Kansas
M.S. Civil Engineering (Hydrology/Hydraulics), Missouri S&T, 1993, Rolla, Missouri. Thesis: “An analysis of the two-dimension flow in a vertically rotating flume”
B.S. Civil Engineering, Missouri S&T, 1991, Rolla, Missouri
Affiliations and Memberships*
1991-present, American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, VA
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 27
Bathymetric data for Clearwater Lake near Piedmont, Missouri, 2017 Bathymetric data for Clearwater Lake near Piedmont, Missouri, 2017
Clearwater Lake, on the Black River near Piedmont in Reynolds County, Missouri, was constructed in 1948 and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood-risk reduction, recreation, and fish and wildlife habitat. The lake area is about 1,800 acres with about 34 miles of shoreline at the conservation pool elevation of 498 feet. Periodically, many lakes operated by the U.S...
Bathymetric and Velocimetric Surveys at Highway Bridges Crossing the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers near St. Louis, Missouri, May 2327, 2016 Bathymetric and Velocimetric Surveys at Highway Bridges Crossing the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers near St. Louis, Missouri, May 2327, 2016
These data are high-resolution bathymetry (riverbed elevation) and depth-averaged velocities in ASCII format, generated from hydrographic and velocimetric surveys near highway bridge structures over the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers near St. Louis, Missouri, for dates ranging from 2008 to 2016. Hydrographic data were collected using a high-resolution multibeam echosounder mapping...
Bridge Scour Countermeasure Assessment Data for Select Bridges in the United States Bridge Scour Countermeasure Assessment Data for Select Bridges in the United States
Scouring of streambed material surrounding bridge structures is a leading cause of bridge failure in the United States. Damages resulting from bridge failure oftentimes lead to financial burdens and loss of life. To date, there has been no comprehensive evaluation of the current (2016) effectiveness of the guidance or overall long-term performance of bridge-scour countermeasures provided...
Filter Total Items: 39
Results of repeat bathymetric and velocimetric surveys at the Amelia Earhart Bridge on U.S. Highway 59 over the Missouri River at Atchison, Kansas, 2009-2013 Results of repeat bathymetric and velocimetric surveys at the Amelia Earhart Bridge on U.S. Highway 59 over the Missouri River at Atchison, Kansas, 2009-2013
Bathymetric and velocimetric data were collected six times by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Transportation, in the vicinity of Amelia Earhart Bridge on U.S. Highway 59 over the Missouri River at Atchison, Kansas. A multibeam echosounder mapping system and an acoustic Doppler current meter were used to obtain channel-bed elevations and depth...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Bathymetric and velocimetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri River in and into Missouri during summer flooding, July-August 2011 Bathymetric and velocimetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri River in and into Missouri during summer flooding, July-August 2011
Bathymetric and velocimetric surveys were conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Kansas and Missouri Departments of Transportation, in the vicinity of 36 bridges at 27 highway crossings of the Missouri River between Brownville, Nebraska and St. Louis, Missouri, from July 13 through August 3, 2011, during a summer flood. A multibeam echo sounder mapping system...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Bathymetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers near St. Louis, Missouri, 2010 Bathymetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers near St. Louis, Missouri, 2010
Bathymetric surveys were conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation, on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers in the vicinity of 12 bridges at 7 highway crossings near St. Louis, Missouri, in October 2010. A multibeam echo sounder mapping system was used to obtain channel-bed elevations for river reaches ranging from 3,280 to 4...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Bathymetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri River in Kansas City, Missouri, using a multibeam echo sounder, 2010 Bathymetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri River in Kansas City, Missouri, using a multibeam echo sounder, 2010
Bathymetric surveys were conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation, on the Missouri River in the vicinity of nine bridges at seven highway crossings in Kansas City, Missouri, in March 2010. A multibeam echo sounder mapping system was used to obtain channel-bed elevations for river reaches that ranged from 1,640 to 1,800 feet...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Bathymetric and Velocimetric Survey and Assessment of Habitat for Pallid Sturgeon on the Mississippi River in the Vicinity of the Proposed Interstate 70 Bridge at St. Louis, Missouri Bathymetric and Velocimetric Survey and Assessment of Habitat for Pallid Sturgeon on the Mississippi River in the Vicinity of the Proposed Interstate 70 Bridge at St. Louis, Missouri
A bathymetric and velocimetry survey was conducted on the Mississippi River in the vicinity of a proposed new bridge for Interstate 70 at St. Louis, Missouri. A multibeam echo sounder mapping system and an acoustic Doppler current profiler were used to obtain channel-bed elevations and vertically averaged and near-bed velocities for a 3,545-foot (1,080-meter) long reach of the...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga, Caroline M. Elliott, Robert B. Jacobson
Examination of Direct Discharge Measurement Data and Historic Daily Data for Selected Gages on the Middle Mississippi River, 1861-2008 Examination of Direct Discharge Measurement Data and Historic Daily Data for Selected Gages on the Middle Mississippi River, 1861-2008
An examination of data from two continuous stage and discharge streamgages and one continuous stage-only gage on the Middle Mississippi River was made to determine stage-discharge relation changes through time and to investigate cause-and-effect mechanisms through evaluation of hydraulic geometry, channel elevation and water-surface elevation data. Data from discrete, direct measurements...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Hydrologic Analysis and Two-Dimensional Simulation of Flow at State Highway 17 crossing the Gasconade River near Waynesville, Missouri Hydrologic Analysis and Two-Dimensional Simulation of Flow at State Highway 17 crossing the Gasconade River near Waynesville, Missouri
In cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation, the U.S. Geological Survey determined hydrologic and hydraulic parameters for the Gasconade River at the site of a proposed bridge replacement and highway realignment of State Highway 17 near Waynesville, Missouri. Information from a discontinued streamflow-gaging station on the Gasconade River near Waynesville was used to...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Estimated Flood-Inundation Mapping for the Upper Blue River, Indian Creek, and Dyke Branch in Kansas City, Missouri, 2006-08 Estimated Flood-Inundation Mapping for the Upper Blue River, Indian Creek, and Dyke Branch in Kansas City, Missouri, 2006-08
In the interest of improved public safety during flooding, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the city of Kansas City, Missouri, completed a flood-inundation study of the Blue River in Kansas City, Missouri, from the U.S. Geological Survey streamflow gage at Kenneth Road to 63rd Street, of Indian Creek from the Kansas-Missouri border to its mouth, and of Dyke Branch from the...
Authors
Brian P. Kelly, Richard J. Huizinga
Two-Dimensional Simulation of Flow and Evaluation of Bridge Scour at Structure A-1700 on Interstate 155 over the Mississippi River near Caruthersville, Missouri Two-Dimensional Simulation of Flow and Evaluation of Bridge Scour at Structure A-1700 on Interstate 155 over the Mississippi River near Caruthersville, Missouri
The evaluation of scour at bridges throughout the State of Missouri has been ongoing since 1991, and most of these evaluations have used one-dimensional hydraulic analysis and application of conventional scour depth prediction equations. Occasionally, the complex conditions of a site dictate a more thorough assessment of the stream hydraulics beyond a one-dimensional model. This was the...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Two-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Modeling and Analysis of the Proposed Channel Modifications and Grade Control Structure on the Blue River near Byram's Ford Industrial Park, Kansas City, Missouri Two-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Modeling and Analysis of the Proposed Channel Modifications and Grade Control Structure on the Blue River near Byram's Ford Industrial Park, Kansas City, Missouri
The Blue River Channel Modification project being implemented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is intended to provide flood protection within the Blue River valley in the Kansas City, Mo., metropolitan area. In the latest phase of the project, concerns have arisen about preserving the Civil War historic area of Byram's Ford and the associated Big Blue Battlefield while...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Potential-scour assessments and estimates of scour depth using different techniques at selected bridge sites in Missouri Potential-scour assessments and estimates of scour depth using different techniques at selected bridge sites in Missouri
The evaluation of scour at bridges throughout the state of Missouri has been ongoing since 1991 in a cooperative effort by the U.S. Geological Survey and Missouri Department of Transportation. A variety of assessment methods have been used to identify bridges susceptible to scour and to estimate scour depths. A potential-scour assessment (Level 1) was used at 3,082 bridges to identify...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga, Paul H. Rydlund
Simulation of flow and evaluation of bridge scour at Horse Island Chute Bridge near Chester, Illinois Simulation of flow and evaluation of bridge scour at Horse Island Chute Bridge near Chester, Illinois
The evaluation of scour at bridges throughout the State of Missouri has been ongoing since 1991, and most of these evaluations have used one-dimensional hydraulic analysis and application of conventional scour depth equations. Occasionally, the conditions of a site dictate that a more thorough hydraulic assessment is required. To provide the hydraulic parameters required to determine the...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga, Paul H. Rydlund
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 27
Bathymetric data for Clearwater Lake near Piedmont, Missouri, 2017 Bathymetric data for Clearwater Lake near Piedmont, Missouri, 2017
Clearwater Lake, on the Black River near Piedmont in Reynolds County, Missouri, was constructed in 1948 and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood-risk reduction, recreation, and fish and wildlife habitat. The lake area is about 1,800 acres with about 34 miles of shoreline at the conservation pool elevation of 498 feet. Periodically, many lakes operated by the U.S...
Bathymetric and Velocimetric Surveys at Highway Bridges Crossing the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers near St. Louis, Missouri, May 2327, 2016 Bathymetric and Velocimetric Surveys at Highway Bridges Crossing the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers near St. Louis, Missouri, May 2327, 2016
These data are high-resolution bathymetry (riverbed elevation) and depth-averaged velocities in ASCII format, generated from hydrographic and velocimetric surveys near highway bridge structures over the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers near St. Louis, Missouri, for dates ranging from 2008 to 2016. Hydrographic data were collected using a high-resolution multibeam echosounder mapping...
Bridge Scour Countermeasure Assessment Data for Select Bridges in the United States Bridge Scour Countermeasure Assessment Data for Select Bridges in the United States
Scouring of streambed material surrounding bridge structures is a leading cause of bridge failure in the United States. Damages resulting from bridge failure oftentimes lead to financial burdens and loss of life. To date, there has been no comprehensive evaluation of the current (2016) effectiveness of the guidance or overall long-term performance of bridge-scour countermeasures provided...
Filter Total Items: 39
Results of repeat bathymetric and velocimetric surveys at the Amelia Earhart Bridge on U.S. Highway 59 over the Missouri River at Atchison, Kansas, 2009-2013 Results of repeat bathymetric and velocimetric surveys at the Amelia Earhart Bridge on U.S. Highway 59 over the Missouri River at Atchison, Kansas, 2009-2013
Bathymetric and velocimetric data were collected six times by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Transportation, in the vicinity of Amelia Earhart Bridge on U.S. Highway 59 over the Missouri River at Atchison, Kansas. A multibeam echosounder mapping system and an acoustic Doppler current meter were used to obtain channel-bed elevations and depth...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Bathymetric and velocimetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri River in and into Missouri during summer flooding, July-August 2011 Bathymetric and velocimetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri River in and into Missouri during summer flooding, July-August 2011
Bathymetric and velocimetric surveys were conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Kansas and Missouri Departments of Transportation, in the vicinity of 36 bridges at 27 highway crossings of the Missouri River between Brownville, Nebraska and St. Louis, Missouri, from July 13 through August 3, 2011, during a summer flood. A multibeam echo sounder mapping system...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Bathymetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers near St. Louis, Missouri, 2010 Bathymetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers near St. Louis, Missouri, 2010
Bathymetric surveys were conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation, on the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers in the vicinity of 12 bridges at 7 highway crossings near St. Louis, Missouri, in October 2010. A multibeam echo sounder mapping system was used to obtain channel-bed elevations for river reaches ranging from 3,280 to 4...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Bathymetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri River in Kansas City, Missouri, using a multibeam echo sounder, 2010 Bathymetric surveys at highway bridges crossing the Missouri River in Kansas City, Missouri, using a multibeam echo sounder, 2010
Bathymetric surveys were conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation, on the Missouri River in the vicinity of nine bridges at seven highway crossings in Kansas City, Missouri, in March 2010. A multibeam echo sounder mapping system was used to obtain channel-bed elevations for river reaches that ranged from 1,640 to 1,800 feet...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Bathymetric and Velocimetric Survey and Assessment of Habitat for Pallid Sturgeon on the Mississippi River in the Vicinity of the Proposed Interstate 70 Bridge at St. Louis, Missouri Bathymetric and Velocimetric Survey and Assessment of Habitat for Pallid Sturgeon on the Mississippi River in the Vicinity of the Proposed Interstate 70 Bridge at St. Louis, Missouri
A bathymetric and velocimetry survey was conducted on the Mississippi River in the vicinity of a proposed new bridge for Interstate 70 at St. Louis, Missouri. A multibeam echo sounder mapping system and an acoustic Doppler current profiler were used to obtain channel-bed elevations and vertically averaged and near-bed velocities for a 3,545-foot (1,080-meter) long reach of the...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga, Caroline M. Elliott, Robert B. Jacobson
Examination of Direct Discharge Measurement Data and Historic Daily Data for Selected Gages on the Middle Mississippi River, 1861-2008 Examination of Direct Discharge Measurement Data and Historic Daily Data for Selected Gages on the Middle Mississippi River, 1861-2008
An examination of data from two continuous stage and discharge streamgages and one continuous stage-only gage on the Middle Mississippi River was made to determine stage-discharge relation changes through time and to investigate cause-and-effect mechanisms through evaluation of hydraulic geometry, channel elevation and water-surface elevation data. Data from discrete, direct measurements...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Hydrologic Analysis and Two-Dimensional Simulation of Flow at State Highway 17 crossing the Gasconade River near Waynesville, Missouri Hydrologic Analysis and Two-Dimensional Simulation of Flow at State Highway 17 crossing the Gasconade River near Waynesville, Missouri
In cooperation with the Missouri Department of Transportation, the U.S. Geological Survey determined hydrologic and hydraulic parameters for the Gasconade River at the site of a proposed bridge replacement and highway realignment of State Highway 17 near Waynesville, Missouri. Information from a discontinued streamflow-gaging station on the Gasconade River near Waynesville was used to...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Estimated Flood-Inundation Mapping for the Upper Blue River, Indian Creek, and Dyke Branch in Kansas City, Missouri, 2006-08 Estimated Flood-Inundation Mapping for the Upper Blue River, Indian Creek, and Dyke Branch in Kansas City, Missouri, 2006-08
In the interest of improved public safety during flooding, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the city of Kansas City, Missouri, completed a flood-inundation study of the Blue River in Kansas City, Missouri, from the U.S. Geological Survey streamflow gage at Kenneth Road to 63rd Street, of Indian Creek from the Kansas-Missouri border to its mouth, and of Dyke Branch from the...
Authors
Brian P. Kelly, Richard J. Huizinga
Two-Dimensional Simulation of Flow and Evaluation of Bridge Scour at Structure A-1700 on Interstate 155 over the Mississippi River near Caruthersville, Missouri Two-Dimensional Simulation of Flow and Evaluation of Bridge Scour at Structure A-1700 on Interstate 155 over the Mississippi River near Caruthersville, Missouri
The evaluation of scour at bridges throughout the State of Missouri has been ongoing since 1991, and most of these evaluations have used one-dimensional hydraulic analysis and application of conventional scour depth prediction equations. Occasionally, the complex conditions of a site dictate a more thorough assessment of the stream hydraulics beyond a one-dimensional model. This was the...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Two-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Modeling and Analysis of the Proposed Channel Modifications and Grade Control Structure on the Blue River near Byram's Ford Industrial Park, Kansas City, Missouri Two-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Modeling and Analysis of the Proposed Channel Modifications and Grade Control Structure on the Blue River near Byram's Ford Industrial Park, Kansas City, Missouri
The Blue River Channel Modification project being implemented by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is intended to provide flood protection within the Blue River valley in the Kansas City, Mo., metropolitan area. In the latest phase of the project, concerns have arisen about preserving the Civil War historic area of Byram's Ford and the associated Big Blue Battlefield while...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga
Potential-scour assessments and estimates of scour depth using different techniques at selected bridge sites in Missouri Potential-scour assessments and estimates of scour depth using different techniques at selected bridge sites in Missouri
The evaluation of scour at bridges throughout the state of Missouri has been ongoing since 1991 in a cooperative effort by the U.S. Geological Survey and Missouri Department of Transportation. A variety of assessment methods have been used to identify bridges susceptible to scour and to estimate scour depths. A potential-scour assessment (Level 1) was used at 3,082 bridges to identify...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga, Paul H. Rydlund
Simulation of flow and evaluation of bridge scour at Horse Island Chute Bridge near Chester, Illinois Simulation of flow and evaluation of bridge scour at Horse Island Chute Bridge near Chester, Illinois
The evaluation of scour at bridges throughout the State of Missouri has been ongoing since 1991, and most of these evaluations have used one-dimensional hydraulic analysis and application of conventional scour depth equations. Occasionally, the conditions of a site dictate that a more thorough hydraulic assessment is required. To provide the hydraulic parameters required to determine the...
Authors
Richard J. Huizinga, Paul H. Rydlund
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government