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Robert R. Lotspeich
Robert (Russ) Lotspeich is a Hydrologist in the Hydrologic Networks Branch of the USGS Water Resources Mission Area.
Russ is a Hydrologist with interests in developing new and innovative technologies and methods to aide in data collection activities across the Water Enterprise. As the Research to Operations and Experimental Data Lead for the Observing Systems Division and the NGWOS Research and Development Sub-program Manager, Russ leads national efforts to develop and evaluate innovative water monitoring tools for transition into USGS operational networks.
Professional Experience
2022 to present - Research to Operations and Experimental Data Lead, U.S. Geological Survey, Observing Systems Division, Hydrologic Networks Branch
2016 to 2022 – Surface Water Specialist, U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
2011 to 2016 – Supervisory Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
2004 to 2011 – Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
2000 to 2004 – Hydrologic Technician, U.S. Geological Survey, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
Education and Certifications
B.S., Geology, The College of William and Mary
Science and Products
GPS data from 2019 and 2020 campaigns in the Chesapeake Bay region towards quantifying vertical land motions
Near-field remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge using radars and the probability concept at 10 USGS streamgages
Characteristics of peak streamflows and extent of inundation in areas of West Virginia and southwestern Virginia affected by flooding, June 2016
The Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) network of the U.S. Geological Survey—Past and future implementation of storm-response monitoring, data collection, and data delivery
Regional Curves of Bankfull Channel Geometry for Non-Urban Streams in the Piedmont Physiographic Province, Virginia
ZenRiver game concept: accelerating creation of machine learning imagery training datasets using citizen science
New Crowd Sourcing Will Contribute to Study of Land Subsidence and Sea-Level Rise in the Chesapeake Bay
Hampton Roads Benchmark Monitoring Network
Vertical Land Motion Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Campaigns, Southeast Virginia (ver. 2.0, December 2022)
Entry of the National Ocean Service and USGS
Science and Products
- Publications
GPS data from 2019 and 2020 campaigns in the Chesapeake Bay region towards quantifying vertical land motions
The Chesapeake Bay is a region along the eastern coast of the United States where sea-level rise is confounded with poorly resolved rates of land subsidence, thus new constraints on vertical land motions (VLM) in the region are warranted. In this paper, we provide a description of two campaign-style Global Positioning System (GPS) datasets, explain the methods used in data collection and validatioAuthorsGabrielle Troia, Sarah Stamps, R. Russell Lotspeich, James M. Duda, Kurt J. McCoy, William Moore, Philippe Hensel, Ryan Hippenstiel, Thomas McKenna, David C. Andreasen, Charles Geoghegan, Thomas P Ulizo, Madeline Kronebusch, Joel A. Carr, David Walters, Neil WinnNear-field remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge using radars and the probability concept at 10 USGS streamgages
Near-field remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge (discharge) were measured using coherent, continuous wave Doppler and pulsed radars. Traditional streamgaging requires sensors be deployed in the water column; however, near-field remote sensing has the potential to transform streamgaging operations through non-contact methods in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other agenciesAuthorsJohn Fulton, Chris A. Mason, Jack R. Eggleston, Matthew J. Nicotra, C.-L. Chiu, Mark F. Henneberg, Heather Best, Jay Cederberg, Stephen R. Holnbeck, R. Russell Lotspeich, Christopher Laveau, Tommaso Moramarco, Mark E. Jones, Jonathan J Gourley, Danny WasielewskiCharacteristics of peak streamflows and extent of inundation in areas of West Virginia and southwestern Virginia affected by flooding, June 2016
Heavy rainfall occurred across central and southern WestVirginia in June 2016 as a result of repeated rounds of torrentialthunderstorms. The storms caused major flooding and flashflooding in central and southern West Virginia with Kanawha,Fayette, Nicholas, and Greenbrier Counties among the hardesthit. Over the duration of the storms, from 8 to 9.37 inches ofrain was reported in areas in GreenbrieAuthorsSamuel H. Austin, Kara M. Watson, R. Russell Lotspeich, Stephen J. Cauller, Jeremy S. White, Shaun WickleinThe Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) network of the U.S. Geological Survey—Past and future implementation of storm-response monitoring, data collection, and data delivery
After Hurricane Sandy made landfall along the northeastern Atlantic coast of the United States on October 29, 2012, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) carried out scientific investigations to assist with protecting coastal communities and resources from future flooding. The work included development and implementation of the Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) network consisting of more thaAuthorsRichard J. Verdi, R. Russell Lotspeich, Jeanne C. Robbins, Ronald Busciolano, John R. Mullaney, Andrew J. Massey, William S. Banks, Mark A. Roland, Harry L. Jenter, Marie C. Peppler, Thomas P. Suro, Christopher E. Schubert, Mark R. NardiRegional Curves of Bankfull Channel Geometry for Non-Urban Streams in the Piedmont Physiographic Province, Virginia
Natural-channel design involves constructing a stream channel with the dimensions, slope, and plan-view pattern that would be expected to transport water and sediment and yet maintain habitat and aesthetics consistent with unimpaired stream segments, or reaches. Regression relations for bankfull stream characteristics based on drainage area, referred to as 'regional curves,' are used in natural stAuthorsR. Russell Lotspeich - Science
ZenRiver game concept: accelerating creation of machine learning imagery training datasets using citizen science
We aim to develop a web-based game where players use human-assisted image segmentation to produce annotated “meditation drawing” images of surface water sites to accelerate the creation of machine learning imagery training datasets. The game will also public education and outreach opportunities.New Crowd Sourcing Will Contribute to Study of Land Subsidence and Sea-Level Rise in the Chesapeake Bay
Issue: Chesapeake Bay region has the highest rate of relative sea-level rise on the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Scientists use the term relative sea-level rise to describe the change in ocean height relative to changes in land elevation. Data indicate that vertical land motion in the form of subsidence has been responsible for more than half the relative sea-level rise measured in the...Hampton Roads Benchmark Monitoring Network
The southern Chesapeake Bay region is experiencing land subsidence along with rising sea levels, both of which can contribute to coastal flooding. The rates at which these two processes are occurring are not exactly known. Mapping of land elevation change requires ground-truth survey data at multiple locations that are accurate and precise. With the exception of a few CORS sites that have... - Data
Vertical Land Motion Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Campaigns, Southeast Virginia (ver. 2.0, December 2022)
This data release is a compilation of annual Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) surveys of a network of 26 vertical control points (benchmarks) in the Hampton Roads region of southeastern Virginia. Surveys are conducted annually during the winter and are structured to collect a minimum of 24-hours of position data when possible, at an interval of 30-seconds or less at each benchmark locatio - Multimedia
Entry of the National Ocean Service and USGS
Entry of the National Ocean Service and USGS
Entry of the National Ocean Service and USGS
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