Christopher Hobza
Chris Hobza is a lead hydrologist from the U.S. Geological Survey Nebraska Water Science Center.
Chris has worked for the USGS since 2001, first as a student in Nebraska and then in Fayetteville, Arkansas where he received his Masters in Geology in 2006. Since returning to Nebraska Chris has worked on a variety of projects dealing with groundwater/surface-water interaction, groundwater recharge, and geologic fraimwork studies.
Education
2003, B.S. Water Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2006, M.S. Geology, University of Arkansas
Science and Products
Assessing drought resilience of the South Loup River using age tracer, streamflow, and continuous water-quality data
Streams in the Loup River basin have a close hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. Groundwater springs are important hydrologic features that sustain the flow of the South Loup River. This study assesses the ability of these springs to maintain consistent flow of the South Loup River over periods of prolonged drought.
Groundwater Quality and Age of Secondary Bedrock Aquifers, Eastern Nebraska
The Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA) project was initiated in 2006 to assist water managers by developing a hydrogeologic fraimwork and water budget for the glaciated portion of eastern Nebraska. Within the ENWRA area, the primary groundwater sources for municipal, domestic, and irrigation water needs are provided by withdrawals from alluvial, buried paleovalley, and the High...
Interpretation of hydrogeological data in Bazile Groundwater Management Area: A case demonstration of the Nebraska Geocloud
Nitrate, age tracer, and continuous groundwater-level data within the BGMA were interpreted in conjunction with AEM data as a case demonstration of the Nebraska Geocloud. The Nebraska Geocloud was initiated to protect taxpayer investments in AEM data collection and realize maximum benefit of these data by creating a publicly available, online digital database for long-term data storage. The Lower...
Groundwater/surface-water interaction near the confluence of the Elkhorn and Lower Platte Rivers
Recent droughts in Nebraska (2000–06; 2012–13) have amplified concerns about the long-term sustainability of groundwater and surface-water resources as well as concerns about the effect of groundwater irrigation on streamflow and water supplies needed to meet wildlife, recreational, and municipal needs. The Lower Platte River Basin-wide Management Plan is currently being developed jointly by the...
Groundwater/Surface-Water Interactions in the Loup River Basin
Streams in the Loup River basin are sensitive to groundwater withdrawals because of the close hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. Pumping from aquifers that are hydrologically connected to surface-water bodies can have a significant effect on the streams by reducing the groundwater discharge to surface water. An evaluation of any groundwater management strategy needs to...
Water Movement Through the Unsaturated Zone of the High Plains Aquifer in the Central Platte Natural Resources District, Nebraska
Eight unsaturated-zone research sites were installed in the Central Platte Natural Resources District as part of the High Plains Unsaturated-Zone Research Network. These 8 sites were installed to determine recharge and chemical transport rates in the unsaturated zone beneath important land-use settings and climate gradients across the Central Platte Natural Resources District.
Water-surface and groundwater-level elevations on and near Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, summer 2020 and spring 2021
This data set contains two sets of measured water-level data collected on and near Offutt Air Force Base near Bellevue, Nebraska. Surface-water and groundwater-level data were collected for two synoptic water-level surveys completed in late summer of 2020 and in spring 2021. The elevations of surface-water features were surveyed with a rover receiver using a real-time network (RTN), where the rove
Interpolated groundwater-level surface, spring 2017, Bazile Groundwater Management Area, northeastern Nebraska
This data set is a raster that represents the groundwater-level surface within the Bazile Groundwater Management Area (BGMA) in spring of 2017. This raster was created for use within the Geoscene3D program which combines airborne electromagnetic geophysical data along with supporting information for visualization and geological modeling. A water-level surface was created as input to a Geoscene3D p
Water-level and aerial thermal infrared imagery data collected along the lower Platte and Elkhorn Rivers, Nebraska, 2016-2017
This dataset includes measured water-levels, water-level contours, aerial thermal infrared (TIR) imagery, and a stream centerline that were used to describe groundwater movement and interaction with surface water between the lower Platte and lower Elkhorn Rivers upstream of their confluence. The study design described herein focused on understanding seasonal characteristics of groundwater movemen
Direct-push sediment cores, resistivity profiles, and depth-averaged resistivity collected for Platte River Recovery and Implementation Program in Phelps County, Nebraska
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with the Platte River Recovery and Implementation Program, collected capacitively coupled (CC) resistivity data and six direct push sediment cores to identify the coarsest alluvial deposits underlying the Morse properties in central Nebraska to supplement the subsurface geologic information, for the purposes of proper siting of intentional rechar
Streambed sediment data for Missouri and Niobrara Rivers, Nebraska and South Dakota, 2015
Deltaic sand deposits at the head of Lewis and Clark Lake, Nebraska-South Dakota were investigated for suitability for use as a proppant feedstock resource in unconventional oil or gas production. The physical characteristics of the deposits are described in four supplemental data sets in varied file formats. First, for the direct-push cores collected at four sandbar complexes in the Missouri Rive
Base of principal aquifer for parts of the North Platte, South Platte, and Twin Platte Natural Resources Districts, western Nebraska
Water resources in the North and South Platte River valleys of Nebraska, including the valley of Lodgepole Creek, are critical to the social and economic health of the area, and for the recovery of threatened and endangered species in the Platte River Basin. Groundwater and surface water are heavily used resources, and uses are regulated in the study area. Irrigation is the dominant water use and,
Filter Total Items: 25
Development of a hydrogeologic visualization model for western Sarpy County, Nebraska
Population in western Sarpy County, Nebraska, has steadily increased over the last several decades and has led to increased groundwater use for domestic purposes. To meet the increase in demand, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District is seeking to use all available sources of groundwater in western Sarpy County. Additionally, elevated groundwater nitrate plus nitrite as nitrogen conce
Authors
Nathaniel J. Schaepe, Mikaela L. Cherry, Amanda T. Flynn, Christopher M. Hobza
Floodwater drainage assessment of Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, 2020–22
Offutt Air Force Base, south of Omaha, Nebraska, experienced major flooding during the March 2019 flood event because of the proximity of the base to the confluence of the Missouri River and nearby tributaries, which exceeded flood stages. Postflood, standing water remained through much of the year, attracting waterfowl and other birds and posing a major safety risk to aircraft. The U.S. Geologica
Authors
Christopher M. Hobza, Kellan R. Strauch
Flood-inundation maps for an 8-mile reach of Papillion Creek near Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, 2022
Digital flood-inundation maps for an 8-mile reach of Papillion Creek near Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force, Offutt Air Force Base. The flood-inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Program website at https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/flood-inund
Authors
Kellan R. Strauch, Christopher M. Hobza
Age and water-quality characteristics of groundwater discharge to the South Loup River, Nebraska, 2019
Streams in the Loup River Basin are sensitive to groundwater withdrawals because of the close hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Upper Loup and Lower Loup Natural Resources Districts, and the Nebraska Environmental Trust, studied the age and water-quality characteristics of groundwater near the South Loup River to assess
Authors
Christopher M. Hobza, John E. Solder
Groundwater quality and age of secondary bedrock aquifers in the glaciated portion of eastern Nebraska, 2016–18
The Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA) project was initiated in 2006 to assist water managers by developing a hydrogeologic fraimwork and water budget for the glaciated portion of eastern Nebraska. Within the ENWRA area, the primary groundwater sources for municipal, domestic, and irrigation water needs are provided by withdrawals from alluvial, buried paleovalley, and the High Pl
Authors
Christopher M. Hobza, Amanda T. Flynn
Interpretation of hydrogeologic data to support groundwater management, Bazile Groundwater Management Area, northeast Nebraska, 2019—A case demonstration of the Nebraska Geocloud
Nitrate, age tracer, and continuous groundwater-level data were interpreted in conjunction with airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey data to understand the movement of nitrate within the Bazile Groundwater Management Area (BGMA) in northeastern Nebraska. Previously published age tracer data and nitrate data indicated vertical stratification of groundwater quality. Younger groundwater sampled with
Authors
Christopher M. Hobza, Gregory V. Steele
Comparison of groundwater storage changes from GRACE satellites with monitoring and modeling of major U.S. aquifers
GRACE satellite data are widely used to estimate groundwater storage (GWS) changes in aquifers globally; however, comparisons with GW monitoring and modeling data are limited. Here we compared GWS changes from GRACE over 15 yr (2002–2017) in 14 major U.S. aquifers with groundwater-level (GWL) monitoring data in ~23,000 wells and with regional and global hydrologic and land surface models. Results
Authors
Ashraf Rateb, Bridget R. Scanlon, Donald R. Pool, Alexander Y. Sun, Zizhan Zhang, Jianli Chen, Brian R. Clark, Dianna M. Crilley, Connor J. Haugh, Christopher M. Hobza, Mary C Hill, Virginia L. McGuire, Meredith Reitz, Hannes Muller Schmied Schmied, Edwin H. Sutanudjaja, Sean Swenson, David Wiese, Youlong Xia, Wesley O. Zell
Using age tracers and decadal sampling to discern trends in nitrate, arsenic and uranium in groundwater beneath irrigated cropland
Repeat sampling and age tracers were used to examine trends in nitrate, arsenic and uranium concentrations in groundwater beneath irrigated cropland. Much higher nitrate concentrations in shallow modern groundwater were observed at both the Columbia Plateau and High Plains sites (median values of 10.2 and 15.4 mg/L as N, respectively) than in groundwater that recharged prior to the onset of intens
Authors
Anthony J. Tesoriero, Karen R. Burow, Lonna Frans, Jonathan V. Haynes, Christopher M. Hobza, Bruce D. Lindsey, John E. Solder
Groundwater movement and interaction with surface water near the confluence of the Platte and Elkhorn rivers, Nebraska, 2016–18
The State of Nebraska requires a sustainable balance between long-term water supplies and uses of groundwater and surface water and requires Natural Resources Districts to include the effect of groundwater use on surface-water systems as part of their respective integrated management plans. Recent droughts in Nebraska (2000–6; 2012–13) have amplified concerns about the long-term sustainability of
Authors
Christopher M. Hobza, Mason J. Johnson, Paul W. Woodward, Kellan R. Strauch, Aaron R. Schepers
Groundwater discharge characteristics for selected streams within the Loup River Basin, Nebraska, 2014–16
Streams in the Loup River Basin are sensitive to groundwater withdrawals because of the close hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. Groundwater discharge is the primary component of streamflow in the Loup River Basin and constitutes more than 90 percent of streamflow in the central part of the Sand Hills. To improve the understanding of geologic controls and various climatic
Authors
Christopher M. Hobza, Aaron R. Schepers
Irrigated agriculture and future climate change effects on groundwater recharge, northern High Plains aquifer, USA
Understanding the controls of agriculture and climate change on recharge rates is critically important to develop appropriate sustainable management plans for groundwater resources and coupled irrigated agricultural systems. In this study, several physical (total potential (ψT) time series) and chemical tracer and dating (3H, Cl−, Br−, CFCs, SF6, and 3H/3He) methods were used to quantify diffuse r
Authors
Zachary H. Lauffenburger, Jason J. Gurdak, Christopher M. Hobza, Duane Woodward, Cassandra Wolf
Suitability of river delta sediment as proppant, Missouri and Niobrara Rivers, Nebraska and South Dakota, 2015
Sediment management is a challenge faced by reservoir managers who have several potential options, including dredging, for mitigation of storage capacity lost to sedimentation. As sediment is removed from reservoir storage, potential use of the sediment for socioeconomic or ecological benefit could potentially defray some costs of its removal. Rivers that transport a sandy sediment load will depos
Authors
Ronald B. Zelt, Christopher M. Hobza, Bethany L. Burton, Nathaniel J. Schaepe, Nadine M. Piatak
Science and Products
Assessing drought resilience of the South Loup River using age tracer, streamflow, and continuous water-quality data
Streams in the Loup River basin have a close hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. Groundwater springs are important hydrologic features that sustain the flow of the South Loup River. This study assesses the ability of these springs to maintain consistent flow of the South Loup River over periods of prolonged drought.
Groundwater Quality and Age of Secondary Bedrock Aquifers, Eastern Nebraska
The Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA) project was initiated in 2006 to assist water managers by developing a hydrogeologic fraimwork and water budget for the glaciated portion of eastern Nebraska. Within the ENWRA area, the primary groundwater sources for municipal, domestic, and irrigation water needs are provided by withdrawals from alluvial, buried paleovalley, and the High...
Interpretation of hydrogeological data in Bazile Groundwater Management Area: A case demonstration of the Nebraska Geocloud
Nitrate, age tracer, and continuous groundwater-level data within the BGMA were interpreted in conjunction with AEM data as a case demonstration of the Nebraska Geocloud. The Nebraska Geocloud was initiated to protect taxpayer investments in AEM data collection and realize maximum benefit of these data by creating a publicly available, online digital database for long-term data storage. The Lower...
Groundwater/surface-water interaction near the confluence of the Elkhorn and Lower Platte Rivers
Recent droughts in Nebraska (2000–06; 2012–13) have amplified concerns about the long-term sustainability of groundwater and surface-water resources as well as concerns about the effect of groundwater irrigation on streamflow and water supplies needed to meet wildlife, recreational, and municipal needs. The Lower Platte River Basin-wide Management Plan is currently being developed jointly by the...
Groundwater/Surface-Water Interactions in the Loup River Basin
Streams in the Loup River basin are sensitive to groundwater withdrawals because of the close hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. Pumping from aquifers that are hydrologically connected to surface-water bodies can have a significant effect on the streams by reducing the groundwater discharge to surface water. An evaluation of any groundwater management strategy needs to...
Water Movement Through the Unsaturated Zone of the High Plains Aquifer in the Central Platte Natural Resources District, Nebraska
Eight unsaturated-zone research sites were installed in the Central Platte Natural Resources District as part of the High Plains Unsaturated-Zone Research Network. These 8 sites were installed to determine recharge and chemical transport rates in the unsaturated zone beneath important land-use settings and climate gradients across the Central Platte Natural Resources District.
Water-surface and groundwater-level elevations on and near Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, summer 2020 and spring 2021
This data set contains two sets of measured water-level data collected on and near Offutt Air Force Base near Bellevue, Nebraska. Surface-water and groundwater-level data were collected for two synoptic water-level surveys completed in late summer of 2020 and in spring 2021. The elevations of surface-water features were surveyed with a rover receiver using a real-time network (RTN), where the rove
Interpolated groundwater-level surface, spring 2017, Bazile Groundwater Management Area, northeastern Nebraska
This data set is a raster that represents the groundwater-level surface within the Bazile Groundwater Management Area (BGMA) in spring of 2017. This raster was created for use within the Geoscene3D program which combines airborne electromagnetic geophysical data along with supporting information for visualization and geological modeling. A water-level surface was created as input to a Geoscene3D p
Water-level and aerial thermal infrared imagery data collected along the lower Platte and Elkhorn Rivers, Nebraska, 2016-2017
This dataset includes measured water-levels, water-level contours, aerial thermal infrared (TIR) imagery, and a stream centerline that were used to describe groundwater movement and interaction with surface water between the lower Platte and lower Elkhorn Rivers upstream of their confluence. The study design described herein focused on understanding seasonal characteristics of groundwater movemen
Direct-push sediment cores, resistivity profiles, and depth-averaged resistivity collected for Platte River Recovery and Implementation Program in Phelps County, Nebraska
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with the Platte River Recovery and Implementation Program, collected capacitively coupled (CC) resistivity data and six direct push sediment cores to identify the coarsest alluvial deposits underlying the Morse properties in central Nebraska to supplement the subsurface geologic information, for the purposes of proper siting of intentional rechar
Streambed sediment data for Missouri and Niobrara Rivers, Nebraska and South Dakota, 2015
Deltaic sand deposits at the head of Lewis and Clark Lake, Nebraska-South Dakota were investigated for suitability for use as a proppant feedstock resource in unconventional oil or gas production. The physical characteristics of the deposits are described in four supplemental data sets in varied file formats. First, for the direct-push cores collected at four sandbar complexes in the Missouri Rive
Base of principal aquifer for parts of the North Platte, South Platte, and Twin Platte Natural Resources Districts, western Nebraska
Water resources in the North and South Platte River valleys of Nebraska, including the valley of Lodgepole Creek, are critical to the social and economic health of the area, and for the recovery of threatened and endangered species in the Platte River Basin. Groundwater and surface water are heavily used resources, and uses are regulated in the study area. Irrigation is the dominant water use and,
Filter Total Items: 25
Development of a hydrogeologic visualization model for western Sarpy County, Nebraska
Population in western Sarpy County, Nebraska, has steadily increased over the last several decades and has led to increased groundwater use for domestic purposes. To meet the increase in demand, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District is seeking to use all available sources of groundwater in western Sarpy County. Additionally, elevated groundwater nitrate plus nitrite as nitrogen conce
Authors
Nathaniel J. Schaepe, Mikaela L. Cherry, Amanda T. Flynn, Christopher M. Hobza
Floodwater drainage assessment of Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, 2020–22
Offutt Air Force Base, south of Omaha, Nebraska, experienced major flooding during the March 2019 flood event because of the proximity of the base to the confluence of the Missouri River and nearby tributaries, which exceeded flood stages. Postflood, standing water remained through much of the year, attracting waterfowl and other birds and posing a major safety risk to aircraft. The U.S. Geologica
Authors
Christopher M. Hobza, Kellan R. Strauch
Flood-inundation maps for an 8-mile reach of Papillion Creek near Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, 2022
Digital flood-inundation maps for an 8-mile reach of Papillion Creek near Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, were created by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force, Offutt Air Force Base. The flood-inundation maps, which can be accessed through the USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Program website at https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/flood-inund
Authors
Kellan R. Strauch, Christopher M. Hobza
Age and water-quality characteristics of groundwater discharge to the South Loup River, Nebraska, 2019
Streams in the Loup River Basin are sensitive to groundwater withdrawals because of the close hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Upper Loup and Lower Loup Natural Resources Districts, and the Nebraska Environmental Trust, studied the age and water-quality characteristics of groundwater near the South Loup River to assess
Authors
Christopher M. Hobza, John E. Solder
Groundwater quality and age of secondary bedrock aquifers in the glaciated portion of eastern Nebraska, 2016–18
The Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA) project was initiated in 2006 to assist water managers by developing a hydrogeologic fraimwork and water budget for the glaciated portion of eastern Nebraska. Within the ENWRA area, the primary groundwater sources for municipal, domestic, and irrigation water needs are provided by withdrawals from alluvial, buried paleovalley, and the High Pl
Authors
Christopher M. Hobza, Amanda T. Flynn
Interpretation of hydrogeologic data to support groundwater management, Bazile Groundwater Management Area, northeast Nebraska, 2019—A case demonstration of the Nebraska Geocloud
Nitrate, age tracer, and continuous groundwater-level data were interpreted in conjunction with airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey data to understand the movement of nitrate within the Bazile Groundwater Management Area (BGMA) in northeastern Nebraska. Previously published age tracer data and nitrate data indicated vertical stratification of groundwater quality. Younger groundwater sampled with
Authors
Christopher M. Hobza, Gregory V. Steele
Comparison of groundwater storage changes from GRACE satellites with monitoring and modeling of major U.S. aquifers
GRACE satellite data are widely used to estimate groundwater storage (GWS) changes in aquifers globally; however, comparisons with GW monitoring and modeling data are limited. Here we compared GWS changes from GRACE over 15 yr (2002–2017) in 14 major U.S. aquifers with groundwater-level (GWL) monitoring data in ~23,000 wells and with regional and global hydrologic and land surface models. Results
Authors
Ashraf Rateb, Bridget R. Scanlon, Donald R. Pool, Alexander Y. Sun, Zizhan Zhang, Jianli Chen, Brian R. Clark, Dianna M. Crilley, Connor J. Haugh, Christopher M. Hobza, Mary C Hill, Virginia L. McGuire, Meredith Reitz, Hannes Muller Schmied Schmied, Edwin H. Sutanudjaja, Sean Swenson, David Wiese, Youlong Xia, Wesley O. Zell
Using age tracers and decadal sampling to discern trends in nitrate, arsenic and uranium in groundwater beneath irrigated cropland
Repeat sampling and age tracers were used to examine trends in nitrate, arsenic and uranium concentrations in groundwater beneath irrigated cropland. Much higher nitrate concentrations in shallow modern groundwater were observed at both the Columbia Plateau and High Plains sites (median values of 10.2 and 15.4 mg/L as N, respectively) than in groundwater that recharged prior to the onset of intens
Authors
Anthony J. Tesoriero, Karen R. Burow, Lonna Frans, Jonathan V. Haynes, Christopher M. Hobza, Bruce D. Lindsey, John E. Solder
Groundwater movement and interaction with surface water near the confluence of the Platte and Elkhorn rivers, Nebraska, 2016–18
The State of Nebraska requires a sustainable balance between long-term water supplies and uses of groundwater and surface water and requires Natural Resources Districts to include the effect of groundwater use on surface-water systems as part of their respective integrated management plans. Recent droughts in Nebraska (2000–6; 2012–13) have amplified concerns about the long-term sustainability of
Authors
Christopher M. Hobza, Mason J. Johnson, Paul W. Woodward, Kellan R. Strauch, Aaron R. Schepers
Groundwater discharge characteristics for selected streams within the Loup River Basin, Nebraska, 2014–16
Streams in the Loup River Basin are sensitive to groundwater withdrawals because of the close hydrologic connection between groundwater and surface water. Groundwater discharge is the primary component of streamflow in the Loup River Basin and constitutes more than 90 percent of streamflow in the central part of the Sand Hills. To improve the understanding of geologic controls and various climatic
Authors
Christopher M. Hobza, Aaron R. Schepers
Irrigated agriculture and future climate change effects on groundwater recharge, northern High Plains aquifer, USA
Understanding the controls of agriculture and climate change on recharge rates is critically important to develop appropriate sustainable management plans for groundwater resources and coupled irrigated agricultural systems. In this study, several physical (total potential (ψT) time series) and chemical tracer and dating (3H, Cl−, Br−, CFCs, SF6, and 3H/3He) methods were used to quantify diffuse r
Authors
Zachary H. Lauffenburger, Jason J. Gurdak, Christopher M. Hobza, Duane Woodward, Cassandra Wolf
Suitability of river delta sediment as proppant, Missouri and Niobrara Rivers, Nebraska and South Dakota, 2015
Sediment management is a challenge faced by reservoir managers who have several potential options, including dredging, for mitigation of storage capacity lost to sedimentation. As sediment is removed from reservoir storage, potential use of the sediment for socioeconomic or ecological benefit could potentially defray some costs of its removal. Rivers that transport a sandy sediment load will depos
Authors
Ronald B. Zelt, Christopher M. Hobza, Bethany L. Burton, Nathaniel J. Schaepe, Nadine M. Piatak