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.
Professional Experience
Supervisory Hydrologist and Water Quality Specialist, USGS Idaho Water Science Center, January 2022 - Present
Hydrologist, USGS Idaho Water Science Center, May 2016 - January 2022
Environmental Scientist, HDR Inc., January 2012 - April 2016
Education and Certifications
Professional Geologist, PGL-1499
M.S. Environmental Science, 2011, University of Idaho
B.S. Geology, 2006, Bates College
Science and Products
Characterizing the Water Resources of the Mountain Home Plateau, Southern Idaho
Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed
From Water to Wildlife: Linking Water Timing and Availability to Meadows and Wildlife in a Changing Climate
Characterizing the Water Resources of the Big Lost River Valley
Selenium in the Blackfoot River Watershed
Coeur d'Alene Basin Water-Quality Monitoring
Coeur d'Alene Lake Water Quality
Groundwater potentiometric-surface contours and well numbers used to map groundwater potentiometric-surface altitude in 2022 and groundwater-level changes between 1968, 1991, and 2022 in the alluvial aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley, south-central Ida
Hydrogeologic Framework of the Big Lost River Basin, South-Central Idaho: Hydrogeologic Framework Model and Well Data
WRTDS annual concentrations, loads and statistical trend likelihoods for sites in the Spokane River watershed, water years 1990-2018
Groundwater potentiometric-surface altitude in 2022 and groundwater-level changes between 1968, 1991, and 2022, in the alluvial aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley, south-central 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.
Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey's Idaho Water Science Center, the Idaho Department of Water Resources, and the Idaho Geological Survey conducted a geology field trip of southern Idaho's Mountain Home Plateau in February 2023 to prepare for developing a hydrogeologic framework of the area. This view is from Bonneville Point looking southeast.
Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey's Idaho Water Science Center, the Idaho Department of Water Resources, and the Idaho Geological Survey conducted a geology field trip of southern Idaho's Mountain Home Plateau in February 2023 to prepare for developing a hydrogeologic framework of the area. This view is from Bonneville Point looking southeast.
Looking southeast to the Snake River across basalt rim of the Snake River Canyon from a point south of Mountain Home, Idaho, and west of Idaho State Highway 51. The Owyhee Mountains can be seen in the background. (Photograph by Lauren M. Zinsser)
Looking southeast to the Snake River across basalt rim of the Snake River Canyon from a point south of Mountain Home, Idaho, and west of Idaho State Highway 51. The Owyhee Mountains can be seen in the background. (Photograph by Lauren M. Zinsser)
Trace metal and phosphorus loading from groundwater seepage into South Fork Coeur d’Alene River after remediation at the Bunker Hill Superfund Site, northern Idaho, 2022
Frequently asked questions about water quality in the Coeur d’Alene Basin area
Groundwater budgets for the Big Lost River Basin, south-central Idaho, 2000–19
Characterization of water resources in the Big Lost River Basin, south-central Idaho
Surface-water and groundwater interactions in the Big Lost River, south-central Idaho
Hydrogeologic framework of the Big Lost River Basin, south-central Idaho, chap. A of Zinsser, L.M., ed., Characterization of water resources in the Big Lost River Basin, south-central Idaho
Trends in concentration, loads, and sources of trace metals and nutrients in the Spokane River Watershed, northern Idaho, water years 1990–2018
Trace metal and nutrient loads from groundwater seepage into the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River near Smelterville, northern Idaho, 2017
Spatial and temporal trends in selenium in the upper Blackfoot River watershed, southeastern Idaho, 2001–16
Coeur d’Alene Basin Environmental Monitoring Program, surface water, northern Idaho—Annual data summary, water year 2017
Science and Products
Characterizing the Water Resources of the Mountain Home Plateau, Southern Idaho
Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed
From Water to Wildlife: Linking Water Timing and Availability to Meadows and Wildlife in a Changing Climate
Characterizing the Water Resources of the Big Lost River Valley
Selenium in the Blackfoot River Watershed
Coeur d'Alene Basin Water-Quality Monitoring
Coeur d'Alene Lake Water Quality
Groundwater potentiometric-surface contours and well numbers used to map groundwater potentiometric-surface altitude in 2022 and groundwater-level changes between 1968, 1991, and 2022 in the alluvial aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley, south-central Ida
Hydrogeologic Framework of the Big Lost River Basin, South-Central Idaho: Hydrogeologic Framework Model and Well Data
WRTDS annual concentrations, loads and statistical trend likelihoods for sites in the Spokane River watershed, water years 1990-2018
Groundwater potentiometric-surface altitude in 2022 and groundwater-level changes between 1968, 1991, and 2022, in the alluvial aquifer in the Big Lost River Valley, south-central 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.
Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey's Idaho Water Science Center, the Idaho Department of Water Resources, and the Idaho Geological Survey conducted a geology field trip of southern Idaho's Mountain Home Plateau in February 2023 to prepare for developing a hydrogeologic framework of the area. This view is from Bonneville Point looking southeast.
Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey's Idaho Water Science Center, the Idaho Department of Water Resources, and the Idaho Geological Survey conducted a geology field trip of southern Idaho's Mountain Home Plateau in February 2023 to prepare for developing a hydrogeologic framework of the area. This view is from Bonneville Point looking southeast.
Looking southeast to the Snake River across basalt rim of the Snake River Canyon from a point south of Mountain Home, Idaho, and west of Idaho State Highway 51. The Owyhee Mountains can be seen in the background. (Photograph by Lauren M. Zinsser)
Looking southeast to the Snake River across basalt rim of the Snake River Canyon from a point south of Mountain Home, Idaho, and west of Idaho State Highway 51. The Owyhee Mountains can be seen in the background. (Photograph by Lauren M. Zinsser)