Timothy D Straub
Tim Straub is a Supervisory Hydrologist with the USGS, Water Resources Mission Area, Observing Systems Division. Tim leads the Field Support and Research to Operations Team for the Hydrologic Networks Branch. He is also the Chief of the Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project.
Professional Experience
2022-present: Supervisory Hydrologist - Hydrologic Networks Branch (HNB), Observing Systems Division
- Lead the Field Support and Research to Operations (FS and R2O) Team for the WMA
- Plan, administer, and coordinate field support and research activities for WMA
- Draft, oversee, review, and provide feedback on work assignments conducted by staff2021-2022: Program Manager - Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS): Illinois River
- Manage project plans and budgets for next generation monitoring in the Illinois River Basin
- Ensure implementation of state-of-the-art instrumentation and increased data coverage
- Establish effective working relationships with other Integrated Water Science programs2019-2022: Supervisory Hydrologist - Central Midwest Water Science Center (CMWSC)
- Lead the Nutrient and Sediment Interactions Section with staff in Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri
- Work with others on the Center Leadership Team to ensure efficient and strategic operations
- Oversee and help with program development and science products2017-Present: Chief, Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project (FISP) (Acting from 10/2017 to 09/2020)
- Conduct and oversee research on sediment samplers and sediment surrogate technologies
- Manage FISP budget, funding contributions, and procurement actions
- Write FISP technical memorandum and reports for products of FISP-funded research projects2014-2018: Surface-Water and Sediment Specialist for the Water Science Center
- Provide leadership and expertise to ensure reliable surface-water and sediment data collection, analysis, and modeling throughout the center.2008-2014: Sediment Specialist for the Water Science Center
1995-2019: Hydrologist
- Serve as a project manager or member to obtain, process, analyze, and model the following data types and processes: hydrologic, hydraulic, sediment, water quality, and geomorphic.
- Maintain effective communication with cooperating and collaborating agencies to ensure project results are useful and timely.
- Write and present findings of data and tech1994–1995: Student Trainee
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, 2007
M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois, 2000
B.S. in Civil Engineering, University of Illinois, 1995
Affiliations and Memberships*
2022-Present: Member of the multiagency Sediment Acoustic Leadership Team
2017-2019: Chairperson for the multiagency Sediment Acoustic Leadership Team
- Coordinate sediment acoustic research, assistance, and guidance for WMA
- Facilitate collaboration among2014-2015: USGS Co-representative for the Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project
2013-2015: Lead scientist of the USGS Midwest Region Sediment and Nutrient Investigations Initiative
2012-2017: Member of the multiagency Sediment Acoustic Leadership Team
2011-2013: Member of the USGS Midwest Region Sediment and Nutrient Investigations Initiative
2008-2014: Sediment Specialist for the Water Science Center
2008-2010: Member of the Subcommittee on Sedimentation workgroup on Dam Removal Analysis
2001-Present: Registered Professional Engineer in Illinois
Science and Products
Continuous monitoring of sediment and nutrients in the Illinois River at Florence, Illinois, 2012-13
Surrogate analysis and index developer (SAID) tool and real-time data dissemination utilities
Large-scale dam removal on the Elwha River, Washington, USA: fluvial sediment load
Comparison of fluvial suspended-sediment concentrations and particle-size distributions measured with in-stream laser diffraction and in physical samples
Real-time continuous nitrate monitoring in Illinois in 2013
Ultimate pier and contraction scour prediction in cohesive soils at selected bridges in Illinois
Monitoring of green infrastructure at The Grove in Bloomington, Illinois
Control-structure ratings on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lockport, Illinois
Independent technical review and analysis of hydraulic modeling and hydrology under low-flow conditions of the Des Plaines River near Riverside, Illinois
Pier and contraction scour prediction in cohesive soils at selected bridges in Illinois
Effect of detention basin release rates on flood flows: Application of a model to the Blackberry Creek Watershed in Kane County, Illinois
Control-Structure Ratings on the Fox River at McHenry and Algonquin, Illinois
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Continuous monitoring of sediment and nutrients in the Illinois River at Florence, Illinois, 2012-13
Surrogate analysis and index developer (SAID) tool and real-time data dissemination utilities
Large-scale dam removal on the Elwha River, Washington, USA: fluvial sediment load
Comparison of fluvial suspended-sediment concentrations and particle-size distributions measured with in-stream laser diffraction and in physical samples
Real-time continuous nitrate monitoring in Illinois in 2013
Ultimate pier and contraction scour prediction in cohesive soils at selected bridges in Illinois
Monitoring of green infrastructure at The Grove in Bloomington, Illinois
Control-structure ratings on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lockport, Illinois
Independent technical review and analysis of hydraulic modeling and hydrology under low-flow conditions of the Des Plaines River near Riverside, Illinois
Pier and contraction scour prediction in cohesive soils at selected bridges in Illinois
Effect of detention basin release rates on flood flows: Application of a model to the Blackberry Creek Watershed in Kane County, Illinois
Control-Structure Ratings on the Fox River at McHenry and Algonquin, Illinois
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*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