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Kara R. Scheu, Ph.D.

Kara R. Scheu, Ph.D.
Consultant

Kara R. Scheu, Ph.D.

Consultant

Dr. Kara Scheu is a physical limnologist and oceanographer specializing in physical mechanisms that drive sediment and contaminant transport.  She has 8 years of experience with field measurements and instrumentation, data analysis, and hydrodynamic and sediment transport modeling.  Dr. Scheu has coordinated, planned, and executed large in situ field deployments measuring hydrodynamic and sediment transport, and processed and analyzed large data sets.  She has also set up, calibrated, and validated a variety of hydrodynamic and sediment transport models to assess sediment and contaminant transport due to physical processes.  Dr. Scheu has experience working in an array of environments...

Dr. Kara Scheu is a physical limnologist and oceanographer specializing in physical mechanisms that drive sediment and contaminant transport.  She has 8 years of experience with field measurements and instrumentation, data analysis, and hydrodynamic and sediment transport modeling.  Dr. Scheu has coordinated, planned, and executed large in situ field deployments measuring hydrodynamic and sediment transport, and processed and analyzed large data sets.  She has also set up, calibrated, and validated a variety of hydrodynamic and sediment transport models to assess sediment and contaminant transport due to physical processes.  Dr. Scheu has experience working in an array of environments including rivers, lakes, estuaries, and the coastal ocean, and has collaborated with international clients to successfully implement field studies.

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What Do Data Snapshots Miss? The Case for Time-Series Measurements

Poster

January 11 2023

Effects of Dam Removal Sediment Releases on Coastal Lagoon Dynamics and Ecosystems

Poster

January 09 2023

Hydrodynamics

Matilija Dam Removal Ecosystem Restoration, Ventura, California Served as the lead modeler and project manager for the dam removal project. Removal of the Matilija Dam has the potential to provide much-needed sediment to the Ventura River Lagoon and the coastal ocean, restoring critical habitat. To evaluate the influences of the restored sediment loading to the lagoon and nearshore habitats, a suite of sediment transport modeling tools is being employed to characterize both the initial sediment pulse released from dam removal and the subsequent restored river sediment loads. These modeling tools were used to evaluate changes in water quality and to evaluate shoreline and nearshore habitat evolution under the joint effects of the Ventura River watershed, wave and tidal ocean processes, and sea level rise. The dam removal project and associated modeling are part of a comprehensive long-term effort to support ecosystem restoration of the Ventura River watershed for multiple benefits.
San Mateo Vulnerability Assessment and Adaption Plan, San Mateo County, California Involved in vulnerability assessment and adaption plan development for southern San Mateo County to respond to sea level rise and supported AB 691 development based on California State Lands Commission guidance.
Sediment Transport from Dense River Plumes, Lake Maggiore, Italy Performed high-fidelity 3 dimensional numerical hydrodynamic and sediment transport modeling of river plumes, which was validated with field observations. In a stratified system, these river plumes can intrude into the middle of the water column and the trajectory will be modified by rotation of the earth. The extent and variability of sediment and contaminant transport are therefore affected by the ambient conditions in the system. Used the numerical model to investigate scenarios that drive sediment to different regions of the system, and to determine regions of interest and rates of natural recovery.
Dredging and Disposal Evaluation, Cook Inlet, Alaska Analyzed the impacts of proposed dredging and disposal operations on sedimentation and turbidity using a combination of near- and far-field modeling. Conducted near-field modeling of dredge and disposal operations using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Automated Dredging and Disposal Alternatives Modeling System (ADDAMS) suite of dredge and disposal tools. Developed and validated a 3 dimensional surface water model of Cook Inlet, Alaska, to evaluate far-field transport of suspended solids associated with dredging and disposal activities. The analysis was conducted in support of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission permitting for proposed construction operations.
Stormwater Fate Modeling, Portland, Oregon Set up and utilized a numerical model (Delft3D) to simulate sediment transport from a stormwater outfall into the Willamette River. The modeled sediment deposition maps were used to inform design of a source control system.
Thermal Plume Modeling, Hawaii Developed a surface water model in Delft3D to evaluate the impact of a warm groundwater discharge on temperature within the coastal ocean. This evaluation was performed to support discharge permitting.

Sediment Transport Modeling

Sediment Transport Dynamics, Lake Maggiore, Italy Planned and executed a field deployment with hydrodynamic and sediment measurements to investigate sediment and contaminant transport dynamics in Lake Maggiore, Italy. Utilized spatial and temporal data analysis of field measurements to access mechanisms driving sediment transport and to investigate natural recovery of the system.
Sediment Transport Dynamics, Baker Bay, Washington Deployed instrumentation to measure sediment transport in a shallow, tidally driven embayment. Processed measurements to provide time series data of water column currents, wave properties, and total suspended solids from acoustic and optical measurements. Time series measurements were used to generate net sediment transport fluxes and circulation in the system. Processed data was used to inform dredge operations for the USACE Portland District.

Litigation Support

Sediment and Transport Modeling, Confidential Site Supported testifying expert on sediment and contaminant transport modeling for Superfund site allocation. Assisted in modeling sediment transport and presentation of results.
Contaminant Runoff and Dilution, Confidential Site In support of litigation expert, evaluated contaminant run-off using Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) methods and estimated in-stream dilution, downstream transport, and floodplain deposition.
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