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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 12 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, processed and analyzed large data sets, and collaborated with international clients to successfully implement field studies. She has also set up, calibrated, and validated a variety of hydrodynamic and sediment transport models to assess sediment and contaminant transport due ...

Dr. Kara Scheu is a physical limnologist and oceanographer specializing in physical mechanisms that drive sediment and contaminant transport. She has 12 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, processed and analyzed large data sets, and collaborated with international clients to successfully implement field studies. 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 she has supported litigation and multiple large-scale allocation processes at contaminated sediment sites.

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Coastal Science

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.
Erosion Evaluation and Bank Stabilization Project, Oregon Served as project manager and technical lead for a bank stabilization project in Oregon to assess bank erosion and develop alternative design concepts. The site is located along a river channel that is intermittently exposed to wave action during high tides and has experienced significant erosion over the past decades, threatening public and private infrastructure. Prior erosion mitigation efforts at the site have been unsuccessful, and future stabilization efforts must comply with Oregon State Goal 18, necessitating a nature-based alternative solution to protect sensitive habitat and beaches.  Worked with Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce (CREST) and Surfrider to evaluate the key physical processes driving erosion at the site and to develop a preferred alternative to mitigate erosion while preserving recreational access and habitat. Presented technical material at multiple large stakeholder meetings to communicate findings and incorporate stakeholder feedback into the final preferred alternative.
Wave and Surf Modeling, Western Australia Served as technical lead and project manager on project to evaluate impact of a man-made reef on wave conditions.  Used nonhydrostatic XBEACH wave modeling and image processing analysis to map wave breaking and characteristics under different offshore wave conditions and reef conditions.
Topanga Point Surf Impact Assessment, California Project manager and modeling technical lead for evaluation of the impact of a lagoon restoration project on surf quality at Topanga Point, a high-quality surf break in southern California. Conducted an innovative wave modeling analysis to simulate wave breaking for various restoration designs and climate change scenarios. The change in surf quality over the range of scenarios informed an impact assessment and was presented to stakeholders.
San Mateo Vulnerability Assessment and Adaption Plan, San Mateo County, California Supported 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 Fate and Transport Studies

Sediment Stability Analysis for Remedial Design, Portland, Oregon Supported remedial design at a contaminated sediment site with field measurements and modeling to determine sediment stability. Data collected included near-bed shear stress measurements and large-scale water column currents to characterize erosion potential during typical conditions. The erosion potential and sediment stability analysis will be used to inform remedial design.
Hydrodynamic and Sediment Transport Field Study and Modeling Analysis, Centredale Manor Restoration Project Superfund Site, Rhode Island Planned and executed field study to measure water column currents at a contaminated sediment site in Rhode Island.  The data collected in small ponds was used to support remedy design and to calibrate and validate a numerical model.
Optically-Based Contaminant Monitoring at DOD Contaminated Sediment Sites Co-Primary Investigator on a project demonstrating OPTICS (OPTically-based In-situ Characterization System), a high-resolution chemical contaminant characterization system, as a cost-effective, long-term monitoring method at up to two U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) contaminated sediment sites. This work is supported by the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program.
Sediment Transport from Dense River Plumes, Lake Maggiore, Italy Served as technical field and modeling lead to characterize transport from river plumes in a stratified lake. 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. Performed high-fidelity, 3-dimensional, numerical, hydrodynamic and sediment transport modeling of river plumes validated with extensive field observations. Used the numerical model to understand contaminant transport patterns and to determine rates of natural recovery.
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.
Lyons Creek, Canada Identified data gaps and key studies required for feasibility study and remedial design on behalf of Environment and Climate Change Canada.
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.

Environmental Modeling

Water Quality Monitoring Compliance, New York Led and developed water quality compliance monitoring program. Developed a monitoring program to provide “real-time” total suspended solids monitoring and rapid chemical monitoring to meet compliance guidelines for a New York State permit. Drafted the monitoring quality assurance project plan, coordinated field efforts, and developed tools for daily monitoring and chemical reports to agencies.
Dredging and Disposal Evaluation, Cook Inlet, Alaska Served as technical lead to analyze 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.
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.

Environmental Monitoring

Water Quality Monitoring Compliance, New York Led and developed water quality compliance monitoring program. Developed a monitoring program to provide “real-time” total suspended solids monitoring and rapid chemical monitoring to meet compliance guidelines for a New York State permit. Drafted the monitoring quality assurance project plan, coordinated field efforts, and developed tools for daily monitoring and chemical reports to agencies.
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

Contaminant Transport and Flood Plain Modeling, Missouri Supported client on a litigation and mediation matter to evaluate contaminant transport from a confidential site in Missouri.  Developed a HEC-RAS floodplain model to simulate transport and floodplain inundation over a series of flood events. Performed an evaluation and assessment of USACE-proposed remedy costs and supported expert presentation of material in mediation.
Sediment and Contaminant Transport Modeling and Analysis, Portland, Oregon Led fate and transport studies and expert report development in allocation at a large multiparty Superfund site.  Developed hydrodynamic and diagnostic sediment transport model to characterize transport dynamics in a riverine system to evaluate contaminant transport pathways.
Sediment and Contaminant Transport, Newark, New Jersey Supported development of expert opinions of sediment and contaminant transport dynamics.
Contaminant Transport Evaluation, Bellingham, Washington Supported expert report development and rebuttal in support of the City of Bellingham on a litigation matter related to potential contaminant transport in Bellingham Bay, Washington.
Contaminant Transport Evaluation, Texas Supported expert report development and rebuttal to evaluate contaminant transport using tidal data and numerical modeling.  Determined the direction of transport did not support opposing party’s transport opinions.
Hydrodynamic Modeling, Onondaga Lake, New York Performed hydrodynamic modeling in support of retained expert to demonstrate transport patterns and circulation in Onondaga Lake.
Sediment Transport Modeling, Seattle, Washington Supported development of expert report on sediment and contaminant transport for allocation at a Superfund site. Assisted in modeling sediment from various sources to the waterway to interpret sediment and associated contaminant transport pathways and supported preparation of rebuttal reports and presentation of results.
Contaminant Runoff and Dilution, Missouri, Confidential Site In support of expert, evaluated contaminant runoff using Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) methods and estimated in-stream dilution, downstream transport, and floodplain deposition. Assisted in the development of expert report.
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