Wheaton Ecogeomorphology & Topographic Analysis Lab @ Fluvial Habitats Center
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      • Research Scientists >
        • Sara Bangen
        • James Hensleigh
        • Natalie Kramer
        • Pete McHugh
        • Elijah Portugal
        • Carl Saunders
        • Eric Wall
        • Gary O'Brien
      • Post-Docs >
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        • Braden Anderson
        • Adan Banda
        • Jordan Burningham
        • Kenny Demeurichy
        • Taylor Dudunake
        • Martha Jensen
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        • Jordan Gilbert
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        • Chris Smith
        • Geoff Stevens
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        • Ester Ramos
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        • BRAT-NF Burnt River
        • BRAT-Idaho
        • BRAT-Utah
        • BRAT-TNC
        • BRAT-GYA
        • Survey123
      • ELR: Asotin LWD Restoration and IMW
      • Price River Channel Analysis
    • Past Projects >
      • BLM >
        • BLM: Historic Sand Cliff Signatures Public Archeology Program
      • DOE: ICRRR >
        • DOE/ICRRR: Geomorphic Change Detection 4.0 Software Development
        • DOE/ICRRR: Geomorphic Change Detection in the Grand Canyon
        • DOE/ICRRR: MoRPHED PhD Studentship
      • Idaho Power Company >
        • Idaho Power: TLS Data Analysis
      • ELR >
        • ELR/BPA: CHaMP Grand Ronde Crew Variability Study
        • ELR/BPA: ISEMP Lemhi Topographic Survey Technique Intercomparison
        • ELR/BPA: ISEMP Bridge Creek Restoration & IMW
        • ELR/FHC/CTWS: Pine Creek Beaver Assisted Restoration Pilot Project
      • NSF >
        • NSF: zCloudTools: Making Point Clouds Useful for Earth Science
        • NSF: Sensitivity of Braided River Morphodynamics to Sediment Supply
      • UDWR >
        • UDWR: Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool (BRAT)
      • USFS >
        • USFS Classification of Columbia River Basin Riparian Vegetation
        • USFS: Comparison of Traditional Versus Ground-Based LiDaR Instream Haibtat Assessments
        • USFS: Temple Fork Watershed Fish & Beaver Ecology
      • USGS >
        • USGS: Big Rivers Monitoring Protocol Development
        • USGS: Dynamism and Persistence of Eddy Sand Bars in Grand Canyon
        • USGS: Riparian Vegetation Analysis
        • USGS: Support in Geographic and Geomorphic Information Analysis for the Colorado River in Grand Canyon
      • Other Sponsors (one off) >
        • BPA/SFR: Development of CHaMP Transformation Tool
        • GCT: Pilot Study: Testing the Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool (BRAT)
        • NOAA: Linking Fisheries,
        • NPS: Assessment of Indicator Sites
        • USU: Tracking Ecogeomorphic Dynamics in Beaver Dam Complexes
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        • 2009 BDSS Structures
        • Bridge Creek April 2010 Drone Survey
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        • Lab Software License
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        • Vignettes
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      • FHC Workshops
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  • Joe Wheaton

gary o'brien

Job Title: Fluvial Geomorphologist
Primary Affiliation: Department of Watershed Sciences
Secondary Affiliation: Ecogeomorphology & Topographic Analysis Lab
Picture

education

  • 1997, B.S. Geology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff
  • 2002, M.S. Geology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff

research

I am interested in the geomorphic and hydrologic processes that shape mountain, hillslope and riverine landscapes. Whole watersheds and their ecosystems adjust to cultural pressure and climatic change in styles that deserve careful study. My projects have focused on large desert rivers whose modern channel is modified by anthropogenic influence, and by climatic-driven fluctuations preserved in older records. I am motivated to understand drivers of environmental change on a variety of temporal and spatial scales.

bio

Gary O'Brien is a fluvial Geomorphologist who, over the past 20 years, has worked on several research projects related to modern rivers, and ancient alluvial and paludal records. In addition to varied field applications (geomorphic mapping and stratigraphic profiling, GPS and total station surveying, river navigation and airborne photography), he has overseen logistical and administrative aspects of large research projects, taught university courses and mentored students in the field. In addition to research in riverine environments, Gary has been a professional river guide on many western rivers including the Grand Canyon, and currently enjoys mountaineering, cycling, and aviation. 

projects

  • Coordinating and conducting resaerch on the refinement, continued development and implementation of Rapid Geomorphic Assessments for ISEMP basins, including River Styles analyses, on-the-ground surveys and Aerial overflights. 
  • others coming soon...

scholarly contributions

My publication profile in Google Scholar

My academic profile in ResearchGate

Contribution to DataBasin
Peer Reviewed Publications
  • Pederson, JP., and O'Brien, G., 2014. Patterns in the Landscape and erosion of cultural sites along the Colorado River corridor in Grand Canyon, USA. Geoarchaeology 29, 431-447.
  • O'Brien, G., Kaufman, D.S., Sharp, W.D., Atudorie, V., Parnell, R.A., Crossey, L.J., 2006. Oxygen isotope composition of annually banded modern and mid-Holocene travertine and evidence of paleomonsoon floods, Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA. Quaternary Research 65, 366-379.
  • Kaufman, D.S., O'Brien, G.R., Mead, J.I., Bright, J., Umhoefer, P., 2002. Late Quaternary spring-fed deposits of the Grand Canyon and their implication for deep lava-dammed lakes. Quaternary Research 58, 329-340.      

Conference Papers, Presentations & Posters
Reports
  • O'Brien, G., and Wheaton, J., 2015. River Styles report for the Middle Fork John Day Watershed, Oregon.  Ecogeomophology and Topography Analysis Lab, Utah State University, Prepared for Eco logical Research, and Bonneville Power Administration, Logan, Utah, 215 pp. DOI: 10.13140/2.1.3251.2329
  • O'Brien, G., Wheaton, J., and Bouwes, N., 2015. Synthesis and Recommendations from Middle Fork John Day River Styles - Leveraging the River Styles Framework in Tributary Habitat Management for the Columbia River Basin. Fluvial Habitats Center, Utah State University, Prepared for Eco Logical Research and Bonneville Power Administration, Logan Utah, 20 pp. DOI: 10.13140/2.1.3937.3129.
  • Pederson, J., O'Brien, G., Neff, T., and Spurr, K., 2011. Grand Canyon Geoarchaeology Projgect: Report on Data Recovery at Nine Cultural Sites in Grand Canyon and Lower Glen Canyon 2008-2010. Final report submitted to U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Upper Colorado Region.
  • Cannon, K.P., and O'Brien, G., 2011. The 2010 Field investigations of the Salmon River Heritage Project, Nez Pearce National Forest, Idaho County, Idaho. USUAS Technical Report 2011-005, US Forest Service Report No. R2012011700009.
  • O'Brien, G., and Pederson, J.L., 2009. Gully Erosion Processes and Parameters at Six Cultural Sites along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Final report submitted to USGS, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Flagstaff, 123 p.
  • Pederson, J., O'Brien, G., and Damp, J., 2009. Grand Canyon Geoarchaeological Project - 2009 field season annual report, treatment at five sites in Grand Canyon. Final report submitted to the Bureau of Reclamation, Salt Lake City, UT, 209 p.
  • O'Brien, G., and Pederson, J.L., 2008. Geomorphic Attributes of 232 Cultural Sites along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Final report submitted to USGS, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center, Flagstaff, 194 p.
  • Damp, J.D., Pederson, J.L., O'Brien, G., 2007. Geoarchaeological Investigations and and an Archaeological Treatment Plan for 151 Sites in the Grand Canyon, Arizona. Final report submitted to the Bureau of Reclamation, Salt Lake City, UT, 501 p.
  • Thompson, K.S., Potochnik, A.R., Ryel, R., O'Brien, G., Neal, L.A., 2000. Development of a geomorphic model to predict erosion of pre-dam Colorado River terraces containing archaeological resources. SWCA Environmental Consultants, Inc., report 99-257, Bureau of Reclamation cooperative agreement No. 1425-98-FC-40-22610, 193 p.
  • O'Brien, G., Burke, K., and Hamilton, L., 2000. Effects of continuous high flows and daily fluctuating flows on Grand Canyon Beaches, 1997-1999: a study of repeat photography by Grand Canyon River Guides, Inc. (Adopt-a-Beach Program). Administrative report submitted to Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (USGS-GCMRC).
  • O'Brien, G., and Roberts, C., 1999. Evaluation of a river beach carrying capacity information utilized by the Grand Canyon River Trip Simulator (GCRTS): analysis and recommendations for future study: Final report submitted to the National Park Service, Grand Canyon Science Center (CA8210-99-002) May 1, 1999, 17 p
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  • Home
    • Fluvial Habitats Center
    • Wheaton et al (Lab)
    • Bouwes ELR Lab
    • News & Annoucements
    • New FHC Publications
    • FHC Location
    • FHC Factsheets & Posters
    • Contact
  • People
    • People in the Lab... Coming & Going
    • Graduate Students >
      • Lauren Herbine
      • Karen Bartelt
    • Research Staff >
      • Research Scientists >
        • Joe Wheaton
        • Nicolaas Bouwes
        • Wally Macfarlane
        • Stephen Bennett
      • Technicians >
        • Cashe Rasmussen
        • Chalese Hafen
        • Dylan Baum >
          • Brian Ferrara
    • Where are they now? >
      • Former Graduate Students >
        • Sara Bangen
        • Reid Camp
        • Florence Consolati
        • Daniel Hamill
        • Konrad Hafen
        • James Hensleigh
        • Nate Hough-Snee
        • Alan Kasprak
        • Martha Jensen
        • Ryan Lokteff
        • Connor Penrod
        • Rebecca Rossi
        • Sonya Welsh
      • Research Scientists >
        • Sara Bangen
        • James Hensleigh
        • Natalie Kramer
        • Pete McHugh
        • Elijah Portugal
        • Carl Saunders
        • Eric Wall
        • Gary O'Brien
      • Post-Docs >
        • Nicole Czarnomski
      • Technicians >
        • Micael Albonico
        • Braden Anderson
        • Adan Banda
        • Jordan Burningham
        • Kenny Demeurichy
        • Taylor Dudunake
        • Martha Jensen
        • Joshua Gilbert
        • Jordan Gilbert
        • Thomas Hafen
        • Landon Haycock
        • Matt Meier
        • Chris Smith
        • Geoff Stevens
      • Visiting Scholars >
        • Ester Ramos
  • FHC Projects
    • Current Projects >
      • Beaver Dam Censusing
      • Birch Creek Restoration
      • Escalante Watershed
      • BRAT 2018-2019 >
        • BRAT-Yakama
        • BRAT-John Day
        • BRAT-NF Burnt River
        • BRAT-Idaho
        • BRAT-Utah
        • BRAT-TNC
        • BRAT-GYA
        • Survey123
      • ELR: Asotin LWD Restoration and IMW
      • Price River Channel Analysis
    • Past Projects >
      • BLM >
        • BLM: Historic Sand Cliff Signatures Public Archeology Program
      • DOE: ICRRR >
        • DOE/ICRRR: Geomorphic Change Detection 4.0 Software Development
        • DOE/ICRRR: Geomorphic Change Detection in the Grand Canyon
        • DOE/ICRRR: MoRPHED PhD Studentship
      • Idaho Power Company >
        • Idaho Power: TLS Data Analysis
      • ELR >
        • ELR/BPA: CHaMP Grand Ronde Crew Variability Study
        • ELR/BPA: ISEMP Lemhi Topographic Survey Technique Intercomparison
        • ELR/BPA: ISEMP Bridge Creek Restoration & IMW
        • ELR/FHC/CTWS: Pine Creek Beaver Assisted Restoration Pilot Project
      • NSF >
        • NSF: zCloudTools: Making Point Clouds Useful for Earth Science
        • NSF: Sensitivity of Braided River Morphodynamics to Sediment Supply
      • UDWR >
        • UDWR: Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool (BRAT)
      • USFS >
        • USFS Classification of Columbia River Basin Riparian Vegetation
        • USFS: Comparison of Traditional Versus Ground-Based LiDaR Instream Haibtat Assessments
        • USFS: Temple Fork Watershed Fish & Beaver Ecology
      • USGS >
        • USGS: Big Rivers Monitoring Protocol Development
        • USGS: Dynamism and Persistence of Eddy Sand Bars in Grand Canyon
        • USGS: Riparian Vegetation Analysis
        • USGS: Support in Geographic and Geomorphic Information Analysis for the Colorado River in Grand Canyon
      • Other Sponsors (one off) >
        • BPA/SFR: Development of CHaMP Transformation Tool
        • GCT: Pilot Study: Testing the Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool (BRAT)
        • NOAA: Linking Fisheries,
        • NPS: Assessment of Indicator Sites
        • USU: Tracking Ecogeomorphic Dynamics in Beaver Dam Complexes
    • Study Site Pages >
      • Bridge Creek >
        • 2009 BDSS Structures
        • Bridge Creek April 2010 Drone Survey
      • River Feshie >
        • The River Feshie Catchment
        • Our Research
        • The Team
        • Posters, Papers, & More
        • Photo Gallery
  • Resources
    • ETAL Reading Group >
      • ETAL Reading Group Zotero Library
    • Courses & Workshops >
      • Courses & Workshops by Joe
    • Guides & Tips >
      • Figure Preparation Tutorials
      • Basic Computing Tips & Tricks >
        • Database & SQL Intro
        • Batch Unzip Script
        • Get a QR Code
        • GeoJSON
        • Markdown
        • Special Characters
        • USU VPN
      • GIS Help >
        • ArcGIS Education Edition
        • GIS Data Sources >
          • Connecting To The APFO Services
          • Connecting to the Utah AGRC Discover Imagery and Base Map Server
          • High Resolution Imagery for Utah State
      • How to Use Specific Software >
        • Adobe Illustrator >
          • Making GCD Figures for ET-AL Lab Using ArcGIS & Adobe Illustrator
        • ArcGIS Desktop - ArcMap >
          • GIS Tutorials
          • Creating DEMs, TINs and Terrains
          • How to divide polylines into a specified segment length
          • Simple Change Detection in ArcGIS
          • Working with Styles in ArcGIS
          • Fixing ActiveX Warning in ArcGIS 10.5
        • Box >
          • Migrating to Box Drive from Box Sync
        • EndNote >
          • EndNote X4 Basics
        • FastStone Capture
        • GitHub >
          • Make a GitHub Account
        • Picasa >
          • Geotagging images & making albums
        • Word >
          • Saving Word Documents as PDFs
          • Using Styles Effectively in Manuscripts & Reports
        • Zotero >
          • Adding from Browser
          • Cite-While-you-Write >
            • Citing in Google Docs
            • Cite in Word
      • Reccomended Software & Utilities
      • Surveying & Geomatics >
        • rtkGPS
      • Writing Resources >
        • Writing Literature Reviews (for Grads)
        • Writing Scientific Papers
        • Uploading Content to Research Gate
    • Lab Members Only >
      • Internal Resources >
        • When you First Start
        • Standard Software Suite
        • Lab Software License
        • Virtual Computing
        • Editing Workshop Flyers & Webpages
        • Travel
        • Vignettes
      • Internal FHC Announcements
      • FHC Workshops
      • ETAL Projects on Box
      • ETAL Non Project on Box
    • River Links >
      • Classification Schemes >
        • Eco-Geo-Hydro Mess
      • Free Literature
      • Rivers in the News
      • Videos & Galleries
  • Joe Wheaton