| Public Land Name: | Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail | | Position Title: | Fluvial Geomorphologist (Guest Scientist) | | Position ID Number: | 230 | | Location: | Omaha, NE | | Position Description: | The GeoCorps participant will provide the primary technical support for an analysis of the Missouri River mainstem course over the historic period, or roughly the last 200 years. When the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail was authorized, the designated trail was described in general terms, as the “outbound and return routes” of the Corps of Discovery. That route includes the entire length of the Missouri River from its headwaters at Three Forks, Montana, to its confluence with the Mississippi near St. Louis, Missouri. For much of its 2,321 mile length, the Missouri River had a dynamic history of meandering and course changes. In addition to dramatic changes due to natural events, the river has been subjected to substantial human modification, starting with snag removal in the early 1800s. During the early to mid 20th Century, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers carried out an aggressive effort to tame the river through dredging, channelization, bank stabilization and flood control reservoir construction. Interpretation of William Clark’s original surveying information by several researchers has identified probable locations for several L&C-related archeological/cultural sites. In many cases, these are now located at some distance from the modern river. Current analysis is under way to better refine the probable locations of L&C-related sites in the Nebraska to Missouri reach of the river.
The purpose of this GeoCorps project is to use that location information and fluvial geomorphology principles to determine which sites have a potential for retaining the historic landscape and any associated cultural resources. This may require the development of novel approaches to integrating available information to reconstruct the fluvial history of the Missouri River at specific sites. Field work to validate the archeological potential of identified sites is anticipated. The initial focus of this work is the lower Missouri below Gavins Point Dam at Yankton, South Dakota. Sites with high cultural or archeological value will be examined to determine the likelihood of impacts from erosion and accretion over the last 200 years. Extending similar work to other reaches would require additional seasons of work. The information resulting from this project is considered essential for supporting future research by the Integrated Resources Stewardship staff along the Missouri River portion of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Prior to starting this position a government security background clearance will be required. This position is offered through the Geological Society of America's GeoCorps America Program in partnership with the National Park Service’s Geoscientists-in-the-Parks Program.
| | Qualifications: | The applicant must be working toward, or already have, a graduate degree in fluvial geomorphology, geomorphology or closely related field with the necessary knowledge and skill to enable completion of the assigned work. The applicant should be able to work independently both in the office and in the field with little supervision. Required skills include standard field practices in fluvial geomorphology and the ability to extract pertinent resource data from historic maps, aerial photographs, and GIS technology. Computer skills are required. Applicants possessing previous work experience with GPS, writing skills and a knowledge of cultural resources will be more competitive. The applicant must have a valid driver’s license and be comfortable negotiating on foot over moderate terrain. | | Position Dates: | May – September; 12 weeks; start/end date flexible | | Payment: | $3900 (12 weeks); plus $1800 housing stipend | | Housing Available: | The participant will be responsible for finding her/his own housing in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area and will be given a housing allowance of $1,800 in addition to the $3,900 stipend. Personal transportation is highly advisable. Please go to the following websites to find local housing opportunities (classified ads under “rentals” in the Omaha World Herald and Council Bluffs Nonpareil) and other information about the Omaha-Council Bluffs area: http://www.omaha.com http://www.nonpareilonline.com | Physical/Natural
Environment: | The Missouri River is the longest river in the Unites States and drains one-sixth of the country. In its contemporary condition, it can be divided into upper, middle and lower zones, each with a different character and management. The upper zone flows from the eastern slopes of the Rockies through the arid breaks of eastern Montana. The portion between Fort Benton and Fort Peck Lake includes a national wild and scenic river managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and is the longest free-flowing stretch of the river that retains its natural conditions. The middle zone extends through North and South Dakota, where five mainstem reservoirs built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between the 1930s and 1950s control the elevation and flow of the river. In this section, the present inundation controls the condition of and access to suspected L&C site locations. The lower zone begins at Gavins Point Dam and extends to the mouth of the river. The 59 miles immediately below the dam is included in the NPS-administered Missouri National Recreational River and is the only unchannelized section where the Missouri is still free to meander. Beginning at Sioux City, Iowa, the remaining Missouri has been constrained by channelization and bank stabilization to maintain navigable conditions and provide flood control. The Great Plains region through which the Missouri flows has a typical mid-continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Precipitation is equally distributed through the year, with total amounts increasing from west to east. There is a corresponding gradient in native vegetation from dry steppe in the western river basin through grassland to an interface with eastern deciduous forests in the state of Missouri. Local conditions that will be experienced by the participant are characterized by low-relief terrain covered by a mix of vegetation ranging from croplands to mixed wetlands and riparian forests. | | Work Environment: | The participant will work out of the headquarters of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, located on the banks of the Missouri River in downtown Omaha. The participant will work with the Trail Integrated Resource Stewardship staff, which includes cultural, natural and recreational resource specialists and a GIS/data manager. Field work will focus on the Nebraska-Missouri section of the Missouri River, and may require occasional overnight travel. Hiking over relatively flat terrain will be required, with vegetation varying from croplands to dense riparian cover. | | # of current Applicants: | 11 |
If you have questions about the application and selection process, please contact Anny Jones. If you have questions about any aspect of the position — description, qualifications, housing, dates — please contact the primary or secondary contact below:
| | PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Dan Wiley | | Title: | Chief, Resources Stewardship | | Street Address: | 601 Riverfront Drive | | City/State/Zip: | Omaha, NE 68102 | | Phone: | 402-661-1830 | | Email: | dan_wiley@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/lecl |
| | SECONDARY CONTACT INFORMATION | | Contact Name: | Ryan Cooper | | Title: | GIS/Data Manager | | Street Address: | 601 Riverfront Drive | | City/State/Zip: | Omaha, NE 68102 | | Phone: | 402-661-1868 | | Email: | ryan_m_cooper@nps.gov | | Website: | http://www.nps.gov/lecl |
|
|
