Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with Great Basin Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program | G23AS00140

Opportunity Information: Apply for G23AS00140

This funding opportunity (G23AS00140) is a US Geological Survey (USGS) cooperative agreement offered through the Great Basin Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. It supports applied research and technical assistance focused on improving how discharge (flow rate) and water velocity are monitored in stratified flows moving through an engineered channel in the railroad causeway at Great Salt Lake (GSL). A second major purpose is to strengthen understanding of how the water column mixes in areas influenced by the causeway, especially south of the structure, where stratification and limited mixing can strongly affect lake conditions.

The work is designed to pair field measurements with modeling. The USGS is looking for a CESU-affiliated partner that can provide student involvement, faculty guidance, and computational resources to run computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations that match the exact day-and-time conditions when USGS conducts field discharge measurements at the causeway channel. Those field measurements use a mechanical current meter and an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP), so the simulations are intended to reflect the same hydrodynamic conditions present during instrument deployments. By aligning model runs with measurement windows, the project aims to improve interpretation of what the instruments are seeing in a challenging, stratified, engineered-flow setting.

A core deliverable is analytical support to help USGS compare and integrate velocity and discharge estimates produced by multiple instruments alongside results from the CFD simulations. The goal is to reduce uncertainty in field discharge measurements and to support development of a potential index-velocity rating. In practice, an index-velocity approach can enable near-continuous discharge reporting by relating continuously observed velocities at an index location to total channel discharge, but it requires careful calibration and uncertainty evaluation. This opportunity therefore emphasizes collaborative analysis that strengthens confidence in discharge estimates and improves how continuous reporting might be implemented at this site.

The project also includes CFD modeling aimed specifically at water column mixing south of the causeway. The partner would simulate mixing processes and then work directly with USGS to identify the best deployment locations for one or more upward-looking ADCPs. These instruments would be used to validate the modeled mixing behavior, tying the simulations back to real-world observations and helping refine both the conceptual understanding of mixing and the practical monitoring strategy.

Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, meaning USGS expects substantial involvement and collaboration during the project rather than a hands-off grant. The activity falls under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with CFDA number 15.808. Eligibility is limited to participating partners of the Great Basin CESU Program (listed as “Others” in the eligible applicants field, but constrained by the CESU partnership requirement). The posted award ceiling is $14,000, with the original closing date of 2023-02-06 and a creation date of 2023-01-05.

• The Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Agreement for Affiliated Partner with Great Basin Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-01-05.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-02-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $14,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for G23AS00140

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