Jesse Korus

Jesse Korus

  • Contact Information
  • My Story
  • Publications
  • Background
  • Interests
  • Grants
  • Advising

Contact Information

TitleGroundwater Geologist
Faculty RankAssociate Professor
Address619 South Hardin Hall
3310 Holdrege Street
Lincoln NE
68583–0996
Phone
  • office: 402-472-7561
  • fax: 402-472-4915
E-mailjkorus3@unl.edu
VitaeDownload file

 

Office Hours

M - F 8 am to 5 pm

My Story

I am a hybrid hydrogeologist/sedimentologist: I conduct interdisciplinary research in the emerging field of aquifer sedimentology. My aim is to understand the influence of subsurface heterogeneity on hydrologic system function and water resource sustainability. Heterogeneity plays a critical role in determining patterns of stream-aquifer interaction, contaminant transport, and groundwater response to land use changes, climate changes, and pumping. I use geophysical tools, field methods, and computer models to produce 3-D renderings of aquifer systems. 3-D models provide insight to the interconnections between the land surface and the subsurface. My current focus is on characterizing the High Plains/Ogallala aquifer system in areas of intensive water use and semi-arid climate, with the goal of improving the physical representation of aquifer heterogeneity in coupled groundwater/surface-water models.

Selected Publications

Khalil, M., J. Korus, D. Halum and R.M Joeckel. (2023) A Geophysical Survey of the Northdale Sanitary District, Meade County, South Dakota, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 35 pp.
Fielding, C. R., Hutsky, A. J., Korus, J. (2022). Cenomanian-Turonian sediment dispersal patterns in Utah and Wyoming: A product of spatially and temporally variable accommodation. Gulf Coast Section of the Society for Sedimentary Geology
Joeckel, R. M., Hanson, P., and Korus, J.: The Grain of the Plains Remains: Widespread Northwest-Southeast Ridgelines and Associated Oriented Landforms, Northern Interior Plains, USA , 10th International Conference on Geomorphology, Coimbra, Portugal, 12–16 Sep 2022, ICG2022-672, https://doi.org/10.5194/icg2022-672, 2022.Online
Joeckel, R. M., Korus, J. T., Turk, J. K., Arps, C. C., Arps, N. V., Howard, L. M. (2022). Strange stones of Skull Creek: Basalt glacial erratics and omars in eastern Nebraska. Great Plains Research, 32, 1-20. Online
Joeckel, R. M., Korus, J., Turk, J. K., Aarps, C. C., Aarps, N. V. (2022). The strange stones of Skull Creek: basalt glacial erratics and omars in eastern Nebraska. Great Plains Research. Online
Korus, J. T., Joeckel, R. M. (2022). Sandstone-body geometry and hydrostratigraphy of the northern High Plain aquifer system, USA. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 55(3). https://qjegh.lyellcollection.org/
Korus, J., Joeckel, R. (2022). Discovery of fluvial ridges on the Great Plains fills big data gap in Rocky Mountain-Gulf of Mexico source-to-sink systems (5th ed., vol. 54). https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2022AM/webprogram/Paper378407.html
Tilahun, T., Korus, J. (2022). 3D hydrostratigraphic modeling using supervised machine learning: case study of the High Plains Aquifer, SW Nebraska (5th ed., vol. 54). https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2022AM/webprogram/Paper379672.html
Korus, J. T., Joeckel, R. M., Abraham, J. D., Hoyer, A.-S., Jorgenson, F. (2021). Reconstruction of pre-Illinoian ice margins and glaciotectonic structures from airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys at the western limit of Laurentide glaciation, Midcontinent U.S.A. Quaternary Science Advances, 4, 15. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/quaternary-science-advances main-1.pdf Online
Russell, M. V., Mittelstet, A. R., Messer, T. L., Korus, J. T., Joeckel, R. M. (2021). Evolution of three streambanks before and after stabilization and record flooding. Ecological Engineering, 170(106357), 1-8. https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ecological-engineeringOnline
Russell, M., Mittelstet, A., Joeckel, R. M., Korus, J., Castro Bolinaga, C. (2021). Impact of bank stabilization structures on upstream and downstream bank mobilization at Cedar River, Nebraska. Transactions of the ASABE, 64(5), 1555-1567. https://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=52756Online
Abimbola, O. P., Mittelstet, A., Gilmore, T., Korus, J. (2020). Influence of watershed characteristics on streambed hydraulic conductivity across multiple stream orders. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 3696. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-60658-3Online
Dave, N., Mittelstet, A., Korus, J., Waszgis, M. 2020. Impact of an Extreme Flood Event on Streambank Retreat: Cedar River, Nebraska, USA. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA). Paper No. JAWRA-19-0070-P February 14, 2020.Online
Korus, J., Fraundorfer, W. P., Gilmore, T., Karnik, K. (2020). Transient streambed hydraulic conductivity in channel and bar environments, Loup River, Nebraska. HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, 34(14), 3061-3077. Online
Korus, J., Hensen, H. (2020). Depletion percentage and non-linear transmissivity as design criteria for groundwater-level observation networks. Environmental Earth Sciences, 79(382).
Korus, J., Joeckel, M., Tucker, S. T. 2020. Genesis of giant, bouldery bars in a Miocene gravel-bed river: Insights from outcrop sedimentology, UAS-SfM photogrammetry, and GPR. Journal of Sedimentary Research. 90(1): 27-47.Online
Li, Y., Liu, C., Ou, G., Wang, Z., Korus, J., Jiang, R. (2020). Can Hydraulic Conductivity of Fluvial Sediments be Informed by Spectral Reflectance? Water Resources, 47(5). Online
Gilmore, T., Johnson, M., Korus, J., Mittelstet, A., Briggs, M. A., Zlotnik, V., Corcoran, S. 2019. Streambed Flux Measurement Informed by Distributed Temperature Sensing Leads to a Significantly Different Characterization of Groundwater Discharge. Water.Online
Gilmore, T., Korus, J., Pennisi, L., Martin, D. L., Pekarek, K. 2019. Needs Assessment: Watershed Science for Water Resources Directors. Journal of Extension. 57(4).Online
Korus, J.T. and Howard, L.M., Maps showing the Physical Hydrogeology and Changes in Saturated Thickness (Predevelopment to Spring 2016 and Spring 2011 to Spring 2016) in the Middle Republican Natural Resources District, Southwestern Nebraska. University oOnline
Pennisi, L., Gilmore, T., Gilmore, T. E., Korus, J., Pennisi, L., Martin, D., Pekarek, K. 2019. Needs Assessment: Watershed Science for Water-Resources Directors. Journal of Extension. 57(4).Online
Joeckel, R. M., Diffendal, Jr., R. F., Hanson, P. R., Korus, J. T. (2018). Geologic mapping in Nebraska: Old rocks, new maps, fresh insights. Great Plains Research, 28, 119-147.
Joeckel, R.M., Diffendal, R F., Jr., Hanson, P.R., Korus, J.T. 2018. Geologic mapping of Nebraska: Old rocks, new maps, fresh insights. Great Plains Research, 28, 119-147.Online
Korus, J. (2018). Combining hydraulic head analysis with airborne electromagnetics to detect and map impermeable aquifer boundaries. Water, 10, 975.
Korus, J. (2018). Nebraska GeoCloud brings high-tech hydrogeologic data down to earth (1st ed., vol. 72, pp. 10-11). Westerville, OH: Water Well Journal.
Korus, J. T., Joeckel, R. M. (2018). Airborne geophysics resolves stratigraphic and hydrogeologic complexity at the eastern boundary of the Great Plains in Nebraska. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs (vol. 50). Boulder, CO: Geological Online
Korus, J. T., Fielding, C. R. (2017). Hierarchical architecture of sequences and bounding surfaces in a depositional-dip transect of the fluvio-deltaic Ferron Sandstone (Turonian), southeastern Utah, U.S.A. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 87(8), 897-920.Online
Korus, J.T., Gilmore, T.E., Waszgis, M.M., Mittelstet, A.R. 2017. Unit-bar migration and bar-trough deposition: impacts on hydraulic conductivity and grain size heterogeneity in a sandy streambed. Hydrogeology Journal, V26 (2), 553-564 p.Online
Korus, J. T., Joeckel, R. M., Divine, D. P., Abraham, J. D. 2016. Three-dimensional architecture and hydrostratigraphy of cross-cutting buried valleys using airborne electromagnetics, glaciated Central Lowlands, Nebraska, USA. Sedimentology. 64:553-581.Online
Burberry, C. M., Korus, J. T., Joeckel, R. M. 2015. Post-Mississippian tectonics of the Nemaha Tectonic Zone and Mid-Continent Rift System, SE Nebraska and N Kansas. The Mountain Geologist. 52: 47-73.Online
Divine, Dana P., Joeckel, R.M., Korus, Jesse T. 2015. Basic Guide for Description of Cuttings from Boreholes in Nebraska. Lincoln, NE: Conservation and Survey Division, UNL. pp. 36.Online
Korus, J.T., Fielding, C.R., 2015, Asymmetry in Holocene river deltas: patterns, controls, and stratigraphic effects. Earth Science Reviews. V. 150, p. 219-242.Online
Korus, J.T., Fielding, C.R., 2015, Enhanced bioturbation on the down-drift flank of a Turonian asymmetric delta: Implications for seaway circulation, river nutrients, and facies models. Sedimentology. 62: 1899-1922.Online
Korus, J.T., Joeckel, R.M., Hanson, P.R., Goeke, J.W., Lackey, S.O., and Burbach, M.B. 2011. Reference List For Describing Cuttings And Cores Of Sediments And Sedimentary Rocks In Nebraska. Lincoln, NE: Conservation and Survey Division, UNL. pp. 7.Online
Joeckel, R.M., Wooden, S.R., Jr., Korus, J.T., and Garbisch, J.O., 2014. Architecture, heterogeneity, and origin of late Miocene fluvial deposits hosting the most important aquifer in the Great Plains, USA. Sedimentary Geology, v. 311, p. 75-95.Online
Divine, D. P. and J. T. Korus (2013). Three-dimensional hydrostratigrapy of the Swedeburg, Nebraska area: Results from helicopter electromagnetic (HEM) mapping for the Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA), Conservation and Survey Division, Online
Jesse T. Korus, Leslie M. Howard, Aaron R. Young, Dana P. Divine, Mark E. Burbach, J. Michael Jess, and Douglas R. Hallum. (2013). The Groundwater Atlas of Nebraska, Conservation and Survey Division, University of Nebraska, Resource Atlas 4b.
Korus, J. T., D. P. Divine, P. R. Hanson and J. S. Dillon (2013). Three geologic cross sections across portions of eastern Nebraska showing Quaternary lithologic units and stratigraphy of uppermost bedrock. Conservation and Survey Division, University of Online
Korus, J.T., Joeckel, R.M., and Divine, D.P., 2013, Three-dimensional hydrostratigraphy of the Firth, Nebraska area: Results from Helicopter Electromagnetic (HEM) mapping in the Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA). Geological Survey BulletOnline
Korus, J.T., Joeckel, R.M., Divine, D.P. 2013. Three-dimensional hydrostratigraphy of the Firth, Nebraska Area: Results from Helicopter Electromagnetic (HEM) mapping in the Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA). Conservation and Survey DiviOnline
Divine, D. P. and J. T. Korus (2012). Three-dimensional hydrostratigraphy of the Sprague, Nebraska area: results from helicopter electromagnetic (HEM) mapping for the Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA), Conservation and Survey Division, UOnline
Hanson, P. R., J. T. Korus and D. P. Divine (2012). Three-dimensional hydrostratigraphy of the Platte River valley near Ashland, Nebraska: Results from helicopter electromagnetic (HEM) mapping in the Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA), CoOnline
Joeckel, R.M., and Korus, J.T., 2012, Bayhead delta interpretation of an Upper Pennsylvanian sheetlike sandbody and the broader understanding of transgressive deposits in cyclothems. Sedimentary Geology, 275-276, 22-37.Online
Korus, J.T., Burbach, M.E., and Howard, L.M. 2011. Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Monitoring Report 2011. Conservation and Survey Division, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. pp. 23.Online
Young, A.R., Burbach, M.E., Korus, J.T., Howard, L.M. Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Monitoring Report 2012. Conservation and Survey Division, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. pp. 23.Online
Korus, J.T., and Joeckel, R.M., 2011, Generalized geologic and hydrostratigraphic framework of Nebraska 2011, ver. 2. Geologic Maps and Charts 38, Conservation and Survey Division, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Print.
Wooden, S.R., Joeckel, R.M., Korus, J.T.,and Diffendal, R.F., Jr.; 2011. Lithofacies and Stratigraphic Architecture of the Ash Hollow Formation, Ogallala Group in the General Type Area: Geological Society of America Abstracts With Programs, v. 43 (5), p.
Divine, D., Ross, S., Korus, J. 2010. Compilation of Geologic Cross Sections of Eastern Nebraska. Lower Platte South Natural Resources Distict; Conservation and Survey Division, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Korus, J.T., Burbach, M.E., Howard, L.M., and Joeckel, R.M., 2010, Nebraska statewide groundwater-level monitoring report: Nebraska Water Survey Paper Number 77, Conservation and Survey Division, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-LincolnOnline
Korus, J.T., Burbach, M.E., Howard, L.M., Joeckel, R.M. Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Monitoring Report 2010. Lincoln: Conservation and Survey Division, University of Nebraska. pp. 21.Online
Divine, D. P., R. M. Joeckel, J. T. Korus, P. R. Hanson and S. Lackey (2009). Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA): Introduction to a hydrogeological study, Conservation and Survey Division, University of Nebraska, Bulletin 1 (New Series), Online
Divine, D.P., Joeckel, R.M., Korus, J.T., Hanson, P.R., Olafsen Lackey, S., 2009, Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA): Introduction to a Hydrogeologic Study, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Conservation and Survey Division Bulletin 1 (New Online
Korus, J.T., & Burbach, M.E. (2009). Analysis of aquifer depletion criteria with implications for groundwater management in Nebraska. Great Plains Research, 19, 187-200.Online
Korus, J.T., and Burbach, M.E., 2009, Analysis of aquifer depletion criteria with implications for groundwater management: Great Plains Research, v. 19, p. 187-200.Online
korus, Jesse T., Burbach, Mark E. Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Monitoring Report 2009. Lincoln: Conservation and Survey Division, University of Nebraska. pp. 38.Online
Korus, J.T., Kvale, E.P., Eriksson, K.A., and Joeckel, R.M., 2008, Compound paleovalley fills in the Lower Pennsylvanian New River Formation, West Virginia, USA: Sedimentary Geology, v. 208, p. 15-26.Online
Korus, Jesse Thomas and Divine, Dana, 2007, The Eastern Nebraska Water Resources Assessment (ENWRA), Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 39, No. 6, p. 525.

Background

 

Affiliations

 

Awards

TitleAwarded byYear Awarded
Myerly-Martin Award for Outstanding Work in Sedimentology and PaleontologyDepartment of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, UNL2015
John C. Frye Memorial AwardAssociation of American State Geologists2014

 

Professional Organizations

NamePosition
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Geological Society of America
International Association of Sedimentologists

 

Websites

 

SNR Program Areas

  • Environmental Science

Areas of Interest/Expertise

  • Groundwater
  • Aquifer characterization
  • Stratigraphy and sedimentology
  • Regional geology and hydrogeology
  • Geology
  • Hydrogeology
  • Sand
  • Wells
  • Paleoenvironments
  • Petroleum Resources
  • Palesols
  • Rivers
  • Rocks and Stones
  • Tectonics
  • Water quality
  • Groundwater Modeling

Grants

Currently this page only displays grants that were awarded on 1/1/ 2009 to the present. If a grant was awarded prior to 1/1/ 2009 and is still active, it will not be displayed on this page.

Grant TitleMapping and Modeling for Water Balance in the MRNRD
Starting Date05/26/2023

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2025
Funding Level$117,044.00
Funding AgencyMiddle Republican NRD

 

Grant TitleNebraska GeoCloud (Additional Funding)
Starting Date09/15/2022

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2023
Funding Level$23,000.00
Funding AgencyLower Platte South NRD

 

Grant TitleENWRA Groundwater Recharge Mapping and Focus Area Assessments
Starting Date04/07/2022

Investigator(s)

Ending Date12/31/2024
Funding Level$89,000.00
Funding AgencyLower Platte South NRD

 

Grant TitleNE Water Leaders Academy (Additional Funding)
Starting Date03/24/2021

Investigator(s)

Ending Date03/31/2023
Funding Level$118,536.00
Funding AgencyNE Water Leaders Academy

 

Grant TitleNebraska GeoCloud (Additional Funding)
Starting Date05/22/2020

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2022
Funding Level$94,100.00
Funding AgencyLower Platte South NRD

 

Grant TitleNebraska Water Leaders Academy (Additional Funding)
Starting Date01/20/2020

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2020
Funding Level$40,263.00
Funding AgencyNebraska State Irrigation Association / Nebraska Environmental Trust

 

Grant TitleAquifer Recharge and Sustainability in the Republican Basin
Starting Date01/01/2020

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2023
Funding Level$269,008.00
Funding AgencyMiddle Republic NRD/NRC

 

Grant TitleDNR GRA Support cost Share Agreement for DWFI Funding
Starting Date01/01/2020

Investigator(s)

Ending Date12/31/2022
Funding Level$69,858.00
Funding AgencyNebraska Department of Natural Resources

 

Grant TitleWatershed Science Education Collaboration
Starting Date05/24/2019

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2022
Funding Level$225,204.00
Funding AgencyNebraska Environmental Trust

 

Grant TitleApplication of isotopic tracers to determine water residence times in multi-scale water management
Starting Date08/01/2017

Investigator(s)

Ending Date07/31/2019
Funding Level$19,983.00
Funding Agency2017 IANR SPRINT

 

Grant TitleMiddle Republican Hydrogeologic Framework and Groundwater Observation Network (Additional Funding)
Starting Date06/19/2017

Investigator(s)

Ending Date05/31/2020
Funding Level$70,500.00
Funding AgencyMiddle Republican NRD

 

Grant TitleNebraska Basin CarbonSAFE
Starting Date03/09/2017

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/01/2018
Funding Level$116,237.00
Funding AgencyBattelle Memorial Institute

 

Grant TitleNebraska GeoCloud
Starting Date03/03/2017

Investigator(s)

Ending Date06/30/2021
Funding Level$264,014.00
Funding AgencyLower Platte South Natural Resource District

 

Grant TitleMiddle Republican Hydrogeologic Framework and Groundwater Observation Network
Starting Date05/24/2016

Investigator(s)

Ending Date05/23/2017
Funding Level$17,397.00
Funding AgencyMiddle Republican NRD

 

Grant TitleMiddle Republican Hydrogeologic Framework and Groundwater Observation Network (Additional Funding)
Starting Date05/24/2016

Investigator(s)

Ending Date05/23/2017
Funding Level$16,133.00
Funding AgencyMiddle Republican NRD

 

Grant TitleNebraska State Map 2015-2016 (Additional Funding)
Starting Date09/15/2015

Investigator(s)

Ending Date09/14/2016
Funding Level$86,366.00
Funding AgencyU. S. Geological Survey

 

Grant TitlePreservation of Rock Cores
Starting Date09/15/2014

Investigator(s)

Ending Date09/14/2015
Funding Level$20,018.00
Funding AgencyUS Department of Interior - Geological Survey

 

Grant TitleNebraska State Map 2014-2015 (Additional Funding)
Starting Date09/15/2014

Investigator(s)

Ending Date09/14/2015
Funding Level$65,623.00
Funding AgencyUS Department of the Interior - Geological Survey

 

Grant TitleNebraska State Map 2013-2014 (Additional Funding)
Starting Date09/15/2013

Investigator(s)

Ending Date09/14/2014
Funding Level$72,636.00
Funding AgencyUS Department of the Interior

 

Grant TitleWater Leaders Academy (additional funding)
Starting Date04/01/2012

Investigator(s)

Ending Date03/31/2015
Funding Level$21,302.00
Funding AgencyNebraska State Irrigation Association

 

Grant TitleShallow Groundwater Nitrate Verification Study
Starting Date04/01/2011

Investigator(s)

Ending Date12/31/2012
Funding Level$14,705.00
Funding AgencyNebraska Department of Environmental Quality

 

Grant TitleNebraska Water Resource 104B 2011
Starting Date03/01/2011

Investigator(s)

Ending Date02/28/2015
Funding Level$19,000.00
Funding AgencyUS Department of the Interior - Geological Survey

 

Grant TitleLower Platte North NRD Observation Well Program
Starting Date08/01/2009

Investigator(s)

Ending Date01/11/2011
Funding Level$9,000.00
Funding AgencyLower Platte North NRD

 

Grant TitleEastern Nebraska HEM Aquifier Mapping
Starting Date07/15/2009

Investigator(s)

Ending Date07/01/2010
Funding Level$60,000.00
Funding AgencyLower Platte South NRD

 

Grant TitleLower Salt Creek Ground Water Reservoir Modeling Project
Starting Date04/01/2009

Investigator(s)

Ending Date05/31/2010
Funding Level$14,971.00
Funding AgencyLower Platte South NRD

 

Advising

Graduate Programs

Master of Applied Science

Master of Science in Natural Resource Sciences
including specializations in

  • Hydrological Sciences

Doctorate of Philosophy in Natural Resource Sciences
including specializations in

  • Hydrological Sciences