Lari Knochenmus is currently the Deputy State Director for the U.S. Geological Survey Nevada Water Science Center (NWSC). She has served on the Nevada Water Resources Association Board for the past three years.

Ms. Knochenmus has a BA in Geology from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN and a MS in Hydrogeology from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL.

Ms. Knochenmus has been employed by the USGS for 26 years; six of those in Nevada. She has conducted more than 20 research projects that span the field of hydrology including groundwater/surface water interactions, brackish water assessment studies and regional aquifer assessments. During her career, she has used numerous techniques to evaluate hydrologic problems such as numerical models (flow and solute transport), geophysical surveys (surface and borehole), aquifer test analysis, water-quality and flow path modeling and age dating for well head risk assessments. During the last four years as the Deputy State Director, Ms. Knochenmus has helped to guide future research needs for stakeholders and resources managers.

The NWSC is actively involved in the Nevada Water Resources Association through serving on the Board, making technical presentations, leading field trips and participating on planning committees for NWRA supported conferences. Ms. Knochenmus joined the organization within the first year after relocating to Nevada. She submitted several factsheets that were used in the fieldtrip guide for the Carbonate Tour of 2007 and was a panel presenter at the 2007 Annual Conference. When the previous Director of the NWSC decided not to run for reelection to the NWRA Board of Directors in 2009, she “…threw (her) hat in the ring and was elected.” The Association is very vibrant and active in the water resources area and she is proud to be a part of it.

“I appreciate the selfless commitment of the Board and volunteers and hope to see that continue to grow in the future. The emphasis on reaching out to students and including them in the process is just beginning and I hope to see this relationship evolve and strengthen over time. I support the goal for growth in membership and agree with the deliberate steps being discussed to manage this growth to maintain the core mission and strength of NWRA.” Ms. Knochenmus hopes to continue her service to the NWRA Board of Directors into the future.

In her free time, “My outlet to balance the left-hemisphere brain functions needed for success in science is dabbling in artistic ventures to exercise the right hemisphere of my brain; recently embracing the art of ‘Zentangle’ for the tranquility it provides at the end of the day.”

January Board Member of the Month: Mike Widmer