Oregon Water Science Center

While surveying high water marks in Oakridge, Oregon, bumble bees buzzed around the river banks. The bees often mistake our bright colored equipment and florescent safety gear for tasty yellow flowers.

While surveying high water marks in Oakridge, Oregon, bumble bees buzzed around the river banks. The bees often mistake our bright colored equipment and florescent safety gear for tasty yellow flowers.

Algal bloom in the Ross Island Lagoon, Willamette River, Oregon.

USGS hydrologist, Steven Sobieszcyk, on stage at Alberta Rose Theater talking about the science behind the Eagle Creek Fire response.

View along a bluff in Tanner Creek watershed following the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, Oregon (Columbia Gorge)

Welcome to the USGS GeoLog Locator, an online tool for viewing and downloading digital borehole geophysical logs. These borehole logs are used to answer scientific questions about things like groundwater availability, geologic structure of the Earth, and certain characteristics of the structure of the soil and rock formations. The Geolog map viewer allows users to zoom and

Microscopic view of blue green algae sample. Some algae produce toxins that threaten the health and safety of living things that come in direct contact. Cyanobacteria - Phormidium (blue green algae)

Microscopic view of blue green algae sample. Some algae produce toxins that threaten the health and safety of living things that come in direct contact. Cyanobacteria - Scytonema (blue green algae)

Microscopic view of blue green algae sample. Some algae produce toxins that threaten the health and safety of living things that come in direct contact. Cyanobacteria - Phormidium (blue green algae)

Meet Bob. 
Bob is a beaver. 

Beavers and their dams are common sights along creeks in Oregon. Beaver activity can create diverse habitats and homes for many animals, including birds, fishes, and dragonflies. The USGS are studying beaver dams and ponds in Portland, Oregon, to understand how they affect the amount and quality of water in urban streams. Insights

Poster: Within Our Reach (2016)

White, J., Jones, K., Buccola, N., Costello, A., Poor, E., Rounds, S.A., and Smith, C., 2016, Effects of beaver dams on urban streams in the Tualatin River Basin.