Oregon Water Science Center
Lakes and Rivers
Browse Lakes and Rivers science related to:
Fernhill Natural Treatment Wetlands
The amount and type of algae in the Tualatin River affect the river’s water quality and ecological health, as well as its value as a recreational resource. As a relatively new source of summertime flow to the upper Tualatin River, discharges from the Fernhill Natural Treatment System (NTS) have the potential to enhance or degrade downstream water quality. Discharges of low nutrient...
Synthesizing the State of Science of Coldwater Refuges in the Willamette River Basin
Many regulatory, management, and conservation organizations are interested in protecting and increasing coldwater refuges and thermal diversity for Chinook salmon, steelhead, and other natives fishes in the Willamette River basin. This study synthesizes current and emerging science related to coldwater refuges and thermal diversity. It is also develops conceptual frameworks for understanding...
Controls on Habitat for Native Lampreys in the Umpqua River Basin
Native lampreys are culturally significant fishes for tribal communities in Oregon. As such, the USGS has begun working with the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians to study changes that may be affecting habitat for native Pacific and western brook lampreys in the Umpqua River basin.
Controls on Salmon and Lamprey Habitat along the Siletz River
Chinook Salmon and Pacific Lamprey are culturally significant fishes to the Tribal community along the Siletz River, Oregon. The USGS has begun studying how streamflow and bedload conditions may influence mainstem spawning habitats.
Willamette Instream Flows
When streamflow fluctuates in the Willamette River so does the amount of available rearing habitat used by Threatened Upper Willamette River spring Chinook salmon and winter steelhead trout. The USGS investigates how flow conditions and dam operations affect rearing habitat availability so that flow managers can maintain suitable flows for these species.
Geomorphic Response to Fall Creek Lake Drawdowns
The USGS has been documenting the geomorphic response to the annual Fall Creek Lake drawdown since 2011.
Oregon Data Release(s)
As a federal research agency, the USGS collects natural resource data all across Oregon. These data may be stored in a variety of databases, including our National Water Information System (NWIS). Other data are stored in the ScienceBase Catalog. Here are recent ...
Oregon Geomorphic Studies
Assessing channel change, habitat health, and flood hazards across Oregon rivers and streams.
Harmful Algal Blooms and Drinking Water in Oregon
Harmful algal blooms are a major environmental problem in all 50 states.
Oregon Water Use Program
With the ever-increasing rate of utilization of and competition for water (particularly during periods of drought) accurate, current water-use information is of considerable value. This is particularly so in determining future water availability in hydrologically critical areas and for making sound resource-management decisions. For the Oregon Water Science Center, a viable water-use data-...
Vertical Hydraulic Gradient at the Sediment-Water Interface in Upper Klamath Lake
"The goal of this project is to characterize the vertical hydraulic gradient at the sediment-water interface in Upper Klamath Lake."
SPARROW Model Assessments of Nutrients and Suspended Sediment in the Pacific Northwest and California
SPARROW can be used to relate water-quality data to landscape characteristics, such as natural properties and human activities