Lower Columbia River Dissolved Gas Monitoring Network Active
USGS total dissolved gas (TDG) data help guide spill and discharge management from dams operated along the lower Columbia River.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates several dams along the Columbia River that fulfill regional needs for flood control, navigation, irrigation, recreation, hydropower production, fish and wildlife habitat, water-quality maintenance, and municipal and industrial water supply. When water is released through the spillways of these dams ambient air becomes entrained in the water, resulting in an increase in the concentration of dissolved gases in the water downstream of the dams. Concentrations of dissolved gases greater than 110 percent saturation can cause gas-bubble trauma in fish and adversely affect other aquatic organisms. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers uses real-time USGS data to regulate streamflow and spill from its dams to minimize the production of excess dissolved gases, while providing fish passage through the spillways.
Eight monitoring stations are operated on the lower Columbia River, from the navigation lock of the John Day Dam to Camas, Washington. Five of the stations (John Day navigation lock, The Dalles forebay, Bonneville forebay, Cascade Island, and Camas) are operated from March to September, encompassing the usual period for dam spill operations. The stations John Day tailwater, The Dalles tailwater, and Warrendale are operated year-round.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Total dissolved gas and water temperature in the lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 2002: Quality-assurance data and comparison to water-quality standards
Data-collection methods, quality-assurance data, and site considerations for total dissolved gas monitoring, lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 2000
Quality-assurance data, comparison to water-quality standards, and site considerations for total dissolved gas and water temperature, lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 2001
Total dissolved gas, barometric pressure, and water temperature data, lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 1996
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
USGS total dissolved gas (TDG) data help guide spill and discharge management from dams operated along the lower Columbia River.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates several dams along the Columbia River that fulfill regional needs for flood control, navigation, irrigation, recreation, hydropower production, fish and wildlife habitat, water-quality maintenance, and municipal and industrial water supply. When water is released through the spillways of these dams ambient air becomes entrained in the water, resulting in an increase in the concentration of dissolved gases in the water downstream of the dams. Concentrations of dissolved gases greater than 110 percent saturation can cause gas-bubble trauma in fish and adversely affect other aquatic organisms. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers uses real-time USGS data to regulate streamflow and spill from its dams to minimize the production of excess dissolved gases, while providing fish passage through the spillways.
Eight monitoring stations are operated on the lower Columbia River, from the navigation lock of the John Day Dam to Camas, Washington. Five of the stations (John Day navigation lock, The Dalles forebay, Bonneville forebay, Cascade Island, and Camas) are operated from March to September, encompassing the usual period for dam spill operations. The stations John Day tailwater, The Dalles tailwater, and Warrendale are operated year-round.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 16Total dissolved gas and water temperature in the lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 2002: Quality-assurance data and comparison to water-quality standards
Significant Findings The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, collected total-dissolved-gas and water-temperature data at eight sites near dams on the lower Columbia River in 2002. When water is released through the spillways of dams, air is entrained in the water, increasing the concentration of total dissolved gas to levels that can have adverse efAuthorsDwight Q. Tanner, Matthew W. Johnston, Heather M. BraggData-collection methods, quality-assurance data, and site considerations for total dissolved gas monitoring, lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 2000
Excessive total dissolved gas pressure can cause gas-bubble trauma in fish downstream from dams on the Columbia River. In cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Geological Survey collected data on total dissolved gas pressure, barometric pressure, water temperature, and probe depth at eight stations on the lower Columbia River from the John Day forebay (river mile 215.6) to CaAuthorsDwight Q. Tanner, Matthew W. JohnstonQuality-assurance data, comparison to water-quality standards, and site considerations for total dissolved gas and water temperature, lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 2001
Significant Findings For eight monitoring sites, in water year 2001, an average of 99.3% of the total-dissolved-gas data were received in real time and passed quality-assurance checks. After 2 to 3 weeks of deployment in the river, most comparisons of field total-dissolved-gas sensors with a secondary standard (another calibrated total-dissolved-gas sensor) were within 1%. The only exceedances ofAuthorsDwight Q. Tanner, Heather M. BraggTotal dissolved gas, barometric pressure, and water temperature data, lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, 1996
Increased levels of total dissolved gas pressure can cause gas-bubble trauma in fish downstream from dams on the Columbia River. In cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Geological Survey collected data on total dissolved gas pressure, barometric pressure, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen pressure at 11 stations on the lower Columbia River from the John Day forebay (riAuthorsDwight Q. Tanner, Howard E. Harrison, Stuart W. McKenzie - Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.