Oregon Geomorphic Studies
Science Center Objects
Assessing channel change, habitat health, and flood hazards across Oregon rivers and streams.
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Date published: October 11, 2017Status: CompletedChetco River Gravel Transport Study
In 2009, the USGS completed a comprehensive study of gravel transport and storage along the lower Chetco River.
Contacts: J. Rose WallickAttribution: Oregon Water Science Center -
Date published: December 7, 2015Status: CompletedGeomorphology of the Sprague River Basin
The USGS documents historical and current channel and floodplain processes and conditions to assist management and regulatory agencies in evaluating restoration proposals and designing effective restoration and monitoring strategies for the Sprague River and its principle tributaries. The study involves multiple analyses, including assessments of historical channel change, riparian and...
Contacts: Jim E O'ConnorAttribution: Oregon Water Science Center -
Date published: April 24, 2009Status: ActiveEnvironmental Flow Studies for Middle Fork Willamette, McKenzie, and Santiam River Basins
Environmental flows are defined as "streamflow needed to sustain ecosystems while continuing to meet human needs."
Contacts: J. Rose Wallick, John RisleyAttribution: Oregon Water Science Center
Geomorphic and vegetation processes of the Willamette River floodplain, Oregon: current understanding and unanswered science questions
This report summarizes the current understanding of floodplain processes and landforms for the Willamette River and its major tributaries. The area of focus encompasses the main stem Willamette River above Newberg and the portions of the Coast Fork Willamette, Middle Fork Willamette, McKenzie, and North, South and main stem Santiam Rivers...
Wallick, J. Rose; Jones, Krista L.; O'Connor, Jim E.; Keith, Mackenzie K.; Hulse, David; Gregory, Stanley V.
Geomorphic response of the Sandy River, Oregon, to removal of Marmot Dam
The October 2007 breaching of a temporary cofferdam constructed during removal of the 15-meter (m)-tall Marmot Dam on the Sandy River, Oregon, triggered a rapid sequence of fluvial responses as ~730,000 cubic meters (m3) of sand and gravel filling the former reservoir became available to a high-gradient river. Using direct measurements of sediment...
Major, Jon J.; O'Connor, Jim E.; Podolak, Charles J.; Keith, Mackenzie K.; Grant, Gordon E.; Spicer, Kurt R.; Pittman, Smokey; Bragg, Heather M.; Wallick, J. Rose; Tanner, Dwight Q.; Rhode, Abagail; Wilcock, Peter R.
Evolving fluvial response of the Sandy River, Oregon, following removal of Marmot Dam
The October 2007 removal of Marmot Dam on the Sandy River, Oregon, triggered a rapid sequence of fluvial responses as ~730,000 m3 of sand and gravel that filled the former reservoir were suddenly exposed to an energetic river. Using direct measurements of sediment transport, photogrammetry, and repeat surveys between transport events, we monitored...
Major, Jon J.; O'Connor, Jim; Podolak, Charles J.; Keith, Mackenzie K.; Spicer, Kurt R.; Wallick, J. Rose; Bragg, Heather M.; Pittman, Smokey; Wilcock, Peter R.; Rhode, Abagail; Grant, Gordon E.-
Date published: January 31, 2018
HEC-RAS
The purpose of this website is to enhance the support services provided to HEC-RAS customers. The HEC-RAS website provides a number of resources, which include helping the user download software, learn how to use HEC-RAS, resolve problems, report bugs, and suggest improvements to CEIWR-HEC products and service.
Attribution: Oregon Water Science Center
Acoustic Doppler Measurement from a Cableway
USGS Hydrologist Liam Schenk measures sediment transport using an acoustic doppler instrument suspended from a cableway downstream from Fall Creek Reservoir. Reservoir was drawn down to purge sediment and trapped fish from behind dam in December 2012.
Suspended-Sediment Sampling from a Cableway
USGS Hydrologic Technician Heather Bragg collects suspended-sediment sample from a cableway downstream from Fall Creek Reservoir. Reservoir was drawn down to purge sediment and trapped fish from behind dam in December 2012.
Surveying channel change in Fanno Creek, OR
USGS hydrologist surveying channel depth across Fanno Creek, OR
Marmot Dam Removal, Sandy River, Oregon: Time-Lapse
The USGS put together time-lapse video of the breach of the Marmot Dam, on the Sandy River in Oregon. Hydrology experts from the USGS Oregon Water Science Center and the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory are studying this removal, the largest planned removal in the Pacific Northwest thus far.
Real-time USGS streamgages and other high-tech instruments are monitoring
Surveying the Sandy River, OR
USGS hydrologist return to the Marmot Dam removal site on the Sandy River, OR, every few years to survey channel changes.
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Date published: April 13, 2016New Willamette River Flood Inundation Maps to Aid Residents and Emergency Managers
New flood inundation maps focused on the Coast Fork Willamette River near Goshen, Oregon were published online Wednesday by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers.