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USGS Oregon Water Science Center is open and operational

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Real Data. Real Fast.

Realtime conditions for lakes and rivers near you

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Environmental Health

Part of USGS's story in Oregon

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New Problems? New Solutions.

Free quality data to inform better decisions

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Oregon Water Science Center

Welcome to the USGS in Oregon. Our mission is to explore the natural world around us and provide reliable scientific information to help Federal, State, and local agencies, Tribes, and the public make well-informed decisions. Our research is widely used to manage Oregon's water resources for the benefit and safety of people and the environment. 

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Current Stream Conditions

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See what is happening in streams near you. View real-time stream data for streams around Oregon.

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Weekly Science Seminar

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Our lunchtime seminars are held Tuesdays from 12pm to 1 pm and are open to the public.

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New or Relevant

See what the USGS is doing locally.

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News

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Joint Study of Harney Basin will Guide Future Groundwater Planning and Management

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USGS Selects Willamette River Basin as Fourth Integrated Water Science Basin

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Updated Interactive Map Showing Groundwater Levels in the Upper Klamath Basin Aids Water, Land Managers

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Publications

Groundwater resources of the Harney Basin, southeastern Oregon

In response to increasing groundwater demand and declining groundwater levels in the Harney Basin of southeastern Oregon, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Oregon Water Resources Department conducted a cooperative groundwater-availability study during 2016–22. This Fact Sheet summarizes the results of this study. Full details of the study are provided in Gingerich and others (2022a, 2022b), Garci
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Water Resources, Oregon Water Science Center

Light attenuation and erosion characteristics of fine sediments in a highly turbid, shallow, Great Basin Lake—Malheur Lake, Oregon, 2017–18

Malheur Lake is a large, shallow, turbid lake in southeastern Oregon that fluctuates widely in surface area in response to yearly precipitation and climatic cycles. High suspended-sediment concentrations (SSCs) likely are negatively affecting the survival of aquatic plants by reducing the intensity of solar radiation reaching the plants, thus inhibiting photosynthesis. This study was designed to d
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Water Resources, Oregon Water Science Center

Assessment of persistent chemicals of concern in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River, southeastern Washington, 2009

White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) are long-lived, late-maturing, benthic-feeding fish that are ideal candidates for assessing the bioaccumulation of persistent chemicals. In this study, composite tissue samples of brain, liver, gonad, and fillet were collected from white sturgeon in 2009 from five sites in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River near Hanford, Washington. The composite tissu
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Water Resources, Oregon Water Science Center
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Science

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Willamette FIP Effectiveness Monitoring Framework

The goal of this project is to develop an effectiveness monitoring framework that can be used to inform monitoring and data collection for the Willamette River Focused Investment Partnership (WFIP) Effectiveness Monitoring Program. The USGS is developing this monitoring framework in collaboration with the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District (BSWCD), Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF...
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Oregon Water Science Center
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Willamette FIP Effectiveness Monitoring Framework

The goal of this project is to develop an effectiveness monitoring framework that can be used to inform monitoring and data collection for the Willamette River Focused Investment Partnership (WFIP) Effectiveness Monitoring Program. The USGS is developing this monitoring framework in collaboration with the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District (BSWCD), Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF...
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Upper Klamath Lake

Movements and Behavior of Radio-Tagged Adult Lost River and Shortnose Suckers in Response to Water Quality in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon

Severe water quality problems in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, have led to critical fishery concerns for the region, including the listing of Lost River and shortnose suckers as endangered in 1988. In April 2001, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released a Biological Opinion in which several reasonable and prudent alternatives to allow for the continued operation of the Klamath Project...
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Oregon Water Science Center
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Movements and Behavior of Radio-Tagged Adult Lost River and Shortnose Suckers in Response to Water Quality in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon

Severe water quality problems in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, have led to critical fishery concerns for the region, including the listing of Lost River and shortnose suckers as endangered in 1988. In April 2001, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released a Biological Opinion in which several reasonable and prudent alternatives to allow for the continued operation of the Klamath Project...
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oregon water science center

USGS Oregon Water Science Center Lunchtime Seminar Series (Winter, 2022 has concluded)

The role of USGS Water Science Centers in western water resource challenges
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Oregon Water Science Center
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USGS Oregon Water Science Center Lunchtime Seminar Series (Winter, 2022 has concluded)

The role of USGS Water Science Centers in western water resource challenges
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