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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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News

Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA February 2025 Seminar

Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA February 2025 Seminar

New USGS dataset uncovers the Santiam River’s underwater topography to aid in fish habitat and water flow management

New USGS dataset uncovers the Santiam River’s underwater topography to aid in fish habitat and water flow management

We're monitoring and analyzing water conditions at Bethany Lake

We're monitoring and analyzing water conditions at Bethany Lake

Publications

Review of the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Ballard Locks model, Seattle, Washington, 2014–20

Executive SummaryThe Hiram M. Chittenden (Ballard) Locks and Lake Washington Ship Canal connect freshwater Lake Washington and saline Shilshole Bay of Puget Sound in Seattle, Washington. The locks and canal allow for ships to traverse this reach. Anadromous salmonids also migrate through, transitioning between saline and freshwater environments, and making use of a fish ladder at the...
Authors
Annett B. Sullivan, Anya C. Leach

Imperiled Great Basin terminal lakes: Synthesizing ecological and hydrological science gaps and research needs for waterbird conservation

Terminal lakes are declining globally because of human water demands, drought, and climate change. Through literature synthesis and feedback from the resource and conservation community, we review the state of research for terminal lakes in the Great Basin of the United States, which support millions of waterbirds annually, to prioritize ecological and hydrologic information needs. From...
Authors
Garth Herring, Ashley L. Whipple, Cameron L. Aldridge, Bryce Alan Pulver, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, Rich D. Inman, Elliott Matchett, Adrian P. Monroe, Elizabeth Kari Orning, Benjamin Seward Robb, Jessica E. Shyvers, Bryan C. Tarbox, Nathan D. Van Schmidt, Cassandra Smith, Matthew J. Holloran, Cory T. Overton, David O'Leary, Michael L. Casazza, Rebecca Frus

Advancing sustainable groundwater management with a hydro-economic system model: Investigations in the Harney Basin, Oregon

Groundwater resources frequently trend toward unsustainable levels because, absent effective institutions, individual water users generally act independently without considering the impacts on other users. Hydro-economic models (HEMs) of human-natural systems can play a positive role toward successful groundwater management by yielding valuable knowledge and insight. The current study...
Authors
William K. Jaeger, John M. Antle, Stephen B. Gingerich, Daniel Bigelow

Science

Identifying nitrate sources in the lower Crooked River

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Crooked River Watershed Council (CRWC) are working together to identify sources of nitrate entering Lake Billy Chinook from the Crooked River Basin to help resource managers improve water quality.
link

Identifying nitrate sources in the lower Crooked River

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Crooked River Watershed Council (CRWC) are working together to identify sources of nitrate entering Lake Billy Chinook from the Crooked River Basin to help resource managers improve water quality.
Learn More

Fern Ridge Geomorphology

The USGS, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is conducting targeted research to better understand geomorphic conditions and processes within the reservoir at Fern Ridge Lake, near Eugene, Oregon, so that managers have the information to support dam operations and other actions that will aid in the preservation and management of cultural sites.
link

Fern Ridge Geomorphology

The USGS, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), is conducting targeted research to better understand geomorphic conditions and processes within the reservoir at Fern Ridge Lake, near Eugene, Oregon, so that managers have the information to support dam operations and other actions that will aid in the preservation and management of cultural sites.
Learn More

Understanding Water Quality Challenges at Bethany Lake: Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms

The USGS is studying Bethany Lake to provide a comprehensive picture of how the lake’s water conditions and nutrient sources tie into potential algae blooms.
link

Understanding Water Quality Challenges at Bethany Lake: Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms

The USGS is studying Bethany Lake to provide a comprehensive picture of how the lake’s water conditions and nutrient sources tie into potential algae blooms.
Learn More
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