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.
Live Stream Conditions
Live Stream Conditions
See what is happening in streams near you. View real-time stream data for streams around Oregon.
Relevant Information
Relevant Information
See what the USGS is doing locally.
News
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
Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series
Saline Lake Ecosystems IWAA Fall 2024 Webinar Series
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...
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...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Saline Lake Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment
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...
Science
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.
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.
Monitoring sediment transport and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in the Willamette River basin
The U.S. Geological Survey is listening to rivers to understand how flows transport bedload sediment, which is fundamental to ecosystem structure and health.