Starting in 1997, the USGS began routinely studying water resources in the Clackamas River Basin. Whether it be assessing harmful algal blooms, runoff issues, streamflow, or watershed health, the USGS has worked with its partners to maintain one of Oregon's most beloved rivers.
The Clackamas River in northwestern Oregon is valued for its scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, salmon and steelhead runs, and for providing a high-quality source of drinking water. From its headwaters in the Cascade Range between Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson, the upper Clackamas River descends 7,200 feet on a northwesterly course, winding through steep canyons and gorges and cutting through promi nent basalt outcrops and cliffs. The many falls and rapids, separated by deep, clear pools and expansive cobble bars, make the upper Clackamas River a favorite among whitewater enthusiasts, anglers, and hikers. Downstream from Estacada, the river emerges into gentler terrain, forming a broad floodplain that is confined by steep cliffs that form upland terraces in places. Here, the lower Clackamas River is wider, flowing past volcanic buttes in the lower basin before meeting the Willamette River south of Portland.
Water quality in the Clackamas River is considered very good to excellent compared to other rivers in the State and has withstood pressures from human impacts and natural disturbances seemingly well. However, urban development and human activities continue to affect the water-quality of the Clackamas River and it's tributaries. The USGS monitors the watershed and investigates current stream conditions, ecological health, channel change and water quality.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Clackamas River Basin Water-Quality Sites
Recent and historical data for USGS Clackamas River Basin water-quality monitors.
National Water Information System (NWIS) - Oregon
National Water Information System: Mapper (Oregon)
Oregon Streamflow Data by Basin
View real-time streamflow data in Oregon river basins.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Storm-event-transport of urban-use pesticides to streams likely impairs invertebrate assemblages
Sources and characteristics of organic matter in the Clackamas River, Oregon, related to the formation of disinfection by-products in treated drinking water
Seepage investigations of the Clackamas River, Oregon
Organic Compounds in Clackamas River Water Used for Public Supply near Portland, Oregon, 2003-05
Pesticide Occurrence and Distribution in the Lower Clackamas River Basin, Oregon, 2000-2005
Assessing the feasibility of native fish reintroductions: a framework and example applied to bull trout in the Clackamas River, Oregon
Pesticides in the Lower Clackamas River Basin, Oregon, 2000-01
Water-quality and algal conditions in the Clackamas River basin, Oregon, and their relations to land and water management
Appraisal of waterpower potential and land classifications, Clackamas River basin, Oregon
Ground water in the northern part of Clackamas County, Oregon
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
USGS Data Grapher
This is a data graphing utility that allows the user to build graphs of data from selected USGS stations. Select the station, the type of graph, the parameter(s) to plot, and the starting and ending dates for the graph.
Below are news stories associated with this project.
USGS Studies the Impact of Insecticides on Northwestern Clackamas County Streams
A new study found high concentrations of commonly used insecticides in streams running through the highly urbanized portion of Clackamas County.
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
Starting in 1997, the USGS began routinely studying water resources in the Clackamas River Basin. Whether it be assessing harmful algal blooms, runoff issues, streamflow, or watershed health, the USGS has worked with its partners to maintain one of Oregon's most beloved rivers.
The Clackamas River in northwestern Oregon is valued for its scenic beauty, recreational opportunities, salmon and steelhead runs, and for providing a high-quality source of drinking water. From its headwaters in the Cascade Range between Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson, the upper Clackamas River descends 7,200 feet on a northwesterly course, winding through steep canyons and gorges and cutting through promi nent basalt outcrops and cliffs. The many falls and rapids, separated by deep, clear pools and expansive cobble bars, make the upper Clackamas River a favorite among whitewater enthusiasts, anglers, and hikers. Downstream from Estacada, the river emerges into gentler terrain, forming a broad floodplain that is confined by steep cliffs that form upland terraces in places. Here, the lower Clackamas River is wider, flowing past volcanic buttes in the lower basin before meeting the Willamette River south of Portland.
Water quality in the Clackamas River is considered very good to excellent compared to other rivers in the State and has withstood pressures from human impacts and natural disturbances seemingly well. However, urban development and human activities continue to affect the water-quality of the Clackamas River and it's tributaries. The USGS monitors the watershed and investigates current stream conditions, ecological health, channel change and water quality.
- Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Clackamas River Basin Water-Quality Sites
Recent and historical data for USGS Clackamas River Basin water-quality monitors.
National Water Information System (NWIS) - Oregon
National Water Information System: Mapper (Oregon)
Oregon Streamflow Data by Basin
View real-time streamflow data in Oregon river basins.
- Multimedia
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Storm-event-transport of urban-use pesticides to streams likely impairs invertebrate assemblages
Insecticide use in urban areas results in the detection of these compounds in streams following stormwater runoff at concentrations likely to cause toxicity for stream invertebrates. In this 2013 study, stormwater runoff and streambed sediments were analyzed for 91 pesticides dissolved in water and 118 pesticides on sediment. Detections included 33 pesticides, including insecticides, fungicides, hAuthorsKurt D. Carpenter, Kathryn Kuivila, Michelle Hladik, Tana Haluska, Michael B. ColeSources and characteristics of organic matter in the Clackamas River, Oregon, related to the formation of disinfection by-products in treated drinking water
This study characterized the amount and quality of organic matter in the Clackamas River, Oregon, to gain an understanding of sources that contribute to the formation of chlorinated and brominated disinfection by-products (DBPs), focusing on regulated DBPs in treated drinking water from two direct-filtration treatment plants that together serve approximately 100,000 customers. The central hypothesAuthorsKurt D. Carpenter, Tamara E.C. Kraus, Jami H. Goldman, John Franco Saraceno, Bryan D. Downing, Brian A. Bergamaschi, Gordon McGhee, Tracy TriplettSeepage investigations of the Clackamas River, Oregon
Analysis of streamflow measurements and continuous records of streamflow provided insight into interaction of the groundwater system with the Clackamas River in northwestern Oregon. This report assesses gains and losses of the Clackamas River based on streamflow measurements made during previous hydrologic studies, decades of continuous streamflow data, and a detailed suite of streamflow measuremeAuthorsKarl K. LeeOrganic Compounds in Clackamas River Water Used for Public Supply near Portland, Oregon, 2003-05
Organic compounds studied in this U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessment generally are man-made, including pesticides, gasoline hydrocarbons, solvents, personal care and domestic-use products, disinfection by-products, and manufacturing additives. In all, 56 compounds were detected in samples collected approximately monthly during 2003-05 at the intake for the Clackamas River Water plant, one ofAuthorsKurt D. Carpenter, Gordon McGheePesticide Occurrence and Distribution in the Lower Clackamas River Basin, Oregon, 2000-2005
Pesticide occurrence and distribution in the lower Clackamas River basin was evaluated in 2000?2005, when 119 water samples were analyzed for a suite of 86?198 dissolved pesticides. Sampling included the lower-basin tributaries and the Clackamas River mainstem, along with paired samples of pre- and post-treatment drinking water (source and finished water) from one of four drinking water-treatmentAuthorsKurt D. Carpenter, Steven Sobieszczyk, Andrew J. Arnsberg, Frank A. RinellaAssessing the feasibility of native fish reintroductions: a framework and example applied to bull trout in the Clackamas River, Oregon
In a species conservation context, translocations can be an important tool, but they frequently fail to successfully establish new populations. We consider the case of reintroductions for bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), a federally-listed threatened species with a widespread but declining distribution in western North America. Our specific objectives in this work were to: 1) develop a generalAuthorsJason B. Dunham, Kirsten GalloPesticides in the Lower Clackamas River Basin, Oregon, 2000-01
In 2000-01, the U. S. Geological Survey sampled the Clackamas River and its major lower-basin tributaries during storm runoff conditions for 86 dissolved pesticides and selected breakdown products. Twenty-seven compounds, including 18 herbicides, 7 insecticides, and 2 pesticide breakdown products, were detected in 18 stream samples. The most commonly detected pesticides, in decreasing frequency, iAuthorsKurt D. CarpenterWater-quality and algal conditions in the Clackamas River basin, Oregon, and their relations to land and water management
In 1998, the U.S. Geological Survey sampled the Clackamas River, its major tributaries, and reservoirs to characterize basic water quality (nutrients, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and conductance), water quantity (water sources within the basin), and algal conditions (biomass and species composition). Sampling locations reflected the dominant land uses in the basin (forest management, agricuAuthorsKurt D. CarpenterAppraisal of waterpower potential and land classifications, Clackamas River basin, Oregon
AuthorsWilliam Hung Kan Lee, L.O. MoeGround water in the northern part of Clackamas County, Oregon
Northern Clackamas County is part of the rapidly growing Portland metropolitan area. Population of this 250-square-mile area increased about 50 percent between 1970 and 1976. The study area includes a small segment of the Willamette River alluvial valley near Canby, and extends northward to the Clackamas River and eastward to the western boundary of Mount Hood National Forest. Also included is theAuthorsA.R. Leonard, C. A. Collins - Web Tools
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
USGS Data Grapher
This is a data graphing utility that allows the user to build graphs of data from selected USGS stations. Select the station, the type of graph, the parameter(s) to plot, and the starting and ending dates for the graph.
- News
Below are news stories associated with this project.
USGS Studies the Impact of Insecticides on Northwestern Clackamas County Streams
A new study found high concentrations of commonly used insecticides in streams running through the highly urbanized portion of Clackamas County.
- Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.