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In 1990, the USGS began assessing water-quality in the Tualatin River. More then 30 years later, we are still monitoring conditions in the basin and conducting investigations to better understand stream processes within the basin.
In 1988, the Tualatin River basin in northwestern Oregon (fig. 1) became the first waterbody in the United States to be regulated under the Total Maximum Daily Load provisions of the Federal Clean Water Act. A large and growing urban population contributed to eutrophication in the Tualatin River at that time. Little was known about some aspects of the river’s quality, and contentious political debates were proving detrimental to achieving progress in improving the river’s water quality. In 1990, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was asked by an Oregon Congressional Representative to assist the Unified Sewerage Agency of Washington County (now Clean Water Services) to better understand the sources, transport, and fate of phosphorus and the dynamics of algal growth and water quality in the river. The initial studies provided unbiased scientific results that were used to better understand the system and evaluate the potential effectiveness of future management strategies. Eventually, more issues arose, and the research expanded to meet the needs of those regulatory agencies that manage the natural resources of the basin.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Populations of North American beaver (Castor canadensis) have increased in recent years due to decreased trapping, habitat restoration, and recognition of their importance as a keystone species in stream ecosystems (Pollock and others, 2017).
Populations of North American beaver (Castor canadensis) have increased in recent years due to decreased trapping, habitat restoration, and recognition of their importance as a keystone species in stream ecosystems (Pollock and others, 2017).
Beavers and their dams can substantially change the storage and movement of water through a stream reach. The magnitude of this change is, in part, a function of the number and type of dams plus stream characteristics.
Beavers and their dams can substantially change the storage and movement of water through a stream reach. The magnitude of this change is, in part, a function of the number and type of dams plus stream characteristics.
Beaver dams and ponds fundamentally alter how water moves through a stream reach. Semi-porous dams can impound water, leading to backwatering, floodplain inundation, and overall changes in wetted area, depth, and velocity.
For this part of the study, USGS:
Beaver dams and ponds fundamentally alter how water moves through a stream reach. Semi-porous dams can impound water, leading to backwatering, floodplain inundation, and overall changes in wetted area, depth, and velocity.
For this part of the study, USGS:
Beaver dams and ponds alter the movement and storage of water as well as the water quality in a stream reach. To date, little work has been done to quantify the effects of beaver activity on water quality in urban streams.
Beaver dams and ponds alter the movement and storage of water as well as the water quality in a stream reach. To date, little work has been done to quantify the effects of beaver activity on water quality in urban streams.
Beaver dams and associated ponding affect sediment transport and trapping by pushing water onto the floodplain and decreasing stream velocity, allowing for increased sediment deposition.
Beaver dams and associated ponding affect sediment transport and trapping by pushing water onto the floodplain and decreasing stream velocity, allowing for increased sediment deposition.
Poster: Within Our Reach (2016)
White, J., Jones, K., Buccola, N., Costello, A., Poor, E., Rounds, S.A., and Smith, C., 2016, Effects of beaver dams on urban streams in the Tualatin River Basin.
Poster: Within Our Reach (2016)
White, J., Jones, K., Buccola, N., Costello, A., Poor, E., Rounds, S.A., and Smith, C., 2016, Effects of beaver dams on urban streams in the Tualatin River Basin.
Poster for Tualatin plankton study.
Carpenter, K.D. and Rounds, S.A., 2014, Plankton communities and summertime declines in algal abundance associated with low dissolved oxygen in the Tualatin River, Oregon.
Poster for Tualatin plankton study.
Carpenter, K.D. and Rounds, S.A., 2014, Plankton communities and summertime declines in algal abundance associated with low dissolved oxygen in the Tualatin River, Oregon.
Poster for Wapato Lake Monitoring Project.
Rounds, S.A., 2014, Monitoring streamflow, water levels, and water quality in the Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon.
Poster for Wapato Lake Monitoring Project.
Rounds, S.A., 2014, Monitoring streamflow, water levels, and water quality in the Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon.
Poster for organic matter study along Fanno Creek.
Keith, M., Sobieszczyk, S., Rounds, S., and Goldman, J., 2014, Sources, sinks, and transport of organic matter with fine sediment along an urban stream.
Poster for organic matter study along Fanno Creek.
Keith, M., Sobieszczyk, S., Rounds, S., and Goldman, J., 2014, Sources, sinks, and transport of organic matter with fine sediment along an urban stream.
In this episode, we are going to investigate more than just the substance "water." We are going to examine what is in our nations' water, how we at the U.S. Geological Survey monitor it, and what tools we have developed to aid those who want to explore more about our planet's most abundant resource. This is the USGS Oregon Science Podcast.
In this episode, we are going to investigate more than just the substance "water." We are going to examine what is in our nations' water, how we at the U.S. Geological Survey monitor it, and what tools we have developed to aid those who want to explore more about our planet's most abundant resource. This is the USGS Oregon Science Podcast.
In this episode, we are going to investigate more than just the substance "water." We are going to examine what is in our nations' water, how we at the U.S. Geological Survey monitor it, and what tools we have developed to aid those who want to explore more about our planet's most abundant resource. This is the USGS CoreCast.
In this episode, we are going to investigate more than just the substance "water." We are going to examine what is in our nations' water, how we at the U.S. Geological Survey monitor it, and what tools we have developed to aid those who want to explore more about our planet's most abundant resource. This is the USGS CoreCast.
In 1990, the USGS began assessing water-quality in the Tualatin River. More then 30 years later, we are still monitoring conditions in the basin and conducting investigations to better understand stream processes within the basin.
In 1988, the Tualatin River basin in northwestern Oregon (fig. 1) became the first waterbody in the United States to be regulated under the Total Maximum Daily Load provisions of the Federal Clean Water Act. A large and growing urban population contributed to eutrophication in the Tualatin River at that time. Little was known about some aspects of the river’s quality, and contentious political debates were proving detrimental to achieving progress in improving the river’s water quality. In 1990, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was asked by an Oregon Congressional Representative to assist the Unified Sewerage Agency of Washington County (now Clean Water Services) to better understand the sources, transport, and fate of phosphorus and the dynamics of algal growth and water quality in the river. The initial studies provided unbiased scientific results that were used to better understand the system and evaluate the potential effectiveness of future management strategies. Eventually, more issues arose, and the research expanded to meet the needs of those regulatory agencies that manage the natural resources of the basin.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Populations of North American beaver (Castor canadensis) have increased in recent years due to decreased trapping, habitat restoration, and recognition of their importance as a keystone species in stream ecosystems (Pollock and others, 2017).
Populations of North American beaver (Castor canadensis) have increased in recent years due to decreased trapping, habitat restoration, and recognition of their importance as a keystone species in stream ecosystems (Pollock and others, 2017).
Beavers and their dams can substantially change the storage and movement of water through a stream reach. The magnitude of this change is, in part, a function of the number and type of dams plus stream characteristics.
Beavers and their dams can substantially change the storage and movement of water through a stream reach. The magnitude of this change is, in part, a function of the number and type of dams plus stream characteristics.
Beaver dams and ponds fundamentally alter how water moves through a stream reach. Semi-porous dams can impound water, leading to backwatering, floodplain inundation, and overall changes in wetted area, depth, and velocity.
For this part of the study, USGS:
Beaver dams and ponds fundamentally alter how water moves through a stream reach. Semi-porous dams can impound water, leading to backwatering, floodplain inundation, and overall changes in wetted area, depth, and velocity.
For this part of the study, USGS:
Beaver dams and ponds alter the movement and storage of water as well as the water quality in a stream reach. To date, little work has been done to quantify the effects of beaver activity on water quality in urban streams.
Beaver dams and ponds alter the movement and storage of water as well as the water quality in a stream reach. To date, little work has been done to quantify the effects of beaver activity on water quality in urban streams.
Beaver dams and associated ponding affect sediment transport and trapping by pushing water onto the floodplain and decreasing stream velocity, allowing for increased sediment deposition.
Beaver dams and associated ponding affect sediment transport and trapping by pushing water onto the floodplain and decreasing stream velocity, allowing for increased sediment deposition.
Poster: Within Our Reach (2016)
White, J., Jones, K., Buccola, N., Costello, A., Poor, E., Rounds, S.A., and Smith, C., 2016, Effects of beaver dams on urban streams in the Tualatin River Basin.
Poster: Within Our Reach (2016)
White, J., Jones, K., Buccola, N., Costello, A., Poor, E., Rounds, S.A., and Smith, C., 2016, Effects of beaver dams on urban streams in the Tualatin River Basin.
Poster for Tualatin plankton study.
Carpenter, K.D. and Rounds, S.A., 2014, Plankton communities and summertime declines in algal abundance associated with low dissolved oxygen in the Tualatin River, Oregon.
Poster for Tualatin plankton study.
Carpenter, K.D. and Rounds, S.A., 2014, Plankton communities and summertime declines in algal abundance associated with low dissolved oxygen in the Tualatin River, Oregon.
Poster for Wapato Lake Monitoring Project.
Rounds, S.A., 2014, Monitoring streamflow, water levels, and water quality in the Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon.
Poster for Wapato Lake Monitoring Project.
Rounds, S.A., 2014, Monitoring streamflow, water levels, and water quality in the Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon.
Poster for organic matter study along Fanno Creek.
Keith, M., Sobieszczyk, S., Rounds, S., and Goldman, J., 2014, Sources, sinks, and transport of organic matter with fine sediment along an urban stream.
Poster for organic matter study along Fanno Creek.
Keith, M., Sobieszczyk, S., Rounds, S., and Goldman, J., 2014, Sources, sinks, and transport of organic matter with fine sediment along an urban stream.
In this episode, we are going to investigate more than just the substance "water." We are going to examine what is in our nations' water, how we at the U.S. Geological Survey monitor it, and what tools we have developed to aid those who want to explore more about our planet's most abundant resource. This is the USGS Oregon Science Podcast.
In this episode, we are going to investigate more than just the substance "water." We are going to examine what is in our nations' water, how we at the U.S. Geological Survey monitor it, and what tools we have developed to aid those who want to explore more about our planet's most abundant resource. This is the USGS Oregon Science Podcast.
In this episode, we are going to investigate more than just the substance "water." We are going to examine what is in our nations' water, how we at the U.S. Geological Survey monitor it, and what tools we have developed to aid those who want to explore more about our planet's most abundant resource. This is the USGS CoreCast.
In this episode, we are going to investigate more than just the substance "water." We are going to examine what is in our nations' water, how we at the U.S. Geological Survey monitor it, and what tools we have developed to aid those who want to explore more about our planet's most abundant resource. This is the USGS CoreCast.