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.
City Beavers: Tualatin River Basin Beaver Study
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.