Tualatin River Basin Water Quality Assessment Active
In 1990, the USGS began assessing water-quality in the Tualatin River. Almost 30 years later, we are still monitoring conditions in the basin.
The USGS began to assess water quality conditions in the Tualatin River in 1990. The research included tracking how nutrients entered the river and establishing a instrument network to monitor dissolved-oxygen concentrations. Eventually, more issues arose and the research expanded to meet the needs of those reglatory 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
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Tualatin River Basin Water-Quality Sites
Map of currently active monitors in the Tualatin River Basin, Oregon.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Over the past few decades, there has been a considerable amount of research detailing conditions in the Tualatin River Basin. Here are a collection of some of the most important findings.
Annotated bibliography for Tualatin River Basin Reserach
Posters from Tualatin River Basin studies
Prioritization framework for ranking riverine ecosystem stressors using example sites from the Tualatin River Basin, Oregon
Modeling water quality effects of structural and operational changes to Scoggins Dam and Henry Hagg Lake, Oregon
Field comparison of optical and Clark cell dissolved oxygen sensors in the Tualatin River, Oregon, 2005
Modeling hydrodynamics, temperature and water quality in Henry Hagg Lake, Oregon, 2000-2003
The effect of chamber mixing velocity on bias in measurement of sediment oxygen demand rates in the Tualatin River basin, Oregon
Phosphorus and E. coli and their relation to selected constituents during storm runoff conditions in Fanno Creek, Oregon, 1998-99
Modeling water quality in the Tualatin River, Oregon, 1991-1997
Phosphorus and E. coli in the Fanno and Bronson Creek subbasins of the Tualatin River basin, Oregon, during summer low-flow conditions, 1996
Effects of hypothetical management scenarios on simulated water temperatures in the Tualatin River, Oregon
Sources and transport of phosphorus and nitrogen during low-flow conditions in the Tualatin River, Oregon, 1991-93
Modeling discharge, temperature, and water quality in the Tualatin River, Oregon
Selected elements and organic chemicals in bed sediment and fish tissue of the Tualatin River basin, Oregon, 1992-96
Relations of Tualatin River water temperatures to natural and human-caused factors
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Below are software products associated with this project.
Below are news stories associated with this project.
Below are partners associated with this project.
- Overview
In 1990, the USGS began assessing water-quality in the Tualatin River. Almost 30 years later, we are still monitoring conditions in the basin.
The USGS began to assess water quality conditions in the Tualatin River in 1990. The research included tracking how nutrients entered the river and establishing a instrument network to monitor dissolved-oxygen concentrations. Eventually, more issues arose and the research expanded to meet the needs of those reglatory agencies that manage the natural resources of the basin.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
City Beavers: Tualatin River Basin Beaver Study
Beavers and their dams are common sights along creeks in the Tualatin River basin. Beaver help create diverse habitats for many other animals, including birds, fish, and amphibians. The USGS studying the affect beaver activity has on the amount and quality of water in local streams, so that agencies in the basin can make strategic management and habitat restoration decisions based on science. - Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
Tualatin River Basin Water-Quality Sites
Map of currently active monitors in the Tualatin River Basin, Oregon.
- Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
- Publications
Over the past few decades, there has been a considerable amount of research detailing conditions in the Tualatin River Basin. Here are a collection of some of the most important findings.
Annotated bibliography for Tualatin River Basin Reserach
Posters from Tualatin River Basin studies
Prioritization framework for ranking riverine ecosystem stressors using example sites from the Tualatin River Basin, Oregon
As human populations increase, so does their influence over the environment. Altered terrain, degraded water quality, and threatened or endangered species are all-too-common consequences of a growing anthropogenic influence on the landscape. To help manage these effects, researchers have developed new ways to characterize current environmental conditions and help resource managers seek solutions tAuthorsSteven Sobieszczyk, Krista L. Jones, Stewart A. Rounds, Elena B. Nilsen, Jennifer L. MoraceFilter Total Items: 29Modeling water quality effects of structural and operational changes to Scoggins Dam and Henry Hagg Lake, Oregon
To meet water quality targets and the municipal and industrial water needs of a growing population in the Tualatin River Basin in northwestern Oregon, an expansion of Henry Hagg Lake is under consideration. Hagg Lake is the basin's primary storage reservoir and provides water during western Oregon's typically dry summers. Potential modifications include raising the dam height by 6.1 meters (20 feeAuthorsAnnett B. Sullivan, Stewart A. RoundsField comparison of optical and Clark cell dissolved oxygen sensors in the Tualatin River, Oregon, 2005
No abstract available.AuthorsMatthew W. Johnston, John S. WilliamsModeling hydrodynamics, temperature and water quality in Henry Hagg Lake, Oregon, 2000-2003
The two-dimensional model CE-QUAL-W2 was used to simulate hydrodynamics, temperature, and water quality in Henry Hagg Lake, Oregon, for the years 2000 through 2003. Input data included lake bathymetry, meteorologic conditions, tributary inflows, tributary temperature and water quality, and lake outflows. Calibrated constituents included lake hydrodynamics, water temperature, orthophosphate, totalAuthorsAnnette B. Sullivan, Stewart A. RoundsThe effect of chamber mixing velocity on bias in measurement of sediment oxygen demand rates in the Tualatin River basin, Oregon
Three sediment oxygen demand (SOD) measurement chambers were deployed in the Tualatin River near Tigard, Oregon, at river mile 10 in August 2000. SOD rates were calculated for three different circulation velocities during each chamber deployment. The SOD rate at each velocity was calculated from a graph of dissolved oxygen concentration versus elapsed time. An acoustic doppler current profiler (ADAuthorsMicelis C. Doyle, Stewart RoundsPhosphorus and E. coli and their relation to selected constituents during storm runoff conditions in Fanno Creek, Oregon, 1998-99
No abstract available.AuthorsChauncey W. Anderson, Stewart A. RoundsModeling water quality in the Tualatin River, Oregon, 1991-1997
The calibration of a model of flow, temperature, and water quality in the Tualatin River, Oregon, originally calibrated for the summers of 1991 through 1993, was extended to the summers of 1991 through 1997. The model is now calibrated for a total period of 42 months during the May through October periods of 7 hydrologically distinct years. Based on a modified version of the U.S. Army Corps of EngAuthorsStewart A. Rounds, Tamara M. WoodPhosphorus and E. coli in the Fanno and Bronson Creek subbasins of the Tualatin River basin, Oregon, during summer low-flow conditions, 1996
As part of an ongoing cooperative study between the Unified Sewerage Agency of Washington County, Oregon, and the U.S. Geological Survey, phosphorus and Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentrations were measured in the Fanno and Bronson Creek subbasins of the Tualatin River Basin during September 1996. Data were collected at 19 main-stem and 22 tributary sites in the Fanno Creek subbasin, and at 14 mAuthorsKathleen A. McCarthyEffects of hypothetical management scenarios on simulated water temperatures in the Tualatin River, Oregon
In 1994, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Unified Sewerage Agency of Washington County, Oregon (USA) began a cooperative study to better understand water-temperature variations in the Tualatin River and to assess mitigative water-management solutions. Continuous water-temperature data were collected at locations along the main stem of the river and along the major tributaries during the lAuthorsJohn C. RisleySources and transport of phosphorus and nitrogen during low-flow conditions in the Tualatin River, Oregon, 1991-93
In the 1980s significant nutrient-related water-quality problems that impacted beneficial uses were identified in the Tualatin River during the low-flow summer months, defined as .May 1 to October 31. Unsightly algal blooms resulted in fluctuations in oxygen concentrations and pH conditions; reduction of phosphorus concentrations was determined to the effective control mechanism for these conditioAuthorsValerie J. Kelly, Dennis D. Lynch, Stewart A. RoundsModeling discharge, temperature, and water quality in the Tualatin River, Oregon
The discharge, water temperature, and water quality of the Tualatin River in northwestern Oregon was simulated with CE-QUAL-W2, a two-dimensional, laterally averaged model developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The model was calibrated for May through October periods of 1991, 1992, and 1993. Nine hypothetical scenarios were tested with the model to provide insight for river managers and reAuthorsStewart A. Rounds, Tamara M. Wood, Dennis D. LynchSelected elements and organic chemicals in bed sediment and fish tissue of the Tualatin River basin, Oregon, 1992-96
A variety of elements and organic compounds have entered the environment as a result of human activities. Such substances find their way to aquatic sediments from direct discharges to waterways, atmospheric emissions, and runoff. Some of these chemicals are known to harm fish or wildlife, either by direct toxicity, by reducing viability, or by limiting reproductive success. In aquatic systems, sedAuthorsBernadine A. BonnRelations of Tualatin River water temperatures to natural and human-caused factors
Aquatic research has long shown that the survival of cold-water fish, such as salmon and trout, decreases markedly as water temperatures increase above a critical threshold, particularly during sensitive life stages of the fish. In an effort to improve the overall health of aquatic ecosystems, the State of Oregon in 1996 adopted a maximum water-temperature standard of 17.8 degrees Celsius (68 degrAuthorsJohn C. Risley - Web Tools
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- Software
Below are software products associated with this project.
- News
Below are news stories associated with this project.
- Partners
Below are partners associated with this project.