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Geomorphology, Sediment, and Habitat

Rivers shape the landscape as they deliver water and sediment from the mountains down to the floodplains and deltas. However, it is possible for the erosion and deposition of sediment by rivers to increase the risk of flooding and impact the health of river ecosystems. USGS geomorphology can provide decision makers with a better understanding of these hazards by evaluating historical trends, current conditions, and potential future impacts from changes in climate and land uses. Hydrologists and geomorphologists of the USGS Washington Water Science Center monitor and study river hydraulics; sediment sources and transport in rivers from the mountains to the ocean; the role of large wood, levees and other features in influencing river channel shape stability; and the relation between all these factors and river habitat and ecology as well as river flooding.

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Salmon Swimming

Geomorphic Mapping, Dosewallips River

Located on the east side of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, the Dosewallips River drains about 100 square miles into Dabob Bay, an arm of Hood Canal. The Dosewallips is home to two species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act: Puget Sound chinook and Hood Canal summer chum. To help the Port Gamble S'Klallam tribe protect and enhance the aquatic habitat of the listed species...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Geomorphic Mapping, Dosewallips River

Geomorphic Mapping, Dosewallips River

Located on the east side of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, the Dosewallips River drains about 100 square miles into Dabob Bay, an arm of Hood Canal. The Dosewallips is home to two species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act: Puget Sound chinook and Hood Canal summer chum. To help the Port Gamble S'Klallam tribe protect and enhance the aquatic habitat of the listed species...
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Mount Rainier

Puget Hazards

Nationally, the USGS monitors and assesses geologic and hydrologic natural hazards. In the Puget Sound Basin, common hazards that also can cause damage include earthquakes and floods. Other hazards in the region that cause less damage or happen less frequently include landslides, debris flows, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Although much is known about these natural hazards, mitigation and...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Puget Hazards

Puget Hazards

Nationally, the USGS monitors and assesses geologic and hydrologic natural hazards. In the Puget Sound Basin, common hazards that also can cause damage include earthquakes and floods. Other hazards in the region that cause less damage or happen less frequently include landslides, debris flows, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Although much is known about these natural hazards, mitigation and...
Learn More
Methow River Basin

Methow River Basin

The Methow River Basin, located in North Central Washington in Okanogan County, is well known for its natural beauty, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and rural lifestyle. The Methow River and its tributaries are home to upper Columbia summer steelhead and spring Chinook salmon, which are both listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and bull trout, which is listed as threatened...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Methow River Basin

Methow River Basin

The Methow River Basin, located in North Central Washington in Okanogan County, is well known for its natural beauty, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and rural lifestyle. The Methow River and its tributaries are home to upper Columbia summer steelhead and spring Chinook salmon, which are both listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and bull trout, which is listed as threatened...
Learn More
White River Videography

White River Videography

The quantity and quality of instream habitat is one of many factors affecting aquatic organisms such as anadromous and non-anadromous salmonids. The measurement and assessment of instream habitat has been the focus of many habitat monitoring and restoration projects throughout the State of Washington. On-the-ground habitat monitoring is extremely important for specific variables and specific...
By
Washington Water Science Center
White River Videography

White River Videography

The quantity and quality of instream habitat is one of many factors affecting aquatic organisms such as anadromous and non-anadromous salmonids. The measurement and assessment of instream habitat has been the focus of many habitat monitoring and restoration projects throughout the State of Washington. On-the-ground habitat monitoring is extremely important for specific variables and specific...
Learn More
USGS

Quinault Indian Reservation

The rivers and forests of the Olympic Peninsula have long been important sources of natural resources. For the Quinault Indian Nation of the southwestern Olympic Peninsula, forests and fisheries have been the cultural and economic mainstay for thousands of years. To protect and restore these dwindling resources, the Quinault Indian Nation is undertaking a science-based approach for land management...
By
Washington Water Science Center
Quinault Indian Reservation

Quinault Indian Reservation

The rivers and forests of the Olympic Peninsula have long been important sources of natural resources. For the Quinault Indian Nation of the southwestern Olympic Peninsula, forests and fisheries have been the cultural and economic mainstay for thousands of years. To protect and restore these dwindling resources, the Quinault Indian Nation is undertaking a science-based approach for land management...
Learn More
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