Krista Jones is a hydrologist at the USGS Oregon Water Science Center.
Prior to joining USGS, Krista managed and participated in several large interdisciplinary research projects integrating aquatic ecology, geomorphology, and hydrology in US rivers. Her study systems included: lower Columbia River estuary with the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, Umatilla River in northeastern Oregon with Eco-metrics, Inc. (now Geoffrey Poole's Fluvial Landscape Lab at Montana State University), and trout streams in northeast Georgia with the Odum School of Ecology and River Basin Center at the University of Georgia.
Ongoing projects
- Conceptual Framework for Ranking Site-Scale Stressors in the Tualatin River Basin
The Tualatin River basin has a large and growing urban population, which in some ways may influence (or stress) the water quality, geomorphology, habitat, and biological communities of the Tualatin River and its tributaries. As part of its “Past, Present, and Future Study” with Clean Water Services, USGS is assessing ecosystem stressors in the Tualatin River basin and developing a framework for prioritizing future data collection, research, and management actions based on the magnitude of ecosystem stressors at the site-scale.
- Estuary Impact Assessment for the Columbia River Treaty
The treaty between the United States and Canada for flood protection and power generation on the Columbia River contains provisions that will change its implementation starting in 2024. Ongoing efforts are assessing post-2024 impacts on hydropower, flood control, and ecosystem function. Krista is coordinating the ecosystem analyses for the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam (or the Columbia River estuary). This project is in collaboration with the US Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, the Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction, Deltares, USGS Pacific Marine Division, and treaty sovereigns including the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission, Cowlitz Tribe, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. For more information on the treaty: http://www.crt2014-2024review.gov/Default.aspx
- Geomorphic Controls on Current and Future Pacific Lamprey Habitat
Internally funded by USGS, the geomorphology team at the ORWSC is teaming up with fishery biologists from FRESC to explore the relationships between geomorphology and Pacific Lamprey habitat in the Oregon Coast Range. More details coming soon!
- Physcial HAbitat Monitoring (PHAM) for Reach Scale Restoration Projects
Organizations in the Columbia River basin are assembling protocols for habitat data collection. These efforts typically do not include protocols that are scalable by project size and time considerations or are applicable to projects that
Science and Products
Synthesizing the State of Science of Coldwater Refuges in the Willamette River Basin
Controls on Habitat for Native Lampreys in the Umpqua River Basin
Controls on Salmon and Lamprey Habitat along the Siletz River
City Beavers: Tualatin River Basin Beaver Study
Science and Products
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Synthesizing the State of Science of Coldwater Refuges in the Willamette River Basin
Many regulatory, management, and conservation organizations are interested in protecting and increasing coldwater refuges and thermal diversity for Chinook salmon, steelhead, and other natives fishes in the Willamette River basin. This study synthesizes current and emerging science related to coldwater refuges and thermal diversity. It is also develops conceptual frameworks for understanding the...Controls on Habitat for Native Lampreys in the Umpqua River Basin
Native lampreys are culturally significant fishes for tribal communities in Oregon. As such, the USGS has begun working with the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians to study changes that may be affecting habitat for native Pacific and western brook lampreys in the Umpqua River basin.Controls on Salmon and Lamprey Habitat along the Siletz River
Chinook Salmon and Pacific Lamprey are culturally significant fishes to the Tribal community along the Siletz River, Oregon. The USGS has begun studying how streamflow and bedload conditions may influence mainstem spawning habitats.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
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