Casie Smith
Casie Smith is an ecologist at the USGS Oregon Water Science Center who works in Bend, Oregon.
Recent projects involve:
-monitoring linkages between water availability, water quality, and productivity in terminal lakes of the Great Basin,
-developing a decision-support tool to optimize water allocations and habitat management on federal lands,
-assessing restoration scenarios for a degraded lake to inform resource management, and
-evaluating the fate and transport of contaminants in aquatic systems and drinking water.
Education and Certifications
B.S. in Environment and Natural Resources- Conservation Biology, Clemson University
M.S. in Environmental Science and Technology- Wetland Ecology, University of Maryland.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 22
Stage-Volume-Area Table for Malheur Lake, Oregon, 2021 Stage-Volume-Area Table for Malheur Lake, Oregon, 2021
Malheur Lake is a vast, shallow lake in eastern Oregon. The lake is within the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and serves as an important stop and breeding ground along the Pacific flyway for migratory ducks and geese. The bottom of the lake is fairly uniform and there are very few topographic features. A small vertical increase in lake stage may result in a large change in area or...
Estimates of average daily gross primary production and ecosystem respiration in Bronson and Fanno Creeks, OR (August, 2016) Estimates of average daily gross primary production and ecosystem respiration in Bronson and Fanno Creeks, OR (August, 2016)
This data release contains estimates of mean daily gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) in Bronson and Fanno Creeks, Oregon during August of 2016. These estimates were part of a larger study of the water-quality effects of beaver dams and beaver activity in selected urban streams of the Tualatin River Basin in northwestern Oregon. The mean daily GPP and ER values...
Continuous temperature measurements to assess upstream connection of off-channel features of the middle and upper Willamette River, Oregon, Summer, 2016 Continuous temperature measurements to assess upstream connection of off-channel features of the middle and upper Willamette River, Oregon, Summer, 2016
Temperature loggers were placed on the ground (n=4) and hung in the air (n=2) near the upstream connection point of four Willamette River off-channel features (side channels and alcoves) to assess timing and discharge conditions when these four off-channel features were inundated at the upstream end with flow from the main channel. Temperature readings indicate that the upstream end of...
Point measurements of temperature and water quality in the main channel and off-channel features of the lower reaches of the Willamette River, Clackamas River, Molalla River, and Johnson Creek, 2017 Point measurements of temperature and water quality in the main channel and off-channel features of the lower reaches of the Willamette River, Clackamas River, Molalla River, and Johnson Creek, 2017
Water quality point measurements were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey along the lower Willamette River near the cities of Lake Oswego and Wilsonville, Oregon, as well as the lowest two kilometers of the Clackamas River, Molalla River, and Johnson Creek. These measurements were collected in the main channel and off-channel features on discreet dates from April through October of...
Water surface elevations recorded by submerged water level loggers in off-channel features of the middle and upper Willamette River, Oregon, Summer, 2016 Water surface elevations recorded by submerged water level loggers in off-channel features of the middle and upper Willamette River, Oregon, Summer, 2016
Water surface elevations within seven Willamette River off-channel features (OCF; alcoves and side channels) were measured using submerged pressure transducers. Transducers were installed from late May through mid-October, 2016, when discharge of the Willamette River was between approximately 5,500 and 45,000 cubic feet per second at Salem, Oregon (USGS gage 14191000) and 3,500 to 17,500...
Water Surface Images of Willow Creek Reservoir in Heppner, Oregon (2015 and 2016) Water Surface Images of Willow Creek Reservoir in Heppner, Oregon (2015 and 2016)
A camera was deployed to monitor cyanobacterial surface blooms occurring in Willow Creek Reservoir in Heppner, Oregon. The camera was positioned above the water and facing downwards to achieve the desired contrast in colors. With the appropriate permissions from USACE, the camera was attached to a railing of the Willow Creek Dam in the northwest corner of the reservoir about 70 feet...
Filter Total Items: 23
Science to support conservation action in a large river system: The Willamette River, Oregon, USA Science to support conservation action in a large river system: The Willamette River, Oregon, USA
Management and conservation efforts that support the recovery and protection of large rivers are daunting, reflecting the complexity of the challenge and extent of effort (in terms of policy, economic investment, and spatial extent) needed to afford measurable change. These large systems have generally experienced intensive development and regulation, compromising their capacity to...
Authors
Rebecca L. Flitcroft, Luke Whitman, James White, J. Rose Wallick, Laurel E. Stratton Garvin, Cassandra Smith, Robert Plotnikoff, Michael Mulvey, Tobias J. Kock, Krista Jones, Peter Gruendike, Carolyn Gombert, Guillermo Giannico, Andrew Dutterer, Daniel G. Brown, Hannah Barrett, Robert M. Hughes
Implications of water, sediment, and nutrient budgets for the restoration of a shallow, turbid lake in semiarid southeastern Oregon Implications of water, sediment, and nutrient budgets for the restoration of a shallow, turbid lake in semiarid southeastern Oregon
Malheur Lake is the largest lake in the endorheic Harney Basin in southeastern Oregon. Since the 1990s, Malheur Lake—which averages depths of about 1 meter—has been in a degraded, turbid state lacking submergent and emergent vegetation. The goals of this study were to identify the major sources of sediment and nutrients to Malheur Lake to determine the importance of managing nutrients...
Authors
Cassandra D. Smith, Tamara M. Wood
Organohalogenated contaminants in multiple life stages of the Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus), Oregon, USA Organohalogenated contaminants in multiple life stages of the Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus), Oregon, USA
Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) are ecologically and culturally important anadromous animals native to the West Coast of the United States. Pacific lamprey populations are in decline, and contaminants may be a contributing factor. Between 2017 and 2021, three life stages of Pacific lamprey and collocated sediment samples were collected in Oregon (larval lamprey, sediment, and...
Authors
Cassandra Smith, Sean E. Payne, Jennifer L. Morace, Elena Nilsen
Field assessment of Naled and its primary degradation product (dichlorvos) in aquatic ecosystems following aerial ultra-low volume application for mosquito control Field assessment of Naled and its primary degradation product (dichlorvos) in aquatic ecosystems following aerial ultra-low volume application for mosquito control
Naled, an organophosphate insecticide, is applied aerially at ultra-low volumes over aquatic ecosystems near Sacramento, California, USA, during summer months for mosquito control. Two ecosystem types (rice fields and a flowing canal) were sampled in 2020 and 2021. Naled and its primary degradation product (dichlorvos) were measured in water, biofilm, grazer macroinvertebrates, and...
Authors
Cassandra Smith, Michelle L. Hladik, Kathryn Kuivila, Ian R. Waite
Wild bee exposure to pesticides in conservation grasslands increases along an agricultural gradient: A tale of two sample types Wild bee exposure to pesticides in conservation grasslands increases along an agricultural gradient: A tale of two sample types
Conservation efforts have been implemented in agroecosystems to enhance pollinator diversity by creating grassland habitat, but little is known about the exposure of bees to pesticides while foraging in these grassland fields. Pesticide exposure was assessed in 24 conservation grassland fields along an agricultural gradient at two time points (July and August) using silicone band passive...
Authors
Michelle L. Hladik, Johanna M. Kraus, Cassandra Smith, Mark W. Vandever, Dana W. Kolpin, Carrie E. Givens, Kelly L. Smalling
Light attenuation and erosion characteristics of fine sediments in a highly turbid, shallow, Great Basin Lake—Malheur Lake, Oregon, 2017–18 Light attenuation and erosion characteristics of fine sediments in a highly turbid, shallow, Great Basin Lake—Malheur Lake, Oregon, 2017–18
Malheur Lake is a large, shallow, turbid lake in southeastern Oregon that fluctuates widely in surface area in response to yearly precipitation and climatic cycles. High suspended-sediment concentrations (SSCs) likely are negatively affecting the survival of aquatic plants by reducing the intensity of solar radiation reaching the plants, thus inhibiting photosynthesis. This study was...
Authors
Tamara M. Wood, Cassandra D. Smith
Non-USGS Publications**
Kaushal, S.S., Maas, C.M., Mayer, P.M., Newcomer-Johnson, T.A., Grant, S.B., Rippy, M.A., Shatkay, R.R., Leathers, J., Gold, A.J., Smith, C., McMullen, E.C., Haq, S., Smith, R., Duan, S., Malin, J., Yaculak, A., Reimer, J.E., Newcomb, K.D., Raley, A.S., Collison, D.C., Galella, J.G., Grese, M., Sivirichi, G., Doody, T.R., Vikesland, P., Bhide, S.V., Krauss, L., Daugherty, M., Stavrou, C., Etheredge, M., Ziegler, J., Kirschnick, A., England, W., Belt, K.T., 2023, Longitudinal stream synoptic monitoring tracks chemicals along watershed continuums: a typology of trends. Front. Environ. Sci. Sec. Biogeochemical Dynamics, https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1122485.
Smith, C.D., Freed, T.Z., and Leisnham, P.T., 2015, Prior Hydrologic Disturbance Affects Competition between Aedes Mosquitoes via Changes in Leaf Litter: PLoS ONE, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0128956.
Culin, J., and Smith, C., 2014, Student Survey of Lepidoptera and Odonata in Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain State Park, and Kings Mountain National Military Park: American Entomologist, v. 60, p. 29-38, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ae/60.1.29.
Smith, C., Baldwin, A.H., Sullivan, J., and Leisnham, P.T., 2013, Effects of Elevated Atmospheric CO2 on Competition Between the Mosquitoes Aedes albopictus and Ae. triseriatus via Changes in Litter Quality and Production: Journal of Medical Entomology, v. 50, p. 521-532, http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/ME12149.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 22
Stage-Volume-Area Table for Malheur Lake, Oregon, 2021 Stage-Volume-Area Table for Malheur Lake, Oregon, 2021
Malheur Lake is a vast, shallow lake in eastern Oregon. The lake is within the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and serves as an important stop and breeding ground along the Pacific flyway for migratory ducks and geese. The bottom of the lake is fairly uniform and there are very few topographic features. A small vertical increase in lake stage may result in a large change in area or...
Estimates of average daily gross primary production and ecosystem respiration in Bronson and Fanno Creeks, OR (August, 2016) Estimates of average daily gross primary production and ecosystem respiration in Bronson and Fanno Creeks, OR (August, 2016)
This data release contains estimates of mean daily gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) in Bronson and Fanno Creeks, Oregon during August of 2016. These estimates were part of a larger study of the water-quality effects of beaver dams and beaver activity in selected urban streams of the Tualatin River Basin in northwestern Oregon. The mean daily GPP and ER values...
Continuous temperature measurements to assess upstream connection of off-channel features of the middle and upper Willamette River, Oregon, Summer, 2016 Continuous temperature measurements to assess upstream connection of off-channel features of the middle and upper Willamette River, Oregon, Summer, 2016
Temperature loggers were placed on the ground (n=4) and hung in the air (n=2) near the upstream connection point of four Willamette River off-channel features (side channels and alcoves) to assess timing and discharge conditions when these four off-channel features were inundated at the upstream end with flow from the main channel. Temperature readings indicate that the upstream end of...
Point measurements of temperature and water quality in the main channel and off-channel features of the lower reaches of the Willamette River, Clackamas River, Molalla River, and Johnson Creek, 2017 Point measurements of temperature and water quality in the main channel and off-channel features of the lower reaches of the Willamette River, Clackamas River, Molalla River, and Johnson Creek, 2017
Water quality point measurements were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey along the lower Willamette River near the cities of Lake Oswego and Wilsonville, Oregon, as well as the lowest two kilometers of the Clackamas River, Molalla River, and Johnson Creek. These measurements were collected in the main channel and off-channel features on discreet dates from April through October of...
Water surface elevations recorded by submerged water level loggers in off-channel features of the middle and upper Willamette River, Oregon, Summer, 2016 Water surface elevations recorded by submerged water level loggers in off-channel features of the middle and upper Willamette River, Oregon, Summer, 2016
Water surface elevations within seven Willamette River off-channel features (OCF; alcoves and side channels) were measured using submerged pressure transducers. Transducers were installed from late May through mid-October, 2016, when discharge of the Willamette River was between approximately 5,500 and 45,000 cubic feet per second at Salem, Oregon (USGS gage 14191000) and 3,500 to 17,500...
Water Surface Images of Willow Creek Reservoir in Heppner, Oregon (2015 and 2016) Water Surface Images of Willow Creek Reservoir in Heppner, Oregon (2015 and 2016)
A camera was deployed to monitor cyanobacterial surface blooms occurring in Willow Creek Reservoir in Heppner, Oregon. The camera was positioned above the water and facing downwards to achieve the desired contrast in colors. With the appropriate permissions from USACE, the camera was attached to a railing of the Willow Creek Dam in the northwest corner of the reservoir about 70 feet...
Filter Total Items: 23
Science to support conservation action in a large river system: The Willamette River, Oregon, USA Science to support conservation action in a large river system: The Willamette River, Oregon, USA
Management and conservation efforts that support the recovery and protection of large rivers are daunting, reflecting the complexity of the challenge and extent of effort (in terms of policy, economic investment, and spatial extent) needed to afford measurable change. These large systems have generally experienced intensive development and regulation, compromising their capacity to...
Authors
Rebecca L. Flitcroft, Luke Whitman, James White, J. Rose Wallick, Laurel E. Stratton Garvin, Cassandra Smith, Robert Plotnikoff, Michael Mulvey, Tobias J. Kock, Krista Jones, Peter Gruendike, Carolyn Gombert, Guillermo Giannico, Andrew Dutterer, Daniel G. Brown, Hannah Barrett, Robert M. Hughes
Implications of water, sediment, and nutrient budgets for the restoration of a shallow, turbid lake in semiarid southeastern Oregon Implications of water, sediment, and nutrient budgets for the restoration of a shallow, turbid lake in semiarid southeastern Oregon
Malheur Lake is the largest lake in the endorheic Harney Basin in southeastern Oregon. Since the 1990s, Malheur Lake—which averages depths of about 1 meter—has been in a degraded, turbid state lacking submergent and emergent vegetation. The goals of this study were to identify the major sources of sediment and nutrients to Malheur Lake to determine the importance of managing nutrients...
Authors
Cassandra D. Smith, Tamara M. Wood
Organohalogenated contaminants in multiple life stages of the Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus), Oregon, USA Organohalogenated contaminants in multiple life stages of the Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus), Oregon, USA
Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) are ecologically and culturally important anadromous animals native to the West Coast of the United States. Pacific lamprey populations are in decline, and contaminants may be a contributing factor. Between 2017 and 2021, three life stages of Pacific lamprey and collocated sediment samples were collected in Oregon (larval lamprey, sediment, and...
Authors
Cassandra Smith, Sean E. Payne, Jennifer L. Morace, Elena Nilsen
Field assessment of Naled and its primary degradation product (dichlorvos) in aquatic ecosystems following aerial ultra-low volume application for mosquito control Field assessment of Naled and its primary degradation product (dichlorvos) in aquatic ecosystems following aerial ultra-low volume application for mosquito control
Naled, an organophosphate insecticide, is applied aerially at ultra-low volumes over aquatic ecosystems near Sacramento, California, USA, during summer months for mosquito control. Two ecosystem types (rice fields and a flowing canal) were sampled in 2020 and 2021. Naled and its primary degradation product (dichlorvos) were measured in water, biofilm, grazer macroinvertebrates, and...
Authors
Cassandra Smith, Michelle L. Hladik, Kathryn Kuivila, Ian R. Waite
Wild bee exposure to pesticides in conservation grasslands increases along an agricultural gradient: A tale of two sample types Wild bee exposure to pesticides in conservation grasslands increases along an agricultural gradient: A tale of two sample types
Conservation efforts have been implemented in agroecosystems to enhance pollinator diversity by creating grassland habitat, but little is known about the exposure of bees to pesticides while foraging in these grassland fields. Pesticide exposure was assessed in 24 conservation grassland fields along an agricultural gradient at two time points (July and August) using silicone band passive...
Authors
Michelle L. Hladik, Johanna M. Kraus, Cassandra Smith, Mark W. Vandever, Dana W. Kolpin, Carrie E. Givens, Kelly L. Smalling
Light attenuation and erosion characteristics of fine sediments in a highly turbid, shallow, Great Basin Lake—Malheur Lake, Oregon, 2017–18 Light attenuation and erosion characteristics of fine sediments in a highly turbid, shallow, Great Basin Lake—Malheur Lake, Oregon, 2017–18
Malheur Lake is a large, shallow, turbid lake in southeastern Oregon that fluctuates widely in surface area in response to yearly precipitation and climatic cycles. High suspended-sediment concentrations (SSCs) likely are negatively affecting the survival of aquatic plants by reducing the intensity of solar radiation reaching the plants, thus inhibiting photosynthesis. This study was...
Authors
Tamara M. Wood, Cassandra D. Smith
Non-USGS Publications**
Kaushal, S.S., Maas, C.M., Mayer, P.M., Newcomer-Johnson, T.A., Grant, S.B., Rippy, M.A., Shatkay, R.R., Leathers, J., Gold, A.J., Smith, C., McMullen, E.C., Haq, S., Smith, R., Duan, S., Malin, J., Yaculak, A., Reimer, J.E., Newcomb, K.D., Raley, A.S., Collison, D.C., Galella, J.G., Grese, M., Sivirichi, G., Doody, T.R., Vikesland, P., Bhide, S.V., Krauss, L., Daugherty, M., Stavrou, C., Etheredge, M., Ziegler, J., Kirschnick, A., England, W., Belt, K.T., 2023, Longitudinal stream synoptic monitoring tracks chemicals along watershed continuums: a typology of trends. Front. Environ. Sci. Sec. Biogeochemical Dynamics, https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1122485.
Smith, C.D., Freed, T.Z., and Leisnham, P.T., 2015, Prior Hydrologic Disturbance Affects Competition between Aedes Mosquitoes via Changes in Leaf Litter: PLoS ONE, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0128956.
Culin, J., and Smith, C., 2014, Student Survey of Lepidoptera and Odonata in Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain State Park, and Kings Mountain National Military Park: American Entomologist, v. 60, p. 29-38, http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ae/60.1.29.
Smith, C., Baldwin, A.H., Sullivan, J., and Leisnham, P.T., 2013, Effects of Elevated Atmospheric CO2 on Competition Between the Mosquitoes Aedes albopictus and Ae. triseriatus via Changes in Litter Quality and Production: Journal of Medical Entomology, v. 50, p. 521-532, http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/ME12149.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.