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Christopher Mebane (Former Employee)

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 53

Fate and effects to the benthic community of a copper treatment to eradicate invasive mussels in a large western river, USA Fate and effects to the benthic community of a copper treatment to eradicate invasive mussels in a large western river, USA

Copper-based chemical treatments are commonly used to eradicate invasive mussels in small ponds and lakes, but their use in large rivers has been limited. In 2023, in response to a detection of invasive quagga mussels, a 10-km reach of the Snake River (Idaho, USA), was treated with an unprecedented 19,300 kg of chelated copper molluscicide to a target concentration of 1,000 µg/L for 10...
Authors
Austin K. Baldwin, Erin Murray, Lauren M. Zinsser, Tyler V. King, Scott D. Ducar, India Southern, Theresa Thom, Christopher A. Mebane
By
Idaho Water Science Center

Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of selenium in a large oligotrophic river Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of selenium in a large oligotrophic river

In flowing waters with elevated selenium concentrations, fish are often considered to be at risk from selenium toxicity owing to dietary exposure and accumulation in ovary tissues and subsequent deformities in developing larvae. We studied selenium throughout components of the aquatic food webs at geomorphically distinct locations along the oligotrophic Kootenai River (Montana and Idaho...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane, A. Robin Stewart, Erin Murray, Terry M. Short, Veronika A. Kocen, Lauren M. Zinsser
By
Idaho Water Science Center, USGS Selenium Research Laboratory

Bioavailability and toxicity models of copper to freshwater life: The state of regulatory science Bioavailability and toxicity models of copper to freshwater life: The state of regulatory science

Efforts to incorporate bioavailability adjustments into regulatory water quality criteria in the United States have included four major procedures: hardness-based single-linear regression equations, water-effect ratios (WERs), biotic ligand models (BLMs), and multiple-linear regression models (MLRs) that use dissolved organic carbon, hardness, and pH. The performance of each with copper...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

The capacity of freshwater ecosystems to recover from exceedances of aquatic life criteria The capacity of freshwater ecosystems to recover from exceedances of aquatic life criteria

In the United States, national chemical water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life assume that aquatic ecosystems have sufficient resiliency to recover from criteria exceedences occurring up to once every 3 years. This resiliency assumption was critically reviewed through two approaches: 1) synthesis of case studies and 2) population modeling. The population modeling...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

The protectiveness of aquatic life criteria for threatened or endangered aquatic species: Cadmium in California The protectiveness of aquatic life criteria for threatened or endangered aquatic species: Cadmium in California

In the United States, conflicts can arise between the processes to derive aquatic life criteria (ALC) for chemicals under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the evaluation procedures used in Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultations on the protectiveness of those criteria for protected species. This paper examines the roots of, and possible reconciliation of, one longstanding conflict over...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Direct and delayed mortality of Ceriodaphnia dubia and rainbow trout following time-varying acute exposures to zinc Direct and delayed mortality of Ceriodaphnia dubia and rainbow trout following time-varying acute exposures to zinc

The potential for delayed mortality following short-term episodic pollution events was evaluated by exposing cladocerans (Ceriodaphnia dubia) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to zinc (Zn) in various 1- to 48-h and 1- to 96-h exposures, respectively, followed by transferring the exposed organisms to clean water for up to 47 h for C. dubia and up to 95 h for trout for additional...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane, Chris D. Ivey, Ning Wang, Jeffery A. Steevens, Danielle M. Cleveland, Michael C Elias, James R Justice, Kathryn Gallagher, Robert N. Brent
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Idaho Water Science Center

Nutrient limitation of algae and macrophytes in streams: Integrating laboratory bioassays, field experiments, and field data Nutrient limitation of algae and macrophytes in streams: Integrating laboratory bioassays, field experiments, and field data

Successful eutrophication control strategies need to address the limiting nutrient. We conducted a battery of laboratory and in situ nutrient-limitation tests with waters collected from 9 streams in an agricultural region of the upper Snake River basin, Idaho, USA. Laboratory tests used the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata, the macrophyte Lemna minor (duckweed) with native epiphytes...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane, Andrew M. Ray, Amy M Marcarelli
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Long-term monitoring reveals convergent patterns of recovery from mining contamination across 4 western US watersheds Long-term monitoring reveals convergent patterns of recovery from mining contamination across 4 western US watersheds

Long-term studies of stream ecosystems are essential for assessing restoration success because they allow researchers to quantify recovery trajectories, gauge the relative influence of episodic events, and determine the time required to achieve clean-up objectives. To quantify responses of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages to stream remediation, we integrated results of 4 long-term...
Authors
William H. Clements, David B. Herbst, Michelle I. Hornberger, Christopher A. Mebane, Terry M. Short
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center

Time-dependent accumulation of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn in mayfly and caddisfly larvae in experimental streams: Metal sensitivity, uptake pathways, and mixture toxicity Time-dependent accumulation of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn in mayfly and caddisfly larvae in experimental streams: Metal sensitivity, uptake pathways, and mixture toxicity

Conceptual and quantitative models were developed to assess time-dependent processes in four sequential experimental stream studies that determined abundances of natural communities of mayfly and caddisfly larvae dosed with single metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn) or multiple metals (Cd+Zn, Co+Cu, Cu+Ni, Cu+Zn, Ni+Zn, Cd+Cu+Zn, Co+Cu+Ni, Cu+Ni+Zn). Metal mixtures contained environmentally...
Authors
Laurie S. Balistrieri, Christopher A. Mebane, Travis S. Schmidt
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Bioaccumulation and toxicity of cadmium, copper, nickel, and zinc and their mixtures to aquatic insect communities Bioaccumulation and toxicity of cadmium, copper, nickel, and zinc and their mixtures to aquatic insect communities

We describe 2 artificial stream experiments that exposed aquatic insect communities to zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and cadmium (year 2014) and to Zn, Cu, and nickel (year 2015). The testing strategy was to concurrently expose insect communities to single metals and mixtures. Single-metal tests were repeated to evaluate the reproducibility of the methods and year-to-year variability. Metals...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane, Travis S. Schmidt, Janet L. Miller, Laurie S. Balistrieri
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center

Copper concentrations in the upper Columbia River as a limiting factor in White Sturgeon recruitment and recovery Copper concentrations in the upper Columbia River as a limiting factor in White Sturgeon recruitment and recovery

Currently there is little natural recruitment of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Upper Columbia River located in British Columbia, Canada and Washington, USA. This review of life history, physiology, and behavior of white sturgeon, along with data from recent toxicological studies, suggest that trace metals, especially Cu, affect survival and behavior of early life stage...
Authors
Holly J. Puglis, Aida Farag, Christopher A. Mebane
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Metal bioavailability models: Current status, lessons learned, considerations for regulatory use, and the path forward Metal bioavailability models: Current status, lessons learned, considerations for regulatory use, and the path forward

Since the early 2000s, biotic ligand models and related constructs have been a dominant paradigm for risk assessment of aqueous metals in the environment. We critically review 1) the evidence for the mechanistic approach underlying metal bioavailability models; 2) considerations for the use and refinement of bioavailability-based toxicity models; 3) considerations for the incorporation...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane, M. Jasim Chowdhury, Karel A.C. De Schamphelaere, Stephen Lofts, Paul R. Paquin, Robert C. Santore, Chris M. Wood
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Mebane, C.A., Simon, N.S. & Maret, T.R. Hydrobiologia (2014) 722: 143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-013-1693-4
Essig, D. A., C. A. Mebane, and T. W. Hillman. 2003. Update of bull trout temperature requirements. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Boise, ID and BioAnalysts, Inc., Eagle, ID, Boise. 48.
Mebane, C.A. 1994. Preliminary Natural Resource Survey - Blackbird Mine, Lemhi County, Idaho. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hazardous Materials Assessment and Response Division, Seattle, WA. 130 pp.
Dillon, F. S. and C. A. Mebane. 2002. Development of site-specific water quality criteria for the South Fork Coeur d'Alene River, Idaho: application of site-specific water quality criteria developed in headwater reaches to downstream waters. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and Windward Environmental, Seattle, WA. 95 pp. Idaho. 44 pp.
Royer, T. V. and C. A. Mebane. 2002. River Macroinvertebrate Index. Pages 3-1 to 3-21 in C. S. Grafe, editor. Idaho River Ecological Assessment Framework: an Integrated Approach. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Boise.
Mebane, C. A. and D. L. Arthaud. 2010. Extrapolating growth reductions in fish to changes in population extinction risks: copper and Chinook salmon. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: 16(5):1026-1065
Mebane, C. A. 2001. Testing bioassessment metrics: macroinvertebrate, sculpin, and salmonid responses to stream habitat, sediment, and metals. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 67:292-322.
Maret, T. R. and C. A. Mebane. 2005. Historical and current perspectives on fish assemblages of the Snake River, Idaho and Wyoming. Pages 41-59
Mebane, C. A. 2002. Effects of metals on freshwater macroinvertebrates: a review and case study of the correspondence between a multimetric index, toxicity testing, and copper concentrations in sediment and water. Pages 281-306 in T. P. Simon, editor.
Janz, D.M., D.K. DeForest, M.L. Brooks, P.M. Chapman, G. Gilron, D. Hoff, W.A. Hopkins, D.O. McIntyre, C.A. Mebane, V.P. Palace, J.P. Skorupa, and M. Wayland. 2010. Selenium toxicity to aquatic organisms. Pages 139-230 in P. M. Chapman, W. J. Adams, M. L. Brooks, C. G. Delos, S. N. Luoma, W. A. Maher, H. M. Ohlendorf, T. S. Presser, and D. P. Shaw, editors.
Balistrieri, L.S. and C.A. Mebane. 2012
Poole, G. C., J. B. Dunham, M. P. Hicks, D. M. Keenan, J. C. Lockwood, E. J. Materna, D. A. McCullough, C. A. Mebane, J. C. Risley, S. T. Sauter, S. A. Spalding, and D. J. Sturdevant. 2001
Dunham, J. B., J. C. Lockwood, and C. A. Mebane. 2001

**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.

Lake Koocanusa Panorama

Assessing the effects of mining on the Transboundary Koocanusa Reservoir

The Kootenai River Watershed is an international resource cooperatively managed by the U.S., Canada, and Tribal governments. In recent years, coal mining in the Canadian portion of the watershed has resulted in elevated concentrations of several constituents, including selenium, nitrate, and sulfate downstream (Storb et al., 2023). At increased levels, these mining byproducts can affect water...
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
Assessing the effects of mining on the Transboundary Koocanusa Reservoir

Assessing the effects of mining on the Transboundary Koocanusa Reservoir

The Kootenai River Watershed is an international resource cooperatively managed by the U.S., Canada, and Tribal governments. In recent years, coal mining in the Canadian portion of the watershed has resulted in elevated concentrations of several constituents, including selenium, nitrate, and sulfate downstream (Storb et al., 2023). At increased levels, these mining byproducts can affect water...
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Kootenai River near Leonia, Idaho

Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed

The Kootenai River (Kootenay in Canada) rises from the Canadian Rockies and flows south in an arc through Montana and Idaho before swinging back into British Columbia and the Columbia River. The uplifted sedimentary rocks forming the southern Canadian Rockies have rich coal deposits that have been mined for many decades. The coal beds and associated rock layers are enriched with other minerals as...
By
Idaho Water Science Center
Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed

Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed

The Kootenai River (Kootenay in Canada) rises from the Canadian Rockies and flows south in an arc through Montana and Idaho before swinging back into British Columbia and the Columbia River. The uplifted sedimentary rocks forming the southern Canadian Rockies have rich coal deposits that have been mined for many decades. The coal beds and associated rock layers are enriched with other minerals as...
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USGS streamgage station 13056500

Idaho's Large River Ambient Monitoring Network

From 1989 to 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, monitored trends in water quality and biological integrity at more than 50 USGS streamgage stations on rivers throughout Idaho. In 2018, multiple State and Federal partners restarted a portion of the Large River Ambient Monitoring (LRAM) network.
By
Idaho Water Science Center
Idaho's Large River Ambient Monitoring Network

Idaho's Large River Ambient Monitoring Network

From 1989 to 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, monitored trends in water quality and biological integrity at more than 50 USGS streamgage stations on rivers throughout Idaho. In 2018, multiple State and Federal partners restarted a portion of the Large River Ambient Monitoring (LRAM) network.
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Macrophyte growth, middle Snake River, Idaho

Modeling the Hydraulic and Water-Quality Habitat Suitability for Macrophytes in the Middle Snake River, South-Central Idaho

Rooted aquatic plants (macrophytes) are essential components of freshwater ecosystems. Macrophyte beds provide shelter for fish and other aquatic life. Their leaves and stems also provide algae with surfaces to colonize, which, in turn, drives the aquatic food webs and dissolved oxygen cycles. However, too much of a good thing can create problems. When growth conditions are favorable, macrophytes...
By
Idaho Water Science Center
Modeling the Hydraulic and Water-Quality Habitat Suitability for Macrophytes in the Middle Snake River, South-Central Idaho

Modeling the Hydraulic and Water-Quality Habitat Suitability for Macrophytes in the Middle Snake River, South-Central Idaho

Rooted aquatic plants (macrophytes) are essential components of freshwater ecosystems. Macrophyte beds provide shelter for fish and other aquatic life. Their leaves and stems also provide algae with surfaces to colonize, which, in turn, drives the aquatic food webs and dissolved oxygen cycles. However, too much of a good thing can create problems. When growth conditions are favorable, macrophytes...
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Stalker Creek, Idaho, in summer

Effects of Nutrient Enrichment on Stream Ecosystems (Upper Snake River Basin NAWQA)

Nutrient enrichment can affect the ecological health of a stream. For example, excessive aquatic plant growth caused by increased nutrients can reduce dissolved oxygen necessary for other aquatic life. Topics of particular interest in this study area include: seasonal patterns among nutrients, flows, algae and plants in streams rooted aquatic plant vs. algae growth stream metabolism and nutrient...
By
National Water Quality Program, Idaho Water Science Center
Effects of Nutrient Enrichment on Stream Ecosystems (Upper Snake River Basin NAWQA)

Effects of Nutrient Enrichment on Stream Ecosystems (Upper Snake River Basin NAWQA)

Nutrient enrichment can affect the ecological health of a stream. For example, excessive aquatic plant growth caused by increased nutrients can reduce dissolved oxygen necessary for other aquatic life. Topics of particular interest in this study area include: seasonal patterns among nutrients, flows, algae and plants in streams rooted aquatic plant vs. algae growth stream metabolism and nutrient...
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Poudre River looking upstream.

Potential Toxicity of Multiple Metals Associated with PGE Deposits

Water quality and aquatic life standards that are set by Federal and state regulatory agencies are used to evaluate the quality of our nation’s water and the health of aquatic ecosystems. These standards currently are based on hardness of the water and are determined for single metals, not for mixtures of metals that are typically found in natural systems. Metal mixtures can potentially be more or...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Mineral Resources Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Fort Collins Science Center
Potential Toxicity of Multiple Metals Associated with PGE Deposits

Potential Toxicity of Multiple Metals Associated with PGE Deposits

Water quality and aquatic life standards that are set by Federal and state regulatory agencies are used to evaluate the quality of our nation’s water and the health of aquatic ecosystems. These standards currently are based on hardness of the water and are determined for single metals, not for mixtures of metals that are typically found in natural systems. Metal mixtures can potentially be more or...
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Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

Panther Creek: Evaluating Recovery of a Mining-Damaged Stream Ecosystem

Historically, Idaho has been home to many productive underground and open-pit mining operations. These activities have also produced water quality problems in some areas. One such example is the Blackbird Mine in central Idaho. Following mining operations from the 1940s through the 1960s, Panther Creek and its tributaries were severely damaged by runoff from the Blackbird Mine. Water-quality...
By
Idaho Water Science Center
Panther Creek: Evaluating Recovery of a Mining-Damaged Stream Ecosystem

Panther Creek: Evaluating Recovery of a Mining-Damaged Stream Ecosystem

Historically, Idaho has been home to many productive underground and open-pit mining operations. These activities have also produced water quality problems in some areas. One such example is the Blackbird Mine in central Idaho. Following mining operations from the 1940s through the 1960s, Panther Creek and its tributaries were severely damaged by runoff from the Blackbird Mine. Water-quality...
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Osprey pair nesting on a sign in Coeur d'Alene Lake

Coeur d'Alene Lake Water Quality

The mining district in the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River valley was among the Nation’s largest producers of silver, lead, zinc, and other metals from the 1880s to the 1980s. These activities have produced large quantities of waste material that contain environmentally hazardous contaminants such as cadmium, lead, and zinc. Much of this material has been discharged directly to or washed into the...
By
Idaho Water Science Center
Coeur d'Alene Lake Water Quality

Coeur d'Alene Lake Water Quality

The mining district in the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River valley was among the Nation’s largest producers of silver, lead, zinc, and other metals from the 1880s to the 1980s. These activities have produced large quantities of waste material that contain environmentally hazardous contaminants such as cadmium, lead, and zinc. Much of this material has been discharged directly to or washed into the...
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Benthic community composition and chemistry of water, sediment, and periphyton throughout a copper treatment to eradicate invasive mussels in the Snake River, Idaho, 2023 Benthic community composition and chemistry of water, sediment, and periphyton throughout a copper treatment to eradicate invasive mussels in the Snake River, Idaho, 2023

This dataset includes information collected before and after a 2023 copper treatment was implemented by the State of Idaho to eradicate invasive quagga mussels in the Snake River, Idaho. Water, sediment, periphyton, and macroinvertebrates were sampled at Snake River sites upstream, within, and downstream of the copper treatment reach in order to evaluate the fate and transport of the...
By
Idaho Water Science Center

Selenium in water, sediment, periphyton, benthic invertebrate and fish tissues from the Kootenai River, Idaho and Montana Selenium in water, sediment, periphyton, benthic invertebrate and fish tissues from the Kootenai River, Idaho and Montana

This dataset includes analyses of selenium (Se) in water, sediment, periphyton, and benthic invertebrate and fish tissues from the Kootenai River in Idaho and Montana. The samples were collected as part of a study intended to evaluate selenium distribution and bioaccumulation in the aquatic food webs of the Kootenai River. This dataset includes complete food web sample results from our...
By
Idaho Water Science Center, USGS Selenium Research Laboratory

Nutrient limitation of algae and duckweed in streams: data from laboratory bioassays and field experiments Nutrient limitation of algae and duckweed in streams: data from laboratory bioassays and field experiments

Data supporting the article, "Nutrient limitation of benthic algae in streams: integrating laboratory bioassays, field experiments, and field data." Datasets include from a battery of laboratory and in situ nutrient limitation tests in streams in the upper Snake River basin, Idaho. Nutrient limitation bioassays of stream water used the green algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata...
By
Idaho Water Science Center

Metals concentrations in insect tissues and water from the Panther Creek watershed, Idaho, September 2015 Metals concentrations in insect tissues and water from the Panther Creek watershed, Idaho, September 2015

The purpose of this sampling was to collect matched aquatic insect and water samples to support metals mixture toxicity modeling. This is part of a larger study that included exposing naturally colonized insect communities to metals mixtures in long-term laboratory toxicity tests, field surveys, and modeling (Schmidt and others, 2019). The Panther Creek sampling was conducted to give a...
By
Idaho Water Science Center

Selenium and mercury in the Kootenai River, Montana and Idaho, 2018-2019 Selenium and mercury in the Kootenai River, Montana and Idaho, 2018-2019

Selenium loads have been increasing over time in the Elk River, British Columbia, Canada, due to coal mining operations and runoff from associate spoil piles. The Elk River is a tributary to the Kootenay/Kootenai River and Lake Koocanusa. Extensive fish tissue monitoring has been conducted in Lake Koocanusa to assess the potential impacts of selenium from the Elk River (http://deq.mt.gov...
By
Idaho Water Science Center

Acute and latent effects of zinc on two commonly tested species (Ceriodaphnia dubia and Oncorhynchus mykiss) Acute and latent effects of zinc on two commonly tested species (Ceriodaphnia dubia and Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Data regarding the evaluation of the toxicity of zinc in 1-, 3-, 8-, 24-, and 48-hour exposures with a cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia), and in 1-, 3-, 8-, 24-, and 96-hour exposures with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on survival and mobility of test organisms.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center
Fish dissection for histopathology analyses
Fish dissection for histopathology analyses
Fish dissection for histopathology analyses
Fish dissection for histopathology analyses

Fish dissection for histopathology analyses

Fish dissection for histopathology analyses

Dr. Cheyenne Smith of the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center coaches USGS Idaho Water Science Center hydrologic technician Niko Parrish in dissecting a mountain whitefish from northern Idaho's Kootenai River. The samples for histopathology analyses were collected as part of monitoring and assessment of water quality in the transboundary Kootenai River basin.

By
Eastern Ecological Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center
Fish dissection for histopathology analyses

Fish dissection for histopathology analyses

Fish dissection for histopathology analyses

Dr. Cheyenne Smith of the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center coaches USGS Idaho Water Science Center hydrologic technician Niko Parrish in dissecting a mountain whitefish from northern Idaho's Kootenai River. The samples for histopathology analyses were collected as part of monitoring and assessment of water quality in the transboundary Kootenai River basin.

By
Eastern Ecological Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center
Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho
Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho
Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho
Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho

Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho

Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho

The Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho. The Perrine Memorial Bridge can be seen in the background.

By
Idaho Water Science Center
Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho

Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho

Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho

The Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho. The Perrine Memorial Bridge can be seen in the background.

By
Idaho Water Science Center
Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek
A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek
A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek
Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

A rainbow trout rests among substrate in Panther Creek upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho. Panther Creek was severely damaged by heavy metals released from mining and milling activities at the former Blackbird Mine. USGS and other scientists compiled a 30-year record of recovery of the stream’s fish and macroinvertebrate populations.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

A rainbow trout rests among substrate in Panther Creek upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho. Panther Creek was severely damaged by heavy metals released from mining and milling activities at the former Blackbird Mine. USGS and other scientists compiled a 30-year record of recovery of the stream’s fish and macroinvertebrate populations.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Image: Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho
Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho
Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho
Image: Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho

Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho

Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho

Panther Creek was severely damaged by heavy metals released from mining and milling activities at the former Blackbird Mine. USGS and other scientists compiled a 30-year record of recovery of the stream’s fish and macroinvertebrate populations.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Communications and Publishing
Image: Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho

Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho

Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho

Panther Creek was severely damaged by heavy metals released from mining and milling activities at the former Blackbird Mine. USGS and other scientists compiled a 30-year record of recovery of the stream’s fish and macroinvertebrate populations.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Communications and Publishing
Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek
A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek
A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek
Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek

A rainbow trout rests among cobble substrate in Panther Creek downstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho. Panther Creek was severely damaged by heavy metals released from mining and milling activities at the former Blackbird Mine, and water quality in this section of the stream was acutely lethal to fish as late as 1985.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Southwest Biological Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek

A rainbow trout rests among cobble substrate in Panther Creek downstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho. Panther Creek was severely damaged by heavy metals released from mining and milling activities at the former Blackbird Mine, and water quality in this section of the stream was acutely lethal to fish as late as 1985.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Southwest Biological Science Center, Communications and Publishing
When the Whole is Less than the Sum of Its Parts

When the Whole is Less than the Sum of Its Parts

Environmental Ratios of Cadmium and Zinc are less Toxic to Aquatic Insects than Expected

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Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 53

Fate and effects to the benthic community of a copper treatment to eradicate invasive mussels in a large western river, USA Fate and effects to the benthic community of a copper treatment to eradicate invasive mussels in a large western river, USA

Copper-based chemical treatments are commonly used to eradicate invasive mussels in small ponds and lakes, but their use in large rivers has been limited. In 2023, in response to a detection of invasive quagga mussels, a 10-km reach of the Snake River (Idaho, USA), was treated with an unprecedented 19,300 kg of chelated copper molluscicide to a target concentration of 1,000 µg/L for 10...
Authors
Austin K. Baldwin, Erin Murray, Lauren M. Zinsser, Tyler V. King, Scott D. Ducar, India Southern, Theresa Thom, Christopher A. Mebane
By
Idaho Water Science Center

Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of selenium in a large oligotrophic river Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of selenium in a large oligotrophic river

In flowing waters with elevated selenium concentrations, fish are often considered to be at risk from selenium toxicity owing to dietary exposure and accumulation in ovary tissues and subsequent deformities in developing larvae. We studied selenium throughout components of the aquatic food webs at geomorphically distinct locations along the oligotrophic Kootenai River (Montana and Idaho...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane, A. Robin Stewart, Erin Murray, Terry M. Short, Veronika A. Kocen, Lauren M. Zinsser
By
Idaho Water Science Center, USGS Selenium Research Laboratory

Bioavailability and toxicity models of copper to freshwater life: The state of regulatory science Bioavailability and toxicity models of copper to freshwater life: The state of regulatory science

Efforts to incorporate bioavailability adjustments into regulatory water quality criteria in the United States have included four major procedures: hardness-based single-linear regression equations, water-effect ratios (WERs), biotic ligand models (BLMs), and multiple-linear regression models (MLRs) that use dissolved organic carbon, hardness, and pH. The performance of each with copper...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

The capacity of freshwater ecosystems to recover from exceedances of aquatic life criteria The capacity of freshwater ecosystems to recover from exceedances of aquatic life criteria

In the United States, national chemical water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life assume that aquatic ecosystems have sufficient resiliency to recover from criteria exceedences occurring up to once every 3 years. This resiliency assumption was critically reviewed through two approaches: 1) synthesis of case studies and 2) population modeling. The population modeling...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

The protectiveness of aquatic life criteria for threatened or endangered aquatic species: Cadmium in California The protectiveness of aquatic life criteria for threatened or endangered aquatic species: Cadmium in California

In the United States, conflicts can arise between the processes to derive aquatic life criteria (ALC) for chemicals under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the evaluation procedures used in Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultations on the protectiveness of those criteria for protected species. This paper examines the roots of, and possible reconciliation of, one longstanding conflict over...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Direct and delayed mortality of Ceriodaphnia dubia and rainbow trout following time-varying acute exposures to zinc Direct and delayed mortality of Ceriodaphnia dubia and rainbow trout following time-varying acute exposures to zinc

The potential for delayed mortality following short-term episodic pollution events was evaluated by exposing cladocerans (Ceriodaphnia dubia) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to zinc (Zn) in various 1- to 48-h and 1- to 96-h exposures, respectively, followed by transferring the exposed organisms to clean water for up to 47 h for C. dubia and up to 95 h for trout for additional...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane, Chris D. Ivey, Ning Wang, Jeffery A. Steevens, Danielle M. Cleveland, Michael C Elias, James R Justice, Kathryn Gallagher, Robert N. Brent
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Idaho Water Science Center

Nutrient limitation of algae and macrophytes in streams: Integrating laboratory bioassays, field experiments, and field data Nutrient limitation of algae and macrophytes in streams: Integrating laboratory bioassays, field experiments, and field data

Successful eutrophication control strategies need to address the limiting nutrient. We conducted a battery of laboratory and in situ nutrient-limitation tests with waters collected from 9 streams in an agricultural region of the upper Snake River basin, Idaho, USA. Laboratory tests used the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata, the macrophyte Lemna minor (duckweed) with native epiphytes...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane, Andrew M. Ray, Amy M Marcarelli
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Long-term monitoring reveals convergent patterns of recovery from mining contamination across 4 western US watersheds Long-term monitoring reveals convergent patterns of recovery from mining contamination across 4 western US watersheds

Long-term studies of stream ecosystems are essential for assessing restoration success because they allow researchers to quantify recovery trajectories, gauge the relative influence of episodic events, and determine the time required to achieve clean-up objectives. To quantify responses of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages to stream remediation, we integrated results of 4 long-term...
Authors
William H. Clements, David B. Herbst, Michelle I. Hornberger, Christopher A. Mebane, Terry M. Short
By
Water Resources Mission Area, California Water Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center

Time-dependent accumulation of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn in mayfly and caddisfly larvae in experimental streams: Metal sensitivity, uptake pathways, and mixture toxicity Time-dependent accumulation of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Zn in mayfly and caddisfly larvae in experimental streams: Metal sensitivity, uptake pathways, and mixture toxicity

Conceptual and quantitative models were developed to assess time-dependent processes in four sequential experimental stream studies that determined abundances of natural communities of mayfly and caddisfly larvae dosed with single metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn) or multiple metals (Cd+Zn, Co+Cu, Cu+Ni, Cu+Zn, Ni+Zn, Cd+Cu+Zn, Co+Cu+Ni, Cu+Ni+Zn). Metal mixtures contained environmentally...
Authors
Laurie S. Balistrieri, Christopher A. Mebane, Travis S. Schmidt
By
Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center

Bioaccumulation and toxicity of cadmium, copper, nickel, and zinc and their mixtures to aquatic insect communities Bioaccumulation and toxicity of cadmium, copper, nickel, and zinc and their mixtures to aquatic insect communities

We describe 2 artificial stream experiments that exposed aquatic insect communities to zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and cadmium (year 2014) and to Zn, Cu, and nickel (year 2015). The testing strategy was to concurrently expose insect communities to single metals and mixtures. Single-metal tests were repeated to evaluate the reproducibility of the methods and year-to-year variability. Metals...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane, Travis S. Schmidt, Janet L. Miller, Laurie S. Balistrieri
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center

Copper concentrations in the upper Columbia River as a limiting factor in White Sturgeon recruitment and recovery Copper concentrations in the upper Columbia River as a limiting factor in White Sturgeon recruitment and recovery

Currently there is little natural recruitment of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Upper Columbia River located in British Columbia, Canada and Washington, USA. This review of life history, physiology, and behavior of white sturgeon, along with data from recent toxicological studies, suggest that trace metals, especially Cu, affect survival and behavior of early life stage...
Authors
Holly J. Puglis, Aida Farag, Christopher A. Mebane
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Columbia Environmental Research Center

Metal bioavailability models: Current status, lessons learned, considerations for regulatory use, and the path forward Metal bioavailability models: Current status, lessons learned, considerations for regulatory use, and the path forward

Since the early 2000s, biotic ligand models and related constructs have been a dominant paradigm for risk assessment of aqueous metals in the environment. We critically review 1) the evidence for the mechanistic approach underlying metal bioavailability models; 2) considerations for the use and refinement of bioavailability-based toxicity models; 3) considerations for the incorporation...
Authors
Christopher A. Mebane, M. Jasim Chowdhury, Karel A.C. De Schamphelaere, Stephen Lofts, Paul R. Paquin, Robert C. Santore, Chris M. Wood
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Idaho Water Science Center

Non-USGS Publications**

Mebane, C.A., Simon, N.S. & Maret, T.R. Hydrobiologia (2014) 722: 143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-013-1693-4
Essig, D. A., C. A. Mebane, and T. W. Hillman. 2003. Update of bull trout temperature requirements. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Boise, ID and BioAnalysts, Inc., Eagle, ID, Boise. 48.
Mebane, C.A. 1994. Preliminary Natural Resource Survey - Blackbird Mine, Lemhi County, Idaho. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hazardous Materials Assessment and Response Division, Seattle, WA. 130 pp.
Dillon, F. S. and C. A. Mebane. 2002. Development of site-specific water quality criteria for the South Fork Coeur d'Alene River, Idaho: application of site-specific water quality criteria developed in headwater reaches to downstream waters. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and Windward Environmental, Seattle, WA. 95 pp. Idaho. 44 pp.
Royer, T. V. and C. A. Mebane. 2002. River Macroinvertebrate Index. Pages 3-1 to 3-21 in C. S. Grafe, editor. Idaho River Ecological Assessment Framework: an Integrated Approach. Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Boise.
Mebane, C. A. and D. L. Arthaud. 2010. Extrapolating growth reductions in fish to changes in population extinction risks: copper and Chinook salmon. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: 16(5):1026-1065
Mebane, C. A. 2001. Testing bioassessment metrics: macroinvertebrate, sculpin, and salmonid responses to stream habitat, sediment, and metals. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 67:292-322.
Maret, T. R. and C. A. Mebane. 2005. Historical and current perspectives on fish assemblages of the Snake River, Idaho and Wyoming. Pages 41-59
Mebane, C. A. 2002. Effects of metals on freshwater macroinvertebrates: a review and case study of the correspondence between a multimetric index, toxicity testing, and copper concentrations in sediment and water. Pages 281-306 in T. P. Simon, editor.
Janz, D.M., D.K. DeForest, M.L. Brooks, P.M. Chapman, G. Gilron, D. Hoff, W.A. Hopkins, D.O. McIntyre, C.A. Mebane, V.P. Palace, J.P. Skorupa, and M. Wayland. 2010. Selenium toxicity to aquatic organisms. Pages 139-230 in P. M. Chapman, W. J. Adams, M. L. Brooks, C. G. Delos, S. N. Luoma, W. A. Maher, H. M. Ohlendorf, T. S. Presser, and D. P. Shaw, editors.
Balistrieri, L.S. and C.A. Mebane. 2012
Poole, G. C., J. B. Dunham, M. P. Hicks, D. M. Keenan, J. C. Lockwood, E. J. Materna, D. A. McCullough, C. A. Mebane, J. C. Risley, S. T. Sauter, S. A. Spalding, and D. J. Sturdevant. 2001
Dunham, J. B., J. C. Lockwood, and C. A. Mebane. 2001

**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.

Lake Koocanusa Panorama

Assessing the effects of mining on the Transboundary Koocanusa Reservoir

The Kootenai River Watershed is an international resource cooperatively managed by the U.S., Canada, and Tribal governments. In recent years, coal mining in the Canadian portion of the watershed has resulted in elevated concentrations of several constituents, including selenium, nitrate, and sulfate downstream (Storb et al., 2023). At increased levels, these mining byproducts can affect water...
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center
Assessing the effects of mining on the Transboundary Koocanusa Reservoir

Assessing the effects of mining on the Transboundary Koocanusa Reservoir

The Kootenai River Watershed is an international resource cooperatively managed by the U.S., Canada, and Tribal governments. In recent years, coal mining in the Canadian portion of the watershed has resulted in elevated concentrations of several constituents, including selenium, nitrate, and sulfate downstream (Storb et al., 2023). At increased levels, these mining byproducts can affect water...
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Kootenai River near Leonia, Idaho

Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed

The Kootenai River (Kootenay in Canada) rises from the Canadian Rockies and flows south in an arc through Montana and Idaho before swinging back into British Columbia and the Columbia River. The uplifted sedimentary rocks forming the southern Canadian Rockies have rich coal deposits that have been mined for many decades. The coal beds and associated rock layers are enriched with other minerals as...
By
Idaho Water Science Center
Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed

Monitoring Mining Effects in the Kootenai River Watershed

The Kootenai River (Kootenay in Canada) rises from the Canadian Rockies and flows south in an arc through Montana and Idaho before swinging back into British Columbia and the Columbia River. The uplifted sedimentary rocks forming the southern Canadian Rockies have rich coal deposits that have been mined for many decades. The coal beds and associated rock layers are enriched with other minerals as...
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USGS streamgage station 13056500

Idaho's Large River Ambient Monitoring Network

From 1989 to 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, monitored trends in water quality and biological integrity at more than 50 USGS streamgage stations on rivers throughout Idaho. In 2018, multiple State and Federal partners restarted a portion of the Large River Ambient Monitoring (LRAM) network.
By
Idaho Water Science Center
Idaho's Large River Ambient Monitoring Network

Idaho's Large River Ambient Monitoring Network

From 1989 to 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, monitored trends in water quality and biological integrity at more than 50 USGS streamgage stations on rivers throughout Idaho. In 2018, multiple State and Federal partners restarted a portion of the Large River Ambient Monitoring (LRAM) network.
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Macrophyte growth, middle Snake River, Idaho

Modeling the Hydraulic and Water-Quality Habitat Suitability for Macrophytes in the Middle Snake River, South-Central Idaho

Rooted aquatic plants (macrophytes) are essential components of freshwater ecosystems. Macrophyte beds provide shelter for fish and other aquatic life. Their leaves and stems also provide algae with surfaces to colonize, which, in turn, drives the aquatic food webs and dissolved oxygen cycles. However, too much of a good thing can create problems. When growth conditions are favorable, macrophytes...
By
Idaho Water Science Center
Modeling the Hydraulic and Water-Quality Habitat Suitability for Macrophytes in the Middle Snake River, South-Central Idaho

Modeling the Hydraulic and Water-Quality Habitat Suitability for Macrophytes in the Middle Snake River, South-Central Idaho

Rooted aquatic plants (macrophytes) are essential components of freshwater ecosystems. Macrophyte beds provide shelter for fish and other aquatic life. Their leaves and stems also provide algae with surfaces to colonize, which, in turn, drives the aquatic food webs and dissolved oxygen cycles. However, too much of a good thing can create problems. When growth conditions are favorable, macrophytes...
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Stalker Creek, Idaho, in summer

Effects of Nutrient Enrichment on Stream Ecosystems (Upper Snake River Basin NAWQA)

Nutrient enrichment can affect the ecological health of a stream. For example, excessive aquatic plant growth caused by increased nutrients can reduce dissolved oxygen necessary for other aquatic life. Topics of particular interest in this study area include: seasonal patterns among nutrients, flows, algae and plants in streams rooted aquatic plant vs. algae growth stream metabolism and nutrient...
By
National Water Quality Program, Idaho Water Science Center
Effects of Nutrient Enrichment on Stream Ecosystems (Upper Snake River Basin NAWQA)

Effects of Nutrient Enrichment on Stream Ecosystems (Upper Snake River Basin NAWQA)

Nutrient enrichment can affect the ecological health of a stream. For example, excessive aquatic plant growth caused by increased nutrients can reduce dissolved oxygen necessary for other aquatic life. Topics of particular interest in this study area include: seasonal patterns among nutrients, flows, algae and plants in streams rooted aquatic plant vs. algae growth stream metabolism and nutrient...
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Poudre River looking upstream.

Potential Toxicity of Multiple Metals Associated with PGE Deposits

Water quality and aquatic life standards that are set by Federal and state regulatory agencies are used to evaluate the quality of our nation’s water and the health of aquatic ecosystems. These standards currently are based on hardness of the water and are determined for single metals, not for mixtures of metals that are typically found in natural systems. Metal mixtures can potentially be more or...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Mineral Resources Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Fort Collins Science Center
Potential Toxicity of Multiple Metals Associated with PGE Deposits

Potential Toxicity of Multiple Metals Associated with PGE Deposits

Water quality and aquatic life standards that are set by Federal and state regulatory agencies are used to evaluate the quality of our nation’s water and the health of aquatic ecosystems. These standards currently are based on hardness of the water and are determined for single metals, not for mixtures of metals that are typically found in natural systems. Metal mixtures can potentially be more or...
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Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

Panther Creek: Evaluating Recovery of a Mining-Damaged Stream Ecosystem

Historically, Idaho has been home to many productive underground and open-pit mining operations. These activities have also produced water quality problems in some areas. One such example is the Blackbird Mine in central Idaho. Following mining operations from the 1940s through the 1960s, Panther Creek and its tributaries were severely damaged by runoff from the Blackbird Mine. Water-quality...
By
Idaho Water Science Center
Panther Creek: Evaluating Recovery of a Mining-Damaged Stream Ecosystem

Panther Creek: Evaluating Recovery of a Mining-Damaged Stream Ecosystem

Historically, Idaho has been home to many productive underground and open-pit mining operations. These activities have also produced water quality problems in some areas. One such example is the Blackbird Mine in central Idaho. Following mining operations from the 1940s through the 1960s, Panther Creek and its tributaries were severely damaged by runoff from the Blackbird Mine. Water-quality...
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Osprey pair nesting on a sign in Coeur d'Alene Lake

Coeur d'Alene Lake Water Quality

The mining district in the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River valley was among the Nation’s largest producers of silver, lead, zinc, and other metals from the 1880s to the 1980s. These activities have produced large quantities of waste material that contain environmentally hazardous contaminants such as cadmium, lead, and zinc. Much of this material has been discharged directly to or washed into the...
By
Idaho Water Science Center
Coeur d'Alene Lake Water Quality

Coeur d'Alene Lake Water Quality

The mining district in the South Fork Coeur d’Alene River valley was among the Nation’s largest producers of silver, lead, zinc, and other metals from the 1880s to the 1980s. These activities have produced large quantities of waste material that contain environmentally hazardous contaminants such as cadmium, lead, and zinc. Much of this material has been discharged directly to or washed into the...
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Benthic community composition and chemistry of water, sediment, and periphyton throughout a copper treatment to eradicate invasive mussels in the Snake River, Idaho, 2023 Benthic community composition and chemistry of water, sediment, and periphyton throughout a copper treatment to eradicate invasive mussels in the Snake River, Idaho, 2023

This dataset includes information collected before and after a 2023 copper treatment was implemented by the State of Idaho to eradicate invasive quagga mussels in the Snake River, Idaho. Water, sediment, periphyton, and macroinvertebrates were sampled at Snake River sites upstream, within, and downstream of the copper treatment reach in order to evaluate the fate and transport of the...
By
Idaho Water Science Center

Selenium in water, sediment, periphyton, benthic invertebrate and fish tissues from the Kootenai River, Idaho and Montana Selenium in water, sediment, periphyton, benthic invertebrate and fish tissues from the Kootenai River, Idaho and Montana

This dataset includes analyses of selenium (Se) in water, sediment, periphyton, and benthic invertebrate and fish tissues from the Kootenai River in Idaho and Montana. The samples were collected as part of a study intended to evaluate selenium distribution and bioaccumulation in the aquatic food webs of the Kootenai River. This dataset includes complete food web sample results from our...
By
Idaho Water Science Center, USGS Selenium Research Laboratory

Nutrient limitation of algae and duckweed in streams: data from laboratory bioassays and field experiments Nutrient limitation of algae and duckweed in streams: data from laboratory bioassays and field experiments

Data supporting the article, "Nutrient limitation of benthic algae in streams: integrating laboratory bioassays, field experiments, and field data." Datasets include from a battery of laboratory and in situ nutrient limitation tests in streams in the upper Snake River basin, Idaho. Nutrient limitation bioassays of stream water used the green algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata...
By
Idaho Water Science Center

Metals concentrations in insect tissues and water from the Panther Creek watershed, Idaho, September 2015 Metals concentrations in insect tissues and water from the Panther Creek watershed, Idaho, September 2015

The purpose of this sampling was to collect matched aquatic insect and water samples to support metals mixture toxicity modeling. This is part of a larger study that included exposing naturally colonized insect communities to metals mixtures in long-term laboratory toxicity tests, field surveys, and modeling (Schmidt and others, 2019). The Panther Creek sampling was conducted to give a...
By
Idaho Water Science Center

Selenium and mercury in the Kootenai River, Montana and Idaho, 2018-2019 Selenium and mercury in the Kootenai River, Montana and Idaho, 2018-2019

Selenium loads have been increasing over time in the Elk River, British Columbia, Canada, due to coal mining operations and runoff from associate spoil piles. The Elk River is a tributary to the Kootenay/Kootenai River and Lake Koocanusa. Extensive fish tissue monitoring has been conducted in Lake Koocanusa to assess the potential impacts of selenium from the Elk River (http://deq.mt.gov...
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Idaho Water Science Center

Acute and latent effects of zinc on two commonly tested species (Ceriodaphnia dubia and Oncorhynchus mykiss) Acute and latent effects of zinc on two commonly tested species (Ceriodaphnia dubia and Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Data regarding the evaluation of the toxicity of zinc in 1-, 3-, 8-, 24-, and 48-hour exposures with a cladoceran (Ceriodaphnia dubia), and in 1-, 3-, 8-, 24-, and 96-hour exposures with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) on survival and mobility of test organisms.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Columbia Environmental Research Center
Fish dissection for histopathology analyses
Fish dissection for histopathology analyses
Fish dissection for histopathology analyses
Fish dissection for histopathology analyses

Fish dissection for histopathology analyses

Fish dissection for histopathology analyses

Dr. Cheyenne Smith of the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center coaches USGS Idaho Water Science Center hydrologic technician Niko Parrish in dissecting a mountain whitefish from northern Idaho's Kootenai River. The samples for histopathology analyses were collected as part of monitoring and assessment of water quality in the transboundary Kootenai River basin.

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Eastern Ecological Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center
Fish dissection for histopathology analyses

Fish dissection for histopathology analyses

Fish dissection for histopathology analyses

Dr. Cheyenne Smith of the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center coaches USGS Idaho Water Science Center hydrologic technician Niko Parrish in dissecting a mountain whitefish from northern Idaho's Kootenai River. The samples for histopathology analyses were collected as part of monitoring and assessment of water quality in the transboundary Kootenai River basin.

By
Eastern Ecological Science Center, Idaho Water Science Center
Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho
Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho
Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho
Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho

Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho

Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho

The Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho. The Perrine Memorial Bridge can be seen in the background.

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Idaho Water Science Center
Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho

Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho

Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho

The Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho. The Perrine Memorial Bridge can be seen in the background.

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Idaho Water Science Center
Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek
A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek
A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek
Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

A rainbow trout rests among substrate in Panther Creek upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho. Panther Creek was severely damaged by heavy metals released from mining and milling activities at the former Blackbird Mine. USGS and other scientists compiled a 30-year record of recovery of the stream’s fish and macroinvertebrate populations.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Substrate in Panther Creek

A rainbow trout rests among substrate in Panther Creek upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho. Panther Creek was severely damaged by heavy metals released from mining and milling activities at the former Blackbird Mine. USGS and other scientists compiled a 30-year record of recovery of the stream’s fish and macroinvertebrate populations.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, New York Water Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Image: Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho
Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho
Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho
Image: Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho

Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho

Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho

Panther Creek was severely damaged by heavy metals released from mining and milling activities at the former Blackbird Mine. USGS and other scientists compiled a 30-year record of recovery of the stream’s fish and macroinvertebrate populations.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Communications and Publishing
Image: Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho

Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho

Panther Creek Upstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho

Panther Creek was severely damaged by heavy metals released from mining and milling activities at the former Blackbird Mine. USGS and other scientists compiled a 30-year record of recovery of the stream’s fish and macroinvertebrate populations.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Communications and Publishing
Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek
A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek
A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek
Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek

A rainbow trout rests among cobble substrate in Panther Creek downstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho. Panther Creek was severely damaged by heavy metals released from mining and milling activities at the former Blackbird Mine, and water quality in this section of the stream was acutely lethal to fish as late as 1985.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Southwest Biological Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Image: A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek

A Rainbow Trout Rests Among Cobble Substrate in Panther Creek

A rainbow trout rests among cobble substrate in Panther Creek downstream of Big Deer Creek, central Idaho. Panther Creek was severely damaged by heavy metals released from mining and milling activities at the former Blackbird Mine, and water quality in this section of the stream was acutely lethal to fish as late as 1985.

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Southwest Biological Science Center, Communications and Publishing
When the Whole is Less than the Sum of Its Parts

When the Whole is Less than the Sum of Its Parts

Environmental Ratios of Cadmium and Zinc are less Toxic to Aquatic Insects than Expected

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