The Pacific sand lance is an important forage fish found in Puget Sound. They employ a unique strategy of burrowing into sand to rest and conserve energy, and to avoid predation. The USGS is currently studying forage fish spawning, and how human development may be affecting their habitat.
Collin D. Smith
I am a fish biologist with the WFRC Columbia River Research Laboratory. I joined the USGS in 2000, and my research has focused on Pacific salmon and dams in the Pacific Northwest. My expertise includes the use of imaging sonar systems to monitor abundances and behaviors of fish near collection and passage sites, as well as passage, migration, and survival of salmonids using acoustic telemetry.
Research Interests:
My research interests include the evaluation of dam passage and survival, development of fish passage options at high-head dams, reintroduction of salmon and steelhead to areas blocked by dams, and predation and behavioral studies near entrances to fish collection structures. I am currently working on studies that evaluate the effects of tidal cycles on juvenile salmon and native fish survival, assessments of migration and survival of juvenile salmon, and developing methods to automate imaging sonar data processing.
Professional Experience
2000 to Present – Fish Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Cook, WA
1999-2000 – Wildlife Intern, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Savanna Army Depot, Savanna, IL
1998-1999 – Laboratory Technician, Illinois Natural History Survey, Sullivan, IL
Education and Certifications
M.S. 2000. Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, IL
B.A. 1997. Zoology, Eastern Illinois University, IL
Science and Products
Data collected in 2010 to evaluate habitat availability for surf smelt and eelgrass in response to sea level rise on Bainbridge Island, Puget Sound, Washington, USA
The Pacific sand lance is an important forage fish found in Puget Sound. They employ a unique strategy of burrowing into sand to rest and conserve energy, and to avoid predation. The USGS is currently studying forage fish spawning, and how human development may be affecting their habitat.
Photo (left to right): USGS scientists Georgia Martin and Collin Smith check nets for juvenile fish samples at Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona.
Photo (left to right): USGS scientists Georgia Martin and Collin Smith check nets for juvenile fish samples at Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona.
This is an image of Glen Canyon, located in Arizona. Glen Canyon is a natural canyon carved by the Colorado River and located largely in Utah. A small part of the lower end of Glen Canyon extends into northern Arizona and ends at Lee's Ferry, near Glen Canyon Dam.
This is an image of Glen Canyon, located in Arizona. Glen Canyon is a natural canyon carved by the Colorado River and located largely in Utah. A small part of the lower end of Glen Canyon extends into northern Arizona and ends at Lee's Ferry, near Glen Canyon Dam.
The image above is a photograph of the Glen Canyon Dam (GCD) in Arizona. Recent captures of non-native fishes in the Colorado River downstream of GCD indicate a potential threat to imperiled native fish in the Grand Canyon.
The image above is a photograph of the Glen Canyon Dam (GCD) in Arizona. Recent captures of non-native fishes in the Colorado River downstream of GCD indicate a potential threat to imperiled native fish in the Grand Canyon.
USGS scientist surgically implanting transmitters into juvenile Chinook salmon on the Shasta River, CA
linkUSGS scientists surgically implanting acoustic transmitters into juvenile Chinook salmon on the Shasta River, California. Study fish are tracked in the Shasta and Klamath Rivers as they migrate to the Pacific Ocean. Collected data are used to determine fish survival and migration behaviors.
USGS scientist surgically implanting transmitters into juvenile Chinook salmon on the Shasta River, CA
linkUSGS scientists surgically implanting acoustic transmitters into juvenile Chinook salmon on the Shasta River, California. Study fish are tracked in the Shasta and Klamath Rivers as they migrate to the Pacific Ocean. Collected data are used to determine fish survival and migration behaviors.
Taking a break in the fog on the San Joaquin River while trawling aboard the USGS Research Vessel Munson II.
Taking a break in the fog on the San Joaquin River while trawling aboard the USGS Research Vessel Munson II.
Capturing juvenile Chinook salmon in Cougar Reservoir, Oregon using a Lampara net.
Capturing juvenile Chinook salmon in Cougar Reservoir, Oregon using a Lampara net.
Juvenile Chinook salmon monitoring below the The Dalles Dam on the Columbia River.
Juvenile Chinook salmon monitoring below the The Dalles Dam on the Columbia River.
Trawling for Delta Smelt using a Kodiak Trawl in the Sacramento River aboard the USGS Research Vessel Sentinel.
Trawling for Delta Smelt using a Kodiak Trawl in the Sacramento River aboard the USGS Research Vessel Sentinel.
Honeycomb weathering of sandstone located on the shores of Puget Sound occurs when expanding salt crystals break fragments of rock, creating a small hole that becomes larger as the process repeats itself over time.
Honeycomb weathering of sandstone located on the shores of Puget Sound occurs when expanding salt crystals break fragments of rock, creating a small hole that becomes larger as the process repeats itself over time.
The ochre sea star is a common starfish found along the shores of Puget Sound. This intertidal dweller feeds primarily on mussels and snails, and may live as long as twenty years.
The ochre sea star is a common starfish found along the shores of Puget Sound. This intertidal dweller feeds primarily on mussels and snails, and may live as long as twenty years.
Tide pools provide habitat for a wide variety of Puget Sound flora and fauna. During low tides, the captive inhabitants of tide pools may be closely inspected.
Tide pools provide habitat for a wide variety of Puget Sound flora and fauna. During low tides, the captive inhabitants of tide pools may be closely inspected.
Influence of a guide net on the presence and behavior of fish near the selective water withdrawal structure in Lake Billy Chinook, Oregon, 2022
Application of the Stream Salmonid Simulator (S3) model to assess fall Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) production in the American River, California
Habitat-specific foraging by striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in the San Francisco Estuary, California: Implications for tidal restoration
Evaluation of fish behavior at the entrances to a Selective Water Withdrawal structure in Lake Billy Chinook, Oregon, 2021
Potential effects of sea level rise on nearshore habitat availability for surf smelt (Hypomesus pretiosus) and eelgrass (Zostera marina), Puget Sound, Washington
Monitoring fish abundance and behavior, using multi-beam acoustic imaging sonar, at a Selective Water Withdrawal structure in Lake Billy Chinook, Deschutes River, Oregon, 2020
Monitoring native, resident nonsalmonids for the incidence of gas bubble trauma downstream of Snake and Columbia River Dams, 2021
Predator and prey events at the entrance of a surface‐oriented fish collector at North Fork Dam, Oregon
A standard operating procedure for the preparation of purposely killed juvenile salmon used to test survival model assumptions
Fish behavior and abundance monitoring near a floating surface collector in North Fork Reservoir, Clackamas River, Oregon, using multi-beam acoustic imaging sonar
Spatial and temporal distribution of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus)-size fish near the floating surface collector in the North Fork Reservoir, Oregon, 2016
Evaluation of the hydraulic and biological performance of the portable floating fish collector at Cougar Reservoir and Dam, Oregon, 2014
Science and Products
Data collected in 2010 to evaluate habitat availability for surf smelt and eelgrass in response to sea level rise on Bainbridge Island, Puget Sound, Washington, USA
The Pacific sand lance is an important forage fish found in Puget Sound. They employ a unique strategy of burrowing into sand to rest and conserve energy, and to avoid predation. The USGS is currently studying forage fish spawning, and how human development may be affecting their habitat.
The Pacific sand lance is an important forage fish found in Puget Sound. They employ a unique strategy of burrowing into sand to rest and conserve energy, and to avoid predation. The USGS is currently studying forage fish spawning, and how human development may be affecting their habitat.
Photo (left to right): USGS scientists Georgia Martin and Collin Smith check nets for juvenile fish samples at Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona.
Photo (left to right): USGS scientists Georgia Martin and Collin Smith check nets for juvenile fish samples at Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona.
This is an image of Glen Canyon, located in Arizona. Glen Canyon is a natural canyon carved by the Colorado River and located largely in Utah. A small part of the lower end of Glen Canyon extends into northern Arizona and ends at Lee's Ferry, near Glen Canyon Dam.
This is an image of Glen Canyon, located in Arizona. Glen Canyon is a natural canyon carved by the Colorado River and located largely in Utah. A small part of the lower end of Glen Canyon extends into northern Arizona and ends at Lee's Ferry, near Glen Canyon Dam.
The image above is a photograph of the Glen Canyon Dam (GCD) in Arizona. Recent captures of non-native fishes in the Colorado River downstream of GCD indicate a potential threat to imperiled native fish in the Grand Canyon.
The image above is a photograph of the Glen Canyon Dam (GCD) in Arizona. Recent captures of non-native fishes in the Colorado River downstream of GCD indicate a potential threat to imperiled native fish in the Grand Canyon.
USGS scientist surgically implanting transmitters into juvenile Chinook salmon on the Shasta River, CA
linkUSGS scientists surgically implanting acoustic transmitters into juvenile Chinook salmon on the Shasta River, California. Study fish are tracked in the Shasta and Klamath Rivers as they migrate to the Pacific Ocean. Collected data are used to determine fish survival and migration behaviors.
USGS scientist surgically implanting transmitters into juvenile Chinook salmon on the Shasta River, CA
linkUSGS scientists surgically implanting acoustic transmitters into juvenile Chinook salmon on the Shasta River, California. Study fish are tracked in the Shasta and Klamath Rivers as they migrate to the Pacific Ocean. Collected data are used to determine fish survival and migration behaviors.
Taking a break in the fog on the San Joaquin River while trawling aboard the USGS Research Vessel Munson II.
Taking a break in the fog on the San Joaquin River while trawling aboard the USGS Research Vessel Munson II.
Capturing juvenile Chinook salmon in Cougar Reservoir, Oregon using a Lampara net.
Capturing juvenile Chinook salmon in Cougar Reservoir, Oregon using a Lampara net.
Juvenile Chinook salmon monitoring below the The Dalles Dam on the Columbia River.
Juvenile Chinook salmon monitoring below the The Dalles Dam on the Columbia River.
Trawling for Delta Smelt using a Kodiak Trawl in the Sacramento River aboard the USGS Research Vessel Sentinel.
Trawling for Delta Smelt using a Kodiak Trawl in the Sacramento River aboard the USGS Research Vessel Sentinel.
Honeycomb weathering of sandstone located on the shores of Puget Sound occurs when expanding salt crystals break fragments of rock, creating a small hole that becomes larger as the process repeats itself over time.
Honeycomb weathering of sandstone located on the shores of Puget Sound occurs when expanding salt crystals break fragments of rock, creating a small hole that becomes larger as the process repeats itself over time.
The ochre sea star is a common starfish found along the shores of Puget Sound. This intertidal dweller feeds primarily on mussels and snails, and may live as long as twenty years.
The ochre sea star is a common starfish found along the shores of Puget Sound. This intertidal dweller feeds primarily on mussels and snails, and may live as long as twenty years.
Tide pools provide habitat for a wide variety of Puget Sound flora and fauna. During low tides, the captive inhabitants of tide pools may be closely inspected.
Tide pools provide habitat for a wide variety of Puget Sound flora and fauna. During low tides, the captive inhabitants of tide pools may be closely inspected.