Hydrologist, Hank Johnson, measures water temperature and specific conductance from a well near Opal Springs Oregon.
Hank Johnson
I am a research hydrologist at the USGS Oregon Water Science Center. I have been working on groundwater and water-quality issues regionally and nationally for more than 20 years. My research interests include arid-system hydrology, groundwater and spring systems, and environmental tracers.
Science and Products
Identifying nitrate sources in the lower Crooked River
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Crooked River Watershed Council (CRWC) are working together to identify sources of nitrate entering Lake Billy Chinook from the Crooked River Basin to help resource managers improve water quality.
Surface-water extent in the Klamath Marsh
Satellite imagery and the interplay of climate and hydrologic data tell the story of surface-water decline in the Klamath Marsh.
Recharge to the Columbia River Basalt Groundwater System
Learn about the groundwater flow system within the Columbia River Basalt Group in the Umatilla River Basin.
Harney Basin Groundwater Study
In response to increasing groundwater demand and declining groundwater levels in the Harney Basin of southeastern Oregon, the U.S. Geological Survey and Oregon Water Resources Department conducted a groundwater-availability study during 2016–22. Read to learn about the key findings
Walla Walla River Basin groundwater-flow system, Oregon-Washington
The Issue: Decades of declining groundwater levels in the Walla Walla River Basin (WWRB), which spans Oregon and Washington, are affecting instream flows for threatened and culturally important fish populations and water availability for competing interests across state lines. The public and state resource management agencies have begun implementing efforts to stabilize groundwater levels and...
Groundwater of the Umatilla River Basin
Water management in the arid Umatilla Basin has become increasingly complex in recent years. Competing demands from society for generating hydro-electric power, maintaining and restoring fisheries, restoring watershed health, providing water for growing communities, and increasing agricultural production through irrigation, have put water resources in the Umatilla Basin and throughout the...
Spring Vulnerability Study for Southeastern Oregon
Evaluating Spring Vulnerability to Climate Change on BLM Priority Management Areas in Southeastern Oregon
Well water measurement near Opal Springs, Oregon
Hydrologist, Hank Johnson, measures water temperature and specific conductance from a well near Opal Springs Oregon.
Hydrologist in the field
USGS hydrologist working in the field.
USGS hydrologist working in the field.
USGS Scientist Collecting a Water-Quality Sample from Zollner Creek, Oregon, for the Analysis of Dissolved Pesticides
USGS Scientist Collecting a Water-Quality Sample from Zollner Creek, Oregon, for the Analysis of Dissolved PesticidesU.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hydrologic technician Dan Polette collecting a water-quality sample from Zollner Creek, Oregon for a national-scale investigation of the environmental occurrence of neonicotinoid insecticides in agricultural and urban settings.
USGS Scientist Collecting a Water-Quality Sample from Zollner Creek, Oregon, for the Analysis of Dissolved Pesticides
USGS Scientist Collecting a Water-Quality Sample from Zollner Creek, Oregon, for the Analysis of Dissolved PesticidesU.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hydrologic technician Dan Polette collecting a water-quality sample from Zollner Creek, Oregon for a national-scale investigation of the environmental occurrence of neonicotinoid insecticides in agricultural and urban settings.
Science and Products
Identifying nitrate sources in the lower Crooked River
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Crooked River Watershed Council (CRWC) are working together to identify sources of nitrate entering Lake Billy Chinook from the Crooked River Basin to help resource managers improve water quality.
Surface-water extent in the Klamath Marsh
Satellite imagery and the interplay of climate and hydrologic data tell the story of surface-water decline in the Klamath Marsh.
Recharge to the Columbia River Basalt Groundwater System
Learn about the groundwater flow system within the Columbia River Basalt Group in the Umatilla River Basin.
Harney Basin Groundwater Study
In response to increasing groundwater demand and declining groundwater levels in the Harney Basin of southeastern Oregon, the U.S. Geological Survey and Oregon Water Resources Department conducted a groundwater-availability study during 2016–22. Read to learn about the key findings
Walla Walla River Basin groundwater-flow system, Oregon-Washington
The Issue: Decades of declining groundwater levels in the Walla Walla River Basin (WWRB), which spans Oregon and Washington, are affecting instream flows for threatened and culturally important fish populations and water availability for competing interests across state lines. The public and state resource management agencies have begun implementing efforts to stabilize groundwater levels and...
Groundwater of the Umatilla River Basin
Water management in the arid Umatilla Basin has become increasingly complex in recent years. Competing demands from society for generating hydro-electric power, maintaining and restoring fisheries, restoring watershed health, providing water for growing communities, and increasing agricultural production through irrigation, have put water resources in the Umatilla Basin and throughout the...
Spring Vulnerability Study for Southeastern Oregon
Evaluating Spring Vulnerability to Climate Change on BLM Priority Management Areas in Southeastern Oregon
Well water measurement near Opal Springs, Oregon
Hydrologist, Hank Johnson, measures water temperature and specific conductance from a well near Opal Springs Oregon.
Hydrologist, Hank Johnson, measures water temperature and specific conductance from a well near Opal Springs Oregon.
Hydrologist in the field
USGS hydrologist working in the field.
USGS hydrologist working in the field.
USGS Scientist Collecting a Water-Quality Sample from Zollner Creek, Oregon, for the Analysis of Dissolved Pesticides
USGS Scientist Collecting a Water-Quality Sample from Zollner Creek, Oregon, for the Analysis of Dissolved PesticidesU.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hydrologic technician Dan Polette collecting a water-quality sample from Zollner Creek, Oregon for a national-scale investigation of the environmental occurrence of neonicotinoid insecticides in agricultural and urban settings.
USGS Scientist Collecting a Water-Quality Sample from Zollner Creek, Oregon, for the Analysis of Dissolved Pesticides
USGS Scientist Collecting a Water-Quality Sample from Zollner Creek, Oregon, for the Analysis of Dissolved PesticidesU.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hydrologic technician Dan Polette collecting a water-quality sample from Zollner Creek, Oregon for a national-scale investigation of the environmental occurrence of neonicotinoid insecticides in agricultural and urban settings.