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James White

James White is a hydrologist at the USGS Oregon Water Science Center.

Science and Products

a small white aircraft with a blue, white, and black stripes running down the middle and plane nose.

Geospatial Data Collection in the Willamette River Basin

A USGS geospatial data collection initiative in Oregon’s Willamette River Basin uses advanced remote sensing and on‑the‑ground measurements to map major rivers draining the Cascade Range. This work helps track how changing water resources and river channel conditions affect a wide array of water‑management needs, river hazards, recreational users, and habitat for ESA-listed spring Chinook salmon...
By
Oregon Water Science Center
Geospatial Data Collection in the Willamette River Basin

Geospatial Data Collection in the Willamette River Basin

A USGS geospatial data collection initiative in Oregon’s Willamette River Basin uses advanced remote sensing and on‑the‑ground measurements to map major rivers draining the Cascade Range. This work helps track how changing water resources and river channel conditions affect a wide array of water‑management needs, river hazards, recreational users, and habitat for ESA-listed spring Chinook salmon...
Learn More
Scenic river view. Clear water and moss covered boulders. Tree lined bank in the fog on a cloudy day.

Monitoring sediment transport and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in the Willamette River basin

The U.S. Geological Survey is listening to rivers to understand how flows transport bedload sediment, which is fundamental to ecosystem structure and health.
By
Oregon Water Science Center
Monitoring sediment transport and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in the Willamette River basin

Monitoring sediment transport and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in the Willamette River basin

The U.S. Geological Survey is listening to rivers to understand how flows transport bedload sediment, which is fundamental to ecosystem structure and health.
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 19

High-resolution riverbed grain-size models of Oregon rivers High-resolution riverbed grain-size models of Oregon rivers

This data release includes rasters of riverbed grain size in select Oregon rivers where substrate size has been modeled following the approach of White and others (2025a) in which bathymetric lidar point-clouds were paired with georeferenced pebble counts to produce grain-size rasters for the Santiam River Basin (White and others, 2025b). Similar to White and others (2025b), this data...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Spawning habitat for Chinook salmon in the Willamette River Basin Spawning habitat for Chinook salmon in the Willamette River Basin

This data release contains rasters of modeled spawning habitat for spring Chinook salmon in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon for a range of streamflows and for various river corridors. Usable habitat area for spawning spring Chinook salmon was evaluated by integrating depth and velocity outputs from two-dimensional hydraulic models and estimates of riverbed grainsize with observed and...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Juvenile rearing habitat for Chinook salmon in the Willamette River Basin Juvenile rearing habitat for Chinook salmon in the Willamette River Basin

This data release contains rasters of modeled juvenile rearing habitat for spring Chinook salmon in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon for a range of streamflows and for various river corridors. Usable habitat area for juvenile rearing spring Chinook salmon was modeled for two size classes (fry and parr) by pairing outputs from two-dimensional hydraulic models with in-basin observations...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Two-dimensional HEC-RAS models for tributaries to the Willamette River, Oregon Two-dimensional HEC-RAS models for tributaries to the Willamette River, Oregon

This data release contains two-dimensional hydraulic models and model results for tributaries to the Willamette River of northwestern Oregon. Model files and results are organized by river name, wherein each river with two-dimensional models is included as a child item within this data release. The model extent for each river corridor is separated into individual reaches that each extend
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Topo-bathymetric datasets in the Santiam River Basin, Oregon Topo-bathymetric datasets in the Santiam River Basin, Oregon

In 2023, the USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) funded the collection of topo-bathymetric lidar (sometimes referred to as "green lidar") in the Santiam River Basin, Oregon. As part of this acquisition, lidar data were collected on the North, Middle and South Santiam and Santiam Rivers, encompassing reaches upstream of Detroit, Green Peter and Foster Lakes on each river and extending...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

One- and two-dimensional hydraulic models for the Siletz River, Oregon One- and two-dimensional hydraulic models for the Siletz River, Oregon

Hydraulic models of the Siletz River, Oregon, were developed using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydraulic Engineering Center River Analysis System (HEC-RAS; version 6.5). A one-dimensional (1D) steady-flow model was developed from Moonshine Park to the City of Siletz, Oregon (river kilometer [Rkm] 87.2 to 68.5). Results from the 1D model provided insights into longitudinal patterns...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Estimated Median Riverbed Grain Size (D50) throughout the Willamette River Basin, Oregon Estimated Median Riverbed Grain Size (D50) throughout the Willamette River Basin, Oregon

Riverbed grain-size is an important indicator of geomorphic and ecological processes and conditions, as it provides a key building block for channel form and benthic aquatic habitats. Understanding the distribution of riverbed sediment throughout a basin can help inform a variety of river and ecosystem management questions. This dataset provides estimates of median riverbed grain-sizes...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Stream Network Capacity to Support Beaver Dams, Tualatin River Basin, Northwest Oregon Stream Network Capacity to Support Beaver Dams, Tualatin River Basin, Northwest Oregon

Beaver dams can help streams connect to their floodplains. These floodplain connections can expand the range of available aquatic habitats and aid in the restoration of stream and floodplain processes. North American beavers (Castor canadensis) occupy a wide variety of aquatic habitats; however, their ability to build dams, the agent of stream and floodplain change, is constrained in...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Hydraulic models of two beaver affected reaches in the Tualatin Basin, Oregon Hydraulic models of two beaver affected reaches in the Tualatin Basin, Oregon

Beaver dams affect stream hydraulics by temporarily impounding water in stream channels. Beaver dams and their associated impoundments can potentially influence streamflow hydrographs and stream hydraulics in multiple ways including altering the magnitude and duration of high flows, temporary storage of storm water, and the range and spatial distribution of water depths and velocities in...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Submerged Grain Size Maps in the Santiam River Basin, Oregon Submerged Grain Size Maps in the Santiam River Basin, Oregon

The size and distribution of riverbed grain size plays a foundational role in river morphology and ecology. This study (White and others, 2025) quantifies submerged riverbed grain size at high resolution (1 square meter) across 260 kilometers of geomorphically diverse river corridors in the Santiam River Basin, Oregon, by pairing bathymetric lidar point-clouds collected in 2023 with...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Passive acoustic data collected using stationary hydrophones on rivers in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon Passive acoustic data collected using stationary hydrophones on rivers in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon

Underwater passive acoustic monitoring was conducted at multiple sites on rivers in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon. Hydrophones were used to record the sound associated with coarse river-bed sediment (bedload) movement. Bedload supply and transport are key factors determining channel morphology in gravel-bed rivers and can affect reach-scale conditions such as aggradation and...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Water Surface Elevation Data from the Siletz River, 2017-18 Water Surface Elevation Data from the Siletz River, 2017-18

Water-surface elevations were recorded by 12 submerged pressure transducers deployed from fall 2017 to summer 2018 along an approximately 25-km reach of the Siletz River, Oregon. All pressure transducers were deployed in the main channel of the Siletz River. The water-surface elevations were surveyed by using a real-time kinematic global positioning system (RTK-GPS) at each pressure...
By
Oregon Water Science Center
USGS hydrologist paddles an inflatable catamaran on the river while collecting data. Treelined bank in the distance.
Survey on the North Santiam River
Survey on the North Santiam River
USGS hydrologist paddles an inflatable catamaran on the river while collecting data. Treelined bank in the distance.

Survey on the North Santiam River

Survey on the North Santiam River

Researcher collecting depth, velocity, water surface elevation, and 360 degree imagery on the North Santiam River.

By
Oregon Water Science Center
USGS hydrologist paddles an inflatable catamaran on the river while collecting data. Treelined bank in the distance.

Survey on the North Santiam River

Survey on the North Santiam River

Researcher collecting depth, velocity, water surface elevation, and 360 degree imagery on the North Santiam River.

By
Oregon Water Science Center
Filter Total Items: 15

Quantifying Chinook Salmon habitat across flow regimes: High resolution modeling in Oregon’s Willamette River basin Quantifying Chinook Salmon habitat across flow regimes: High resolution modeling in Oregon’s Willamette River basin

The Santiam and McKenzie River basins of western Oregon provide critical habitat for federally listed Upper Willamette River Spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Streamflows in each basin are regulated in part by high-head multi-purpose dams; however, quantitative linkages between regulated streamflows and downstream habitat for juvenile and adult Chinook salmon remain...
Authors
James S. White, Karen Michelle Bartelt, Tobias J. Kock, Brandon Overstreet, Gabriel S. Hansen, J. Rose Wallick
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Beaver dams and their effects on urban streams in the Tualatin River Basin, northwestern Oregon Beaver dams and their effects on urban streams in the Tualatin River Basin, northwestern Oregon

Authors
Krista L. Jones, Cassandra D. Smith, James S. White, Stewart A. Rounds, Micelis C. Doyle, Erin K. Leahy
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Effects of beaver dams and ponds on hydrologic and hydraulic responses of storm flows in urban streams of the Tualatin River Basin, northwestern Oregon Effects of beaver dams and ponds on hydrologic and hydraulic responses of storm flows in urban streams of the Tualatin River Basin, northwestern Oregon

Authors
James S. White, Krista L. Jones, Stewart A. Rounds
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Stream network capacity to support beaver dams in the Tualatin River Basin, northwestern Oregon Stream network capacity to support beaver dams in the Tualatin River Basin, northwestern Oregon

Authors
James S. White, Cassandra D. Smith, Krista L. Jones, Stewart A. Rounds
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Assessment of channel morphology, hydraulics, and bedload transport along the Siletz River, western Oregon Assessment of channel morphology, hydraulics, and bedload transport along the Siletz River, western Oregon

Authors
Krista L. Jones, Mackenzie K. Keith, Tessa M. Harden, James S. White, Stan van de Wetering, Jason B. Dunham
By
Oregon Water Science Center

High resolution mapping of submerged sediment size and suitable salmon spawning habitat using topo-bathymetric Lidar in the Santiam Basin, Oregon High resolution mapping of submerged sediment size and suitable salmon spawning habitat using topo-bathymetric Lidar in the Santiam Basin, Oregon

The distribution of river-bed grain sizes plays a foundational role in river morphology and ecology. River-bed grain size is a key driver of channel form and process, and has first order effects on aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages, fish nesting, and biogeochemical processes. Despite this importance, tools to spatially quantify grain-size distributions, particularly submerged grain...
Authors
James S. White, Karen Michelle Bartelt, Brandon Overstreet, Jacob Ryan Kelley
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Evaluating the potential to quantify salmon habitat via UAS-based particle image velocimetry Evaluating the potential to quantify salmon habitat via UAS-based particle image velocimetry

Continuous, high-resolution data for characterizing freshwater habitat conditions can support successful management of endangered salmonids. Uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) make acquiring such fine-scale data along river channels more feasible, but workflows for quantifying reach-scale salmon habitats are lacking. We evaluated the potential for UAS-based mapping of hydraulic habitats...
Authors
Lee R. Harrison, Carl J. Legleiter, Brandon Overstreet, James S. White
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center

Expansion of smallmouth bass distribution and habitat overlap with juvenile Chinook salmon in the Willamette River, Oregon Expansion of smallmouth bass distribution and habitat overlap with juvenile Chinook salmon in the Willamette River, Oregon

Smallmouth bass populations have expanded far beyond their native range and these predatory fish present a pervasive threat to native aquatic species throughout North America. In the western United States, smallmouth bass are now present in river and reservoir habitats where Pacific salmon are found and are considered a potential threat to salmon recovery in many locations. We conducted...
Authors
James S. White, Tobias J. Kock, Brooke E. Penaluna, Stanley V. Gregory, Joshua E. Williams, Randy Wildman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

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 S. 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
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center

Assessment of habitat use by juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Willamette River Basin, 2020–21 Assessment of habitat use by juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Willamette River Basin, 2020–21

We conducted a field study during 2020–21 to describe habitat use patterns of juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the mainstem Willamette, McKenzie, and Santiam Rivers and to evaluate how habitat suitability criteria affected the predictive accuracy of a hydraulic habitat model. Two approaches were used to collect habitat use data: a stratified sampling design was used...
Authors
Gabriel S. Hansen, Russell W. Perry, Tobias J. Kock, James S. White, Philip V. Haner, John M. Plumb, J. Rose Wallick
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

Assessment of habitat availability for juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (O. mykiss) in the Willamette River, Oregon Assessment of habitat availability for juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (O. mykiss) in the Willamette River, Oregon

The Willamette River, Oregon, is home to two salmonid species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, Upper WIllamette River spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Upper Willamette River winter steelhead (O. mykiss). Streamflow in the Willamette River is regulated by upstream dams, 13 of which are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as part...
Authors
James S. White, James T. Peterson, Laurel E. Stratton Garvin, Tobias J. Kock, J. Rose Wallick
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

Development of continuous bathymetry and two-dimensional hydraulic models for the Willamette River, Oregon Development of continuous bathymetry and two-dimensional hydraulic models for the Willamette River, Oregon

The Willamette River is home to at least 69 species of fish, 33 of which are native, including Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). These fish need suitable hydraulic conditions, such as water depth and velocity, to fulfill various stages of their life. Hydraulic conditions are driven by interactions between channel morphology and streamflow...
Authors
James S. White, J. Rose Wallick
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center
Lunchtime Seminar Series (Spring 2018)

Lunchtime Seminar Series (Spring 2018)

In Spring Term, 2018, the USGS lunchtime seminar is a joint seminar series with the Portland State University School of the Environment (SOE) and...

Read Article
Lunchtime Seminar Series (Winter 2018)

Lunchtime Seminar Series (Winter 2018)

Our lunchtime seminars are held Tuesdays from 12pm to 1 pm PT. The science lectures are held at the USGS Oregon Water Science Center at 2130 SW 5th...

Read Article
Lunchtime Seminar Series (Fall 2017)

Lunchtime Seminar Series (Fall 2017)

Our lunchtime seminars are held Tuesdays from 12pm to 1 pm PT. The science lectures are held at the USGS Oregon Water Science Center at 2130 SW 5th...

Read Article

Science and Products

a small white aircraft with a blue, white, and black stripes running down the middle and plane nose.

Geospatial Data Collection in the Willamette River Basin

A USGS geospatial data collection initiative in Oregon’s Willamette River Basin uses advanced remote sensing and on‑the‑ground measurements to map major rivers draining the Cascade Range. This work helps track how changing water resources and river channel conditions affect a wide array of water‑management needs, river hazards, recreational users, and habitat for ESA-listed spring Chinook salmon...
By
Oregon Water Science Center
Geospatial Data Collection in the Willamette River Basin

Geospatial Data Collection in the Willamette River Basin

A USGS geospatial data collection initiative in Oregon’s Willamette River Basin uses advanced remote sensing and on‑the‑ground measurements to map major rivers draining the Cascade Range. This work helps track how changing water resources and river channel conditions affect a wide array of water‑management needs, river hazards, recreational users, and habitat for ESA-listed spring Chinook salmon...
Learn More
Scenic river view. Clear water and moss covered boulders. Tree lined bank in the fog on a cloudy day.

Monitoring sediment transport and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in the Willamette River basin

The U.S. Geological Survey is listening to rivers to understand how flows transport bedload sediment, which is fundamental to ecosystem structure and health.
By
Oregon Water Science Center
Monitoring sediment transport and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in the Willamette River basin

Monitoring sediment transport and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities in the Willamette River basin

The U.S. Geological Survey is listening to rivers to understand how flows transport bedload sediment, which is fundamental to ecosystem structure and health.
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 19

High-resolution riverbed grain-size models of Oregon rivers High-resolution riverbed grain-size models of Oregon rivers

This data release includes rasters of riverbed grain size in select Oregon rivers where substrate size has been modeled following the approach of White and others (2025a) in which bathymetric lidar point-clouds were paired with georeferenced pebble counts to produce grain-size rasters for the Santiam River Basin (White and others, 2025b). Similar to White and others (2025b), this data...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Spawning habitat for Chinook salmon in the Willamette River Basin Spawning habitat for Chinook salmon in the Willamette River Basin

This data release contains rasters of modeled spawning habitat for spring Chinook salmon in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon for a range of streamflows and for various river corridors. Usable habitat area for spawning spring Chinook salmon was evaluated by integrating depth and velocity outputs from two-dimensional hydraulic models and estimates of riverbed grainsize with observed and...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Juvenile rearing habitat for Chinook salmon in the Willamette River Basin Juvenile rearing habitat for Chinook salmon in the Willamette River Basin

This data release contains rasters of modeled juvenile rearing habitat for spring Chinook salmon in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon for a range of streamflows and for various river corridors. Usable habitat area for juvenile rearing spring Chinook salmon was modeled for two size classes (fry and parr) by pairing outputs from two-dimensional hydraulic models with in-basin observations...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Two-dimensional HEC-RAS models for tributaries to the Willamette River, Oregon Two-dimensional HEC-RAS models for tributaries to the Willamette River, Oregon

This data release contains two-dimensional hydraulic models and model results for tributaries to the Willamette River of northwestern Oregon. Model files and results are organized by river name, wherein each river with two-dimensional models is included as a child item within this data release. The model extent for each river corridor is separated into individual reaches that each extend
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Topo-bathymetric datasets in the Santiam River Basin, Oregon Topo-bathymetric datasets in the Santiam River Basin, Oregon

In 2023, the USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) funded the collection of topo-bathymetric lidar (sometimes referred to as "green lidar") in the Santiam River Basin, Oregon. As part of this acquisition, lidar data were collected on the North, Middle and South Santiam and Santiam Rivers, encompassing reaches upstream of Detroit, Green Peter and Foster Lakes on each river and extending...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

One- and two-dimensional hydraulic models for the Siletz River, Oregon One- and two-dimensional hydraulic models for the Siletz River, Oregon

Hydraulic models of the Siletz River, Oregon, were developed using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydraulic Engineering Center River Analysis System (HEC-RAS; version 6.5). A one-dimensional (1D) steady-flow model was developed from Moonshine Park to the City of Siletz, Oregon (river kilometer [Rkm] 87.2 to 68.5). Results from the 1D model provided insights into longitudinal patterns...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Estimated Median Riverbed Grain Size (D50) throughout the Willamette River Basin, Oregon Estimated Median Riverbed Grain Size (D50) throughout the Willamette River Basin, Oregon

Riverbed grain-size is an important indicator of geomorphic and ecological processes and conditions, as it provides a key building block for channel form and benthic aquatic habitats. Understanding the distribution of riverbed sediment throughout a basin can help inform a variety of river and ecosystem management questions. This dataset provides estimates of median riverbed grain-sizes...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Stream Network Capacity to Support Beaver Dams, Tualatin River Basin, Northwest Oregon Stream Network Capacity to Support Beaver Dams, Tualatin River Basin, Northwest Oregon

Beaver dams can help streams connect to their floodplains. These floodplain connections can expand the range of available aquatic habitats and aid in the restoration of stream and floodplain processes. North American beavers (Castor canadensis) occupy a wide variety of aquatic habitats; however, their ability to build dams, the agent of stream and floodplain change, is constrained in...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Hydraulic models of two beaver affected reaches in the Tualatin Basin, Oregon Hydraulic models of two beaver affected reaches in the Tualatin Basin, Oregon

Beaver dams affect stream hydraulics by temporarily impounding water in stream channels. Beaver dams and their associated impoundments can potentially influence streamflow hydrographs and stream hydraulics in multiple ways including altering the magnitude and duration of high flows, temporary storage of storm water, and the range and spatial distribution of water depths and velocities in...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Submerged Grain Size Maps in the Santiam River Basin, Oregon Submerged Grain Size Maps in the Santiam River Basin, Oregon

The size and distribution of riverbed grain size plays a foundational role in river morphology and ecology. This study (White and others, 2025) quantifies submerged riverbed grain size at high resolution (1 square meter) across 260 kilometers of geomorphically diverse river corridors in the Santiam River Basin, Oregon, by pairing bathymetric lidar point-clouds collected in 2023 with...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Passive acoustic data collected using stationary hydrophones on rivers in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon Passive acoustic data collected using stationary hydrophones on rivers in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon

Underwater passive acoustic monitoring was conducted at multiple sites on rivers in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon. Hydrophones were used to record the sound associated with coarse river-bed sediment (bedload) movement. Bedload supply and transport are key factors determining channel morphology in gravel-bed rivers and can affect reach-scale conditions such as aggradation and...
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Water Surface Elevation Data from the Siletz River, 2017-18 Water Surface Elevation Data from the Siletz River, 2017-18

Water-surface elevations were recorded by 12 submerged pressure transducers deployed from fall 2017 to summer 2018 along an approximately 25-km reach of the Siletz River, Oregon. All pressure transducers were deployed in the main channel of the Siletz River. The water-surface elevations were surveyed by using a real-time kinematic global positioning system (RTK-GPS) at each pressure...
By
Oregon Water Science Center
USGS hydrologist paddles an inflatable catamaran on the river while collecting data. Treelined bank in the distance.
Survey on the North Santiam River
Survey on the North Santiam River
USGS hydrologist paddles an inflatable catamaran on the river while collecting data. Treelined bank in the distance.

Survey on the North Santiam River

Survey on the North Santiam River

Researcher collecting depth, velocity, water surface elevation, and 360 degree imagery on the North Santiam River.

By
Oregon Water Science Center
USGS hydrologist paddles an inflatable catamaran on the river while collecting data. Treelined bank in the distance.

Survey on the North Santiam River

Survey on the North Santiam River

Researcher collecting depth, velocity, water surface elevation, and 360 degree imagery on the North Santiam River.

By
Oregon Water Science Center
Filter Total Items: 15

Quantifying Chinook Salmon habitat across flow regimes: High resolution modeling in Oregon’s Willamette River basin Quantifying Chinook Salmon habitat across flow regimes: High resolution modeling in Oregon’s Willamette River basin

The Santiam and McKenzie River basins of western Oregon provide critical habitat for federally listed Upper Willamette River Spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Streamflows in each basin are regulated in part by high-head multi-purpose dams; however, quantitative linkages between regulated streamflows and downstream habitat for juvenile and adult Chinook salmon remain...
Authors
James S. White, Karen Michelle Bartelt, Tobias J. Kock, Brandon Overstreet, Gabriel S. Hansen, J. Rose Wallick
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Beaver dams and their effects on urban streams in the Tualatin River Basin, northwestern Oregon Beaver dams and their effects on urban streams in the Tualatin River Basin, northwestern Oregon

Authors
Krista L. Jones, Cassandra D. Smith, James S. White, Stewart A. Rounds, Micelis C. Doyle, Erin K. Leahy
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Effects of beaver dams and ponds on hydrologic and hydraulic responses of storm flows in urban streams of the Tualatin River Basin, northwestern Oregon Effects of beaver dams and ponds on hydrologic and hydraulic responses of storm flows in urban streams of the Tualatin River Basin, northwestern Oregon

Authors
James S. White, Krista L. Jones, Stewart A. Rounds
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Stream network capacity to support beaver dams in the Tualatin River Basin, northwestern Oregon Stream network capacity to support beaver dams in the Tualatin River Basin, northwestern Oregon

Authors
James S. White, Cassandra D. Smith, Krista L. Jones, Stewart A. Rounds
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Assessment of channel morphology, hydraulics, and bedload transport along the Siletz River, western Oregon Assessment of channel morphology, hydraulics, and bedload transport along the Siletz River, western Oregon

Authors
Krista L. Jones, Mackenzie K. Keith, Tessa M. Harden, James S. White, Stan van de Wetering, Jason B. Dunham
By
Oregon Water Science Center

High resolution mapping of submerged sediment size and suitable salmon spawning habitat using topo-bathymetric Lidar in the Santiam Basin, Oregon High resolution mapping of submerged sediment size and suitable salmon spawning habitat using topo-bathymetric Lidar in the Santiam Basin, Oregon

The distribution of river-bed grain sizes plays a foundational role in river morphology and ecology. River-bed grain size is a key driver of channel form and process, and has first order effects on aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages, fish nesting, and biogeochemical processes. Despite this importance, tools to spatially quantify grain-size distributions, particularly submerged grain...
Authors
James S. White, Karen Michelle Bartelt, Brandon Overstreet, Jacob Ryan Kelley
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Evaluating the potential to quantify salmon habitat via UAS-based particle image velocimetry Evaluating the potential to quantify salmon habitat via UAS-based particle image velocimetry

Continuous, high-resolution data for characterizing freshwater habitat conditions can support successful management of endangered salmonids. Uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) make acquiring such fine-scale data along river channels more feasible, but workflows for quantifying reach-scale salmon habitats are lacking. We evaluated the potential for UAS-based mapping of hydraulic habitats...
Authors
Lee R. Harrison, Carl J. Legleiter, Brandon Overstreet, James S. White
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center

Expansion of smallmouth bass distribution and habitat overlap with juvenile Chinook salmon in the Willamette River, Oregon Expansion of smallmouth bass distribution and habitat overlap with juvenile Chinook salmon in the Willamette River, Oregon

Smallmouth bass populations have expanded far beyond their native range and these predatory fish present a pervasive threat to native aquatic species throughout North America. In the western United States, smallmouth bass are now present in river and reservoir habitats where Pacific salmon are found and are considered a potential threat to salmon recovery in many locations. We conducted...
Authors
James S. White, Tobias J. Kock, Brooke E. Penaluna, Stanley V. Gregory, Joshua E. Williams, Randy Wildman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

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 S. 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
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center

Assessment of habitat use by juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Willamette River Basin, 2020–21 Assessment of habitat use by juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Willamette River Basin, 2020–21

We conducted a field study during 2020–21 to describe habitat use patterns of juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the mainstem Willamette, McKenzie, and Santiam Rivers and to evaluate how habitat suitability criteria affected the predictive accuracy of a hydraulic habitat model. Two approaches were used to collect habitat use data: a stratified sampling design was used...
Authors
Gabriel S. Hansen, Russell W. Perry, Tobias J. Kock, James S. White, Philip V. Haner, John M. Plumb, J. Rose Wallick
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

Assessment of habitat availability for juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (O. mykiss) in the Willamette River, Oregon Assessment of habitat availability for juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (O. mykiss) in the Willamette River, Oregon

The Willamette River, Oregon, is home to two salmonid species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, Upper WIllamette River spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Upper Willamette River winter steelhead (O. mykiss). Streamflow in the Willamette River is regulated by upstream dams, 13 of which are operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as part...
Authors
James S. White, James T. Peterson, Laurel E. Stratton Garvin, Tobias J. Kock, J. Rose Wallick
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

Development of continuous bathymetry and two-dimensional hydraulic models for the Willamette River, Oregon Development of continuous bathymetry and two-dimensional hydraulic models for the Willamette River, Oregon

The Willamette River is home to at least 69 species of fish, 33 of which are native, including Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss). These fish need suitable hydraulic conditions, such as water depth and velocity, to fulfill various stages of their life. Hydraulic conditions are driven by interactions between channel morphology and streamflow...
Authors
James S. White, J. Rose Wallick
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center
Lunchtime Seminar Series (Spring 2018)

Lunchtime Seminar Series (Spring 2018)

In Spring Term, 2018, the USGS lunchtime seminar is a joint seminar series with the Portland State University School of the Environment (SOE) and...

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Lunchtime Seminar Series (Winter 2018)

Lunchtime Seminar Series (Winter 2018)

Our lunchtime seminars are held Tuesdays from 12pm to 1 pm PT. The science lectures are held at the USGS Oregon Water Science Center at 2130 SW 5th...

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Lunchtime Seminar Series (Fall 2017)

Lunchtime Seminar Series (Fall 2017)

Our lunchtime seminars are held Tuesdays from 12pm to 1 pm PT. The science lectures are held at the USGS Oregon Water Science Center at 2130 SW 5th...

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