Researcher collecting depth, velocity, water surface elevation, and 360 degree imagery on the North Santiam River.
James White
James White is a hydrologist at the USGS Oregon Water Science Center.
Science and Products
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.
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...
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...
Thalweg determination for three rivers in the Pacific Northwest, USA, 2023 Thalweg determination for three rivers in the Pacific Northwest, USA, 2023
In May 2023, the U.S. Geological Survey provided training for bathymetric data acquisition and processing for the Iraq Ministry of Water Resources. The training included multibeam sonar theory, survey planning, data collection and processing, and dissemination. This data release presents the raw survey data, a digital elevation model (DEM), and a thalweg shapefile for three survey areas...
2021 McKenzie River Topobathymetric Lidar Validation - USGS Field Survey Data 2021 McKenzie River Topobathymetric Lidar Validation - USGS Field Survey Data
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists conducted field data collection efforts between July 19th and 31st, 2021 over a large stretch of the McKenzie River in Oregon using high accuracy surveying technologies. The work was initiated as an effort to validate commercially acquired topobathymetric light detection and ranging (lidar) data that was collected coincidentally between July 26th...
Comparison of environmental flow recommendations for the Willamette Basin Sustainable Rivers Program, water years 2008-2022 Comparison of environmental flow recommendations for the Willamette Basin Sustainable Rivers Program, water years 2008-2022
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Nature Conservancy developed the Sustainable Rivers Program (SRP) as a collaborative environmental flows program to identify, refine, and implement environmental strategies at select USACE dams. The SRP was introduced to the Willamette Basin, Oregon, in 2007 through a series of environmental flow workshops, which led to stakeholder...
Digital elevation model and single beam sonar data from the McKenzie River, Oregon, 2021 Digital elevation model and single beam sonar data from the McKenzie River, Oregon, 2021
In 2021, the USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) funded the collection of topo-bathymetric lidar (sometimes referred to as "green lidar") on the McKenzie River, Oregon. As part of this acquisition, lidar data were collected starting on the McKenzie River below Trail Bridge Reservoir and extending downstream roughly 125 km to its confluence with the Willamette River. Bathymetric lidar...
Two-dimensional HEC-RAS models and topo-bathymetric datasets for the Willamette River, Oregon Two-dimensional HEC-RAS models and topo-bathymetric datasets for the Willamette River, Oregon
This dataset contains two-dimensional hydraulic models throughout the Willamette River, extending from the McKenzie River confluence, near Eugene, to the city of Newberg. The study reach is separated into five individual models to simplify tributary inflow boundary conditions and for run-time efficiency. These models were developed to assess juvenile salmonid habitat at streamflows...
Single-beam Echosounder Bathymetry of the Willamette River, Oregon 2015-2018 Single-beam Echosounder Bathymetry of the Willamette River, Oregon 2015-2018
River bathymetry measurements were collected in 2017 and 2018 along the Willamette River, Oregon, between Eugene and Newberg. These data were collected to complement a bathymetric lidar dataset collected in 2017 for the same section of river. In many deeper segments of the river channel, bathymetric lidar did not produce measurements of river bathymetry. To fill gaps in the bathymetric...
Point measurements of temperature and water quality in main-channel and off-channel features of the Willamette River, 2015-2016 Point measurements of temperature and water quality in main-channel and off-channel features of the Willamette River, 2015-2016
Water quality point measurements were collected by the US Geological Survey within the main channel Willamette River and its off-channel features in the summer and autumn of 2015 and 2016. All measurements include location, time, temperature, and depth below water surface, while most also include specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pH.
Survey on the North Santiam River
Researcher collecting depth, velocity, water surface elevation, and 360 degree imagery on the North Santiam River.
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 White
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 White, Tobias Kock, Brooke E. Penaluna, Stanley V. Gregory, Joshua E. Williams, Randy Wildman
Science to support conservation action in a large river system: The Willamette River, Oregon, USA Science to support conservation action in a large river system: The Willamette River, Oregon, USA
Management and conservation efforts that support the recovery and protection of large rivers are daunting, reflecting the complexity of the challenge and extent of effort (in terms of policy, economic investment, and spatial extent) needed to afford measurable change. These large systems have generally experienced intensive development and regulation, compromising their capacity to...
Authors
Rebecca L. Flitcroft, Luke Whitman, James White, J. Rose Wallick, Laurel E. Stratton Garvin, Cassandra Smith, Robert Plotnikoff, Michael Mulvey, Tobias Kock, Krista Jones, Peter Gruendike, Carolyn Gombert, Guillermo Giannico, Andrew Dutterer, Daniel G. Brown, Hannah Barrett, Robert M. Hughes
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
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
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
Synthesis of habitat availability and carrying capacity research to support water management decisions and enhance conditions for Pacific salmon in the Willamette River, Oregon Synthesis of habitat availability and carrying capacity research to support water management decisions and enhance conditions for Pacific salmon in the Willamette River, Oregon
Flow management is complex in the Willamette River Basin where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns and operates a system of 13 dams and reservoirs (hereinafter Willamette Project), which are spread throughout three large tributaries including the Middle Fork Willamette, McKenzie, and Santiam Rivers. The primary purpose of the Willamette Project is flood-risk management, which provides...
Authors
Tobias J. Kock, Russell W. Perry, Gabriel S. Hansen, James White, Laurel E. Stratton Garvin, J. Rose Wallick
Integrated tools for identifying optimal flow regimes and evaluating alternative minimum flows for recovering at-risk salmonids in a highly managed system Integrated tools for identifying optimal flow regimes and evaluating alternative minimum flows for recovering at-risk salmonids in a highly managed system
Water resource managers are faced with difficult decisions on how to satisfy human water needs while maintaining or restoring riverine ecosystems. Decision sciences have developed approaches and tools that can be used to break down difficult water management decisions into their component parts. An essential aspect of these approaches is the use of quantitative models to evaluate...
Authors
James Peterson, Jessica E. Pease, Luke Whitman, James White, Laurel E. Stratton Garvin, Stewart A. Rounds, J. Rose Wallick
Soft sediment deformation in dry pyroclastic deposits at Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley, California Soft sediment deformation in dry pyroclastic deposits at Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley, California
Soft sediment deformation structures are common in fine-grained pyroclastic deposits and are often taken, along with other characteristics, to indicate that deposits were emplaced in a wet and cohesive state. At Ubehebe Crater (Death Valley, California, USA), deposits were emplaced by multiple explosions, both directly from pyroclastic surges and by rapid remobilization of fresh, fine...
Authors
Greg A. Valentine, Judith E. Fierstein, James D.L. White
Science and Products
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.
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...
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...
Thalweg determination for three rivers in the Pacific Northwest, USA, 2023 Thalweg determination for three rivers in the Pacific Northwest, USA, 2023
In May 2023, the U.S. Geological Survey provided training for bathymetric data acquisition and processing for the Iraq Ministry of Water Resources. The training included multibeam sonar theory, survey planning, data collection and processing, and dissemination. This data release presents the raw survey data, a digital elevation model (DEM), and a thalweg shapefile for three survey areas...
2021 McKenzie River Topobathymetric Lidar Validation - USGS Field Survey Data 2021 McKenzie River Topobathymetric Lidar Validation - USGS Field Survey Data
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists conducted field data collection efforts between July 19th and 31st, 2021 over a large stretch of the McKenzie River in Oregon using high accuracy surveying technologies. The work was initiated as an effort to validate commercially acquired topobathymetric light detection and ranging (lidar) data that was collected coincidentally between July 26th...
Comparison of environmental flow recommendations for the Willamette Basin Sustainable Rivers Program, water years 2008-2022 Comparison of environmental flow recommendations for the Willamette Basin Sustainable Rivers Program, water years 2008-2022
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Nature Conservancy developed the Sustainable Rivers Program (SRP) as a collaborative environmental flows program to identify, refine, and implement environmental strategies at select USACE dams. The SRP was introduced to the Willamette Basin, Oregon, in 2007 through a series of environmental flow workshops, which led to stakeholder...
Digital elevation model and single beam sonar data from the McKenzie River, Oregon, 2021 Digital elevation model and single beam sonar data from the McKenzie River, Oregon, 2021
In 2021, the USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) funded the collection of topo-bathymetric lidar (sometimes referred to as "green lidar") on the McKenzie River, Oregon. As part of this acquisition, lidar data were collected starting on the McKenzie River below Trail Bridge Reservoir and extending downstream roughly 125 km to its confluence with the Willamette River. Bathymetric lidar...
Two-dimensional HEC-RAS models and topo-bathymetric datasets for the Willamette River, Oregon Two-dimensional HEC-RAS models and topo-bathymetric datasets for the Willamette River, Oregon
This dataset contains two-dimensional hydraulic models throughout the Willamette River, extending from the McKenzie River confluence, near Eugene, to the city of Newberg. The study reach is separated into five individual models to simplify tributary inflow boundary conditions and for run-time efficiency. These models were developed to assess juvenile salmonid habitat at streamflows...
Single-beam Echosounder Bathymetry of the Willamette River, Oregon 2015-2018 Single-beam Echosounder Bathymetry of the Willamette River, Oregon 2015-2018
River bathymetry measurements were collected in 2017 and 2018 along the Willamette River, Oregon, between Eugene and Newberg. These data were collected to complement a bathymetric lidar dataset collected in 2017 for the same section of river. In many deeper segments of the river channel, bathymetric lidar did not produce measurements of river bathymetry. To fill gaps in the bathymetric...
Point measurements of temperature and water quality in main-channel and off-channel features of the Willamette River, 2015-2016 Point measurements of temperature and water quality in main-channel and off-channel features of the Willamette River, 2015-2016
Water quality point measurements were collected by the US Geological Survey within the main channel Willamette River and its off-channel features in the summer and autumn of 2015 and 2016. All measurements include location, time, temperature, and depth below water surface, while most also include specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pH.
Survey on the North Santiam River
Researcher collecting depth, velocity, water surface elevation, and 360 degree imagery on the North Santiam River.
Researcher collecting depth, velocity, water surface elevation, and 360 degree imagery on the North Santiam River.
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 White
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 White, Tobias Kock, Brooke E. Penaluna, Stanley V. Gregory, Joshua E. Williams, Randy Wildman
Science to support conservation action in a large river system: The Willamette River, Oregon, USA Science to support conservation action in a large river system: The Willamette River, Oregon, USA
Management and conservation efforts that support the recovery and protection of large rivers are daunting, reflecting the complexity of the challenge and extent of effort (in terms of policy, economic investment, and spatial extent) needed to afford measurable change. These large systems have generally experienced intensive development and regulation, compromising their capacity to...
Authors
Rebecca L. Flitcroft, Luke Whitman, James White, J. Rose Wallick, Laurel E. Stratton Garvin, Cassandra Smith, Robert Plotnikoff, Michael Mulvey, Tobias Kock, Krista Jones, Peter Gruendike, Carolyn Gombert, Guillermo Giannico, Andrew Dutterer, Daniel G. Brown, Hannah Barrett, Robert M. Hughes
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
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
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
Synthesis of habitat availability and carrying capacity research to support water management decisions and enhance conditions for Pacific salmon in the Willamette River, Oregon Synthesis of habitat availability and carrying capacity research to support water management decisions and enhance conditions for Pacific salmon in the Willamette River, Oregon
Flow management is complex in the Willamette River Basin where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns and operates a system of 13 dams and reservoirs (hereinafter Willamette Project), which are spread throughout three large tributaries including the Middle Fork Willamette, McKenzie, and Santiam Rivers. The primary purpose of the Willamette Project is flood-risk management, which provides...
Authors
Tobias J. Kock, Russell W. Perry, Gabriel S. Hansen, James White, Laurel E. Stratton Garvin, J. Rose Wallick
Integrated tools for identifying optimal flow regimes and evaluating alternative minimum flows for recovering at-risk salmonids in a highly managed system Integrated tools for identifying optimal flow regimes and evaluating alternative minimum flows for recovering at-risk salmonids in a highly managed system
Water resource managers are faced with difficult decisions on how to satisfy human water needs while maintaining or restoring riverine ecosystems. Decision sciences have developed approaches and tools that can be used to break down difficult water management decisions into their component parts. An essential aspect of these approaches is the use of quantitative models to evaluate...
Authors
James Peterson, Jessica E. Pease, Luke Whitman, James White, Laurel E. Stratton Garvin, Stewart A. Rounds, J. Rose Wallick
Soft sediment deformation in dry pyroclastic deposits at Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley, California Soft sediment deformation in dry pyroclastic deposits at Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley, California
Soft sediment deformation structures are common in fine-grained pyroclastic deposits and are often taken, along with other characteristics, to indicate that deposits were emplaced in a wet and cohesive state. At Ubehebe Crater (Death Valley, California, USA), deposits were emplaced by multiple explosions, both directly from pyroclastic surges and by rapid remobilization of fresh, fine...
Authors
Greg A. Valentine, Judith E. Fierstein, James D.L. White