Freshwater mussels can be hard to find because they nestle into riverbeds. With new tools, we can find mussels by looking for their DNA in water samples in the lab.
Jason B Dunham
I am a Supervisory Research Ecologist at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center in Corvallis, Oregon
My research is focused on landscape ecology of aquatic ecosystems, conservation biology of focal species, ecology of natural disturbance, biological invasions, and monitoring.
Science and Products
Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Fresh waters are one of the most valuable and threatened resources worldwide. They supply critical services to society and harbor many of the world’s most imperiled species. We conduct research and provide technical assistance to address challenges to fresh waters. Our research focuses on ecological processes in freshwater and terrestrial systems and the effects of those processes on landscape...
Filter Total Items: 20
Modeling distributions of native Western Pearlshell and Western Ridged Mussels in the Willamette River Basin, western Oregon
The U.S. Geological Survey is working with Tribal, federal, state, and non-profit partners to understand and predict where native Western Pearlshell and Western Ridged mussels are found in the Willamette River Basin. Freshwater mussels provide critical ecosystem services to people but are imperiled world-wide. Findings will support freshwater mussel management and conservation in the Willamette...
Increasing the Adaptive Capacity of Cold-Water Fishes Through Stream Barrier Removals
Project Overview As the climate continues to warm, managers are faced with challenges in providing suitable habitat for cold-water fish to increase their adaptive capacity. While the removal of barriers to fish movement, such as culverts and dams, would provide a rare opportunity to increase their adaptive capacity, managers currently have a limited number of resources to anticipate the...
Forecasting Tools to Inform the Management of Native Fishes and Their Habitats in a Drought Sensitive Terminal Lake System
Project Overview Terminal lake systems, water sources that are confined to streams, wetlands, and seasonal lakes that do not flow into the ocean, are greatly impacted by climate effects such as drought, reduced snowpack and increased wildfire activity. As a result, managers are faced with a lack of resources to study these aquatic habitats and the residing native fish. Researchers...
Integrating stream gage records, water presence observations, and models to improve hydrologic prediction in stream networks
Develop a process-guided deep learning modeling framework to integrate high-frequency streamflow data from gages, discrete streamflow measurements, surface water presence/absence observations, and streamflow model outputs to improve hydrological predictions on small streams.
Updated classifications of flow permanence on streams in the Colville National Forest
The Issue: Streamflow permanence refers to the probability that a stream will lose surface flow (become a dry channel), as well as the timing, duration, and frequency of drying. Patterns of streamflow permanence drive important decisions regarding forest management and other land uses. The Colville National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (2019), for example, specifies riparian management...
USGS science supporting the Elwha River Restoration Project
The Elwha River Restoration Project has reconnected the water, salmon, and sediment of a pristine river and coast of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington.
Controls on Habitat for Native Lampreys in the Umpqua River Basin
Native lampreys are culturally significant fishes for tribal communities in Oregon. As such, the USGS has begun working with the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians to study changes that may be affecting habitat for native Pacific and western brook lampreys in the Umpqua River basin.
Controls on Salmon and Lamprey Habitat along the Siletz River
Chinook Salmon and Pacific Lamprey are culturally significant fishes to the Tribal community along the Siletz River, Oregon. The USGS has begun studying how streamflow and bedload conditions may influence mainstem spawning habitats.
Probability of Streamflow Permanence (PROSPER)
Rivers and streams are constantly changing. Streamflows can change throughout the year and between years due to snowmelt, precipitation, diversions, and return flows. For many streams, these fluctuations determine whether a stream has year-round flow or not. PRObability of Streamflow PERmanence (PROSPER) is a project initiated to better understand what causes these fluctuations in different...
Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Fresh waters are one of the most valuable and threatened resources worldwide. They supply critical services to society and harbor many of the world’s most imperiled species. We conduct research and provide technical assistance to address challenges to fresh waters. Our research focuses on ecological processes in freshwater and terrestrial systems and the effects of those processes on landscape...
Threat of Invasives to Native Species and Ecosystems
Invasive species are a growing threat to native species and ecosystem processes in fresh waters. The Introducing non-native fish into an area may have no effect, little current effect, or the potential to seriously impact the native species, possibly resulting in their extinction. We conduct research to address the causes of invasions and their impacts. We also provide technical support for...
Restoration and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems
Restoration of aquatic ecosystems involves a broad spectrum of active and passive efforts. Passive efforts rely on natural recovery of ecosystems, such as land use practices that protect riparian zones and sources of wood and sediment that drive the geomorphic and associated biological functions in streams. Active efforts involve more direct intervention, usually applied to specific locations, to...
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
A bed of Western Pearlshell mussels in the Chehalis River
Freshwater mussels can be hard to find because they nestle into riverbeds. With new tools, we can find mussels by looking for their DNA in water samples in the lab.
Northwest Mussels Live Long to Tell Their Story
Few would believe the importance of freshwater mussels to scientists here in the Pacific Northwest. These little-known and often-ignored organisms may live for over a century on the bottoms of lakes, rivers, and streams. Freshwater mussels have a story to tell, and researchers have developed a way of ‘reading’ this story.
Few would believe the importance of freshwater mussels to scientists here in the Pacific Northwest. These little-known and often-ignored organisms may live for over a century on the bottoms of lakes, rivers, and streams. Freshwater mussels have a story to tell, and researchers have developed a way of ‘reading’ this story.
Elwha River Restoration
A large cooperative project is taking place with Olympic National Park in the Elwha River in anticipation of removal of two dams. Restoration of the entire river to natural free flows will allow returning salmon access to historic spawning grounds.
A large cooperative project is taking place with Olympic National Park in the Elwha River in anticipation of removal of two dams. Restoration of the entire river to natural free flows will allow returning salmon access to historic spawning grounds.
Elwha River Restoration
A large cooperative project is taking place with Olympic National Park in the Elwha River in anticipation of removal of two dams. Restoration of the entire river to natural free flows will allow returning salmon access to historic spawning grounds.
A large cooperative project is taking place with Olympic National Park in the Elwha River in anticipation of removal of two dams. Restoration of the entire river to natural free flows will allow returning salmon access to historic spawning grounds.
Science and Products
Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Fresh waters are one of the most valuable and threatened resources worldwide. They supply critical services to society and harbor many of the world’s most imperiled species. We conduct research and provide technical assistance to address challenges to fresh waters. Our research focuses on ecological processes in freshwater and terrestrial systems and the effects of those processes on landscape...
Filter Total Items: 20
Modeling distributions of native Western Pearlshell and Western Ridged Mussels in the Willamette River Basin, western Oregon
The U.S. Geological Survey is working with Tribal, federal, state, and non-profit partners to understand and predict where native Western Pearlshell and Western Ridged mussels are found in the Willamette River Basin. Freshwater mussels provide critical ecosystem services to people but are imperiled world-wide. Findings will support freshwater mussel management and conservation in the Willamette...
Increasing the Adaptive Capacity of Cold-Water Fishes Through Stream Barrier Removals
Project Overview As the climate continues to warm, managers are faced with challenges in providing suitable habitat for cold-water fish to increase their adaptive capacity. While the removal of barriers to fish movement, such as culverts and dams, would provide a rare opportunity to increase their adaptive capacity, managers currently have a limited number of resources to anticipate the...
Forecasting Tools to Inform the Management of Native Fishes and Their Habitats in a Drought Sensitive Terminal Lake System
Project Overview Terminal lake systems, water sources that are confined to streams, wetlands, and seasonal lakes that do not flow into the ocean, are greatly impacted by climate effects such as drought, reduced snowpack and increased wildfire activity. As a result, managers are faced with a lack of resources to study these aquatic habitats and the residing native fish. Researchers...
Integrating stream gage records, water presence observations, and models to improve hydrologic prediction in stream networks
Develop a process-guided deep learning modeling framework to integrate high-frequency streamflow data from gages, discrete streamflow measurements, surface water presence/absence observations, and streamflow model outputs to improve hydrological predictions on small streams.
Updated classifications of flow permanence on streams in the Colville National Forest
The Issue: Streamflow permanence refers to the probability that a stream will lose surface flow (become a dry channel), as well as the timing, duration, and frequency of drying. Patterns of streamflow permanence drive important decisions regarding forest management and other land uses. The Colville National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (2019), for example, specifies riparian management...
USGS science supporting the Elwha River Restoration Project
The Elwha River Restoration Project has reconnected the water, salmon, and sediment of a pristine river and coast of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington.
Controls on Habitat for Native Lampreys in the Umpqua River Basin
Native lampreys are culturally significant fishes for tribal communities in Oregon. As such, the USGS has begun working with the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians to study changes that may be affecting habitat for native Pacific and western brook lampreys in the Umpqua River basin.
Controls on Salmon and Lamprey Habitat along the Siletz River
Chinook Salmon and Pacific Lamprey are culturally significant fishes to the Tribal community along the Siletz River, Oregon. The USGS has begun studying how streamflow and bedload conditions may influence mainstem spawning habitats.
Probability of Streamflow Permanence (PROSPER)
Rivers and streams are constantly changing. Streamflows can change throughout the year and between years due to snowmelt, precipitation, diversions, and return flows. For many streams, these fluctuations determine whether a stream has year-round flow or not. PRObability of Streamflow PERmanence (PROSPER) is a project initiated to better understand what causes these fluctuations in different...
Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Fresh waters are one of the most valuable and threatened resources worldwide. They supply critical services to society and harbor many of the world’s most imperiled species. We conduct research and provide technical assistance to address challenges to fresh waters. Our research focuses on ecological processes in freshwater and terrestrial systems and the effects of those processes on landscape...
Threat of Invasives to Native Species and Ecosystems
Invasive species are a growing threat to native species and ecosystem processes in fresh waters. The Introducing non-native fish into an area may have no effect, little current effect, or the potential to seriously impact the native species, possibly resulting in their extinction. We conduct research to address the causes of invasions and their impacts. We also provide technical support for...
Restoration and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems
Restoration of aquatic ecosystems involves a broad spectrum of active and passive efforts. Passive efforts rely on natural recovery of ecosystems, such as land use practices that protect riparian zones and sources of wood and sediment that drive the geomorphic and associated biological functions in streams. Active efforts involve more direct intervention, usually applied to specific locations, to...
If you are unable to access or download a product, email fresc_outreach@usgs.gov a request, including the full citation, or call (541) 750-1030.
A bed of Western Pearlshell mussels in the Chehalis River
Freshwater mussels can be hard to find because they nestle into riverbeds. With new tools, we can find mussels by looking for their DNA in water samples in the lab.
Freshwater mussels can be hard to find because they nestle into riverbeds. With new tools, we can find mussels by looking for their DNA in water samples in the lab.
Northwest Mussels Live Long to Tell Their Story
Few would believe the importance of freshwater mussels to scientists here in the Pacific Northwest. These little-known and often-ignored organisms may live for over a century on the bottoms of lakes, rivers, and streams. Freshwater mussels have a story to tell, and researchers have developed a way of ‘reading’ this story.
Few would believe the importance of freshwater mussels to scientists here in the Pacific Northwest. These little-known and often-ignored organisms may live for over a century on the bottoms of lakes, rivers, and streams. Freshwater mussels have a story to tell, and researchers have developed a way of ‘reading’ this story.
Elwha River Restoration
A large cooperative project is taking place with Olympic National Park in the Elwha River in anticipation of removal of two dams. Restoration of the entire river to natural free flows will allow returning salmon access to historic spawning grounds.
A large cooperative project is taking place with Olympic National Park in the Elwha River in anticipation of removal of two dams. Restoration of the entire river to natural free flows will allow returning salmon access to historic spawning grounds.
Elwha River Restoration
A large cooperative project is taking place with Olympic National Park in the Elwha River in anticipation of removal of two dams. Restoration of the entire river to natural free flows will allow returning salmon access to historic spawning grounds.
A large cooperative project is taking place with Olympic National Park in the Elwha River in anticipation of removal of two dams. Restoration of the entire river to natural free flows will allow returning salmon access to historic spawning grounds.