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.
Professional Experience
2005 - Present: USGS, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Supervisory Research Ecologist, Corvallis, Oregon
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Ecology Evolution and Conservation Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
Science and Products
Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Modeling distributions of native Western Pearlshell and Western Ridged Mussels in the Willamette River Basin, western Oregon
Increasing the Adaptive Capacity of Cold-Water Fishes Through Stream Barrier Removals
Forecasting Tools to Inform the Management of Native Fishes and Their Habitats in a Drought Sensitive Terminal Lake System
Integrating stream gage records, water presence observations, and models to improve hydrologic prediction in stream networks
Updated classifications of flow permanence on streams in the Colville National Forest
USGS science supporting the Elwha River Restoration Project
Controls on Habitat for Native Lampreys in the Umpqua River Basin
Controls on Salmon and Lamprey Habitat along the Siletz River
Probability of Streamflow Permanence (PROSPER)
Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Threat of Invasives to Native Species and Ecosystems
Restoration and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems
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.
FLOwPER Database: StreamFLOw PERmanence field observations, Jan 2023 - Dec 2023 FLOwPER Database: StreamFLOw PERmanence field observations, Jan 2023 - Dec 2023
Population viability assessment of native fish species in the Pacific Northwest accounting for instream conditions of water temperature and streamflow permanence Population viability assessment of native fish species in the Pacific Northwest accounting for instream conditions of water temperature and streamflow permanence
Species distribution models and model performance evaluations of twenty-four fishes native to Pacific Northwest US Species distribution models and model performance evaluations of twenty-four fishes native to Pacific Northwest US
Stream Temperature and Thermal Sensitivity in Great Basin Region, 2011 - 2021 Stream Temperature and Thermal Sensitivity in Great Basin Region, 2011 - 2021
Occurrence, Rarity and Climate Sensitivity Index, and Components of 29 Fishes Native to the Pacific Northwest, USA Occurrence, Rarity and Climate Sensitivity Index, and Components of 29 Fishes Native to the Pacific Northwest, USA
FLOwPER Database: StreamFLOw PERmanence field observations, Jan 2022 - Dec 2022 FLOwPER Database: StreamFLOw PERmanence field observations, Jan 2022 - Dec 2022
Drought-related responses of stream flow, climate, and vegetation productivity from the Donner und Blitzen watershed, Great Basin Desert, USA (1988-2020) Drought-related responses of stream flow, climate, and vegetation productivity from the Donner und Blitzen watershed, Great Basin Desert, USA (1988-2020)
FLOwPER Database: StreamFLOw PERmanence field observations, Jan 2021 - Dec 2021 FLOwPER Database: StreamFLOw PERmanence field observations, Jan 2021 - Dec 2021
Airborne Thermal Infrared and High-resolution True-color Imagery and Longitudinal Profiles of Stream Temperatures, Upper Donner und Blitzen River Basin, Oregon, August 2020 Airborne Thermal Infrared and High-resolution True-color Imagery and Longitudinal Profiles of Stream Temperatures, Upper Donner und Blitzen River Basin, Oregon, August 2020
Simulated growth potential of redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River Basin, southeastern Oregon, using a bioenergetics model Simulated growth potential of redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River Basin, southeastern Oregon, using a bioenergetics model
Simulated streamflow and stream temperature in the Donner und Blitzen River Basin, southeastern Oregon, using the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) Simulated streamflow and stream temperature in the Donner und Blitzen River Basin, southeastern Oregon, using the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS)
Fishes of the Harney Basin revisited: A contemporary assessment of the distribution of fish fauna throughout the Harney Basin from 1990 to 2019 (ver. 2.0, April 2022) Fishes of the Harney Basin revisited: A contemporary assessment of the distribution of fish fauna throughout the Harney Basin from 1990 to 2019 (ver. 2.0, April 2022)
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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Effects of riparian forest thinning on resident salmonid fishes in coastal northern California catchments Effects of riparian forest thinning on resident salmonid fishes in coastal northern California catchments
New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application
A partner-driven decision support model to inform the reintroduction of bull trout A partner-driven decision support model to inform the reintroduction of bull trout
Population genomics reveals local adaptation related to temperature variation in two stream frog species: Implications for vulnerability to climate warming Population genomics reveals local adaptation related to temperature variation in two stream frog species: Implications for vulnerability to climate warming
Exposure, sensitivity, or adaptive capacity? Reviewing assessments that use only two of three elements of climate change vulnerability Exposure, sensitivity, or adaptive capacity? Reviewing assessments that use only two of three elements of climate change vulnerability
Linking fire, food webs, and fish in stream ecosystems Linking fire, food webs, and fish in stream ecosystems
New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application
Greater plasticity in CTmax with increased climate variability among populations of tailed frogs Greater plasticity in CTmax with increased climate variability among populations of tailed frogs
Assisted migration of coho salmon: Influences of passage and habitat availability on population dynamics Assisted migration of coho salmon: Influences of passage and habitat availability on population dynamics
Restoring Pacific Lamprey in the Umpqua River Basin of Oregon: A workshop summary Restoring Pacific Lamprey in the Umpqua River Basin of Oregon: A workshop summary
The past, present, and a future for native charr in Japan The past, present, and a future for native charr in Japan
Working with people to create and apply science in bull trout conservation Working with people to create and apply science in bull trout conservation
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.
Science and Products
Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Modeling distributions of native Western Pearlshell and Western Ridged Mussels in the Willamette River Basin, western Oregon
Increasing the Adaptive Capacity of Cold-Water Fishes Through Stream Barrier Removals
Forecasting Tools to Inform the Management of Native Fishes and Their Habitats in a Drought Sensitive Terminal Lake System
Integrating stream gage records, water presence observations, and models to improve hydrologic prediction in stream networks
Updated classifications of flow permanence on streams in the Colville National Forest
USGS science supporting the Elwha River Restoration Project
Controls on Habitat for Native Lampreys in the Umpqua River Basin
Controls on Salmon and Lamprey Habitat along the Siletz River
Probability of Streamflow Permanence (PROSPER)
Aquatic & Landscape Ecology Research Team (FRESC)
Threat of Invasives to Native Species and Ecosystems
Restoration and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems
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.
FLOwPER Database: StreamFLOw PERmanence field observations, Jan 2023 - Dec 2023 FLOwPER Database: StreamFLOw PERmanence field observations, Jan 2023 - Dec 2023
Population viability assessment of native fish species in the Pacific Northwest accounting for instream conditions of water temperature and streamflow permanence Population viability assessment of native fish species in the Pacific Northwest accounting for instream conditions of water temperature and streamflow permanence
Species distribution models and model performance evaluations of twenty-four fishes native to Pacific Northwest US Species distribution models and model performance evaluations of twenty-four fishes native to Pacific Northwest US
Stream Temperature and Thermal Sensitivity in Great Basin Region, 2011 - 2021 Stream Temperature and Thermal Sensitivity in Great Basin Region, 2011 - 2021
Occurrence, Rarity and Climate Sensitivity Index, and Components of 29 Fishes Native to the Pacific Northwest, USA Occurrence, Rarity and Climate Sensitivity Index, and Components of 29 Fishes Native to the Pacific Northwest, USA
FLOwPER Database: StreamFLOw PERmanence field observations, Jan 2022 - Dec 2022 FLOwPER Database: StreamFLOw PERmanence field observations, Jan 2022 - Dec 2022
Drought-related responses of stream flow, climate, and vegetation productivity from the Donner und Blitzen watershed, Great Basin Desert, USA (1988-2020) Drought-related responses of stream flow, climate, and vegetation productivity from the Donner und Blitzen watershed, Great Basin Desert, USA (1988-2020)
FLOwPER Database: StreamFLOw PERmanence field observations, Jan 2021 - Dec 2021 FLOwPER Database: StreamFLOw PERmanence field observations, Jan 2021 - Dec 2021
Airborne Thermal Infrared and High-resolution True-color Imagery and Longitudinal Profiles of Stream Temperatures, Upper Donner und Blitzen River Basin, Oregon, August 2020 Airborne Thermal Infrared and High-resolution True-color Imagery and Longitudinal Profiles of Stream Temperatures, Upper Donner und Blitzen River Basin, Oregon, August 2020
Simulated growth potential of redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River Basin, southeastern Oregon, using a bioenergetics model Simulated growth potential of redband trout in the Donner und Blitzen River Basin, southeastern Oregon, using a bioenergetics model
Simulated streamflow and stream temperature in the Donner und Blitzen River Basin, southeastern Oregon, using the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS) Simulated streamflow and stream temperature in the Donner und Blitzen River Basin, southeastern Oregon, using the Precipitation-Runoff Modeling System (PRMS)
Fishes of the Harney Basin revisited: A contemporary assessment of the distribution of fish fauna throughout the Harney Basin from 1990 to 2019 (ver. 2.0, April 2022) Fishes of the Harney Basin revisited: A contemporary assessment of the distribution of fish fauna throughout the Harney Basin from 1990 to 2019 (ver. 2.0, April 2022)
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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Effects of riparian forest thinning on resident salmonid fishes in coastal northern California catchments Effects of riparian forest thinning on resident salmonid fishes in coastal northern California catchments
New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application
A partner-driven decision support model to inform the reintroduction of bull trout A partner-driven decision support model to inform the reintroduction of bull trout
Population genomics reveals local adaptation related to temperature variation in two stream frog species: Implications for vulnerability to climate warming Population genomics reveals local adaptation related to temperature variation in two stream frog species: Implications for vulnerability to climate warming
Exposure, sensitivity, or adaptive capacity? Reviewing assessments that use only two of three elements of climate change vulnerability Exposure, sensitivity, or adaptive capacity? Reviewing assessments that use only two of three elements of climate change vulnerability
Linking fire, food webs, and fish in stream ecosystems Linking fire, food webs, and fish in stream ecosystems
New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application New technology for an ancient fish: A lamprey life cycle modeling tool with an R Shiny application
Greater plasticity in CTmax with increased climate variability among populations of tailed frogs Greater plasticity in CTmax with increased climate variability among populations of tailed frogs
Assisted migration of coho salmon: Influences of passage and habitat availability on population dynamics Assisted migration of coho salmon: Influences of passage and habitat availability on population dynamics
Restoring Pacific Lamprey in the Umpqua River Basin of Oregon: A workshop summary Restoring Pacific Lamprey in the Umpqua River Basin of Oregon: A workshop summary
The past, present, and a future for native charr in Japan The past, present, and a future for native charr in Japan
Working with people to create and apply science in bull trout conservation Working with people to create and apply science in bull trout conservation
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.