The sun setting behind the Olympic Mountains from a beach on Hood Canal, Washington. A beautiful ending of another day.
Jeffrey Duda
I am a Research Ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey's Western Fisheries Research Center, stationed in Seattle, Washington.
Research Interests:
My research assignment is to develop and execute a research program focused upon priorities of the USGS Ecosystems mission area, in particular those projects that address complex natural resource issues related to land use, habitat restoration, and species recovery. I have had the pleasure to work in diverse ecosystems and ecoregions throughout the United States, on lands and waters contained in both National Parks and military installations. I have also worked across a range of biological scales, from single species to entire communities.
Over the past decade, I have focused much attention on studying the ecological outcomes of dam removal, especially the historic project on the Elwha River. This involved removal of two long-standing dams, with a major goal of restoring the ecosystem and the native anadromous fish populations that once thrived in the river. Working with a multidisciplinary team within the USGS, as well as strong collaborations with partners like NPS, NOAA, FWS, and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, we have developed a portfolio of long-term data sets on physical and biological attributes of the Elwha River before and after dam removal.
Recently I was a member of a dam removal science working group at the USGS John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis. We worked to understand patterns of dam removal science, and to synthesize what is known scientifically about this emerging field. This led to development of the USGS Dam Removal Information Portal, an interactive online tool for visualizing and storing scientific studies associated with dam removals nationwide.
Science and Products
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.
National Dam Removal Database: A living database for information on dying dams
The United States has over 2 million dams on rivers and streams (Graf, 1999), and more than 84,000 of the larger dams are documented in the congressionally mandated National Inventory of Dams (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2015). The average age of these National Inventory of Dams is 52 years; by the year 2030, over 80 percent will be at least 50 years old (American Society of Civil Engineers, 201
Dam removal: synthesis of ecological and physical responses
Dam decommissioning is rapidly emerging as an important river restoration strategy in the U.S., with several major removals recently completed or in progress. But few studies have evaluated the far-reaching consequences of these significant environmental perturbations, especially those resulting from removals of large (>10-15 m tall) structures during the last decade. In particular, interactions b
Sunset behind the Olympic Mountains from a beach on Hood Canal, Washington
The sun setting behind the Olympic Mountains from a beach on Hood Canal, Washington. A beautiful ending of another day.
Coho salmon on the Sol Duc River, Washington (Image 1)
Coho salmon migrating on the Sol Duc River, Washington to spawning grounds upstream. Fish must leap through a series of small waterfalls called the Salmon Cascades in Olympic National Park to reach the waters where they were born to complete their life cycle by spawning the next generation.
Coho salmon migrating on the Sol Duc River, Washington to spawning grounds upstream. Fish must leap through a series of small waterfalls called the Salmon Cascades in Olympic National Park to reach the waters where they were born to complete their life cycle by spawning the next generation.
Coho salmon on the Sol Duc River, Washington (Image 2)
Coho salmon migrating on the Sol Duc River, Washington to spawning grounds upstream. Fish must leap through a series of small waterfalls called the Salmon Cascades in Olympic National Park to reach the waters where they were born to complete their life cycle by spawning the next generation.
Coho salmon migrating on the Sol Duc River, Washington to spawning grounds upstream. Fish must leap through a series of small waterfalls called the Salmon Cascades in Olympic National Park to reach the waters where they were born to complete their life cycle by spawning the next generation.
Elwha River flows through newly vegetated areas of former Lake Mills reservoir 5 years after dam removal.
linkThe Elwha River flows through the footprint of the former reservoir Lake Mills. The wide-angle image also shows revegetated uplands dominated by alder trees meeting coniferous forest along the former shoreline of the reservoir.
Elwha River flows through newly vegetated areas of former Lake Mills reservoir 5 years after dam removal.
linkThe Elwha River flows through the footprint of the former reservoir Lake Mills. The wide-angle image also shows revegetated uplands dominated by alder trees meeting coniferous forest along the former shoreline of the reservoir.
Elwha River mouth in September 2016
Aerial photograph of the mouth of the Elwha River showing sediment deposits from dam removal. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Milton Bennett.
Aerial photograph of the mouth of the Elwha River showing sediment deposits from dam removal. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Milton Bennett.
Elwha River Salmon
A female Chinook salmon, among the first wave of fish to recolonize waters that haven't had salmon in 100 years, excavates a nest inside Olympic National Park.
A female Chinook salmon, among the first wave of fish to recolonize waters that haven't had salmon in 100 years, excavates a nest inside Olympic National Park.
Elwha River flowing through former dam site during flood
USGS Hydrologist Chris Magirl captures image of the Elwha River flooding for the first time following dam removal. This location is just downstream of the former Elwha Dam which used to stand at the area near the top of the photograph.
USGS Hydrologist Chris Magirl captures image of the Elwha River flooding for the first time following dam removal. This location is just downstream of the former Elwha Dam which used to stand at the area near the top of the photograph.
Elwha River mouth during dam removal
Aerial photograph of the mouth of the Elwha River showing sediment deposits from dam removal. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Milton Bennett.
Aerial photograph of the mouth of the Elwha River showing sediment deposits from dam removal. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Milton Bennett.
Glines Canyon Dam removal
Aerial photograph of the Elwha River flowing through the remains of the Glines Canyon Dam during the 3rd year of the dam removal project. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Milton Bennett.
Aerial photograph of the Elwha River flowing through the remains of the Glines Canyon Dam during the 3rd year of the dam removal project. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Milton Bennett.
Suspended sediment sampling series
Series of daily sample bottles containing integrated water samples from the Elwha River, October 17, 2012 to November 9, 2012. Graphical overlay is the measured suspended sediment concentration in each sample bottle, showing the variability in sediment concentration during the time period shown.
Series of daily sample bottles containing integrated water samples from the Elwha River, October 17, 2012 to November 9, 2012. Graphical overlay is the measured suspended sediment concentration in each sample bottle, showing the variability in sediment concentration during the time period shown.
Suspended sediment sampling bottles from Elwha River sampling
Series of daily sample bottles containing integrated water samples from the Elwha River, October 17, 2012 to November 9, 2012.
Series of daily sample bottles containing integrated water samples from the Elwha River, October 17, 2012 to November 9, 2012.
Mouth of the Elwha River during dam removal
Aerial photograph of the mouth of the Elwha River where it meets the Strait of Juan de Fuca during the removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Aerial photograph of the mouth of the Elwha River where it meets the Strait of Juan de Fuca during the removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Mouth of the Elwha
Aerial photograph showing the mouth of the Elwha River, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Aerial photograph showing the mouth of the Elwha River, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Elwha River flowing through former Aldwell Reservoir
Aerial photograph of the former Lake Aldwell reservoir and the Elwha River 16 months following the removal of the Elwha Dam, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Aerial photograph of the former Lake Aldwell reservoir and the Elwha River 16 months following the removal of the Elwha Dam, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Former Mills reservoir during dam removal on the Elwha River
Aerial photograph of the former Lake Aldwell reservoir and the Elwha River 16 months following the removal of the Elwha Dam, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Aerial photograph of the former Lake Aldwell reservoir and the Elwha River 16 months following the removal of the Elwha Dam, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Sample bottles from pump sampler on the Elwha River
Sample bottle carousel from automated ISCO pump sampler deployed on the Elwha River, Washington to obtain suspended sediment samples.
Sample bottle carousel from automated ISCO pump sampler deployed on the Elwha River, Washington to obtain suspended sediment samples.
Science and Products
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.
National Dam Removal Database: A living database for information on dying dams
The United States has over 2 million dams on rivers and streams (Graf, 1999), and more than 84,000 of the larger dams are documented in the congressionally mandated National Inventory of Dams (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2015). The average age of these National Inventory of Dams is 52 years; by the year 2030, over 80 percent will be at least 50 years old (American Society of Civil Engineers, 201
Dam removal: synthesis of ecological and physical responses
Dam decommissioning is rapidly emerging as an important river restoration strategy in the U.S., with several major removals recently completed or in progress. But few studies have evaluated the far-reaching consequences of these significant environmental perturbations, especially those resulting from removals of large (>10-15 m tall) structures during the last decade. In particular, interactions b
Sunset behind the Olympic Mountains from a beach on Hood Canal, Washington
The sun setting behind the Olympic Mountains from a beach on Hood Canal, Washington. A beautiful ending of another day.
The sun setting behind the Olympic Mountains from a beach on Hood Canal, Washington. A beautiful ending of another day.
Coho salmon on the Sol Duc River, Washington (Image 1)
Coho salmon migrating on the Sol Duc River, Washington to spawning grounds upstream. Fish must leap through a series of small waterfalls called the Salmon Cascades in Olympic National Park to reach the waters where they were born to complete their life cycle by spawning the next generation.
Coho salmon migrating on the Sol Duc River, Washington to spawning grounds upstream. Fish must leap through a series of small waterfalls called the Salmon Cascades in Olympic National Park to reach the waters where they were born to complete their life cycle by spawning the next generation.
Coho salmon on the Sol Duc River, Washington (Image 2)
Coho salmon migrating on the Sol Duc River, Washington to spawning grounds upstream. Fish must leap through a series of small waterfalls called the Salmon Cascades in Olympic National Park to reach the waters where they were born to complete their life cycle by spawning the next generation.
Coho salmon migrating on the Sol Duc River, Washington to spawning grounds upstream. Fish must leap through a series of small waterfalls called the Salmon Cascades in Olympic National Park to reach the waters where they were born to complete their life cycle by spawning the next generation.
Elwha River flows through newly vegetated areas of former Lake Mills reservoir 5 years after dam removal.
linkThe Elwha River flows through the footprint of the former reservoir Lake Mills. The wide-angle image also shows revegetated uplands dominated by alder trees meeting coniferous forest along the former shoreline of the reservoir.
Elwha River flows through newly vegetated areas of former Lake Mills reservoir 5 years after dam removal.
linkThe Elwha River flows through the footprint of the former reservoir Lake Mills. The wide-angle image also shows revegetated uplands dominated by alder trees meeting coniferous forest along the former shoreline of the reservoir.
Elwha River mouth in September 2016
Aerial photograph of the mouth of the Elwha River showing sediment deposits from dam removal. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Milton Bennett.
Aerial photograph of the mouth of the Elwha River showing sediment deposits from dam removal. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Milton Bennett.
Elwha River Salmon
A female Chinook salmon, among the first wave of fish to recolonize waters that haven't had salmon in 100 years, excavates a nest inside Olympic National Park.
A female Chinook salmon, among the first wave of fish to recolonize waters that haven't had salmon in 100 years, excavates a nest inside Olympic National Park.
Elwha River flowing through former dam site during flood
USGS Hydrologist Chris Magirl captures image of the Elwha River flooding for the first time following dam removal. This location is just downstream of the former Elwha Dam which used to stand at the area near the top of the photograph.
USGS Hydrologist Chris Magirl captures image of the Elwha River flooding for the first time following dam removal. This location is just downstream of the former Elwha Dam which used to stand at the area near the top of the photograph.
Elwha River mouth during dam removal
Aerial photograph of the mouth of the Elwha River showing sediment deposits from dam removal. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Milton Bennett.
Aerial photograph of the mouth of the Elwha River showing sediment deposits from dam removal. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Milton Bennett.
Glines Canyon Dam removal
Aerial photograph of the Elwha River flowing through the remains of the Glines Canyon Dam during the 3rd year of the dam removal project. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Milton Bennett.
Aerial photograph of the Elwha River flowing through the remains of the Glines Canyon Dam during the 3rd year of the dam removal project. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Milton Bennett.
Suspended sediment sampling series
Series of daily sample bottles containing integrated water samples from the Elwha River, October 17, 2012 to November 9, 2012. Graphical overlay is the measured suspended sediment concentration in each sample bottle, showing the variability in sediment concentration during the time period shown.
Series of daily sample bottles containing integrated water samples from the Elwha River, October 17, 2012 to November 9, 2012. Graphical overlay is the measured suspended sediment concentration in each sample bottle, showing the variability in sediment concentration during the time period shown.
Suspended sediment sampling bottles from Elwha River sampling
Series of daily sample bottles containing integrated water samples from the Elwha River, October 17, 2012 to November 9, 2012.
Series of daily sample bottles containing integrated water samples from the Elwha River, October 17, 2012 to November 9, 2012.
Mouth of the Elwha River during dam removal
Aerial photograph of the mouth of the Elwha River where it meets the Strait of Juan de Fuca during the removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Aerial photograph of the mouth of the Elwha River where it meets the Strait of Juan de Fuca during the removal of the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Mouth of the Elwha
Aerial photograph showing the mouth of the Elwha River, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Aerial photograph showing the mouth of the Elwha River, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Elwha River flowing through former Aldwell Reservoir
Aerial photograph of the former Lake Aldwell reservoir and the Elwha River 16 months following the removal of the Elwha Dam, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Aerial photograph of the former Lake Aldwell reservoir and the Elwha River 16 months following the removal of the Elwha Dam, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Former Mills reservoir during dam removal on the Elwha River
Aerial photograph of the former Lake Aldwell reservoir and the Elwha River 16 months following the removal of the Elwha Dam, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Aerial photograph of the former Lake Aldwell reservoir and the Elwha River 16 months following the removal of the Elwha Dam, Washington State, USA. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Hunter Handsfield.
Sample bottles from pump sampler on the Elwha River
Sample bottle carousel from automated ISCO pump sampler deployed on the Elwha River, Washington to obtain suspended sediment samples.
Sample bottle carousel from automated ISCO pump sampler deployed on the Elwha River, Washington to obtain suspended sediment samples.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government