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Jill Hardiman

Hello welcome to my professional page. I have been working in the field of fisheries biology for over 20 years.  Most of my career has been with the USGS either as an employee or contractor.  I have also worked as a fisheries observer for NMFS program many years ago as well as completed my Master's degree and research and teaching related responsibilities at Colorado State Univ.

Research Interests:

My interests lie in ecosystems change as it relates to large landscape scales stressors such as climate change, land use/development and invasive species.  My areas expertise include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), data management, project management, monitoring and habitat assessments, and salmonids.

Major Projects: Regional coordination of monitoring efforts for invasive mussels in the northwest states based on prior risk assessment models and sample design for local efforts; Predator/prey study of juvenile salmon consumption by native and non-native species; bioenergetics modeling of the effects of climate change on the growth of fish; development of a probabilistic based sample design framework for Columbia and Snake rivers status and trends monitoring;  invasive species surveys and habitat assessments in the Columbia River and tributaries. Past team leader of a telemetry (hydroacoustic and radio) project evaluating the effects of juvenile salmonid passage histories at hydroelectric dams in the Snake River on their survival to McNary Dam, Columbia River, as well as various juvenile salmon survival studies for the Lower Columbia River dams. Primary responsibilities:

  • Prepare professional presentations, reports, research proposals, and manuscripts
  • Project design, field and lab oversight, and project reporting and communication of results
  • Database management and analyses
  • Create Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) programs to manipulate and analyze large databases
  • Prepare Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases, maps for study design, presentations, and analyses
  • Design and conduct invasive species surveys with global positioning system (GPS) and GIS focusing on habitat strata and a probabilistic sample framework
  • Develop and implement Quality Assurance Plans for research projects
  • Attend regional meetings, communicate research, and provide technical reviews.

Professional Experience

  • 3/2004 to Present - Fish Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL), Cook, WA

  • 8/2003-3/2004 - Fishery Biologist IV, Johnson Controls Inc. contract for USGS/CRRL

  • 8/2000-5/2003 - Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant, Colorado State University, Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology

  • 3/1996-7/2000 - Fishery Biologist, USGS/CRRL

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. 2003. Fishery Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO

  • B.S. 1992. Biology, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA

Science and Products

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A view of the landscape of Rock Creek

Rock Creek Fish Population and Life History Assessment (Washington)

The research conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in coordination with the Yakama Nation, is designed to determine stream habitat conditions, fish abundance, and fish life history characteristics such as movement, growth, and distribution.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)
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Rock Creek Fish Population and Life History Assessment (Washington)

The research conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey, in coordination with the Yakama Nation, is designed to determine stream habitat conditions, fish abundance, and fish life history characteristics such as movement, growth, and distribution.
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A view of White Creek

Steelhead Life History Study in White Creek on the Yakama Nation Reservation

Fishery biologists from the U.S. Geological Survey have teamed with fishery biologists from the Yakama Nation to conduct a life history study of the juvenile steelhead using small electronic tags.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)
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Steelhead Life History Study in White Creek on the Yakama Nation Reservation

Fishery biologists from the U.S. Geological Survey have teamed with fishery biologists from the Yakama Nation to conduct a life history study of the juvenile steelhead using small electronic tags.
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Pacific lamprey mouth and teeth

An Annotated Bibliography for Lamprey Habitat in the White Salmon River, Washington

Tribal Relations An Annotated Bibliography for Lamprey Habitat in the White Salmon River, Washington
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Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)
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An Annotated Bibliography for Lamprey Habitat in the White Salmon River, Washington

Tribal Relations An Annotated Bibliography for Lamprey Habitat in the White Salmon River, Washington
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An estuary with many channels widening towards the sea through lush forests and grasslands, village in distance.

Climate Change Threats to Fish Habitat Connectivity

Many fish species, including mountain whitefish and bull trout, need a variety of habitat types throughout their different life stages that include appropriate water temperatures, flows, refugia from predators, and adequate food. Key to a fish finding and using these different habitats is the connectivity between them. Changing conditions in the future, including increased air and water temperatur
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Climate Adaptation Science Centers
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Climate Change Threats to Fish Habitat Connectivity

Many fish species, including mountain whitefish and bull trout, need a variety of habitat types throughout their different life stages that include appropriate water temperatures, flows, refugia from predators, and adequate food. Key to a fish finding and using these different habitats is the connectivity between them. Changing conditions in the future, including increased air and water temperatur
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Information tables associated with a risk assessment for bull trout introduction into Sullivan Lake, northeastern, Washington including population donor sources and resident species

Introduction and translocation programs require thoughtful planning to increase the likelihood of success and to understand the benefits, risks, and constraints of such programs. A risk assessment was completed for bull trout introduction into the Sullivan Lake and Harvey Creek watershed, northeastern Washington. The risk assessment was designed to evaluate potential risks to resident fish species
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Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL), Fish Health Program (FHP)

Boat ramp locations within the Columbia River Basin with associated recreational use, water quality measurements, and risk assessment data for zebra and quagga mussels

Aquatic invasive species are often transported between water bodies on boats or boat trailers, thus they are considered one of the primary vectors for new introductions of invasive species to a water body. This data set contains geographic positioning system locational data for boater access points, use data (i.e. recreational, fishing), water quality measurements (e.g. calcium concentrations, pH)
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)
Researchers set up block nets to perform population estimates
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Filter Total Items: 31

Juvenile salmonid monitoring to assess natural recolonization following removal of Condit Dam on the White Salmon River, Washington, 2016–21

Condit Dam was removed from river kilometer (rkm) 5.3 of the White Salmon River, Washington, in 2011 and 2012 after blocking upstream passage of anadromous fish for nearly 100 years. The dam removal opened habitat upstream and improved habitat downstream with addition of cobble and gravel to a reach depauperate of spawning and rearing habitat. We assessed juvenile anadromous salmonid abundance and

Authors
Ian G. Jezorek, Jill M. Hardiman
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

Risk assessment for bull trout introduction into Sullivan Lake and Harvey Creek, northeastern Washington

The Kalispel Tribe of Indians (KT), U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are engaged in conservation of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the Lake Pend Oreille (LPO) Core Area. The LPO is a complex habitat core area which falls within three states (Montana, Idaho, and Washington) and a tribal entity. As part of the conservation process, KT worked in
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Jill M. Hardiman, Rachel B. Breyta, Carl O. Ostberg
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL), Fish Health Program (FHP)

Fish and habitat assessment in Rock Creek, Klickitat County, southeastern Washington, 2018

Executive SummaryNative steelhead (anadromous form of rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus mykiss]) and bridgelip sucker (Catostomus columbianus) were historically used by the Kah-miltpah (Rock Creek) Band for sustenance, trade, and traditional practices in Rock Creek, a tributary to the Columbia River in southeastern Washington State. Rock Creek flows south to the Columbia River at river kilometer (rkm) 3
Authors
Jill M. Hardiman
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

Fish and habitat assessment in Rock Creek, Klickitat County, Washington 2016–17

Executive SummaryIntermittent streams are important and productive for salmonid habitat. Rock Creek, in southeastern Washington, flows south to the Columbia River at river kilometer (rkm) 368 and is an intermittent stream of great significance to the Yakama Nation and to the Kah-miltpah (Rock Creek) Band in particular. Historically, native steelhead (anadromous form of rainbow trout [Oncorhynchus
Authors
Jill M. Hardiman, Elaine Harvey
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

Juvenile salmonid monitoring following removal of Condit Dam in the White Salmon River Watershed, Washington, 2017

Condit Dam, at river kilometer 5.3 on the White Salmon River, Washington, was breached in 2011, and removed completely in 2012, providing anadromous salmonids with the opportunity to recolonize habitat blocked for nearly 100 years. Prior to dam removal, a multi-agency workgroup concluded that the preferred salmonid restoration alternative was to allow natural recolonization. Monitoring would asses
Authors
Ian G. Jezorek, Jill M. Hardiman
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

Risk assessment for the reintroduction of anadromous salmonids upstream of Chief Joseph and Grand Coulee Dams, Northeastern Washington

The Upper Columbia United Tribes (UCUT; Spokane, Colville, Kootenai, Coeur d’Alene, and Kalispel Tribes) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife want to reintroduce anadromous salmonids to their historical range to restore ecosystem function and lost cultural and spiritual relationships in the upper Columbia River, northeastern Washington. The UCUT contracted with the U.S. Geological Survey
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Jill M. Hardiman, Rachel B. Breyta, Craig A. Haskell, Carl O. Ostberg, James R. Hatten, Patrick J. Connolly
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL), Fish Health Program (FHP)

Juvenile salmonid monitoring in the White Salmon River, Washington, post-Condit Dam removal, 2016

Condit Dam, at river kilometer 5.3 on the White Salmon River, Washington, was breached in 2011 and removed completely in 2012, allowing anadromous salmonids access to habitat that had been blocked for nearly 100 years. A multi-agency workgroup concluded that the preferred salmonid restoration alternative was natural recolonization with monitoring to assess efficacy, followed by a management evalua
Authors
Ian G. Jezorek, Jill M. Hardiman
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

Report A: Fish and habitat assessment in Rock Creek, Klickitat County, Washington, June 2013-December 2015

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Yakama Nation have collaborated in the Rock Creek subbasin, southeastern, Washington since 2009 to assess steelhead (Oncorynchus mykiss) populations and habitat conditions. Rock Creek, flows south to the Columbia River at river kilometer (rkm) 368. During 2015, a habitat survey was conducted, and monitoring of Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT)-tagged sa
Authors
Jill M. Hardiman, Elaine Harvey
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

Salmon habitat assessment for conservation planning in the lower White Salmon River, Washington

In 2011, Condit Dam was removed from the White Salmon River, Washington. Since dam removal, there has been interest among scientists (State and Federal), Tribes, non-profit organizations, and the general public in assessing Pacific salmon habitat and use in the White Salmon River for conservation planning and potential fishery management actions. The study area extended from the lower 6 miles of t
Authors
Jill M. Hardiman, M. Brady Allen
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

Identifying stakeholder-relevant climate change impacts: a case study in the Yakima River Basin, Washington, USA

Designing climate-related research so that study results will be useful to natural resource managers is a unique challenge. While decision makers increasingly recognize the need to consider climate change in their resource management plans, and climate scientists recognize the importance of providing locally-relevant climate data and projections, there often remains a gap between management needs
Authors
K. Jenni, D. Graves, Jill M. Hardiman, James R. Hatten, Mark C. Mastin, Matthew G. Mesa, J. Montag, Timothy Nieman, Frank D. Voss, Alec G. Maule
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Research and Development Program, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)

A survey of benthic sediment contaminants in reaches of the Columbia River Estuary based on channel sedimentation characteristics

While previous studies have documented contaminants in fish, sediments, water, and wildlife, few specifics are known about the spatial distribution of contaminants in the Columbia River Estuary (CRE). Our study goal was to characterize sediment contaminant detections and concentrations in reaches of the CRE that were concurrently being sampled to assess contaminants in water, invertebrates, fish,
Authors
Timothy D. Counihan, Ian R. Waite, Elena B. Nilsen, Jill M. Hardiman, Edwin Elias, Guy Gelfenbaum, Steven D. Zaugg
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Fisheries Research Center

Contaminants of legacy and emerging concern in largescale suckers (Catostomus macrocheilus) and the foodweb in the lower Columbia River, Oregon and Washington, USA

We investigated occurrence, transport pathways, and effects of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants and other endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in aquatic media and the foodweb in the lower Columbia River. In 2009 and 2010, foodweb sampling at three sites along a gradient of contaminant exposure near Skamania (Washington), Columbia City (Oregon) and Longview (Washington) inclu
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Elena B. Nilsen, Steven D. Zaugg, David A. Alvarez, Jennifer L. Morace, Ian R. Waite, Timothy D. Counihan, Jill M. Hardiman, Leticia Torres, Reynaldo Patiño, Matthew G. Mesa, Robert Grove
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)
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Western Fisheries Science News, September 2017 | Issue 5.9

Conducting Risk Assessments for the Reintroduction of Salmon in the Upper Columbia River

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Western Fisheries Science News, November 2016 | Issue 4.11

Internship Supports Youth, Tribes, and Fish

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