John Plumb, Ph.D.
John is the lead scientist for the Lower Snake River Field Station, Clarkston, WA with the mission to conduct research that informs the recovery of Snake River fall Chinook Salmon. His broader research aims to provide novel ways to quantify and assess the growth, movement, and survival of fishes within the Columbia, Snake, and Sacramento rivers.
John’s expertise is in the application and development of statistical and mechanistic models to answer specific research and river management questions. For example, his current projects seeks to (1) monitor and quantify the life cycle production of naturally produced Snake River fall Chinook salmon, (2) monitor and model gas bubble trauma of resident fishes below Snake and Columbia rivers dams, and (3) conduct field experiments to measure the effects of dissolved oxygen, temperature, and sedimentation on egg-to-fry survival of winter run Chinook Salmon in the upper Sacramento River.
John’s duties include writing research proposals, determining project budgets, study design and analysis of data, the application of novel statistical models, and the writing, publishing, and communication of research findings. As the lead scientist John directs and supports the activities of 10 scientists and technicians, and the boats, equipment, and needs of the Lower Snake River Field Station.
Professional Experience
2024-Present: Supervisory Research Fisheries Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Cook, WA
2020-2024: Research Fisheries Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Cook, WA
2012-2020: Fisheries Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Cook, WA
2009-2012: Research Associate, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
2007-2009: Fisheries Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Cook, WA
2005-2007: Research Associate, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB, CA
1996-2005: Fisheries Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Cook, WA
Education and Certifications
PhD. 2012. Natural Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
M.S. 2012. Applied Statistics, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
M.S. 2007. Zoology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, CA
B.S. 1994. Biology, Ohio University, Athens, OH
A.S. 1992. Ecology and Environmental Technology, Paul Smith’s College, Paul Smith’s, NY
Affiliations and Memberships*
2011: Fisheries Society of the British Isles / Lifetime member
2005: American Fisheries Society / professional member
Honors and Awards
2012: Best professional paper, Idaho Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
Science and Products
A bioenergetics evaluation of temperature‐dependent selection for the spawning phenology by Snake River fall Chinook salmon A bioenergetics evaluation of temperature‐dependent selection for the spawning phenology by Snake River fall Chinook salmon
Research, monitoring, and evaluation of emerging issues and measures to recover the Snake River fall Chinook salmon ESU Research, monitoring, and evaluation of emerging issues and measures to recover the Snake River fall Chinook salmon ESU
Model structure of the stream salmonid simulator (S3)—A dynamic model for simulating growth, movement, and survival of juvenile salmonids Model structure of the stream salmonid simulator (S3)—A dynamic model for simulating growth, movement, and survival of juvenile salmonids
A laboratory-calibrated model of coho salmon growth with utility for ecological analyses A laboratory-calibrated model of coho salmon growth with utility for ecological analyses
Research, monitoring, and evaluation of emerging issues and measures to recover the Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon ESU, 1/1/2016 - 12/31/2016 Research, monitoring, and evaluation of emerging issues and measures to recover the Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon ESU, 1/1/2016 - 12/31/2016
Building a state-space life cycle model for naturally produced Snake River fall Chinook salmon Building a state-space life cycle model for naturally produced Snake River fall Chinook salmon
Development of a study design and implementation plan to estimate juvenile salmon survival in Lookout Point Reservoir and other reservoirs of the Willamette Project, western Oregon Development of a study design and implementation plan to estimate juvenile salmon survival in Lookout Point Reservoir and other reservoirs of the Willamette Project, western Oregon
An evaluation of fish behavior upstream of the water temperature control tower at Cougar Dam, Oregon, using acoustic cameras, 2013 An evaluation of fish behavior upstream of the water temperature control tower at Cougar Dam, Oregon, using acoustic cameras, 2013
Re-estimating temperature-dependent consumption parameters in bioenergetics models for juvenile Chinook salmon Re-estimating temperature-dependent consumption parameters in bioenergetics models for juvenile Chinook salmon
Research, monitoring, and evaluation of emerging issues and measures to recover the Snake River fall Chinook salmon ESU, 1/1/2014 - 12/31/2014 Research, monitoring, and evaluation of emerging issues and measures to recover the Snake River fall Chinook salmon ESU, 1/1/2014 - 12/31/2014
Diel activity patterns of juvenile late fall-run Chinook salmon with implications for operation of a gated water diversion in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta Diel activity patterns of juvenile late fall-run Chinook salmon with implications for operation of a gated water diversion in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta
Using a laboratory-based growth model to estimate mass- and temperature-dependent growth parameters across populations of juvenile Chinook Salmon Using a laboratory-based growth model to estimate mass- and temperature-dependent growth parameters across populations of juvenile Chinook Salmon
Science and Products
A bioenergetics evaluation of temperature‐dependent selection for the spawning phenology by Snake River fall Chinook salmon A bioenergetics evaluation of temperature‐dependent selection for the spawning phenology by Snake River fall Chinook salmon
Research, monitoring, and evaluation of emerging issues and measures to recover the Snake River fall Chinook salmon ESU Research, monitoring, and evaluation of emerging issues and measures to recover the Snake River fall Chinook salmon ESU
Model structure of the stream salmonid simulator (S3)—A dynamic model for simulating growth, movement, and survival of juvenile salmonids Model structure of the stream salmonid simulator (S3)—A dynamic model for simulating growth, movement, and survival of juvenile salmonids
A laboratory-calibrated model of coho salmon growth with utility for ecological analyses A laboratory-calibrated model of coho salmon growth with utility for ecological analyses
Research, monitoring, and evaluation of emerging issues and measures to recover the Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon ESU, 1/1/2016 - 12/31/2016 Research, monitoring, and evaluation of emerging issues and measures to recover the Snake River Fall Chinook Salmon ESU, 1/1/2016 - 12/31/2016
Building a state-space life cycle model for naturally produced Snake River fall Chinook salmon Building a state-space life cycle model for naturally produced Snake River fall Chinook salmon
Development of a study design and implementation plan to estimate juvenile salmon survival in Lookout Point Reservoir and other reservoirs of the Willamette Project, western Oregon Development of a study design and implementation plan to estimate juvenile salmon survival in Lookout Point Reservoir and other reservoirs of the Willamette Project, western Oregon
An evaluation of fish behavior upstream of the water temperature control tower at Cougar Dam, Oregon, using acoustic cameras, 2013 An evaluation of fish behavior upstream of the water temperature control tower at Cougar Dam, Oregon, using acoustic cameras, 2013
Re-estimating temperature-dependent consumption parameters in bioenergetics models for juvenile Chinook salmon Re-estimating temperature-dependent consumption parameters in bioenergetics models for juvenile Chinook salmon
Research, monitoring, and evaluation of emerging issues and measures to recover the Snake River fall Chinook salmon ESU, 1/1/2014 - 12/31/2014 Research, monitoring, and evaluation of emerging issues and measures to recover the Snake River fall Chinook salmon ESU, 1/1/2014 - 12/31/2014
Diel activity patterns of juvenile late fall-run Chinook salmon with implications for operation of a gated water diversion in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta Diel activity patterns of juvenile late fall-run Chinook salmon with implications for operation of a gated water diversion in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta
Using a laboratory-based growth model to estimate mass- and temperature-dependent growth parameters across populations of juvenile Chinook Salmon Using a laboratory-based growth model to estimate mass- and temperature-dependent growth parameters across populations of juvenile Chinook Salmon
*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