Scott VanderKooi
Scott VanderKooi is a Supervisory Ecologist with over 30 years of experience as a scientist and science manager working on the rivers of the western U.S. Much of his work has emphasized applied science and adaptive management in support of natural resource management.
He began his career as a fish biologist conducting research on salmonids, catostomids and cyprinids in the northwest U.S. throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Areas of research included stress physiology, disease, migratory behavior, predation, and early life-history studies. Scott shifted to managing science programs in the mid-2000s initially in the Klamath River basin, and then in the Colorado River basin first as Chief of the USGS Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center and next as the Director of the Southwest Biological Science Center. Scott is currently the Director of the Washington Water Science Center.
Professional Experience
2023-Present, Center Director, USGS Washington Water Science Center
2021-2023, Center Director, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center
2015-2021, Chief, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center's Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center
2011-2015, Biology Program Manager/Deputy Chief, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center's Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center
Education and Certifications
M.S., Fishery Science, Oregon State University, 1999
B.S., Marine Biology, Oregon State University, 1991
Science and Products
Riverine movements of adult Lost River, shortnose, and Klamath largescale suckers in the Williamson and Sprague rivers, Oregon. Annual report 2004
Evaluation of larval sucker drift ecology at two proposed irrigation pump sites on the Williamson River
Near-shore and off-shore habitat use by endangered, juvenile Lost River and shortnose suckers, and near-shore water quality, in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. Annual Report 2005
Larval sucker drift in the Lower Williamson River, Oregon: Evaluation of two proposed water diversion sites for the Modoc Point Irrigation District
Gas bubble disease monitoring and research of juvenile salmonids. Annual report 1999
Gas bubble disease in resident fish below Grand Coulee Dam: final report of research
Gas bubble disease monitoring and research of juvenile salmonids, 1999
Near-shore habitat use by endangered juvenile suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
Relationships between metabolic rate, muscle electromyograms and swim performance of adult chinook salmon
Lateral line pore diameters correlate with the development of gas bubble trauma signs in several Columbia River fishes
The effects of electroshock on immune function and disease progression in juvenile spring chinook salmon
Preliminary study of gill NA+,K+-ATPase activity in juvenile spring chinook salmon following electroshock or handling stress
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 47
Riverine movements of adult Lost River, shortnose, and Klamath largescale suckers in the Williamson and Sprague rivers, Oregon. Annual report 2004
n/aAuthorsT.J. Tyler, C.M. Ellsworth, S. P. VanderKooi, R.S. ShivelyEvaluation of larval sucker drift ecology at two proposed irrigation pump sites on the Williamson River
n/aAuthorsT.J. Tyler, C.M. Ellsworth, S. P. VanderKooi, R.S. ShivelyNear-shore and off-shore habitat use by endangered, juvenile Lost River and shortnose suckers, and near-shore water quality, in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. Annual Report 2005
No abstract availableAuthorsH.A. Hendrixson, S. P. VanderKooi, A.X Wilkens, S. M. BurdickLarval sucker drift in the Lower Williamson River, Oregon: Evaluation of two proposed water diversion sites for the Modoc Point Irrigation District
n/aAuthorsT.J. Tyler, C.M. Ellsworth, R.S. Shively, S. P. VanderKooiGas bubble disease monitoring and research of juvenile salmonids. Annual report 1999
Abstract not availableAuthorsJ.W. Beeman, S. P. VanderKooi, P.V. Haner, A.G. MauleGas bubble disease in resident fish below Grand Coulee Dam: final report of research
Fish kills have occurred in the reservoir below Grand Coulee Dam possibly due to total dissolved gas supersaturation (TDGS), which occurs when water cascades over a dam or waterfall. The highest TDGS below Grand Coulee Dam has occurred after spilling water via the outlet tubes, though TDGS from upstream sources has also been recorded. Exposure to TDGS can cause gas bubble disease in aquatic organiAuthorsJ.W. Beeman, D.A. Venditti, R.G. Morris, D.M. Gadomski, B.J. Adams, S.J. Vanderkooi, T.C. Robinson, A.G. MauleGas bubble disease monitoring and research of juvenile salmonids, 1999
Abstract not availableAuthorsJ.W. Beeman, T.C. Robinson, P.V. Haner, S. P. VanderKooi, A.G. MauleNear-shore habitat use by endangered juvenile suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon
Abstract not availableAuthorsS. P. VanderKooi, K.A BuelowRelationships between metabolic rate, muscle electromyograms and swim performance of adult chinook salmon
Oxygen consumption rates of adult spring chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha increased with swim speed and, depending on temperature and fish mass, ranged from 609 mg O2 h-1 at 30 cm s-1 (c. 0.5 BLs-1) to 3347 mg O2 h-1 at 170 cm s -1 (c. 2.3 BLs-1). Corrected for fish mass, these values ranged from 122 to 670 mg O2 kg-1 h-1, and were similar to other Oncorhynchus species. At all temperaturesAuthorsD.R. Geist, R.S. Brown, V.I. Cullinan, M.G. Mesa, S. P. VanderKooi, C.A. McKinstryLateral line pore diameters correlate with the development of gas bubble trauma signs in several Columbia River fishes
Gas bubble trauma (GBT) caused by gas supersaturation of river water continues to be a problem in the Columbia River Basin. A common indicator of GBT is the percent of the lateral line occluded with gas bubbles; however, this effect has never been examined in relation to lateral line morphology. The effects of 115, 125 and 130% total dissolved gas levels were evaluated on five fish species commonAuthorsR.G. Morris, J.W. Beeman, S. P. VanderKooi, A.G. MauleThe effects of electroshock on immune function and disease progression in juvenile spring chinook salmon
Although much is known about the effects of electroshock on fish physiology, consequences to the immune system and disease progression have not received attention. Our objectives were to determine the effects of electroshock on selected immune function in juvenile spring chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, the mechanism of any observed alteration, and the effects of electroshock on disease prAuthorsS. P. VanderKooi, A.G. Maule, C.B. SchreckPreliminary study of gill NA+,K+-ATPase activity in juvenile spring chinook salmon following electroshock or handling stress
We compared gill Na+,K+-ATPase in subyearling and yearling spring chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha 3 h, 24 h, and 7 d after exposure to either a short pulsed DC electroshock (300 V, 50 Hz, 8-ms pulse duration) or an acute handling stress. Mean gill Na+,K+-ATPase values ranged from 7.5 to 11.8 ??mol inorganic phosphate (Pi) ?? (mg protein)-1 ?? h-1. No significant differences were detected,AuthorsS. P. VanderKooi, William L. Gale, A.G. Maule - Science