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Tamara Wood

Tammy Wood is a Scientist Emeritus at the USGS Oregon Water Science Center.

 

As a Hydrologist at the Oregon Water Science Center I perform applied research in hydrology and water quality that informs management of natural resources in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. My work is varied, encompassing river hydraulics, limnology of lakes and reservoirs, quantifying the availability of water resources, and characterizing the quality of those resources. The themes connecting all my work are the use of state-of-the-art modeling techniques tailored to each problem, and the data collection necessary to properly build and assess performance of those models. 

 

Education and Certifications

  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering (1982), Union College, Schenectady, New York

  • M.S. Physical Oceanography (1987), Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

  • Ph.D. Environmental Science and Engineering (1993), Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, nstitute of Environmental Health, Oregon Health & Science University), Portland, Oregon

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 39

Light attenuation and erosion characteristics of fine sediments in a highly turbid, shallow, Great Basin Lake—Malheur Lake, Oregon, 2017–18

Malheur Lake is a large, shallow, turbid lake in southeastern Oregon that fluctuates widely in surface area in response to yearly precipitation and climatic cycles. High suspended-sediment concentrations (SSCs) likely are negatively affecting the survival of aquatic plants by reducing the intensity of solar radiation reaching the plants, thus inhibiting photosynthesis. This study was designed to d
Authors
Tamara M. Wood, Cassandra D. Smith
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center

Use of boosted regression trees to quantify cumulative instream flow resulting from curtailment of irrigation in the Sprague River basin, Oregon

A boosted regression trees (BRT) approach was used to estimate the amount by which streamflow is increased when irrigation is regulated (curtailed) upstream of a streamgage on the Sprague River in southern-central Oregon. The BRT approach differs from most other approaches that require baseline conditions for comparison, where those baseline conditions are determined from past observations by sear
Authors
Tamara M. Wood
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center

U.S. Geological Survey water science strategy—Observing, understanding, predicting, and delivering water science to the Nation

Executive SummaryThis report expands the Water Science Strategy that began with the USGS Science Strategy, “Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges—U.S. Geological Survey Science in the Decade 2007–2017” (U.S. Geological Survey, 2007). This report looks at the relevant issues facing society and develops a strategy built around observing, understanding, predicting, and delivering water science for the next 5
Authors
Eric J. Evenson, Randall C. Orndorff, Charles D. Blome, John Karl Böhlke, Paul K. Hershberger, Victoria E. Langenheim, Gregory J. McCabe, Scott E. Morlock, Howard W. Reeves, James P. Verdin, Holly S. Weyers, Tamara M. Wood
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center

Annual variations in microcystin occurrence in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, based on high-throughput DNA sequencing, qPCR, and environmental parameters

Cyanobacteria-dominated blooms in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, create poor water quality and produce microcystins that may be detrimental to local wildlife and human health. Genetic tools, including high-throughput DNA sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), have been shown to improve the identification and quantification of key groups associated with these blooms over more tr
Authors
Sara L. Eldridge, Tamara M. Wood
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center

Assessment of Columbia and Willamette River flood stage on the Columbia Corridor Levee System at Portland, Oregon, in a future climate

To support Levee Ready Columbia’s (LRC’s) effort to re-certify levees along the Columbia and Willamette Rivers and remain accredited, two 2-dimensional hydraulic models, Adaptive Hydraulics and Delft3D-Flexible Mesh, were used to simulate the effects of plausible extreme high water during the 2030 to 2059 period. The Columbia River was simulated from Bonneville Dam, situated at river mile (RM) 145
Authors
Susan A. Wherry, Tamara M. Wood, Hans R. Moritz, Keith B. Duffy
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center

A metabolism-based whole lake eutrophication model to estimate the magnitude and time scales of the effects of restoration in Upper Klamath Lake, south-central Oregon

A whole lake eutrophication (WLE) model approach for phosphorus and cyanobacterial biomass in Upper Klamath Lake, south-central Oregon, is presented here. The model is a successor to a previous model developed to inform a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for phosphorus in the lake, but is based on net primary production (NPP), which can be calculated from dissolved oxygen, rather than scaling up a
Authors
Susan A. Wherry, Tamara M. Wood
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center

Simulation of deep ventilation in Crater Lake, Oregon, 1951–2099

The frequency of deep ventilation events in Crater Lake, a caldera lake in the Oregon Cascade Mountains, was simulated in six future climate scenarios, using a 1-dimensional deep ventilation model (1DDV) that was developed to simulate the ventilation of deep water initiated by reverse stratification and subsequent thermobaric instability. The model was calibrated and validated with lake temperatur
Authors
Tamara M. Wood, Susan A. Wherry, Sebastiano Piccolroaz, Scott F Girdner
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center

Revision and proposed modification for a total maximum daily load model for Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon

This report presents Phase 2 of the review and development of the mass balance water-quality model, originally developed in 2001, that guided establishment of the phosphorus (P) total maximum daily load (TMDL) for Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, Oregon. The purpose of Phase 2 was to incorporate a longer (19-year) set of external phosphorus loading data into the lake TMDL model than had originally
Authors
Susan A. Wherry, Tamara M. Wood, Chauncey W. Anderson
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center

Statistical analysis of the water-quality monitoring program, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and optimization of the program for 2013 and beyond

Upper Klamath Lake in south-central Oregon has become increasingly eutrophic over the past century and now experiences seasonal cyanobacteria-dominated and potentially toxic phytoplankton blooms. Growth and decline of these blooms create poor water-quality conditions that can be detrimental to fish, including two resident endangered sucker species. Upper Klamath Lake is the primary water supply to
Authors
Sara L. Caldwell Eldridge, Susan A. Wherry, Tamara M. Wood
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center

Particle-tracking investigation of the retention of sucker larvae emerging from spawning grounds in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon

This study had two objectives: (1) to use the results of an individual-based particle-tracking model of larval sucker dispersal through the Williamson River delta and Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, to interpret field data collected throughout Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, and (2) to use the model to investigate the retention of sucker larvae in the system as a function of Williamson River flow, win
Authors
Tamara M. Wood, Susan A. Wherry, David C. Simon, Douglas F. Markle
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center

Simulation and validation of larval sucker dispersal and retention through the restored Williamson River Delta and Upper Klamath Lake system, Oregon

A hydrodynamic model with particle tracking was used to create individual-based simulations to describe larval fish dispersal through the restored Williamson River Delta and into Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. The model was verified by converting particle ages to larval lengths and comparing these lengths to lengths of larvae in net catches. Correlations of simulated lengths with field data were mode
Authors
Tamara M. Wood, Heather A. Hendrixson, Douglas F. Markle, Charles S. Erdman, Summer M. Burdick, Craig M. Ellsworth
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Klamath Falls Field Station (KFFS)

Technical evaluation of a total maximum daily load model for Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, Oregon

We reviewed a mass balance model developed in 2001 that guided establishment of the phosphorus total maximum daily load (TMDL) for Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, Oregon. The purpose of the review was to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the model and to determine whether improvements could be made using information derived from studies since the model was first developed. The new data have
Authors
Tamara M. Wood, Susan A. Wherry, James L. Carter, James S. Kuwabara, Nancy S. Simon, Stewart A. Rounds
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Oregon Water Science Center
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Three scale morphologies of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Malheur Lake Light Transmission Study

The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for a variety of highly valued ecosystem services, including shorebirds, waterfowl, and a diversity of other wildlife species.
By
Oregon Water Science Center
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Malheur Lake Light Transmission Study

The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for a variety of highly valued ecosystem services, including shorebirds, waterfowl, and a diversity of other wildlife species.
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boat on bank of Columbia River

Future Climate Effects on Columbia and Willamette River Levees

USGS research directly helps local public agencies that are responsible for the design and maintenance of the levees that surround the northern Portland metropolitan area with the goal of protecting life and property in the event of flooding from the Columbia and Willamette Rivers that surround the city.
By
Oregon Water Science Center
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Future Climate Effects on Columbia and Willamette River Levees

USGS research directly helps local public agencies that are responsible for the design and maintenance of the levees that surround the northern Portland metropolitan area with the goal of protecting life and property in the event of flooding from the Columbia and Willamette Rivers that surround the city.
Learn More
link
Wood River, Oregon

Klamath Basin Studies

In 1992, the USGS began studying possible causes for the change in trophic status of Upper Klamath Lake. Since then research has expanded to include groundwater, geomorphology, streamflow forecasting, and fish ecology.
By
Oregon Water Science Center
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Klamath Basin Studies

In 1992, the USGS began studying possible causes for the change in trophic status of Upper Klamath Lake. Since then research has expanded to include groundwater, geomorphology, streamflow forecasting, and fish ecology.
Learn More
link
USGS scientist collecting samples at Crater Lake, Oregon

Future Water Clarity and Dissolved Oxygen in Crater Lake

Warming air temperature may change water temperature and water column mixing in Oregon’s Crater Lake over the next several decades, potentially impacting the clarity and health of the iconic lake.
By
Oregon Water Science Center
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Future Water Clarity and Dissolved Oxygen in Crater Lake

Warming air temperature may change water temperature and water column mixing in Oregon’s Crater Lake over the next several decades, potentially impacting the clarity and health of the iconic lake.
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Photosynthetically Active Radiation Measurements Collected at Malheur Lake, OR, 2017-2018

The USGS measured photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, wavelength between 400 and 700 nanometers) at Malheur Lake, Oregon, as vertical profiles and as continuous measurements at a fixed depth, in 2017 and 2018. Malheur Lake is a large, shallow, turbid lake located in southeastern Oregon that fluctuates widely in surface area in response to yearly precipitation and climatic cycles. High suspen
By
Oregon Water Science Center

Water surface elevations recorded by submerged water level loggers along the upper Deschutes River, Oregon, between Benham and Dillon Falls, Summer, 2016

Water-surface elevations were recorded by 17 submerged water level loggers between March and October, 2016 along a 3 kilometer reach of the upper Deschutes River, Oregon. 15 water level loggers were installed along the channel margins and 2 loggers were placed in off-channel wetland ponds. Submerged depths recorded at each logger were converted to water surface elevations using real-time kinematic
By
Oregon Water Science Center
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A Warming Climate Could Alter the Ecology of the Deepest Lake in the United States

Warming air temperature is predicted to change water temperature and water column mixing in Oregon’s Crater Lake over the next several decades...

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