As a Regional Science Coordinator for the USGS Northwest-Pacific Islands Region, Terrence Conlon provides science support and leadership to seven USGS Science Centers in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii.
Terrence Conlon is a Science Coordinator for the USGS Northwest-Pacific Islands Region which encompasses Department of the Interior Regions 9 and 12. Terrence supports USGS Mission Areas and Science Centers in developing, implementing, and completing comprehensive integrated science in the Region, which Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. In addition, Terrence is the coordinator of USGS programs in the Klamath Basin, represents the USGS on the Columbia River Basin Federal Caucus, and participates in tribal water right settlement teams.
Prior to joining the Region, Terrence coordinated and oversaw the interpretive science program in the USGS Oregon Water Science Center and represented USGS at federal, state, and local meetings throughout Oregon. Prior to his leadership role in the Center, Terrence managed water resource studies, with a focus on groundwater, in the Willamette and Umatilla Basins in Oregon.
Terrence’s scientific expertise focuses on understanding groundwater processes and how climate, groundwater extraction, land use, and surface water affect groundwater resources. He has experience using surface and borehole geophysics, groundwater level data networks, and models to evaluate groundwater resources in Oregon and Wisconsin.
Professional Experience
2021–present: Science Coordinator, USGS, DOI Regions 9 & 12, Portland, OR
2019: Acting Deputy Regional Directory, USGS, DOI Regions 9 & 12, Portland, OR
2016-2020: Studies Chief, USGS Oregon Water Science Center, Portland, OR
2006-2015: Chief, General Hydrologic Studies Section, USGS Oregon Water Science Center, Portland, OR
1996-2005: Hydrologist, USGS Oregon Water Science Center, Portland, OR
1988-1996: Hydrologist, USGS Wisconsin Water Science Center, Madison, WI
Education and Certifications
MS: Geology (Hydrogeology), University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
BA: Earth and Environmental Sciences (Geology), Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
Science and Products
Groundwater of the Umatilla River Basin
Upper Klamath Basin Groundwater Studies
Groundwater in the Upper Deschutes Basin, Oregon
Willamette Basin Groundwater Study
Science and Products
- Publications
- Science
Groundwater of the Umatilla River Basin
Water management in the arid Umatilla Basin has become increasingly complex in recent years. Competing demands from society for generating hydro-electric power, maintaining and restoring fisheries, restoring watershed health, providing water for growing communities, and increasing agricultural production through irrigation, have put water resources in the Umatilla Basin and throughout the...Upper Klamath Basin Groundwater Studies
Since the late 1990s the USGS has worked to characterize the regional groundwater hydrology of the upper Klamath Basin. Research focuses on collecting data to help evaluate the state of the groundwater system and its response to external stresses, and to develop computer models to provide insights useful for water management. These efforts build on earlier USGS studies in the basin going back to...Groundwater in the Upper Deschutes Basin, Oregon
Groundwater monitoring in the Deschutes Basin shows water-level declines are larger than might be expected from climate variations alone, raising questions regarding the influence of groundwater pumping, canal lining, and other human influences.Willamette Basin Groundwater Study
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) studies the water resources of the Willamette River Basin. Here you will find a description of the study, as well as information and data resulting from this work. - Data
- News