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
Evaluation of hydrologic impact of an irrigation curtailment program in the Upper Klamath Lake Basin using Landsat satellite data
Hydrogeologic framework and selected components of the groundwater budget for the upper Umatilla River Basin, Oregon
Simulation of groundwater flow and the interaction of groundwater and surface water in the Willamette Basin and Central Willamette subbasin, Oregon
Evaluation of long-term water-level declines in basalt aquifers near Mosier, Oregon
Ground-water hydrology of the Willamette basin, Oregon
Heat as a tool for studying the movement of ground water near streams
Hydrogeology and simulation of ground-water flow in the Sandstone Aquifer, northeastern Wisconsin
Hydrogeology of the sand and gravel aquifer in the vicinity of the Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery, north-central Waushara County, Wisconsin
Hydrogeology of southwestern Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, in the vicinity of the Kettle Moraine Springs fish hatchery
Water resources of the Menominee Indian Reservation of Wisconsin
Hydrogeology of glacial deposits in a preglacial bedrock valley, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
Groundwater of the Umatilla River Basin
Upper Klamath Basin Groundwater Studies
Groundwater in the Upper Deschutes Basin, Oregon
Willamette Basin Groundwater Study
Assessing the impact of irrigation curtailment using Landsat satellite data: A case study in the Upper Klamath Lake basin
Science and Products
- Publications
Evaluation of hydrologic impact of an irrigation curtailment program in the Upper Klamath Lake Basin using Landsat satellite data
Upper Klamath Lake (UKL) is the source of the Klamath river that flows through southern Oregon and northern California. The UKL basin is home to two endangered species and provides water for 81,000+ ha (200,000+ acres) of irrigation on the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) Klamath Project located downstream of the UKL basin. Irrigated agriculture also occurs along the tributaries to UKL.Hydrogeologic framework and selected components of the groundwater budget for the upper Umatilla River Basin, Oregon
Executive SummaryThis report presents a summary of the hydrogeology of the upper Umatilla River Basin, Oregon, based on characterization of the hydrogeologic framework, horizontal and vertical directions of groundwater flow, trends in groundwater levels, and components of the groundwater budget. The conceptual model of the groundwater flow system integrates available data and information on the grSimulation of groundwater flow and the interaction of groundwater and surface water in the Willamette Basin and Central Willamette subbasin, Oregon
Full appropriation of tributary streamflow during summer, a growing population, and agricultural needs are increasing the demand for groundwater in the Willamette Basin. Greater groundwater use could diminish streamflow and create seasonal and long-term declines in groundwater levels. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) cooperated in a study to develoEvaluation of long-term water-level declines in basalt aquifers near Mosier, Oregon
The Mosier area lies along the Columbia River in northwestern Wasco County between the cities of Hood River and The Dalles, Oregon. Major water uses in the area are irrigation, municipal supply for the city of Mosier, and domestic supply for rural residents. The primary source of water is groundwater from the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG) aquifers that underlie the area. Concerns regarding thGround-water hydrology of the Willamette basin, Oregon
The Willamette Basin encompasses a drainage of 12,000 square miles and is home to approximately 70 percent of Oregon's population. Agriculture and population are concentrated in the lowland, a broad, relatively flat area between the Coast and Cascade Ranges. Annual rainfall is high, with about 80 percent of precipitation falling from October through March and less than 5 percent falling in July anHeat as a tool for studying the movement of ground water near streams
Stream temperature has long been recognized as an important water quality parameter. Temperature plays a key role in the health of a stream’s aquatic life, both in the water column and in the benthic habitat of streambed sediments. Many fish are sensitive to temperature. For example, anadromous salmon require specific temperature ranges to successfully develop, migrate, and spawn [see Halupka andHydrogeology and simulation of ground-water flow in the Sandstone Aquifer, northeastern Wisconsin
Municipalities in the lower Fox River Valley in northeastern Wisconsin obtain their water supply from a series of permeable sandstones and carbonates of Cambrian to Ordovician age. Withdrawals from this "sandstone aquifer" have resulted in water levels declining at a rate of more than 2 feet per year. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the major water utilities in the Fox Cities area,Hydrogeology of the sand and gravel aquifer in the vicinity of the Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery, north-central Waushara County, Wisconsin
The sand and gravel aquifer in the vicinity of the Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery is approximately 200 feet thick. The aquifer consists mostly of sand that was deposited as glacial till and outwash approximately 15,000 years ago. Hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer at the hatchery, calculated from slug tests, is approximately 18 feet per day. Ground water recharges west of the hatch ery, flows frHydrogeology of southwestern Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, in the vicinity of the Kettle Moraine Springs fish hatchery
This report describes the hydrogeology of the dolomite aquifer of Silurian age and its relation to springs in a study area in southwestern Sheboygan County, Wisconsin. The study was conducted at the Kettle Moraine Springs fish hatchery in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The dolomite aquifer is overlain by more than 60 feet of glacial deposits. Fine-grained glacial dWater resources of the Menominee Indian Reservation of Wisconsin
Water resources of the Menominee Indian Reservation, Wisconsin, were investigated during the period October 1981 through September 1987. The report presents baseline data and some interpretation of ground- and surface-water hydrology and quality of the Reservation. The area stratigraphy consists of basal Precambrian crystalline bedrock and overlying till and sand and gravel deposits. In the ReservHydrogeology of glacial deposits in a preglacial bedrock valley, Waukesha County, Wisconsin
This report describes the areal extent, thickness, and hydraulic properties of glacial deposits in a preglacial bedrock valley south of the city of Waukesha in southeastern Wisconsin. In the 40- square-mile study area, the preglacial bedrock valley underlies an area across which the Fox River flows. A previous regional study of the area indicated that extensive glacial sand and gravel deposits may - 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
Assessing the impact of irrigation curtailment using Landsat satellite data: A case study in the Upper Klamath Lake basin
The associated geotiff rasters represents the total actual evapotranspiration (ETa) from June through September for the years 2004, 2006, 2008-2010, and 2013-2016 for the entire Klamath Basin in southern Oregon. The ETa was created using Landsat imagery and the Operational Simplified Surface Energy Balance (SSEBop) model to estimate actual ET and the Python scripts to complete that process is also - News