Unified Interior Regions
Washington
Washington's Puget Sound is a complex ecosystem directly adjacent to a robust metropolitan area that scientists from the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center study. Recent surveys have looked at juvenile surf smelt, a key link in the food web that are consumed by predators such as salmon, orca, and many marine birds.
Western Fisheries Research Center
Research at the WFRC focuses on the environmental factors responsible for the creation, maintenance, and regulation of fish populations including their interactions in aquatic communities and ecosystems.
Go to CenterWashington Water Science Center
The Water Science Center's mission is to collect, analyze and disseminate the impartial hydrologic data and information needed to wisely manage water resources for the people of the United States and the State of Washington.
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Puget Sound-Willamette Trough
More than 70 percent of the population of Washington and Oregon resides in the Puget Sound-Willamette Trough, which stretches north-south on the western side of the Cascade Range. The area is one of the principal regional ground-water systems in the Nation, but little is known about the quantity and quality of the ground water, the regional flow system, or the interaction of the system with...
Puyallup Flood Alert
The Puyallup River Basin lies mostly within Pierce County, Washington, and contains 972 square miles of land ranging in elevation from zero at its mouth in Puget Sound to 14,408 feet at the top of Mount Rainier. The cities of Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, and Orting are some of the population centers located in the basin.
To protect lives and property in the basin, Pierce County needs...
Highway Storm-Water Detention
In some areas of the state, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) sometimes directs the storm-water runoff from highways into detention basins that store the water until it infiltrates into the ground. Because most of the water eventually percolates to the water table, and because runoff from highways can contain contaminants, using roadside detention basins may degrade...
Elwha-Morse Watershed
Have increased demands for Washington State's ground water and surface water left sufficient stream flows for fish and other uses?
To find out, the state's Watershed Management Act of 1998 (ESHB 2514) confers on local people the responsibility for conducting local watershed planning.
The Elwha-Morse Watershed area was formed out of the western part of Water Resources Inventory...
Pierce County Groundwater
The rapid growth of population in the Tacoma-Puyallup area in Pierce County has placed increasing demands on the ground-water resource. Most domestic water needs are met by wells completed in the several hundred feet of glacial deposits that underlie the area, and about 9,000 persons are served by a single spring on the southwestern side of Puyallup. Most of the population relies on individual...
Probability Flows for Streams in Eastern WA
Under Washington regulations, bridges, culverts, and other stream-crossing structures need to be designed with fish passage in mind. For culverts, maximum flows cannot exceed a 10-percent exceedance probability flow (the flow that is equalled or exceeded 10 percent of the time) when fish are migrating upstream.
To help the Washington Department of Natural Resources manage its culverts...
Food habits of Juvenile American Shad and dynamics of zooplankton in the lower Columbia River
As many as 2.4 million adult American shad annually pass John Day Dam, Columbia River to spawn upriver, yet food web interactions of juvenile shad rearing in John Day Reservoir are unexplored. We collected zooplankton and conducted mid-water trawls in McNary (June-July) and John Day reservoirs (August-November) from 1994 through 1996 during the...
Haskell, C.A.; Tiffan, K.F.; Rondorf, D.W. Hybridization and cytonuclear associations among native westslope cutthroat trout, introduced rainbow trout, and their hybrids within the Stehekin River drainage, North Cascades National Park
Historic introductions of nonnative rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss into the native habitats of cutthroat trout O. clarkii have impacted cutthroat trout populations through introgressive hybridization, creating challenges and concerns for cutthroat trout conservation. We examined the effects of rainbow trout introductions on the native westslope...
Ostberg, C.O.; Rodriguez, R.J. Hydrography and circulation of ice-marginal lakes at Bering Glacier, Alaska, U.S.A.
An extensive suite of physical oceanographic, remotely sensed, and water quality measurements, collected from 2001 through 2004 in two ice-marginal lakes at Bering Glacier, Alaska-Berg Lake and Vitus Lake-show that each has a unique circulation controlled by their specific physical forcing within the glacial system. Conductivity profiles from Berg...
Josberger, E.G.; Shuchman, R.A.; Meadows, G.A.; Savage, S.; Payne, J. Migration depths of juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead relative to total dissolved gas supersaturation in a Columbia River reservoir
The in situ depths of juvenile salmonids Oncorhynchus spp. were studied to determine whether hydrostatic compensation was sufficient to protect them from gas bubble disease (GBD) during exposure to total dissolved gas (TDG) supersaturation from a regional program of spill at dams meant to improve salmonid passage survival. Yearling Chinook salmon...
Beeman, J.W.; Maule, A.G. Morphometric discrimination of early life stage Lampetra tridentata and L richardsoni (Petromyzonidae) from the Columbia river basin
The effectiveness of morphometric and meristic characteristics for taxonomic discrimination of Lampetra tridentata and L. richardsoni (Petromyzonidae) during embryological, prolarval, and early larval stages (i.e., age class 1) were examined. Mean chorion diameter increased with time from fertilization to hatch and was significantly greater for L...
Meeuwig, M.H.; Bayer, J.M.; Reiche, R.A. Passage behavior of radio-tagged subyearling Chinook salmon at Bonneville Dam, 2005
No abstract available
Reagan, R.E.; Farley, M.J.; Evans, S.D.; Wright, L.S; Adams, N.S.; Rondorf, D.W. Predicted changes in subyearling fall Chinook salmon rearing and migratory habitat under two drawdown scenarios for John Day Reservoir, Columbia River
We evaluated the potential effects of two different drawdown scenarios on rearing and migration habitat of subyearling fall Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in John Day Reservoir on the Columbia River. We compared habitats at normal operating pool elevation with habitats at drawdown to spillway crest elevation and drawdown to the historical...
Tiffan, K.F.; Garland, R.D.; Rondorf, D.W. Survival estimates of migrant juvenile salmonids through The Dalles Dam using radio telemetry, 2005
No abstract available
Counihan , T.; Puls, A.; Walker, C.; Holmberg, G. The effects of river impoundment and hatchery rearing on the migration behavior of juvenile steelhead in the Lower Snake River, Washington
We used radiotelemetry to monitor the migration behavior of juvenile hatchery and wild steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss as they migrated through Lower Granite Reservoir and Dam on the lower Snake River, Washington. From 1996 to 2001, we surgically implanted radio transmitters in 1,540 hatchery steelhead and 1,346 wild steelhead. For analysis, we used...
Plumb, J.M.; Perry, R.W.; Adams, N.S.; Rondorf, D.W. Use of electromyogram telemetry to assess swimming activity of adult spring Chinook salmon migrating past a Columbia River dam
Electromyogram (EMG) radiotelemetry was used to estimate the swim speeds of spring Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha migrating upstream past a Columbia River dam. Electrodes from EMG transmitters were surgically implanted in the red muscle of fish captured at Bonneville Dam, and output from the tags was calibrated to defined swim speeds for...
Brown, R.S.; Geist, D.R.; Mesa, M.G. Variables influencing the presence of subyearling fall Chinook salmon in shoreline habitats of the Hanford Reach, Columbia River
Little information currently exists on habitat use by subyearling fall Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha rearing in large, main-stem habitats. We collected habitat use information on subyearlings in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River during May 1994 and April-May 1995 using point abundance electrofishing. We analyzed measures of...
Tiffan, K.F.; Clark, L.O.; Garland, R.D.; Rondorf, D.W.
Ground water/surface water interactions and quality of discharging ground water in streams of the lower Nooksack River basin, Whatcom County, Washington
Cox, Stephen E.; Simonds, F. William; Doremus, Llyn; Huffman, Raegan L.; Defawe, Rose M.
GP2 East Transect – 2014
Permanent Control Site: GP2 East Transect; Depth: 13.5 Meters (44.4 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 18.8 Kilometers (11.7 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.12781102,-123.31645664; Site Description: This site was established as the eastern control. Substrate is mainly a gravel sand mixture. A few large boulders are located off
GP1 West Transect – 2014
Permanent Control Site: GP1 West Transect; Depth: 7.4 Meters (24.2 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 19.0 Kilometers (11.8 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.11852521,-123.31605203; Site Description: This site was established as the eastern control. Depth is medium-shallow. Substrate is mainly a gravel/sand/cobble mixture surrounding
GP2 West Transect – 2014
Permanent Control Site: GP2 West Transect; Depth: 12.7 Meters (41.6 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 18.8 Kilometers (11.6 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.12781102,-123.31712832; Site Description: This site was established as the eastern control. Substrate is mainly a gravel/sand/cobble mixture surrounding boulders. Seaweed has
C2 West Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: C2 West Transect; Depth: 16.8 Meters (Feet 55.2); Distance from river mouth: 0.7 Kilometers (0.5 Miles); Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.147841,-123.57663268; Site Description: One of our deepest sites. Substrate is all muddy sand. Seaweed is absent. Lots of woody debris is present (0:28, 1:52 seconds). Featherduster tubeworms,
C1 West Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: C1 West Transect; Depth: Meters (Feet); Distance from river mouth: 0.7 Kilometers (0.4 Miles); Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.14525225,-123.57361291; Site Description: Substrate is entirely sand. All seaweeds are absent. Fragments of drift seaweed and eelgrass are seen throughout entire video. Invertebrates are scarce and are
C2 East Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: C2 East Transect; Depth: 16.3 Meters (Feet 53.6); Distance from river mouth: 0.7 Kilometers (0.4 Miles); Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.147841,-123.57596074; Site Description: One of our deepest sites. Substrate is all muddy sand. Seaweed is absent. Woody debris is seen (0:05 0:28, 1:52 seconds). Featherduster tubeworms, mainly
H1 West Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: H1 West Transect; Depth: 5.7 Meters (Feet 18.7); Distance from river mouth: 2.4 Kilometers (1.5 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.14803012,-123.53535558; Site Description: This is a shallow site and one of the farthest removed from the effects of the sediment plume outside of the control sites. Substrate is still
C1 East Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: C1 East Transect; Depth: Meters (Feet); Distance from river mouth: 0.7 Kilometers (0.4 Miles); Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.14525225,-123.57294101; Site Description: Substrate is entirely sand. All seaweeds are absent. Fragments of drift seaweed and eelgrass are seen throughout entire video. Woody debris is present (0:29, 1:
J1 West Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: J1 West Transect; Depth: 9.6 Meters (31.5 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 6.6 Kilometers (4.1 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.13607725,-123.48002186; Site Description: This site is medium depth. Substrates is mainly a gravel/sand mixture. Seaweed density is still greatly decreased. Three species of brown seaweed
H2 East Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: H2 East Transect; Depth: 8.0 Meters (26.3 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 2.6 Kilometers (1.6 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.15008216,-123.53210661; Site Description: This site is medium to shallow depth. Substrate is mainly gravel with some sand, cobble and an occasional boulder and has not changed since dam
H2 West Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: H2 West Transect; Depth: 7.7 Meters (25.2 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 2.6 Kilometers (1.6 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.15008216,-123.53277857; Site Description: This site is medium to shallow depth. Substrate is mainly gravel with some sand, cobble and an occasional boulder and has not changed since dam
A1 East Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: A1 East Transect; Depth: 8.2 Meters (26.9 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 1.8 Kilometers (1.1 Miles) West; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.13870775, -123.5855312; Site Description: Transect is in eastern part of Freshwater Bay. Sediment is primarily sand/sandy mud. Previous small boulders appear to be buried. Seaweeds are
Collaborative Project Enters Its Second Year as 15 More Animals Join Population Reintroduced Last Winter
At least 15 fishers will be released at remote sites within the Elwha, Sol Duc and Hoh valleys of Olympic National Park this weekend, adding to the fisher population that was reintroduced last winter and moving closer to the goal of establishing an initial population of 100 animals.
The Willamette, a large river associated with 70 percent of the population of Oregon, is getting cleaner in regard to some persistent toxic pollutants that are a legacy of past management practices. A 257-mile portion of the Columbia River between Umatilla, Oregon, and Skamokawa, Washington, is also showing a similar trend.
The Indian Ocean tsunami that claimed a quarter million lives was not the first nor last of its kind, according to reports in the October 30 issue of the scientific journal Nature.
When the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams in Washington State are torn down in 2012, scientists will be able to see — as never before — how the removal of large dams affects the restoration of ecosystems, plants, fisheries and other animals.
VANCOUVER, WA- Scientists say the nearly three and a half years of eruption at Mount St. Helens is over for now and have lowered the volcano alert level from Advisory to Normal and the aviation color code from Yellow to Green.
The Coast Salish Nation and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will embark on a Canoe Journey to study and improve water resources in the Salish Sea, July 8-29.
Long-term trends in landscape conditions have significantly reduced sagebrush habitat and populations of greater sage-grouse, according to a new study examining the bird's chances of survival.
B-roll footage documenting the continuous eruption of Mount St. Helens from September 2006 through February 2008 is now available from the U.S. Geological Survey.
The National Earthquake Conference will be held in Seattle from April 22 - 26. Earthquake experts from around the nation will convene to discuss the latest research on earthquakes and the generation of tsunamis.
VANCOUVER, WA-The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported today that a dome of lava that has been growing continuously in the crater of Mount St. Helens in Washington State for more than three years has stopped.
A "pineapple express" storm system that brought intense rainfall to western Washington on December 2 and 3, 2007, pushed river flows at about 10 sites to new all-time record high flows. As of 10:00 a.m. today, there are 2 river gaging stations reporting above flood stage set by the National Weather Service (NWS).
The traditional emphasis on dense, fast-growing conifer-dominated forests in the Pacific Northwest raises questions about the health of dozens of animal species that depend on shrubs, herbs and broad-leaf trees, a new analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Oregon State University suggests.
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Locations
Washington Water Science Center
Phone: (253) 552-1600
Fax: (253) 552-1581
Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC)
Phone: (206) 526-6282
Fax: (206) 526-6654
USGS Volcano Science Center
Phone: 360-993-8900
Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center
USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO)
vhpweb@usgs.gov
Phone: 360-993-8900
Fax: 360-993-8980
Columbia River Research Laboratory
Phone: (509) 538-2299
Fax: (509) 538-2843
Marrowstone Marine Field Station
Phone: (360) 385-1007
Fax: (360) 385-7207
Northwest Washington Field Office
Phone: (360) 312-8155 x2001
Fax: (360) 312-8565
Mid-Columbia Field Office
Phone: (509) 735-3739
Fax: (509) 735-3723
Upper Columbia Field Office
Phone: (509) 353-2649
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC) Olympic Field Station
fresc_outreach@usgs.gov
Phone: 360-565-3041
Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center (FRESC) Cascadia Field Station
fresc_outreach@usgs.gov
Phone: 206-616-1874
Fax: 206-685-0790
Contacts
Western Fisheries Research Center
Research at the WFRC focuses on the environmental factors responsible for the creation, maintenance, and regulation of fish populations including their interactions in aquatic communities and ecosystems.
Go to CenterWashington Water Science Center
The Water Science Center's mission is to collect, analyze and disseminate the impartial hydrologic data and information needed to wisely manage water resources for the people of the United States and the State of Washington.
Go to Center