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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Decreased mortality of lake michigan chinook salmon after bacterial kidney disease challenge: Evidence for pathogen-driven selection?
In the late 1960s, Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha from the Green River, Washington, were successfully introduced into Lake Michigan. During spring from1988 to 1992, large fish die-offs affecting Chinook salmon occurred in the lake. Multiple ecological factors probably contributed to the severity of the fish kills, but the only disease...
Purcell, M.K.; Murray, A.L.; Elz, A.; Park, L.K.; Marcquenski, S.V.; Winton, J.R.; Alcorn, S.W.; Pascho, R.J.; Elliott, D.G. Estimates of fish-, spill-, and sluiceway-passage efficiencies of radio-tagged juvenile Chinook salmon during spring and summer at The Dalles Dam in 2003: Draft final report of research
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Hansel, H.C.; Beeman, J.W.; Hausmann, B.J.; Juhnke, S.D.; Haner, P.V.; Phelps , J.L. Estimates of fish-, spill-, and sluiceway-passage efficiencies of radio-tagged juvenile Chinook salmon during spring and summer at The Dalles Dam in 2004: Draft final report of research
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Hansel, H.C.; Juhnke, S.D.; Haner, P.V.; Dingmon, L.; Beeman, J.W. Estimates of fish-, spill-, and sluiceway-passage efficiencies of radio-tagged juvenile Chinook salmon during spring and summer at The Dalles Dam in 2005: Final report of research during 2005
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Hansel, H.C.; Juhnke, S.D.; Haner, P.V.; Dingmon, L.; Beeman, J.W. Fish assemblage, density, and growth in lateral habitats within natural and regulated sections of Washington's Elwha River prior to dam removal
We characterized seasonal fish assemblage, relative density, and growth in river margins above and between two Elwha River dams scheduled for removal. Fish assemblage and relative density differed in the lateral habitats of the middle-regulated and upper-unregulated sections of the Elwha River. Rainbow trout was the numerically dominant salmonid...
Connolly, P.J.; Brenkman, S.J. Influence of dams on river-floodplain dynamics in the Elwha River, Washington
The Elwha dam removal project presents an ideal opportunity to study how historic reduction and subsequent restoration of sediment supply alter river-floodplain dynamics in a large, forested river floodplain. We used remote sensing and onsite data collection to establish a historical record of floodplain dynamics and a baseline of current...
Kloehn, K.K.; Beechie, T.J.; Morley, S.A.; Coe, H.J.; Duda, J.J.
Lower Methow tributaries intensive effectiveness monitoring study. Interim report
Actions have been taken to replace diversion dams in lower Beaver Creek with a series of rock vortex weirs. Some of these diversion dams have been in place for over 100 years, and they have impaired or completely blocked upstream migration of fish. Three diversion dams were replaced in 2003 (Lower Stokes, Thurlow Transfer, and Upper Stokes), and a...
Martens, Kyle D.; Connolly, Patrick J. Modeling rainfall conditions for shallow landsliding in Seattle, Washington
We describe the results from an application of a distributed, transient infiltration–slope-stability model for an 18 km2 area of southwestern Seattle, Washington, USA. The model (TRIGRS) combines an infinite slope-stability calculation and an analytic, one-dimensional solution for pore-pressure diffusion in a soil layer of finite...
Godt, Jonathan W.; Schulz, William H.; Baum, Rex L.; Savage, William Z. Predicting recolonization patterns and interactions between potamodromous and anadromous salmonids in response to dam removal in the Elwha River, Washington State, USA
The restoration of salmonids in the Elwha River following dam removal will cause interactions between anadromous and potamodromous forms as recolonization occurs in upstream and downstream directions. Anadromous salmonids are expected to recolonize historic habitats, and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus)...
Brenkman, S.J.; Pess, G.R.; Torgersen, C.E.; Kloehn, K.K.; Duda, J.J.; Corbett, S.C. Survival estimates and tailrace egress of yearling Chinook salmon through The Dalles Dam spillway using radiotelemetry, 2006: Final report of research
No abstract available
Puls, A.L.; Smith, C.D. Pre-Restoration Habitat Use by Chinook Salmon in the Nisqually Estuary Using Otolith Analysis
INTRODUCTION The Nisqually Fall Chinook population is one of 27 stocks in the Puget Sound evolutionarily significant unit listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. The preservation of the Nisqually delta ecosystem coupled with extensive restoration of approximately 1,000 acres of diked estuarine habitat is identified as the...
Lind-Null, Angela; Larsen, Kimberly; Reisenbichler, Reginald Wind River Watershed Restoration: Annual report April 2006 to March 2007
This report summarizes work completed by U.S. Geological Survey’s Columbia River Research Laboratory (USGS-CRRL) in the Wind River subbasin during the period April 2006 through March 2007 under Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) contract 26922. During this period, we collected temperature, flow, and habitat data to characterize physical habitat...
Connolly, Patrick J.; Jezorek, Ian G.; Munz, Carrie S.
Glines Canyon Dam removal
Aerial photograph of the Elwha River flowing through the remains of the Glines Canyon Dam during the 3rd year of the dam removal project. Aerial assistance by LightHawk and plane piloted by Dr. Milton Bennett.
The confluence of the Suiattle River (muddy river) into the Sauk River
The confluence of the Suiattle River (muddy river) into the Sauk River.
MultiGAS monitoring station inside crater of Mount St. Helens
The new volcanic-gas monitoring station installed at Mount St. Helens consists of weather monitoring equipment and sensors for measuring the concentrations of water vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in volcanic gas plumes. Inside the fiberglass hut is the gas-monitoring equipment, a radio to send data back to the Cascades
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Taking kidney samples from adult female Chinook salmon
Connie McKibben and Carla Conway (USGS) taking kidney samples from adult female Chinook salmon for detection and quantification of Renibacterium salmoninarum (Rs) in the fish, while Joy Evered observes. Dr. Evered is a USFWS Veterinary Medical Officer and the USFWS Project Officer for this research project.
A2 West Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: A2 West Transect; Depth: 12.6 Meters (Feet 41.5); Distance from river mouth: Kilometers 1.8 (1.1 Miles); Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.14130295, -123.5883331; Site Description: One of our deeper sites at over 40 feet. Sediment is primarily sand/sandy mud with scattered boulders. Seaweeds are absent except for a couple Agarum
Recording data for female spring Chinook salmon
Dr. Wendy Olson, USFWS biologist (orange rain pants) records data for female spring Chinook salmon being spawned at the hatchery. Among the data recorded are fin clips designating treatment groups for the research project (erythromycin treatment, tulathromycin treatment, or no treatment).
F2 East Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: F2 East Transect; Depth: 11.9 Meters (39.1 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 1.5 Kilometers (0.9 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.15672004,-123.54969397; Site Description: Substrate is mainly a gravel - cobble mixture with an occasional boulder. Some seaweed has returned. Larger reds are present (0:33, 2:08 seconds)
A2 East Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: A2 East Transect; Depth: 12.6 Meters (Feet 41.5); Distance from river mouth: Kilometers 1.8 (1.1 Miles); Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.14130295, -123.58766124; Site Description: One of our deeper sites at over 40 feet. Sediment is primarily sand/sandy mud. Seaweeds are absent again this year. The sandy substrate is covered in
F2 West Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: F2 West Transect; Depth: 11.8 Meters (38.6 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 1.5 Kilometers (0.9 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.15672004,-123.55036603; Site Description: Substrate is mainly a gravel - cobble mixture with an occasional boulder. Some seaweed has returned. Larger reds are present (0:43, 0:59 seconds)
D2 East Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: D2 East Transect; Depth: 12.6 Meters (41.4 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 0.3 Kilometers (0.2 Miles); Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.15233001,-123.56829403; Site Description: This site is right off the mouth of the river. Substrate is mainly gravel with some sand and cobble. Woody debris is present (0:28 seconds). Seaweeds
D2 West Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: D2 West Transect; Depth: 12.3 Meters (40.5 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 0.3 Kilometers (0.2 Miles); Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.15233001,-123.56896603; Site Description: This site is right off the mouth of the river. Substrate is mainly gravel with some sand and cobble. Woody debris is present (1:07 seconds). Seaweeds
J1 East Transect – 2014
Permanent Site: J1 East Transect; Depth: 9.1 Meters (30.0 Feet); Distance from river mouth: 6.7 Kilometers (4.1 Miles) east; Pre/Post Dam Removal: 3 years post-dam removal; Lat/Long: 48.13607725,-123.47935008; 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
Biologists today confirmed the first sightings of newborn fishers in Washington State since restoration of the state-endangered species began two years ago. Photographs downloaded from an automated camera placed deep in the Olympic National Park wilderness show a female fisher carrying four kits down a large snag.
Mark your calendars for the 2009 Tribal Journey Paddle to Suquamish Aug. 3-8. Access videos, photos and more from the 2008 journey.
Governor Christine Gregoire has proclaimed May as Volcano Awareness Month in Washington State. Scientists, safety officials and educators are encouraged to discuss the hazards of volcanoes in their communities.
Sea-level rise, severe winter storms, salmon populations, carbon sequestration, invasive plants, and migratory birds are among the many issues of concern to natural resource managers that are affected by changing climate. Climate change and its impact on coastal ecosystems is the focus of a 2-day workshop that will bring together more than 450 scientists and policy-makers.
The latest climate-change science and how it can be used by natural resource agencies is the focus of a two-day workshop January 29-30 in San Francisco.
Fifteen fishers were released yesterday within the Skokomish, Hoh, and Queets valleys of Olympic National Park, bringing the total number of reintroduced animals to 47. Access limitations caused by recent snow and floods created logistical challenges for the people involved, but apparently not for the fishers as they bounded from their cages and ran into the forest.
Dr. Julio Betancourt, a U.S. Geological Survey senior scientist, was recently awarded a prestigious 2008 Presidential Rank Award. Betancourt, who has conducted groundbreaking research in how climate variability affects ecosystems, is also an adjunct professor at the University of Arizona, where he received his graduate degrees.
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.
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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
WFRC - Fish Health Program
Phone: 206-526-6282
Fax: 206-526-6654
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